Global Voices Digest for February 7th, 2008
Mozambique: Riot organized via SMS is covered by bloggers
A protest against a rise in fares by private minibus operators in the capital turned into a violent riot and resulted in the death of three and 250 injured. “While most of the local TV stations were showing soap operas and the radio stations broadcasting football,” writes Paula Góes, “people flocked to the Internet to get more information.”
Morocco: The Whole “Kitten” Caboodle
I think it’s safe to say that the internet has been the best thing to happen to attention-seeking felines since the invention of the camera. Feline cyber-stardom is far from merely a Western phenomenon we discover as Jillian York takes us on a tour of some of Morocco’s most photogenic four-paws.
Kazakhstan: Ethnic Tensions and Underestimated Identity
Kazakhstan has long been hailed as an outpost of multicultural tolerance in the Caucasus, but increasingly frequent news of urban ethnic tension is giving local bloggers reason to reflect on the current state of inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations.
Kazakhstan: Elites Getting Younger and Bleaker
Another recent trend in Kazakhstan has been the behind-the-scenes replacement of Soviet-era politicians for younger elite technocrats. What does the reshuffling mean for Kazakhstan’s future? Adil Nurmakov points us to some analysis from local bloggers.
Hong Kong: From Sex to Police Scandal
The online publication of leaked photographs from the laptop of Hong Kong celebrity Edison Chen, which show the actor-singer nude with several high profile female celebrities, has led to what many are calling an abuse of power by local police as they hunt down the person responsible for the leak.
Kyrgyzstan: Echos of the Parliamentary Elections
We end the day in Kyrgyzstan, where young political activists are continuing their protests following December’s controversial parliamentary elections.
Roundups
Syrian blogger Tariq Biassi still in prison, Mongolian gamers, using Twitter from the Gaza Strip … and lots more in today’s Global Roundups.