Stories from 7 May 2008
Zimbabwe: Political executions reported
Reports of political executions in Zimbabwe: “Last night we received unconfirmed reports that eight people were executed in Shamva. Their bodies are in the morgue, but their names are still unknown.”
Bermuda: Free Speech
As The Association of Caribbean Media Workers publishes its annual “overview of major developments affecting the practice of journalism and freedom of expression in the Caribbean”, Vexed Bermoothes says: “Support for freedom of speech is like being pregnant. You is or you ain’t.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Going Postal
KnowProSE.com blogs about the recent mail strike in Trinidad and Tobago.
Cuba: Sanchez Denied “White Card”
Cuban bloggers Babalu, Uncommon Sense and 1Click2Cuba all report that Havana-based blogger Yoani Sanchez is being denied a travel visa that would have allowed her to accept a top journalism award in Spain.
Bermuda: Sustainable Development
As Bermuda is caught between high oil prices and rising food costs, 21 Square says: “Once we've opened our eyes, we can begin striving towards true sustainability.”
Guyana: Money Trees
Living Guyana confirms that “The government of Guyana is giving up 988,400 acres of jungle to be cut down by an American company” unless it is compensated by the international community to preserve the trees and adds: “We're seriously torn on this issue.”
Armenia: Conciliatory Politics
The Armenian Observer posts a roundup of some of the opinions on radical opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian's apparently conciliatory 2 May speech. While most blogs consider that the former president's words were indeed more moderate than in the past, whether such an approach represents strength or weakness is open to...
Japan: Death Penalty Broadcast, 53 Years Later
An audio tape recorded 53 years ago of a death penalty execution in Japan, aired by Nippon Cultural Broadcasting on May 6th and and by Asahi television's Super Morning show on April 29th, has triggered conversations among bloggers about the country's death penalty system. The 50-minute audio footage, which features the last moments of one unnamed death row inmate, is the first of its kind to have ever been released.
Egypt: War on Facebook
“The Facebook now is the official enemy of state.The blogs are no longer the danger on the State but it is the Facebook,” writes Egyptian blogger Zeinobia.
Syria: Longing for Approval
“It just seems that those who are most critical of and most aggressive towards the “decaying west” appear to be, at the end of the day, the most desperate for its approval, at least subconsciously,” comments Yazan from Syria on statements made by politicians on safeguarding the Muslim culture from...
Syria: Americans in Iraq
Sugar, from Syria, links to a video featuring footage made by US soldiers in Iraq and comments: “Well, it’s not like it’s the first time we hear or see such videos about those American soldiers who they say are liberating Iraq and protecting America from terrorists. Instead….all what they did,...
Syria: No Golan Anniversary
“Remember the big PR campaign run by the Syrian government on the sad 40th anniversary of the illegal Israeli occupation of the Golan? Neither do I. To be fair, they only had 40 years to prepare and are probably saving their best efforts for an eventual 50th anniversary, so why...
Saudi Arabia: The Second Wife's Pain
From Saudi Arabia, American Bedu shares the pain shared by the second wife.
Lebanon: Laborer's Strike
I woke up to the sounds coming from the TV screen this morning, as LBC covered the events going on in Beirut's southern suburbs, Mazraa, Barbir and Mar Elias, among other locations, writes Antoun, from Lebanon. Inspired by the political developments, the blogger writes a poem which says: ‘Hundreds of...
Lebanon: Dangerous Day Ahead
A few opposition affiliated Lebanese unions are striking today, reports Charles Malek from Lebanon. “The last few times opposition affiliated organizations have protested it has meant attacks on those affiliated with the government and clashes with the Lebanese Army,” he notes.
Georgia: War with Russia?
The South Caucasus has always been a volatile and unstable region riven by ethnic conflict and instability. This is definitely the case in Georgia where tensions with Russia have increased to the extent that the battle of words between Tbilisi and Moscow might yet turn into war over the breakaway and defacto independent [Georgian] region of Abkhazia. The increased tension follows last month's apparent downing of a Georgian drone allegedly by a Russian MiG-29 and reports that Russian troops are being sent to Abkhazia in case of a Georgian attempt to re-take the territory by force. Russia and Georgia are playing brinkmanship again, but this time the consequences are uncertain.
Kazakhstan: New and Renovated Roads to Be Built
Adam reports that the Kazakh government will seek investors to build or maintain 1,000 kilometers of roads at a projected cost of $4.5 billion in exchange for operating concessions
Turkmenistan: Who is Rashid Meredov
Maciula writes about one of president Berdymukhammedov’s closest associates, the Turkmenistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov.
Tajikistan: Price for elecricity doubles
Vadim reports that electricity in Tajikistan becomes twice more expensive for the empoverished population.
Kyrgyzstan: Women and Men in state bodies
GenderStan posts some interesting statistics about the percentage of men and women working at administrative positions in the government of Kyrgyzstan.
Afghanistan: Persian Games
Joshua Foust opines on the statement made by Richard Boucher, U.S. Assistant SecState for Central and South Asia, concerning the relations between Afghanistan and Iran.
