Stories from March, 2009
Liberia: Unfair Labor Practices at Guthrie Rubber Plantations
Nat blogs about unfair labor practices at the Guthrie Rubber Plantations in Liberia.
Liberia: Tribal politics at the senate
In his post titled, Legislative Politics or Tribal Fuel, Kontiamon discusses tribal politics at the Liberian senate .
Nigeria: Watch Cassava Republic Press
Nigeria's Cassava Republic Press is one of the top 10 brands to watch in 2009.
Liberia: University of Liberia Receives US$ 20,000
Syracuse University has donated US$20,000 to University of Liberia mass communication department US$ 20.000 worth of equipment which includes digital cameras, lenses, batteries memory cards and two lap tops, Liberian blogger Emmanuel reports.
Morocco: Different Names, Same Story
Despite outward progress, Morocco has faced a number of setbacks for press freedom over the past few years. Most recently, it was reported that Ali Anouzla and Jamal Boudouma, managing editor and publishing director of Moroccan newspaper Al-Jarida Al-Oula (الجريدة الأولى) have each received two-month suspended sentences and fines of MAD 200,000 (approximately USD$23,800) for "defamation" and "insulting the judiciary."
Bolivia: Black List for Expulsion from El Alto
The Regional Worker´s Organization in El Alto, Bolivia announced plans to release “black list” of those people and institutions that should be expelled from the city. Mario Duán of Palabras Libres [es] is worried about this precedent.
Guatemala: Chico Zapote Fruit
The chico zapote, or also known as the sapodilla, is an exotic tropical fruit found in Guatemala and Rudy Girón of Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo publishes a close-up photograph that he took.
Dominican Republic: The South as a Tourist Destination
Duarte 101 [es] notes that the southern part of the Dominican Republic also is an attractive destination for visitors, but it is often forgotten by those on the tourist trail.
Macedonia: Student Protest Ends in Violence
Recently, the Macedonian government decided to build an Orthodox church with public financing on the main square of Skopje, a decision that the citizens of the city disapproved of. On March 28, a peaceful protest against the construction of the church turned violent when a group of counter-protesters attempted to prevent it. Elena Ignatova reviews the reactions in the Macedonian blogosphere.
Taiwan: Buddhist master creates controversy
Buddhist Master Hsing Yun created controversy at an international Buddhist conference when he claimed, “There are no Taiwanese in Taiwan and Taiwanese are all Chinese.” Taiwan blogs The View from Taiwan and Letters from Taiwan both write about how Buddhism is being used for political purposes.
Hong Kong and the Philippines: Satire or racism?
A Senate leader in the Philippines just filed a resolution condemning a Hong Kong writer Chip Tsao for his article “The War at Home” in HK Magazine (originally published on 27 of March). Now the article has been taken down in the website but the Senate Resolution also asked the...
Kazakhstan: Blogs serve politics
Zara writes that blogs are being more and more actively employed by political figures in Kazakhstan. This time it’s a candidate to the city council.
Kyrgyzstan: Opposition Rally in Bishkek
Sam has visited the rally of the opposition in the capital of Kyrgyzstan and published some shots from this event.
Cambodia: Trial begins for Khmer Rouge leader
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia began the first public hearing of Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch. During the Khmer Rouge regime, Duch headed the infamous Tuol Sleng prison in Phnom Penh where thousands died.
Mongolia: Life on the fringes
Bilguun writes about the serious problem of waste and rubbish near Ulaan-Batar, the capital city of Mongolia. Some photos from the rubbish dump are attached.
Kazakhstan: Census ended
KZBlog says that the 2009 Census ended in Kazakhstan, pointing out 9% growth in population, and shares some experience of being recorded by a census taker.
Afghanistan: The Social Taliban Democrats
Joshua Foust reports that outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan William Wood has stated his desire to create a political party for the Taliban.
Uzbekistan: US trying to return to base
Elina Galperin opines that the US may be allowed to return to the Uzbek base of Karshi-Khanabad soon after demonstrative eviction in 2005 after the massacre in Andijon.
Turkmenistan: Ashgabat and Moscow hold talks
Elina Galperin analyzes the ourcomes of a recent official meeting between Turkmen President Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow.
Afghanistan: New Course
Safrang reviews new revised US policy for Afghanistan and Pakistan that has been made public by President Obama after long consultations and thorough analysis.
Afghanistan: Scandal with the Attorney General
Azar Balkhi writes that Abdul Jabar Sabit, Attorney General of Afghanistan and a Muslim, has been caught dancing drunk at a party in Kabul.