Stories from 22 January 2007
Guinea: Conakry is Dying
Pourquoi L'Afrique Claudique reflects (Fr) on the Lansana Konte dictatorship in Guinea: “This country, considered one of the 20 poorest in the world despite its economic potential, will only be hurt by a general strike which has been going on for a week along with daily arrests. May those who...
The Global Voices Show #4
Finally — the fourth episode of The Global Voices Show has landed! In this edition we feature excerpts from the following podcasts: - The IndiCast (India) – also see Global Voices article “The Blogospheres on Big Brother, Shilpa Shetty, Bullying and Racism“ – Pambazuka News (Zimbabwe) – Palabras Libres (Bolivia)...
Uzbekistan: Presidential Term Expires
Registan.net says that the term of Uzbekistan's president expires today, depending on how you look at it.
Kazakhstan: World Class Sports
Ben Paarmann says that Kazakhstan, unlike other Central Asian states, is a home for world class sports.
Tajikistan: Stealing Phone Cables
Vadim reports that poverty and high prices for nonferrous metals are driving people in Tajikistan to steal telephone wires.
Kazakhstan: The Innovative Mr. Vassilenko
At neweurasia, Arthur reports on Roman Vassilenko, the spokesman of Kazakhstan's embassy to the United States and Canada, his innovative use of the internet, and his skillful handling of the press.
Iran:Inflation makes us forgot about war
Roozmarigiha says Iranian people are so busy with high prices that pay no attention what is going on outside country's borders.The blogger says people just complain about inflation and do not listen to the news that USA is preparing for a war against Iran[Fa].
Argentina: Sex Meme
Mirko of Weblog de un chico GAY is tired of the ubiquitous “5 things meme” and so rebels by taking part in the more intimate sexual meme [ES]. We learn that he prefers the lights off, wears boxers, and his musical selection? “Bossa, Chill Out.” Could this be the start...
Argentina: Still searching for Julio Lopez
“Thursday marked four months from the disappearance of Jorge Julio Lopez, an elderly witness who has been missing since testifying in the trial against a police official from the last dictatorship. Displayed sporadically throughout the city are posters and graffiti serving as reminders that he is still missing. Despite these...
Mexico: Gay rights leader murdered
Andres Duque describes the murder of Mexican gay rights leader José Ernesto Leal Rodriguez who was stabbed to death in his Matamoros apartment. Federal deputy David Sanchez Camacho and commenters on Duque's blog are tired of police departments describing the murders of gays as “crimes of passion.”
Iran:Don't Nuke me
Kamangir has created a banner with this slogan:Don't Nuke me I don't support him.The blogger used a creative way to say Iranians are not supposed to be attacked for Ahmadinejad's policy.
Ukraine, Romania: The Bridge
Ukraine List reports that a bridge has finally been constructed to connect two villages – one in Ukraine, the other in Romania: “The bridge was even the subject of a documentary by Romanian director, Ileana Stanculescu, called appropriately The Bridge. The short (75 min.) film came out in 2004 and...
Ukraine: More on Kushnaryov's Death
Much more on Yevhen Kushnaryov's somewhat mysterious death and other political matters – at Foreign Notes, here and here, and at Ukrainiana, here.
Argentina: Comet McNaught
Both Robert Wright and Jeff Barry were able to photograph Comet McNaught as it passed over Buenos Aires’ Sunday night sky and provide some valuable links for more info on the comet.
Bolivia: A Conflict Online
Video taken by Estotaweno of the “Youth for Democracy” crowd that broke through the police line towards an eventual confrontation with coca farmers in Cochabamba. January 11, 2007 is already being called “Black January” for the civil conflict that left 2 dead and hundreds injured in the city of Cochabamba....
Uruguay: Touring by Bicycle
Trading in his motorcycle, The Bent Gringo explains why he has opted for a recumbent bicycle on this tour of Uruguay.
Bolivia: One year of Morales
Jim Shultz and Boz each give their own analysis of Evo Morales’ first year in office. Mark in Mexico takes a jab at Morales following his claim that Mexican President Felipe Calderón humiliated him at the Mercosur summit.
Iran:A trip without any benefits
Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a reformist politician, talks about Ahmadinejad's trip to Latin America.He writes:”Mr Ahmadinejad’s trip to three anti-American courtiers was among the most cost-bearing and useless events in the foreign policy of the ninth government at present. These countries are neither political allies, nor ideological ones and they do...
Russia: Localization
According to The Turkish Invasion, “you have been in Russia long time, when…” – when, for example, “you get suspiscious when someone smiles at you (rightly so)” (44 more items on this list).
Russia: Moscow Snow
Two-Zero has photos of the long-awaited snow in Moscow – which was almost completely gone the next day.
Russia: “The New Wave of Nazi Terror”
“From Knives to Bombs: The New Wave of Nazi Terror in Russia“: Sean's Russia Blog publishes a text by Vlad Tupikin (LJ user tupikin) – who “frequently writes on anti-fascism, Russian anarchism and the anti-globalization movement in Russia;” translated from Russian by Thomas Campbell.