Stories from 30 January 2008
Ukraine: Affordable Housing
Ukrainiana writes on what looks like a competition between Ukraine's PM and president in promising a better mortgage deal to the electorate.
Albania: President Bamir Topi
A Fistful of Euros writes about Albania's president and some of his policies.
Russia: Osoaviakhim-1
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about the Soviet balloon Osoaviakhim-1, which reached the record altitude of 22,000 meters on Jan. 30, 1934, but crashed during the descent.
Russia: Khodorkovsky on Hunger Strike
Robert Amsterdam posts updates on Mikhail Khodorkovsky's hunger strike in protest against the treatment of jailed former Yukos executive Vasily Alexanyan – here and here.
Russia: No Future for “Nashi”?
Robert Amsterdam and Vilhelm Konnander write about what looks like the end of pro-Putin youth movement Nashi.
Russia: Internet Regulations
Perspectives on the new Russia writes about the Russian government's plans to regulate the internet.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: New Blogs by Public Figures
A few interesting blogs have emerged in the Bosnian blogosphere recently, showing the growing interest in blogging and Web 2.0 in the Balkans. Elia Varela Serra introduces the newcomers: a president, an ambassador, and a travelguide writer.
China: Hu Jia's family become human “state secrets”
And likely very skinny ones at this point, having been locked away from journalists and lawyers and bringers of milk formula for over a month now. Since AIDS activist-turned house arrested blogger Hu Jia's arrest, he's been described as a one-man human rights organization, that bloggers like him are the...
Georgia: Post-Election Distractions
TOL Georgia reports that now Mikhail Saakashvili has officially started his second term in office a new report from international election observers note further irregularities with the conduct of the vote. However, the blog notes, the country and even the opposition have since moved on.
Armenia: Russian Masters
After a visiting Russian official effectively endorsed the candidacy of the prime minister ahead of next month's presidential election in Armenia, Nazarian asks if it isn't time Armenians started to think for themselves.
Azerbaijan: Something Fishy
After posting about fish swimming up water pipes and clogging up faucets, Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog now posts a photograph of the culprits.
Mozambique: Police stops suspected children trafficking truck
Breaking the news in the blogosphere, Carlos Serra [pt] reports that the police in Inchope intercepted a truck with 40 children between the ages of 7 and 11 years from Nampula, Mozambique. It is believed that they were being trafficked. “Social and institutional vulnerabilities makes trafficking possible and extended. Several...
Kenya: Using SMS to spread rumours
What An African Woman Thinks writes about negative uses of SMS in Kenya: “Regarding the escalating violence in Kenya, the ICRC spokesman in the country, one Bernard Barret is quoted as saying that rumours are being spread by mobile phone text messages predicting imminent attacks by one group or another...
South Africa: No Light at the End of the Tunnel…
South Africa's main electricity provider, Eskom, has recently been getting a lot of flak from the South African population due to the "load-shedding" tactics being implemented to make sure supply meets demand.
India: Divorce and Women
Ultra Violet on the increasing instances of divorce in India, what it means in terms of autonomy for women and perspectives on divorce.
Sri Lanka: Communication and Participation
Moving Images, Moving People! comments on why it is essential for development agencies to actually practice the idea of participation when communicating.
Bangladesh: Democracy and Investment
Unheard Voices explores the link between levels of investment and democracy in Bangladesh.
Citizen Uganda: Smart and very, very pretty
Citizen Uganda is the best new online source of information about Uganda, and it's also very, very pretty. To scroll down the main page of Citizen Uganda is to indulge in a visual symphony: carefully selected photos align harmoniously with well-crafted blocks of text. Thick lines in complementary colors separate commentary from current events.
Pakistan: No space for burials
Jahane Rumi reviews Feryal Ali Gauhar’s novel, No Space for Further Burials – that deals with Afghanistan and stereotypes.
Louis Michel Heckled by Congolese Protestors at the London School of Economics
Le renouveau congolais posts a YouTube video which shows Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid and formerly Belgian's foreign minister, as he was confronted by Congolese protesters during a talk given earlier this month on the EU and Africa at the London School of Economics. Read the reactions from Congolese netizens and a video response that will make you move your feet.
Mozambique: A suspicious kidnapping
Ivone Soares has an incredible piece of local news: “On 23/01/2008, the citizen Momade Hamade was kidnapped by unknown people in Mocímboa da Praia. He was taken to a a camp where there were about twenty people from both sexes also as taken hostages. Six people among the criminals were...
