Stories from 6 June 2007
Kazakhstan: Election Changes
At neweurasia, Adam says that recent changes to election laws are a step in the wrong direction for Kazakhstan.
Algeria: US Stance Towards Turkey ‘Ironic’
Algerian blogger Nouri finds it ironic that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Sunday cautioned Turkey against sending troops into northern Iraq, as it has threatened, to hunt down Kurdish rebels it accuses of carrying out terrorist raids inside Turkey.
Kyrgyzstan: Visit from SecDef
Kyrgyz Report reports on the meetings in Bishkek between Kyrgyzstan's president and the US defense secretary in which the status of the US airbase in the country was discussed.
Tajikistan: Panj Bridges
Are bridges across the Panj River to Afghanistan good or bad for Tajikistan? Vadim of neweurasia examines the issue.
Africa: speaking your own language
Ted Kidane came to the United States from Ethiopia twenty four years ago as a student, with $50 in his pocket. He starts his talk with a story about misunderstanding – he was visiting a tax preparer (which he found weird as, in Ethiopia, the government never gives money back...
Africa: end for the African despot?
African Update discusses the impact of Charles Taylor's trial on African politics: “It is unlikely that the trial of former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor will make major headlines in many of the world’s newspapers, particularly given the fact that Paris Hilton was recently sent to jail and we have to...
Africa: solar is the future of Africa
Afromusing writes about local solar and wind energy in Africa: “He had a powerful graph showing how 85% of Kenya (africa?) is not connected to the grid. The striking thing about Mr. Mwacharo’s company is the use of locally available materials and labor to create the systems. The inverters are...
Africa: roadblocks for Africa's business women
Benin Mwangi discusses roadblocks for Africa's business women: “There is a three headed hydra that over the weekend has been really eating at my being. It pertains to the ease of doing business in Africa, as an African woman. As I have read the blogs of African women over the...
Rwanda: this is Kigali
The Soujourner Dispatch on entering Rwanda from Uganda: “Easy, just plain easy. Getting from Uganda to Rwanda was a breeze, and we didn’t even pay for a visa! Looks like Bush and Kagame (the Rwandan President) are chummy. Once again the physical border was porous. Immigration and Customs appeared to...
Thailand: Celebrity Spotting
The lost boy is at a Bangkok opening ceremony and asking readers to help him identify the celebrities he spotted there.
Africa: Google hires first African
“Google hires first African employee,” declares White African: “Joseph Mucheru has been named the new site lead for Google Kenya. This was whispered to be happening, but at today’s Google lunch at TEDGlobal the position was made official by Francoise Brougher, Director of Google Business Opportunities.”
Thailand: Thailand Like Sim City
Mr. Pavee says Thailand is like the Sim City game. The blogger provides various game scenarios for Bangkok. “Lets assume we have an established (but messy) city like Bangkok as one of the playable scenario. Now try the following:# 1. Disaster Menu > Riot: Wow we just summoned a mob!...