Stories from 2 July 2008
Ukraine: Grassroots Activism
Many Ukrainians, fed up with a culture of lawlessness that is flourishing in their country, are becoming increasingly involved in grassroots activism. One of the latest rallies - Velonayizd ("Bicycle Attack") - took place in Kyiv on June 21, when nearly 500 cyclists, bikers and pedestrians gathered in front of the municipal police headquarters for a Critical Mass-type event, prompted by the recent deaths of at least two cyclists and the authorities' failure to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Taiwan: Conflict over Diaoyutai Islands
On June 11, a Taiwanese recreational fishing boat United(聯合號) sank following a collision with a Japanese coastguard vessel 11km off the disputed Diaoyutai(釣魚台) (Japan: Senkaku) islands, an island chain simultaneously...
Jamaica: Weeping and Wailing
Following recent remarks from commentators invoking the idea of Revolution, My View of Jamdown from Up So depicts, in a long and vivid post, what a Revolution in Jamaica would...
Caucasus: European Football
Social Science in the Caucasus looks at where the affinity of the three South Caucasus countries lay during the recent European UEFA football competition. The blog says that the exercise...
Armenia: Best European in Armenia
Unzipped reports and comments on news that opposition MP Zaruhi Postanjian has been awarded the title of Best European in Armenia. The blog says that even if the choice of...
Azerbaijan: Asylum Campaign Meeting
Unzipped: Gay Armenia updates its readers on the case of a gay Azerbaijani currently in Wales. Babi Badalov's claim for asylum has been rejected and the artist faces deportation. The...
Turkmenistan: Another Dissident Jailed
Peter reports on a spate of human rights infringements in Turkmenistan, just as an EU delegation arrives in Ashgabat to discuss the issue.
Kyrgyzstan: From Sorrow to Happiness
Early in June a sorrowful groan was heard from the Kyrgyz blogosphere: the great Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov died. Almost all Kyrgyz bloggers wrote about the death of a famous...
Kyrgyzstan: Nomadism Not So Ideal World, Anymore
Director of TENGRI, the first French feature film made in Kyrgyzstan, talks about Tengirism, complex gender relationships, in an interview of Jangyl Jusubjan.
Mongolia: Riots Aftermath
AsianGypsy reports on the current situation in Mongolia after the election has turned into violent riots, looting and physical attacks leaving at least 4 men dead.
Mongolia: Election Violence
Thomas Terry reports that Mongolian President Enkhbayar has declared a state of emergency and ordered the shut down of all media except state TV for four days after election results...
Kazakhstan: Movie Tickets Wanted
KZBlog reviews the Hollywood's opening this week, the “Wanted” movie, directed by Timur Bekmambetov – a native son of Kazakhstan, born in Atyrau.
Tajikistan: Tajik Instability
Patrick Frost says that Tajikistan, already one of the world’s poorest nations, has suffered much this year with a harsh winter, continuing health concerns, and with rising food prices.
Afghanistan: Descent into Chaos
Barnett R. Rubin reviews a new book by Ahmed Rashid, the Pakistani author of Taliban, taking up the story of Afghanistan, its region, and the U.S.
Afghanistan: Humanitarian situation getting worse
SunLeaf quotes the the United Nations relief chief, who says that humanitarian situation inside Afghanistan is getting worse, with civilian casualties rising and food prices soaring.
Afghanistan: “Opium-Free” North?
Barnett R. Rubin is ironic about the UNODC's World Drug Report, which is warning about rising heroin production in Afghanistan, but hailing the alleged “localization” of the problem.
Afghanistan: Second Round of Blogging Workshop
Nasim Fekrat reports that the second round of blogging workshop was held for tens of Afghan journalists and writers in ancient city of Bamian.
Afghanistan: Marine Corps Goes Social
Joshua Foust notes the irony of forcing the Marine Corps into doing social work in southern Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Second Blogging Workshop in Pictures
Nasim Fekrat, Afghan blogger, informs us that Afghan Association of Blog Writers organized the second blogging workshop in Afghanistan,in city of Bamyan, in June. Watch the photos here.
BarCamp in Malaysia and Cambodia
BarCamp Malaysia 2008 will be on July 26. BarCamp Phnom Penh 2008 will be on September 21.
Myanmar: Villagers forced to work for aid
Residents of Meepya village in Rangoon have been forced to work on a reconstruction project in order to receive aid materials given by private donors.
