Stories from 20 May 2007
Japan: Background to Constitutional Revision
Japan Observer has posted a long and very thoughtful entry outlining the history and politics of the constitutional revision debate in Japan. On the future of the debate, JO writes: “[W]ith the collapse of organized opposition to revision within the political system, the only potential source of opposition is from...
Madagascar: solar power in Madagascar
From AfriGadget: “A small company in Madagascar is working to get electricity to rural areas of the island. This video shows them taking the solar panels around in a van to show people how it works and educate the children on solar power. It’s an interesting video, especially near the...
Zimbabwe: despite severe inflation…
Is Zimbabwe still moving forward?, asks David Kobia: “Africa is truly a continent of insoluble contradictions. Zimbabwe's largest mobile operator, Econet has introduced 3G (Third Generation) cellular service to the capital – Harare. So far there are only 2 other countries offering the service on the continent, South Africa and...
Kenya: free wi-fi in Nairobi
Kenyan Pundit announces free wi-fi in Nairobi, Kenya: “Apparently KDN is offering free wi-fi in Nairobi (think it’s a promotion for their Butterfly product). It’s supposed to last through the end of the month. If you have a wi-fi enabled laptop, PDA etc. just search for the essid butterfly and...
Botswana: impact of brain-drain on aviation industry
The face of brain-drain: “I found this document the other day at the Air Botswana check-in counter at the recently renamed O.R. Tambo International Airport, Jo'burg. It reads: “NOTICE TO AIR BOTSWANA PASSENGERS & STAKEHOLDERS Air Botswana apologises sincerely to passengers who are affected by the current disruption to its...
UAE: Student Band Rocks!
“Dubai rockers Asking Alexandria dropped into the studio and we filmed their live performance. They're about to start a 9 month tour of the UK and they've been asked to play 4 songs on MTV Europe's segment on Dubai. Not bad for a bunch of students from the UAE, one...
Zimbabwe: Remember Murambatsvina!
This is Zimbabwe remembers Murambatsvina: “In the dead of winter, just like Stalin, one his heroes, Bob set the armed forces on defenceless families and brought in the bulldozers to throw them into the street. Within a matter of weeks, 700 000 people were living in the open, exposed to...
Japan: Mail from Henoko
dr.stonefly reprints an email sent by an activist in Henoko, urging the readers to take direct action in the protest against the marine survey. The email describes a fierce collision between the authorities and the peaceful demonstrators on boats and canoes. [Ja]
Which father is my real father?: Japan's 300-day rule
In early May, the Japanese government announced that it will take a special measure to recognise children born within 300 days of their mother's divorce, given that the mothers became pregnant after divorce. This announcement came after a group of divorced women with children raised the issue on the current...
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Bukavu, a city caught in the middle of many wars
Kakaluigi describes an apprehensive mood (Fr) in Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bukavu was caught in the middle of fighting between Tutsi government forces and the Hutu that fled there after the Rwandan genocide, and later between Congolese government and rebel forces. Kakaluigi wonders whose...
The face of racism in Reunion
Rachiri Mayotte writes about racism in Reunion (Fr) as politics on the island move toward the right.
Russia: “Discrimination”
It sometimes takes more than money and time to have your computer fixed in Moscow: good looks, lots of patience and a special sense of humor may prove helpful as well. LJ user kmaka reports on a recent conversation with a technical support service representative.
Indonesia: Creative Commons in Indonesia
The Indonesian Law Reporter looks at existing copyrights law in Indonesia and asks if Creative Commons license is applicable in Indonesia?
Maynmar: Dam Building in Myanmar
Yangon Thu points to an article that talks about the Myanmar government using force to clear the ground for massive dams.
Bahrain: Politicians Attacked by Riot Police
“Riot police attacked a seminar this evening in support of Hassan Mushaima and Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. They used tear gas and rubber bullets. According to some online reports, Waad’s Ibrahim Sharif was injured, possibly by a rubber bullet, and had to be taken to hospital….This attack comes just a day after...
Central African Republic: Bangui International Human Rights Festival
The first Bangui International Human Rights Film Festival (Fr) starts on May 22 with the support of the French organization Alliance and the EU, writes the blog of the Alliance for Democracy and Progress.
Kuwait: Food, Protocol and Dust Storms
What is the difference between Chicken Majboos and Chicken Biryani? How do you react when you are suddenly face to face with the Amir (Ruler) of Kuwait? And how do you survive a dust storm? These are just some of the issues Kuwaiti bloggers are discussing this week and which Abdullatif Alomar keeps us updated with.
Lebanon: Updates on Clashes between Army and Fatah el Islami
MFL is updating and commenting on the fightings going on in the North of Lebanon between the Lebanese army and Fatah-al-Islam.
Lebanon:Clashes between Army and Fath Al-Islam in North
Liliane reports on the on going clashes between the Lebanese Army and members of Fath Al-Islam in north Lebanon. It is reported that there has been seven casualties from the army and four from Fath Al Islam. The clashes started at 3am on Sunday May 20, and was still going...
Hong Kong: From Indecent Student Magazine to Indecent Bible
The campaign against the Bible was started by an anonymous website, truthbible, on 15 of May to protest against the Obscene Articles Tribunal's (OAT) internim ruling that two issues of Chinese University's student paper were indecent. Uptill now, the website has received 2041 complaints, while the Television and Entertainment Licensing...
Chile: External Vote Rejected
Notas Al Margen [ES] reports on the rejection of the proposal that would allow Chileans living abroad to receive the right to vote. Some variations on the proposal called for new voters to register every five years, where they would need to travel back to Chile during this time period....