Stories from 4 January 2008
Lebanon: Under the Weather
In Lebanon, blogger Sophia is under the weather.
Kuwait: Parking Problems
Parking problems? Fonzy, who lives in Kuwait, shares his story with a colleague in the bank he works for over a parking spot.
Jordan: Expensive Food
From Jordan, Khalaf discusses taxes and the increasing prices of food.
Iraq: Highlights of 2007
Iraqi blogger Attawie, who lives in Dubai, shares with us the highlights of 2007.
Israel: Gilad Shalit for prisoners with blood on their hands
Gilad Shalit is an Israeli soldier who was captured in a cross border raid by Palestinian militants on 25 June 2006, and has been held hostage by the Hamas ever since. There have been numerous diplomatic efforts to negotiate an exchange between Israel and the Hamas: hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for Gilad's release. Following is what bloggers writing in Hebrew have to say about the situation.
Japan: Outlawing illegally-reproduced content
Andreas at Chosaq writes about moves in Japan to outlaw illegally-reproduced content.
Botswana: Local voices offline
Koluki on “local voices offline”: “Now We’re Talking” is part of a show on Gabz FM by top Botswana radio DJ and comedian extraordinaire Michael “Dignash” Morapedi (read about him here and here). It consists of a delightful series of pranks he plays on unaware, innocent people he manages to...
China: Lawyers denied visit to detained blogger Hu Jia
If a blogger you read or maybe have only just heard of disappeared one day, would you blog about it, even if doing so would put you, or at least your blog, at risk? Dozens of police came into human rights blogger Hu Jia's home last week and quietly whisked him away; here are some of the few reactions to that.
Uganda: Fuel hunt
Kampala.ver reports from Uganda: “Compared to Kenyans who are dying in their hundreds, the price Ugandans are paying for a rigged election in their neighbouring country is rather low: USh 8,000 for a litre of petrol.”
US Virgin Islands: Bird Count
The 108th Christmas Bird Count is being held in St. John this weekend: News of St. John says it remains to be seen how much of an impact real estate development and global warming have had on bird populations.
Trinidad & Tobago: Wish List
“I want the administrators and politicians to stop playing games with the public good…to remember that ‘minister’ is not a synonym for ‘Lord’ but for ‘servant’, and ‘representative’ means that you're not sitting in the House looking into your own interests”: Keith in Trinidad puts forward his wish list for...
Jamaica: False Prophets
“It seems prophecies are the order of the day this year! Some foresee an increase in crime here in Jamaica, while others see a much brighter future…”: Stunner's Afflictions is “very skeptical of these so-called self proclaimed prophets”.
Gyuana: Bonding at Bourda
After Signifyin’ Guyana blogs about a short story entitled Bourda, which “gives an engaging account of a group of men going to a cricket match at Bourda”, a female cricket fan writes in to share what the experience of attending matches at Guyana's famous cricket ground was like for women.
Kenya: A blog for peace
Harry Karanja sets up a blog for peace in Kenya: “This is a blog about restoring peace, harmony and unity in Kenya during these times of unrest.”
Barbados: Political Entertainment
Boyce Voice thinks that “the massive 20,000 people who came out to see the Democratic Labour Party’s Political Launch and Cultural Extravaganza” is “an excellent example that there can be a mix between entertainment and politics”, while the mere concept of it makes Cheese-on-bread! go hmmm…
Russia: Internet Use in the Regions
Windows on Eurasia writes on the internet use in Russia's regions.
Former Soviet Union: Diasporas
Windows on Eurasia writes about the impact of post-Soviet diasporas.
Poland: NASA's Rival?
The beatroot writes about Poland's plans to set up “a Polish rival to NASA.”
Russia: Yukos Shareholders’ Lawsuit
Siberian Light reports on a $100-billion lawsuit against Russia filed by Yukos shareholders.
Serbia: War Over Kosovo?
Dr. Filomena considers whether unrest in Serbia may be likely over Kosovo.
Ukraine: Soviet-Era Savings – $200?
Ukrainiana writes about the evolution of Yulia Tymoshenko's campaign promise to refund Soviet-era savings: “So, if my parents had 6,000 rubles on deposit in the mid 80s, which could buy a Zhiguli, all they get is $200, a free haircut, and that's it? And you call that fair? And what...
