Stories from 5 January 2009
Guyana: The Politics of Dual Citizenship
“How come no media house has raised the issue of dual citizenship…?” Guyana 360 says that “it's a debate taking place throughout the Caribbean” and thinks that the discussion should be at the forefront of Guyanese politics.
Jamaica: Murder Toll
Iriegal and Jamaica Salt are both disheartened by the country's 2008 murder rate, “the second highest total ever recorded.”
Jamaica: Blogging, etc.
“So 2008 was a rough year and 09 doesn't promise to be any better”, but Jamaica-based Annie Paul thinks that blogging can make all the difference.
Zimbabwe: January blog roundup
As shown by this roundup, most bloggers in Zimbabwe at the beginning of this new year are concerned with the economic and social situation in the country. Others are still following the court case of the abducted human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, who is facing charges of training bandits to topple Robert Mugabe's government.
Russia: Realizing impact of international economic crisis
Streetwise Professor discusses how Russia's leadership is beginning to admit that Russian economy is in trouble as part of the international financial and commodities’ system.
Poland: Difficulties in adopting the Euro
Polandian discusses Poland's difficulties in fulfilling requirements to adopt the Euro as currency by 2012, while neighbouring countries succeed in it the one after the other.
Hong Kong: Police's Power in Question
A recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong University Public Opinion Survey Center, Hong Kong people's evaluation of the Police force has fallen to the lowest since 1997, the handover of Hong Kong from U.K to China. This is partly due to the police suppression of civic action in the...
Tajikistan: Uzbekistan cuts gas to Tajikistan
Michael Hancock informs the readers that Uzbekistan has shut off the gas to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan isn’t sending electricity to this country, leaving it without electricity.
Afghanistan: A Curious Case of Murder
Joshua Foust reports that a Canadian soldier in one of the ISAF embedded training teams in Helmand, is under arrest in Afghanistan for murder.
Kyrgyzstan: Media Clamp Down
Patrick Frost reports that the Kyrgyzstan state is clenching a vice on international media outlets after it took off the air US-funded Radio Free Europe ‘Radio Azattyk’ and BBC programming.
Kazakhstan: Little Progress in Science Policy
Patrick Frost reviews the efforts of Kazakhstani authorities make to increase science research funding in the country 25 times over in six years, saying that little progress has been done so far.
Mongolia: New Year Hopes and Celebrations
Bilguun writes about New Year celebrations in Ulan-Baatar, the capital city of Mongolia, and briefly opines on the expected new minerals law and upcoming presidential elections.
Azerbaijan: Off the Air
Following the recent ban on foreign radio broadcasts in Azerbaijan, Thoughts On The Road registers its disappointment with the move. Although Radio Free Europe will now concentrate on expanding its web site, the blog says that this is no replacement for a radio station. It also wonders how Azerbaijani students...
Azerbaijan: Homophobia
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports on the continuing battle of words between two Azerbaijani singers who accuse each other of being gay. The blog dealing with LGBT issues in the South Caucasus says that new comments made by another singer on heterosexual relationships seemed quite progressive for the region until he...
Morocco: 50,000 Strong for Gaza
The View from Fez reports that a crowd of nearly 50,000 gathered in Rabat on Sunday to protest against Israel's attacks on Gaza.
China and U.S: A Comparison of Chinese and American Journalism Education
Alice Poon from Asia Sentinel translated Anti's article titled as “What’s Our Problem – A Comparison of Chinese and American Journalism Education”.
Philippines: Lantern boy
Cocoy posts pictures of a child selling lanterns in the Philippines.
Malaysia: Urban poverty
E Contrario writes that urban poverty is a serious problem in Malaysia.
Philippines: Top stories of 2008
Gly of ang aking espasyo highlights the top stories of 2008 in the Philippines.
Brunei-Australia War Memorial
A Brunei-Australia Memorial was unveiled to commemorate the Australian landings in Brunei during the Second World War and to mark the cooperation between the people of Brunei Darussalam and Australia.
Malaysia: Praise for the mysterious masked man
Journalist and activist Muhamed Syukree Hussain, 28, was the mysterious masked man who was always present in the weekly candlelighting vigil protests in Malaysia. He died last month. His sudden death surprised fellow activists and bloggers.
