Stories from 5 November 2007
Colombia: Local Elections and Uribe's Influence
Colombia recently held local elections, which were marked by campaign violence. They were also characterized by the influence by current president Álvaro Uribe, who still enjoys considerable popularity around the country. However, Colombian bloggers select their winners and losers beyond the vote counts.
Kazakhstan: Another Norman Foster's Project in Astana
Ben reports on continued Norman Foster’s professional engagement in Kazakhstan with another spectactular landmark to be added to Astana, The Abu Dhabi Plaza.
Kyrgyzstan: More Women Join Parties
GenderStan reports on the two women, both leaders of the gender NGOs, who openly joined an oppostion party in Kyrgyzstan lately.
Uzbekistan: Update on the Murder of Alisher Saipov
Libertad comments on the report of Kyrgyz law enforcement bodies on the assasination of Alisher Saipov, a highly critical Uzbek journalist, who was shot to death in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Police accuses Hizb-ut-Tahrir in murder, while journalists believe that Uzbek secret services killed their colleague.
Afghanistan: Taliban Behead Two Civilians
Sanjar's post informs about the fact that Taliban insurgents have beheaded a man and a woman in Ghazni province, southwest of the capital Kabul, as reported by Afghani police.
Philippines: Issues raised over President's appointment of new poll official
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently appointed Moslemen Macarambon Sr. as the chairman of the Commission on Elections of Philippines. Several bloggers are questioning the appointment and demanding a more transparent method of choosing the chairman. Some bloggers including the chairman's son are asking the people to give him a chance to justify his appointment.
Singapore: Diwali in Little India
Sparklette visits Little India area of Singapore to check out Deepawali festivities.
Myanmar: Thailand Sending Burmese Migrants Back
Magnoy's Samsara links to an articles from Burmese online dissident news sites to highlight the news that the Thai military is rounding up Burmese migrants in Thailand to send them back to Myanmar.
Vietnam: Looking For a Stilt House
Diacritic is looking for a house on stilts.
Vietnam: First Laundromat In Hanoi
Khongcoai.com (in French) presents the first (not so automatic) Laundromat in Hanoi. It's located at no. 55 Chau Long.
Thailand: Racy Books Seized
FACT (Freedom Against Censorship in Thailand) likens the seizure of erotic literature at a book fair to Victorian England where classic literature was banned for its racy content.
