Stories from 21 December 2007
Tajiksitan: Parliament against witches
Tajikistan is trying to put a spell on witchcraft and fortune-telling. Actually, this comes as a no-surprise to many Tajiks after all those strange laws that have been passed one after another by our parliament. The bill on witchery is also part of the “Cultural Revolution” in Tajikistan, started earlier...
Hong Kong: Currency Peg
As Hong kong Currency is pegged with U.S, the economy in U.S has leaded to negative interest rate and inflation in Hong Kong. Kaie pointed out that such economic pain is unnecessary and against economic logic (zh).
China: Xiamen PX
ESWN translated an article from Southern Weekend which described in detail the negotiation among governments, Xiamen people and business over the Xiamen PX project.
South Korea: Thoughts on Lee Myung-bak
Robert Koehler from Marmot's Hole blogs his thoughts on the new president, Lee Myung-bak: There’s just something about him that says, “I’m going to get shit done.”
South Korea: The Bulldozer Triumphant
Matt blogs about the demolition of Dongdaemun Stadium, a place for street vendors who previously were relocated from the old Cheonggye expressway (the present Cheonggyecheon).
South Korea: Sexual Minorities Neglected
Cho Eunseok from newcham translated an article about sexual minorities’ previous encounter with the newly elected president Lee Myung-Bak.
Armenia: Hiking in the Mountains
Armenia and me posts a photograph and an account of a recent hiking trip in the snow covered mountains north of the Armenian capital.
China: Children Version of Lust, Caution
ESWN translated an editorial discussion of yweekend about the children version of Lust, Caution.
Armenia: Election Differences
The Armenian Observer features a guest post by a Swiss ex-pat worker in Armenia who compares how elections are conducted in Europe with how they are conducted here in the South Caucasus.
Kyrgyzstan: Christmas Cheer
Steve LeVine says that the Kyrgyzs are turning to a can't miss tourist grabber — Santa Claus — after a Swedish consultancy bureau stated that Kygyz mountains are the best possible destination where Santa can live.
Kazakhstan: Artpologist Project Presentation
Daniel reports on the presentation of an artistic project, completed by him and a number of Kazakhstani artists, called “Transformation of Space in Almaty”.
Kyrgyzstan: Teaching finance
Bboyd reacts on the predicted unemployment catastrophe among young people in the developing countries, and gives some recommendations for the aid organizations on how to fight it.
Nigeria: The Untouchables
Adeola writes about the Nigerian Untouchables: They told us that only one man named Umar was a little corrupt compared to the other 35 governors we have in Nigeria. It was to justify his choice as the anointed one.
Nigeria: On Nollywood
Ashimole analyses Nigerian movies: The new generation actors may be smiling to the bank with a fat pay cheque but the public are not getting value for money. It is eyesore and mind twisting when these nollywood films attempt westernized thriller/action film or war film. I doubt if they employ...
Afghanistan: Tribalism, a true enemy
Sanjar opines that the reason Iraq and Afghanistan remain unsettled battlefields isn't that our two civilizations can't agree on the nature of God, but because they can't agree on the nature of man.
Armenia: Another Blogger Outraged at Azerbaijan Event
Blogian weighs into the controversy that surrounded the opening of a Days of Azerbaijan funded by the British Embassy in Yerevan earlier this week. Supporting the action of those bloggers who protested the event in person, Simon says that such an event is unthinkable on the second anniversary of the...
Kazakhstan: New Pipeline, a Putin's Victory
Steve LeVine reports that Vladimir Putin won another round in the European pipeline war, as Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan signed a final agreement agreeing to build a new natural gas pipeline to Europe. Meanwhile Washington is bickering over who will lead American policy on the issue.
Suso, Gratitude, and Human Dignity
Originally published on Rising Voices. Every neighborhood has it's own local set of celebrities who become either famous or infamous for their talents, idiosyncrasies, and personal histories. They are the living and breathing incarnations of the archetypical characters who make up the novels and movies we so love. Think of...
Madagascar elections: a warning for the current regime?
The final results of the municipal elections for Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar, were handed out last week. The independent candidate, Andry Rajoelina, won against the candidate of the presidential party, Hery Rafalimanana, in an upset many bloggers perceive as a warning for the current president.
Dubai: New Smoking Regulations
Farrukh Ahmed writes about new smoking regulations in Dubai.
Thailand: Meeting Abhisit
Bangkok Bugle meets Abhisit Vejjiva, the leader of Democracy Party and if his party wins the elections, the next prime minister of Thailand.
