23 June 2009

Stories from 23 June 2009

Russia: Views on Events in Iran

“As hundreds of thousands protesters fill the streets of Tehran and other provincial centers, one can’t help think that we’ve seen this all before,” writes Sean Guillory of Sean's Russia Blog, comparing the events in Iran to “the ‘colored revolutions’ in Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, (the failed attempts in) Moldova and...

Indonesia: Disappointing Election Debate

  23 June 2009

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim populated country, conducted its first ever presidential election debate. The country's three presidential hopefuls attended the debate. But many viewers and bloggers were disappointed with the debate.

Bahrain: Newspaper Suspended For A Day

On Monday, 22 June, Bahrain's oldest newspaper in circulation Akhbar Al Khaleej was suspended for the day after printing an article critical of certain Iranian leaders and making reference to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's alleged Jewish origins. The move would seem to have been made to avoid provoking unrest amongst the Shi'a majority in Bahrain.

India Bans Maoist Organisation

  23 June 2009

Aaman Lamba at Desicritics reports that “India brought the CPI-Maoist, an extremist left wing group into the list of terrorist outfits banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act”.

Bahrain: A Plea For Less Drama

Bahraini blogger Hala is tired with the commenters on her blog When it Beeps: “I’m beginning to feel that I encounter more Drama in the blogosphere than in my real life, and since I’m doing a great job of blocking the drama out of my real life, maybe I should...

Pakistan: Cricket On Twitter Trending

  23 June 2009

Teeth Maestro reports that some Pakistani bloggers launched an e-rally using Twitter in support of their national Team in the Twenty20 World Cup Final. The result was evident as #PakCricket appeared at no. 8 on Twitter trending as Pakistanis followed the game and celebrated their victory over Sri Lanka.

Bahrain: Train And Hire Bahrainis, Please

Bassam Noor is pleased that a Bahraini has been hired in a senior position in major investment firm Investcorp for the first time, but says: “It’s unfair that Investcorp benefits from Bahrain’s tax-free environment, and geographical proximity to cash-rich regions, but it yet refuses arrogantly to provide further training to...

Jordan: MPs Drafting a Law which requires Website Passwords

A new electronic sites law is being reviewed and drafted by the Jordanian Parliament which requires website administrators to provide their site's passwords to the government's Printing and Publication Directorate. In case the admins refuse, says the draft, the sites will be closed down by the concerned authorities. Blogger Osama Romoh reacts to the news.

China: More corpses found in Shishou hotel; disputes continue.

  23 June 2009

The death of a chef triggered a mass protest that finally brought over ten thousand armed police into the town for crackdown. The dead’s families along with thousands of people resisted the police and protected the corpse, because they know once the body was taken away, the death would be identified as a suicide and the truth will be lost forever.