Stories from 15 August 2008
Hungary: Why the Olympic team is not winning more medals?
Eva Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum comments on the high expectations of Hungarian sports commentators for Olympic medals, and analyzes why Hungary is not managing to meet those expectations.
Czech Republic: A German put in jail for Nazi salute
Petr Bokuvka of The Czech Daily World reports that a German motorbike fan was arrested in the Czech town of Brno for doing the Nazi salute in public. According to Czech laws, he might end up in jail for three years.
Iran: Several bloggers protest against polygamy bill
Several Iranian bloggers including Parastood protest [Fa] against polygamy bill. Shirin Ebadi, Noble Peace laureate, also protested against this bill.
Iran: “Go Live in your Lovely Israel, Mr. Vice President”
Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, the Iranian vice president for tourism and the director of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization, has been under fire after he declared that Iran is “a friend of all people in the world, even Israelis and Americans.” Now 200 legislators in the Iranian parliament have asked President Mahmoud Ahmadinehad to dismiss him.
Peru: Amazonian Indigenous Groups Protest New Governmental Decrees
The Aguaruna indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon is protesting several governmental decrees that some say would make it easier for the government and oil companies to have access to their lands. By occupying a petroleum station, this group has attracted the support of other indigenous groups in the region and they draw attention to the effects caused by the oil companies.
Russia: New Military Uniforms
Owen of Lex Libertas reports that the Russian military will completely change to a new uniform by the year 2011, by a famous Russian designer.
Russia, Georgia: A tale of two wars
Vadim Nikitin of the Foreign Policy Association Russia blog, analyzes the parallel coverage of the South Ossetia conflict by US and Russian media, saying “The US media covered the Russian invasion of Georgia and its airstrikes on Gori, while the Russian media covered the Georgian invasion of South Ossetia and...
Paraguay: Last Day in Power for Colorado Party
August 14 was the last day that the Colorado Party would be in power, as the new administration of Fernando Lugo is set to begin a new era in Paraguay, and with that a new hope, writes Liam of Políticamente Incorrecto [es].
Ethiopia: First Olympic Gold Medal
Mamá Etiopía [Spanish] reports that the Ethiopian Olympic team collected their first gold medal, won by female runner Tirunesh Dibaba in the 10,000 meters category. The blog also comments on other favorite Ethiopian athletes with high chances to win medals.
Top Ten Communist Jokes
Owen of Lex Libertas posted a list of the top ten communist jokes from an online competition where people sent in their favorite.
Saudi Arabia: Is a housemaid necessary?
For many who live in the Gulf, employing a housemaid is a normal part of life. One Saudi blogger who prefers not to has been facing much criticism.
Georgia: A linguistic approach to the country's claimed ‘territorial integrity’
ClubOrlov presents an interesting approach — ‘colored by linguistics’ — and insightful takes on the western claims over Georgia's ‘territorial integrity’.
Georgia War: More News on Russian BTC-Bombing
The Oil and the Glory writes about various independent confirmations of the alleged Russian bombings of the BTC-pipeline.
Georgia War: Russian Opposition Leaders on the Conflict
Osteuropablog brings attention to (GER) and comments on a Rosbalt article on reactions from Russian opposition leaders to the conflict with Georgia.
Georgia War: Poles Soccer Punch Russian Footballers
Osteuropablog reports (GER) how Thursday's Warzaw UEFA-cup soccer match between Russian FK Moskva and Polish Legia Warszawa was accompanied by cheers of “f-ck Russia” and similar joyous acclamations from spectators.
Georgia Leaves Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
GUS-News reflects over (GER) Georgia's decision to leave the CIS – the organisation formed after soviet demise by ex USSR-republics – and the country's appeal to other member states to follow Tbilisi's example.
Georgia War: Arkady Babchenko Conflict Coverage
From the Frontline draws attention to the photo coverage of the Russo-Georgian war by Russian Chechnya veteran, author, and journalist – Novaya Gazeta – Arkady Babchenko.
Morocco: Olympic Hopes
Morocco began competing in the Summer Olympic Games in 1960 and has competed in every Summer Games since (with the exception of the 1980 Games, which they boycotted along with the United States and its allies). Bloggers are, of course, following the 2008 Beijing Summer Games to find out what medals the Moroccan team might take home this year.
Russia, Georgia: “Information War” Guidelines
In politicsforum LJ community, U.S.-based LJ user malasadas posts humorous guidelines (ENG) for a Russian-style “information war” over South Ossetia (LJ user commentator40 has translated this post into Russian in ru_politics LJ community).
Cote d'Ivoire: Local blogger meetings
Théophile Kouamouo proposes organizing “blogcamps” in Abidjan [Fr], meetings where local bloggers can share their experiences and train others who are interested in blogging.
Togo wins first Olympic metal
Yikpa-Au Village celebrates Togo's first-ever Olympic medal [Fr]. Benjamin Boukpeti won the bronze metal earlier this week in the men's single kayak slalom. “I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. This is truly sensational!!!! Congratulations Benjamin.”
