Stories from 27 January 2009
Latvia: Politics Updates
Two updates on the post-Jan. 13 politics in Latvia – at Baltic, here and here: “Whoever you speak today in this Baltic country recognizes that discontent about the present political class is simply unbearable.” All About Latvia adds: “If Latvia were a civilized country, the government would have long collapsed...
Brazil: Extradition refusal threatens relations with Italy
The Brazilian government calls Cesare Battisti a political activist. For the Italian government, the writer is a convicted terrorist. The controversial decision of the Brazilian government to guarantee political refugee status for him, two weeks ago, has divided opinions in Brazil.
Czech Republic: Hradec Králové
The Journeys of Captain Oddsocks writes about Hradec Králové, “one of the oldest and most important cities in Bohemia.”
Slovakia: Sky Europe Problems
The Czech Daily Word writes about problems facing the Slovak low-cost Sky Europe airline.
Romania: Czech Villages in Banat
CzechFolks.com writes about the Czech villages in the south of the Romanian Banat: “People in Banat have preserved their heritage for more than 180 years by simply passing it from one generation to another.”
Bulgaria: Martin Borilski Petition
Maya's Corner writes about an online petition to “[demand] just sentences for the culprits and punishments for prosecutors and judges responsible for the outrageous acquittal” of two Bulgarians implicated in the murder of Martin Borilski, a Bulgarian student, in Paris in 2000.
Russia: Siege of Leningrad Photos
On the 65th anniversary of the lifting the siege of Leningrad, one of the most popular posts in the Russian blogosphere, by LJ user komen-dant (RUS), features Sergei Larenkov's selection of contemporary photos of St. Petersburg merged with historic images that were taken during the siege from the same vantage...
The Philippine Internet Cafe Industry
Into the Digital Light writes about the challenges faced by the Philippine Internet Cafe Industry in light of the global economic crunch.
Reporting the University of Philippines Student Referendum
Student publications led by the Philippine Collegian are conducting an online real-time coverage of the week-long Student Regent Referendum at the University of the Philippines (UP). The referendum will ratify the guidelines for the selection of the highest student official in the country's premier state university.
Indonesia: Top Religous Council Perceived Corrupt
The latest survey of Transparency International Indonesia includes Indonesia Ulemas Council (MUI) in the top 15 of the most perceived corrupt institutions in the country.
Brunei after the floods: A time of loss and prayers
Two persons died in Brunei due to the recent flooding that swept the Asia-Pacific region. Brunei has experienced the worst flooding in the past few weeks. More Bruneians are using the power of prayers and reflections to survive in these troubled times.
Egyptians are Going Local
Inji, an avid Egyptian blogger and young economist who is distraught by the numerous emails and SMS messages calling for boycotting products, decided to “boycott the boycott” and take it to a positive extent. Nermeen Edrees brings us the story.
Pakistan: Review Of Chicago, The Musical
CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan posts a review of Karachi’s production of Chicago, the renowned musical about the city of Chicago in the 1920s.
Bhutan: Becoming Liberal To Sex
Freedom in Bhutan writes that the Bhutanese society is becoming liberal to sex. The free distribution of condoms have a role to play in this.
Madagascar: “History repeats itself…as a farce” in recent unrest
On blogs and forums, reflections on the sources of the current unrest and the history of Madagascar's turbulent democracy.
Bangladesh: The Trousers Island
Maverick Tanvier's Journal comments that Bangladesh is becoming a ‘Trousers Island’: “one in every seven trousers sold in the USA is made in Bangladesh”.
India: Rural vs Urban India
India in Peril posts a comparison: “(The) economic gap between the urban-rich and the rural-poor is very wide. This may be understood by the fact that a rural-poor is available for 10-12 hours of hard work a day for Rs 2,000/- a month, while the minimum wage of a government...
Peru: Police Officers Killed in Pómac Forest Reserve
Three police officers, who were following a court order, were killed when they attempted to remove peasant families that had been illegally occupying lands in the Pómac Forest Reserve in Northwest Peru. Many Peruvians are mourning the loss of the 3 officers and are placing blame on officials for not providing enough resources and support for the security force. Others are providing their thoughts on those who are occupying the lands and their objectives for doing so.
Bahamas: Planting Trees
“One million new trees planted in the Bahamas by October. Its an ambitious goal, and the most worthwhile always are”: Womanish Words has joined the campaign.
Trinidad & Tobago: Big and Bad?
Following a statement from the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago‘s chief operating officer that implied that the company was answerable to no-one, Jumbie's Watch says: “When yuh big, yuh big, and when yuh bad, yuh bad. Not so?”
Haiti: Mardi Gras
The Haitian Blogger offers a glimpse into Mardi Gras celebrations on the island.
