Stories from 7 March 2008
Laos: Lao Fashion Show Video
Lao Voices has posted a video of a fashion show in the rapidly developing South East Asian country.
Thailand: Social Network Site and Monk
Andrew Biggs wonders if the Thai authorities will ban the popular Hi5 social network after a monk used the network to pick up women.
Thailand: Social Network Site and Monk
Andrew Biggs wonders if the Thai authorities will ban the popular Hi5 social network after a monk used the network to pick up women.
Thailand: Social Network Site and Monk
Andrew Biggs wonders if the Thai authorities will ban the popular Hi5 social network after a monk used the network to pick up women.
Thailand: Social Network Site and Monk
Andrew Biggs wonders if the Thai authorities will ban the popular Hi5 social network after a monk used the network to pick up women.
Hindi: Cricket victory and foodie delights in Old Delhi
Every Indian cricket fan is over the moon as India handed down two successive defeats to four times and current world champions Australia in first two (of three) final matches of the Commonwealth Bank Series which saw the third team Sri Lanka make a flamboyant exit by defeating Australia in...
Japan: American enka singer makes waves
The first ever American-born enka singer, Jero, has become the talk of the Japanese blogosphere the past weeks as he made his debut with the single “Umiyuki (Ocean Snow)”. The single came in fourth on the Oricon music chart, setting a record in the enka as well as Top 10...
Japan: Editorial or fiction?
Bones at Bones’ world dissects a blog post by well-known activist Arudou Debito about the treatment of a non-Japanese crime suspect in a case of hit-and-run, arguing based on Japanese-language sources that the post is “pure fiction”.
Japan: Supreme Court declares registration system constitutional
Economist and blogger Ikeda Nobuo comments on a Supreme Court decision [ja] declaring that Japan's Net registry system (Juki Net) is constitutional. He argues that a decision against the registration system would have constituted a control on freedom of expression. He also points out that Japan's four major newspapers were...
Kazakhstan: J.Lo Still Can Come to Astana
Arman tells the readers that although the Kazakhstan president ordered to curtail pompous celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Astana amidst the liquidity and growth crisis, Jennifer Lopez still may come to Astana and sing it out.
Uzbekistan: Won’t You Be My Friend?
Patrick Frost reviews the recent developments in the Uzbekistan's foreign policy regarding the Western community, and says that US policy in Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region as a whole has become more pragmatic and less democracy promotion-driven.
Afghanistan: Women's Day Celebration
Mohammad says that the US Army sponsored the celebration of the International Women's Day, March 8, in the northern part of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The festivities included a musical performance of an Afghanistani band and a fashion show.
China: Freedom and Welfare
Maomy posts a speech by Qin Hui (a public intellectual advocating political liberalism) at Ohmymedia, which explains his position in political reform in China: a parallel reform of freedom and welfare (zh).
Egypt: Call to Socialist Bloggers
“I’m compiling a list of revolutionary socialist bloggers who are affiliated with the International Socialist Tendency groups… If you are one of them, please email me on egyptian[dot]bolshevik[at]gmail[dot]com … Get in touch, we need to start networking more… for workers’ power and international socialism…” writes Hossam El Hamalawy from Egypt.
Egypt: Secrets Kept by Palms
From Egypt, Zeinab shares a story entitled Secrets Kept by Palms.
Japan: Sentaku: Choose Clean!
Ampontan traces the political and historical origin of the new citizen group, Sentaku (meaning choose and clean), back to 1850s modernization period.
Turkey: Pepsi or Coke?
“When you go to your favorite restaurant (even if it's a fast food one — I know you're out there), do you insist on a Coke or Pepsi, and are you disappointed when they only offer the other one?” asks Turkish blogger Metin.
Japan: Eat Whale And Save The Planet?
James from Japan Probe blogs a survey from the pro-whaling group which argues eating whale is more environmental than other meat. There is a poll attached in the post.
Ecuador: What Should Happen With the Border Crisis
Danny Ayala Hinojosa of El Federalista [es] writes what he wants regarding this border crisis, “We want the Venezuelan and Ecuadoran troops to return to their bases,” and “We want the conflict to be resolved diplomatically and for the insults to the legitimate governments and the people and institutions that...
Bahrain: Scantily Clad Women Strike the Wrong Chord
Seeing pictures of what he describes as "scantily clad women" in local newspapers, doesn't strike a chord with Bahraini blogger Jaffar who takes the opportunity to rant about other practises he frowns upon in the media and real life in this post I am translating from Arabic today.
Yemeni Fast Food
Jeffrey Black introduces us to Yemeni fast food in this post.