Stories from 25 August 2009
Azerbaijan: Activist bloggers face additional charge as trial approaches
Youth activist video bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli have been held in pre-trial detention for 48 days. However, in an unexpected development, the authorities in Azerbaijan have now decided to add an additional charge of assault.
Kazakhstan: On the Efficacy of Government
How professional is the government? Is it rigorous enough in performing its functions? How often does it interfere in matters beyond its competence? These are among the most popular questions discussed in the Kazakh blogosphere. Izhanov writes a gloomy, ironic post on the “sensitive” subject of bidding in the process...
Taiwan: Stories of the survivors from Typhoon Morakot
Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan on 8 August. The heavy rain it brought to Taiwan has caused serious damage across the country, with thousands of people evacuated from their homes. Stories abound on the internet.
Maghreb: Ramadan Good Wishes and More
The Maghreb blogosphere has been blooming with an outpouring of congratulations, welcoming the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. And amongst the usual greetings and formal congratulations, controversial thoughts, often at odds with conventional views on Muslims, are being aired.
India: Power Struggle Inside BJP
Retribution blog says that the latest debates and conflicts inside BJP, a major political party in India, should not to be confused with ideological battles. “It is simply a power struggle between two factions within the party” – the blogger thinks.
Hong Kong: Poll on drug tests
Libertines Hong Kong has a very interesting post on the background of research institute, Hong Kong Research Association, which recently released a research founding that 70% of Hong Kong pupils support drug tests.
Singapore: Taxi driver-blogger is a PhD graduate
He is a Singaporean taxi driver, blogger, and PhD holder from Stanford University. Singapore netizens describe him as the “most educated taxi driver in the world.” His name is Dr. Mingjie Cai.
Indonesia: Soeharto's son aims to be president?
Hutomo Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former Indonesian President Soeharto, returns to the political arena with a bang. He seeks chairmanship of his father's political party Golkar. Indonesian bloggers speak about this political twist in the archipelagic country.
