Stories from 3 July 2006
China: District white house in Henan
Blasts reports that a series of photos were widely circulated in China internet these days. The photos show “the world's leading” government building campus (the so-called “white house” among netizens) in a district level town at Zhengzhou city in Henan province (zh). There are several links to local BBS discussing...
China: sex-selective abortion
Chinese Law professor blog reports that on June 29th, the National People's Congress Standing Committee adopted a number of amendments to the Criminal Law, effective immediately. Sex-selective abortion has not been criminalized. The existing ratio of male and female birth rate is 1.19 : 1 indicating that sex-selective abortion has...
China: Free Hao Wu!!!
We are now on Day 133 since Hao Wu, Chinese filmmaker and Global Voices Northeast Asia Editor, disappeared into detention without charge. We have been doing what we can to keep Hao's case from being forgotten. The WSJ's Geoffrey Fowler now has an in-depth story titled Gray Zone: An Arrest...
South Korea: Korean Folk Village
Lawson from Frog in a well visited a Korean Folk Village near Suwon and had some very delicate observations of what were included and excluded. The discussion is related with “the conflicting goals of wanting to celebrate the rich culture of the past (a matter of national pride) and preserve...
Taiwan: conservation of Hansen disease hospital
Yang in Esouth blog reflects upon a rally to conserve a Hansen disease hospital from being demolished and replaced by a giant metro train factory. The issue has unveiled a hidden history of the city, the disease and the people. She is touched by the demonstration as the participants came...
Liberia: Child soldier
Bazungu Bucks, on a hot night in Pittsburgh, sees for himself the effects of the Liberian war on a former child soldier, when someone lets off a string of firecrackers.
Somalia: U.S. foreign policy
Ainashe.net recommends an article on AntiWar.com about the failure of U.S. foreign policy in Somalia, and how it led to the emergence of an Islamist regime there. “It is a good read,” the blogger writes.
Nigeria, UK: Freedom of speech
UKNaija makes a comparison between the loss of freedom of speech in Britain, where he lives, and Nigeria, where he used to live. He also mourns, unexpectedly, England's exit from the World Cup.
Somaliland: Is the Army Fit?
Ahmed Quick, at the Voice of Somaliland Diaspora, asks if the government of the emerging democracy of Somaliland has given enough thought to the state of the country's armed forces.
Developing World: Cultures of Repair
Timbuktu Chronicles points to a long essay on the blog of Nokia researcher Jan Chipchase, detailing the cultures of repair which spring up in developing countries.
Afghanistan:TV Channels & Security
Dialogue3 says many try to launch their own TV channels in Kabul (Persian). He also says many worry about security in Kabul. Dialogue3, despite everything enjoys being in Kabul.
Pakistan: Visa ease
Pakistan seems keen to build the image of a tourist and investor friendly country. Metroblogging Islamabad says “The new visa policy announced here Friday allows Pakistan's missions in 175 countries to grant visas. It also envisages promotion of travel and tourism between Pakistan and India.”
Armenia: Notes from the Blogosphere
Onnik Krikorian has a roundup of the Armenian blogosphere.
Kyrgyzstan: Squatter Protests
Yulia translates a post on squatter protests in Kyrgyzstan that urges the Kyrgyz government must avoide making decisions that could encourage further demands.
Armenia: Yerevan Construction
Christan Garbis has photos of the new construction in Yerevan that is taking place of the city's historic structures. His photos show that poor materials and techniques are being used to construct the new buildings.
Kazakhstan: Media Wars
Leila translates a post about the debate over media regulations in Kazakhstan that argues that societ needs protection against abuses of the truth by journalists.
Pakistan: Exploring the Kelash
Shirazi writes on the Kelash, their culture and religion. “The Kelash are called Kafirs (infidels) and their land is known as Kafiristan. Between the 13th and 16th centuries the Chitralis gradually subdued the Kelash.”
Kazakhstan: North of Rainbek
Ben Paarmann says that by focusing on the boom in Almaty, journalists paint an inaccurate picture of Kazakhstan.
Sri Lanka: Getting drunk, peace and football
Days go by… on the kind of peace Sri Lanka needs. “I spent the last weekend being too drunk to worry about the happenings of this country and it felt damn good to be free. I spent the last weekend wondering how two Latin-American football giants could not make it...
Bangladesh: Jhalmuri and Popcorn
Drishtipat on the changing face of street food in Dhaka. Jhalmuri replaced by Popcorn. “However when I was in Dhaka earlier this year, I found jhhalmuri vendors being replaced with popcorn vendors. You hardly can stop in any traffic light without being solicited to buy the pre packed popcorns.”
Iranian Treasure and Ganji's Ideas
The Chicago Tribune recently reported that a US federal judge had rejected a key defense by the University of Chicago in a lawsuit brought by US survivors of a 1997 bombing in Jerusalem seeking the auctioning off of Iranian treasures (ancient tablets) in the University's collection to pay compensation on...
