Stories from 18 July 2009
Kyrgyz Airlines Still Banned in Europe
Elena informs that the European Commission published the new List of airlines banned within the EU, featuring 17 – i.e. all – Kyrgyz airlines.
Tajikistan: Rasht fighting
Gavin reports that a shootout has taken place in the Rasht Valley of Tajikistan, when national guardsmen were attacked by unknown armed grouping, presumably by the drug trafficking gang or by extremist militants.
Kazakhstan: New Internet Law Passed
Katya Fisher Yoffe reports that Kazakhstan president signed a new law placing blogs, social media networks, and chatrooms under the rubric of “mass media”, effectively creating criminal liability for users of these internet communication platforms and permitting the government to shut down and censor websites as it sees fit.
China: Muslim blogger to be investigated
Muslim blogger Ismael is going to be investigated by police on his connection with Xinjiang Muslim: since Uighur riots in Urumqi on July 5, I try to defend those oppressed people on Chinese website. So Chinese police telephoned my father to stop me. Try to shut me up. My words...
Peru: Bloggers Targeted by Hackers
Disagreements between bloggers and their readers may often take place within the comments section, and can continue in the form of debate and discussion. However, for some Peruvian bloggers, some of their views motivated some to take actions to silence these differing opinions.
Philippines: Senior citizen perks
Ed from the Philippines found out that being a senior citizen gives him several privileges when transacting in government offices.