Bangla blogs discuss politics and elections in Bangladesh

A growing sense of discontent in palpable in the Bangla blog world with citizens of Bangladesh voicing strong concerns about the current socio-political condition in the country. Chief Election Commissioner Mr. M. A. Aziz has taken 3 months leave of absence, succumbing to the mounting pressure of many political parties...

Balkan Blog Roundup: Focus on the Positive

The Balkans need reconciliation, confidence and positivism to change and become the winning region of Europe with happier citizens. You can see that in the inspirational words from the Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian blogospheres. Toshiba posts some thoughts of the late Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic during his motivational meetings...

Pakistan: An abducted journalist and the Freedom of Press

The Glasshouse on the abduction and release of a BBC Journalist Dilawar Khan, and why freedom of the press is crucial in Pakistan. “As one of those Musharraf derided ‘extremist liberals’ your Blogger believes Press Freedom to be sacrosanct. In a country where you have a historically enfeebled parliament and...

Nepal: Suppression of the April Uprising

In April 2006, even as the people in Nepal were actively involved in the political movement, government agencies and officers were suppressing the movement. BloggersNepal points to the release of the list of names who were involved and the suggested action. “However, the five-member panel headed by former justice of...

Egypt: Cairo's women speak out against violence

In the run-up to the annual global campaign for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, Egypt's First Lady, Suzanne Mubarak, addressing a meeting of the Arab Women's Organisation, issued a heartfelt plea: What shall we do to face challenges of discrimination, extremism and religious fanaticism? It's a vexing question...

China: modern peasants

Lyn Jeffery in virtual China introduces two peasant websites in China. Both sites are rather visible on net.

Singapore: Official Cupid Disbanded

Coffee and Cigarettes welcomes the demise of a government sponsored match making agency and questions some of the other “top-down” initiatives in Singapore.

Tonga: Blame Game in Tonga

Travel Writer David Stanley at Southpacific.org blog does not agree with Tonga Tourist Association's general secretary who blamed the recent troubles in Tonga on pro-democracy movement.

Ukraine: Orange Camp Troubles

Foreign Notes writes about the lack of unity and other troubles in Ukraine's Orange camp.

Ukraine: Maidan's Second Anniversary

Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kyiv, Ukraine: two years since the beginning of the Orange Revolution – by Veronica Khokhlova Nov. 22 marks the second anniversary of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, but little orange has been visible on the streets of Kyiv today. A crowd gathered at Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti), but...

China: India

Been a busy week for Chinese President Hu Jintao, first in Vietnam and now in India, and just what for? asks Hexun blogumnist Liu Dingcai: 胡哥访印度可以学什么 What can big brother Hu learn in India? 中国国家主席胡锦涛11月20日抵达印度首都新德里，开始对印度进行国事访问；２１日胡锦涛在新德里海德拉巴宫同印度总理曼莫汉&S226;辛格举行会谈，双方就发展中印战略合作伙伴关系达成重要共识。（据《人民日报》) China's national chairman Hu Jintao arrived in the Indian capitol New Delhi on November 20...

Trinidad & Tobago: A new political order?

Jeremy Taylor wonders whether a multi-party system may be detrimental to the development of a small nation like Trinidad and Tobago — and suggests a framework for a restructured — and more rational? — system of governance.

Trinidad & Tobago: Member of parliament misbehaves

“We're in much deeper trouble than we previously thought,” writes Manicou, discussing the disdainful treatment meted out to people at a public meeting by Trinidad and Tobago member of parliament Larry Achong, and Achong's subsequent denial of wrongdoing. The Rights Action Group T&T blog, meanwhile, reports that residents of Chatham,...

Russia: Moscow Traffic Management

Ruminations on Russia criticizes Moscow's mayor: “Moscow's traffic is becoming legendary. Yury Mikhailovich who has clearly never read a single traffic management article in his life has determined that the best way to deal with this is not to invest in more communal transport but to widen the road.”

Lebanon: Campaigns, Politics and Photos

A wide variety of topics were highlighted in the Lebanese blogosphere this week. There are campaigns against sectarianism, child abuse and AIDS as well as minorities speaking out. There are attempts to define the shades of grey in internal Lebanese politics. We also have posts about the media, nice photos...

China: year of spoof

Zhao Mu suggests in his blog that 2006 should be the year of spoof in China, spoofs come not only from internet, but also from the government (zh).

Zany who writes for The View from Fez, Morocco, posts part of a paper which highlights plans to increase the number of women candidates in Parliament. Mohammad V University law professor Mohamed Mouaquit, who prepared the study for the Democratic Association of Moroccan Women, states political representation of women in...

Kazakhstan: Right Hand Rights!

Leila reports on protests in Kazakhstan over the the government's decision to ban the import and sale of cars with steering wheels on the right side.

Afghanistan:Taliban's Purchasing Power

Afghan Lord says about the presence of drugs in country. The blogger quotes NewsMax site “Policemen in Afghanistan are not happy with their lives. The highest-ranking officer makes about $80 per month, and the Taliban pay better, one policeman tells me.Would he go fight with them? “They haven't asked me....

China: wikipedia blocked, unblocked and reblocked

The news about Chinese wikipedia has been confusing. On Nov 13, it was widely accessible, on Nov 16, partial inaccessible, on Nov 17, a reblocked was confirmed and appeared more restrictive – Andrew Lih has the most elaborated update.

South Korea: anti Korean websites

Robert Koehler at Marmot's Hole lists out some anti-Korean websites. However, he disagrees with local newspapers’ opinion that government should step in and intervene.