2 May 2008

Stories from 2 May 2008

Jordan: Saudi Golden Era

“With the oil prices through the roof, and Saudi's massive investments in education and infrastructure, I think it's fair to call it the “Golden Era” of Saudi Arabia. And, I...

2 May 2008

India, USA: Is there really a food crisis?

In a podcast interview Kamla Bhatt talks with Lal David Rai, a second generation farmer of Mexican-Punjabi-Indian origin on the perceived shortage of rice in the USA and the global...

2 May 2008

Caucasus: Geopolitical Linguistics

Window on Eurasia examines the role of Russian language in former Soviet republics based on the findings of a Eurasia Foundation report, Russian Language in the Newly Independent States, which...

2 May 2008

Japan: Return of the Gas Tax

Japan's “temporary” gasoline tax of 25 yen per liter of gas, extended for over 30 years and funding some 5000 road construction programs, has been re-instated after a short-lived battle with the opposition, and people aren't happy about it. Bloggers describe their experiences trying to fill up at gas stations in the last day before the gas hike came back into effect on May 1st.

2 May 2008

Fiji Times publisher deported

A day after the interim PM speech on guaranteeing Fiji media freedom, Mr. Evan Hannah, the managing director of the Fiji Times was detained and confirmed to have deported out...

2 May 2008

Venezuela: Left in the Dark

More than 13 states and the most important cities of Venezuela were affected by a power outage last Tuesday, leaving many without electricity for several hours. The subway system of the capital city of Caracas collapsed and left thousands of people having to walk through city streets already crowded with vehicles. In spite of the difficulties, some bloggers were able to record some thoughts on the day's events through Twitter and their blogs.

2 May 2008

Morocco: Rage and sadness at this weekend's Casablanca factory fires

This weekend saw two deadly fires, one in a mattress and another in a textile factory, break out in Morocco's economic capital, Casablanca. Dozens of people died from asphyxia after being locked into their workplace by employers. The Moroccan blogosphere responds with questions and expressions of anger and sadness.

2 May 2008