Stories from 18 February 2008
Kenya: What is wrong with local web hosting?
“Dennis Wambugu is a very disappointed man. He is disappointed because Kenyans do not seem to host most of their websites at the local Internet Service Provider (ISP),” writes Rebecca Wanjiku from Kenya.
Trinidad & Tobago: Protecting the Ocean
“Whether it's the Buccoo Reef, the Gulf of Paria, Mayaro, or Cap-de-Ville and Otaheite, there has long been concern about the delicate marine ecologies of Trinidad and Tobago's bodies of water in the wake of human activities”: Discover TnT Blog explains.
Puerto Rico: Total Eclipse
The Voice of the Taino People Online reports that there will be a total lunar eclipse on Wednesday: “The entire celestial event will be visible from South America and most of North America on Feb. 20 as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia on Feb. 21.”
Guyana: Massacre in Bartica
As reports of another massacre – this time in Bartica – reach bloggers, Living Guyana asks “How many more?”
Bermuda: Budget Review
Bermuda Longtail, New Onion and Vexed Bermoothes all comment on Bermuda's 2008-2009 Budget.
Bahamas: Bailouts
Two issues have caught the attention of Rick Lowe at WeblogBahamas.com “like a red flag to a bull.”
Zimbabwe: Is Dr. Simba Makoni a puppet?
Is Dr. Simba Makoni, Zimbabwe's former finance minister, a genuine contender for the presidential election in Zimbabwe or simply part of a political ploy to keep President Robert Mugabe in power? Is the electoral process in Zimbabwe ready for a free and fair elections? These are some of the hot issues and questions in the Zimbabwean blogosphere.
Mexico: Attempted Bombing Expected to Change Things
Even though the attempted bombing did not reach its presumed target in Mexico City, many bloggers are predicting changes in store. Some think that the laws will change allowing for warrantless searches and illegal detentions, while others think it won't be as safe to walk the streets of the Mexican capital.
Turkmenistan: American priorities with Ashgabat
Maciula opines on American policy towards Turkmenistan and compares the significance of this country for the US with that of other Eurasian states.
Uzbekistan: Tracing Uzbek cotton
Libertad writes about Tesco’s initiative to boycott Uzbek cotton on the international market, because of the use of organized and forced child labor in producing the cotton.
Kyrgyztsan: Kyrgyz Authorities Cut Off Tajikistan
Ayan Dane writes that the Kyrgyz authorities have decided to stop supplying electricity to Tajikistan, which, according to the Kyrgyz officials, refused to comply with its commitments. Tajikistan is in grave humanitarian condition now because of the harsh energy deficit.
China: Spielberg's withdrawal from the Beijing Olympics
Joel Martinsen from DANWEI has translated three local blog posts commenting on Spielberg's withdrawal from the Beijing Olympics.
Kyrgyztsan: Hate Crimes in Russia Target Kyrgyzs
Asel writes that Kyrgyz society is highly concerned about recent hate crimes in Russia – only during the last month five Kyrgyzstani were murdered in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.
Kazakhstan: More State Control in Economy
KZBlog reports that one week after the president's Address to the Nation, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan announced that this year the government will investigate all existing contracts with foreigners in extractive sector to void contracts with companies that have violated the terms.
China: Mistakes On Freedom of Speech
Zhao Mu re-posted an anonymous blog post on a few mistakes frequently committed by mainland Chinese on the principle of Freedom of speech: 1. The over emphasis on there is no “absolute” freedom of speech; 2. Rumor and Defamation shouldn't be included in freedom of speech; 3. Issue concerning with...
Uzbekistan: Rights Activists Comment on Release of Colleagues
Nathan posts a statement by the human rights watchdog for prevention of torture in Uzbekistan concerning recent release of imprisoned human rights activists and the increased lip service the Uzbek government is paying to human rights as it tries to recultivate ties with Europe and the United States.
Uzbekistan: Education Officials Underrates Students
David Walther reports that the universities in Uzbekistan have been ordered by the Ministry of Education to purposely lower the quantity of students receiving A’s in order to economize on stipends.
Hong Kong: Suspected to Resemble Gillian Chung
Duimanpark discusss about the funny language in the recent sex photo scandal and wonders if English speakers would understand the commonly used phrase in local mainstream media: “nude photographs of a woman suspected to resemble Gillian Chung.”
Afghanistan: London's Afghans Rally for Freedom of Expression
Mohammad says that Afghanistanis, the citizens of U.K., have demonstrated to condemn reprisals against those who are speaking Persian language. The protesters marched in front of the Afghan Embassy in London last Friday.
Afghanistan: Journalists fined for language debate
Sanjar reports that three Afghanistani journalists working for government-owned media have been fined for using Persian words that are not approved by cultural policy.
Iran: Virginia Tech shooting as a piece of Theatre
Kosoof,a leading photo blogger, has published photos of a theatre group protesting against bad conditions of their workplace in Tehran. This group wants to play Cho's Manifest, the story of Virginia Tech shooting.
