Stories from 27 December 2006
Turkmenistan: Transition
Sean Roberts says that there is still quite a bit of uncertainty in the post-Turkmenbashi transition in Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan: Religious Restrictions
Alisher reports that the new governor of the Andijon province, the site of the 2005 protests and massacre, has imposed new restrictions on Islamic religious practice, including requirements that all restaurants serve alcohol and that children and teenagers not be admitted to mosques for public prayers.
India: Going back to Cochin
Pooja Malpani goes home to Kerala after a year and a half, and already, things are a little difference. “The whole scenario seems so chaotic with a 2 laner being used as a 1-5 laner and I’d feel really scared in a car when a bus was next to us...
Turkmenistan: Weak Constitution
At neweurasia, Peter reports on constitutional amendments in Turkmenistan that both pave the way for acting President Berdymuhammedov to continue in the role and sweep aside any hope that Turkmenbashi's death would usher in openness and democracy.
India: On the GV summit
National Highway, who attended the Global Voices summit in Delhi, has some thoughts to share.
Azerbaijan: Olympics
Carpetblogger throws in a voice of support for Azerbaijan's 2016 Olympics bid, noting all the exciting new events that they could contribute.
Sri Lanka: The insider, outsider and the State
Moju on what seems to be an absurd reason to differentiate between Sri Lankans and foreigners. “When they called they were told that since the President is visiting the area to inspect Tsunami relief activity that all guest houses have been instructed not to provide accommodation for Sri Lankans and...
Armenia: Parliamentary Monitor
Onnik Krikorian has a pessimistic take on the latest developments in the lead-up to Armenia's parliamentary election, saying that everyone might as well just enjoy the show.
Bangladesh: Dr Yunus and rhetoric
Dr Yunus's speeches of late have been filled with a slightly neutral tone observes Drishtipat. “However, to me when I hear him stress on holding any election rather than a good, credible election, he seems to be trying too hard to keep the status quo.”
Pakistan: Bakra Mandi – where livestock is sold
Animals being traded for ritual sacrifice and more at the Bakra Mandi (a goat bazaar) as seen by Metroblogging Islamabad.
Africa: global perception of Africa
The global perception that Africa sucks gathers more speed, “I have got an IQ of 132, show me how to use it”
Kenya: numbers do not lie
Bankele notes that numbers do not lie, people do, “Whether it's – Kenya to receive 5.8 billion in military aid, government creates 500,000 jobs, NGO plans to plant 1 million trees, ILO says 352 million children are economically active, SACCO’s contribute 45% to GDP, or 30 per cent of teenagers...
Senegal: lessons from the Mourides
“All these factors have helped make the Mourides one of the more successful African communities, at home and abroad. Wherever they are, they club together to acquire a mosque and community centre. Their networks help migrants leave Senegal, find work and procure documents. Far from being helpless victims of fate,...
Burkina Faso: conflict between the army and the police
What exactly happened last week in Ouagadougou?, “In Ouagadougou yesterday, there was a conflict between the police and the army, which led to several policemen killed. Apparently shooting was heard throughout the day and into the night.”
Iran:Virginia Woolf in Tehran
Bokhara Magazine has organised a Virginia Woolf night in the House of Artists in Tehran. You can see several photos in Tadaneh blog.
Ukraine: Ruslana Against Human Trafficking
The Natashas – “a blog for those interested in fighting the scourge of human trafficking of women and men, girls and boys, especially for purposes of sexual exploitation” – posts a link to an anti-human trafficking video by Ukrainian pop singer and PM Ruslana.
Russia: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Economic Boom
White Sun of the Desert writes about the economic boom in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Russia: Nazism and Anti-Fascism
Daut is guest-blogging at Sean's Russia Blog about Nazism and anti-fascism in Russia and the Russian blogosphere.
Poland: Offensive E-Cards
The beatroot writes about anti-Semitic e-cards and how some Polish politicians confuse protest for political correctness.
Poland: Free Internet
Information Policy blog reports that the Polish government will be offering free internet service “to disadvantaged members of society in a bid to ensure that all citizens can have equal access to the constantly growing array of public services now available on-line.”
Cambodia: Angkor Wat in the Seven Wonders
Vutha points to Angkor Wat's official caretaker body asking Cambodian people to vote for the monument to be included in a new list of seven wonders of the world.
