Stories about Photos from August, 2012
Turkmenistan: Goodbye August, Month of Melons
August is the month of melons in Turkmenistan where expansive steppe lands yield some of the tastiest crop known to mankind. Turkmen Melon Day, celebrated since 1994, is one of the favourite public holidays in the country.
Paralympic Games Kick Off in London
After hosting a most memorable Olympics, the British capital city of London welcomed the world's Paralympians for what is claimed to be the biggest Paralympics Games ever.
Philippines: Facebook Photos Removed for International Day of the Disappeared
'Please take down your profile picture on August 30, Thursday, in solidarity with the friends and family of the missing, from the Martial Law days up to the present, who continue to seek justice.'
Kyrgyzstan: Facebook Post Spurs Row with Belarus
A photo uploaded on Facebook suggests that Janysh Bakiyev, the brother of the former Kyrgyzstani president ousted by 2010 protests, lives in Minsk. This has sparked an extradition request, the withdrawal of an ambassador and the storming of an embassy.
Chile: Students March in the Thousands for Education Reform
Thousands of students and teachers marched peacefully on Tuesday, August 28, to demand education reform. This massive march is part of the student movement's ongoing efforts to overhaul the education system in Chile.
Pakistan: Long Road to Peace and Security
As Pakistan enters its 66th year of Independence, it is a good time to take stock of the security situation within the country - in order to understand what role the nation will continue to play in the overall security and stability of the region.
Save Syria's Threatened Heritage Sites
Alongside the mounting death toll, a massacre is being perpetrated against Syria's heritage. Little is being said about this issue in both mainstream and social media, writes Thalia Rahme.
Assessing Quality of Life in African Cities
One study on the quality of life in cities across the world reports that, of the ten least liveable cities, six are situated in Africa. However, another finds that the populations of certain African cities are happier than those of several European counterparts. So what exactly is the reality of quality of life in Africa's cities?
Puerto Rico: Dancing through the Lens of Heriberto Castro
Photographer and blogger Heriberto Castro talks about his blog En la punta del pie, a site dedicated to the world of body movement. He hopes to provide a place to collaborate news and photographs about all dance-related activities in Puerto Rico.
Canada: High Stakes in Quebec General Election After ‘Maple Spring’
The 2012 Quebec general election is set to take place on September 4. This year the effects of the students' strikes in response to the increase in university tuition fees will strongly impact voters' choices. Netizens from Quebec have reacted to the opinion polls a few weeks ahead of the vote.
East Timor: Return Trip of an Indonesian
Dalih Sembiring, an Indonesian journalist and travel blogger, wrote “Postcards from Dili“, on a trip he did to East Timor 16 years after he left the country. On his post he republishes an article he wrote for the Jakarta Globe “focusing on how [he] reacquainted with a special person in Bairro...
Palestine: A 1920 Eid Celebration in Jaffa
The Facebook page Tradition in Palestine shares a picture which reflects Eid celebration in Jaffa in 1920 with the following comment: as in my parents description to Eid: magic lantern, rope swing and ice cream and juice vendors
Hong Kong: Occupy Central – Before Forced Eviction
The Occupy Central campaign in Hong Kong has lasted for more than 10 months and is probably one of the longest among the worldwide occupy movement. Recently the HSBC obtained a court order to evict the occupants by 9 pm, 27 August, 2012.
Senegal: 18 Dead as Floods Paralyse the Country
Heavy rains led to catastrophic flooding in many regions of Senegal on August 26, 2012 with 18 dead and 42 injured so far. The Senegal government has launched a rescue plan with the help of French organisation Orsec to assist victims. Many locals on the ground feel rescue efforts have not been started quickly enough, leading to angry demonstrations on the streets of Dakar.
China: Neil Bush on Sina Weibo
Former U.S president's brother Neil Bush has a Sina Weibo account with more than 120 thousand followers. His recent joke about joining the Chinese Communist Party has caught some attention in Chinese social media. (via Beijing Cream)
Kazakhstan: The Beauty of Altai Mountains
A group of Kazakhstani photographers have recently toured the mountainous region of Altai in in the country's east, known for its picturesque alpine scenery. Photos made during the trip can be accessed on YVision blog: here, here, and here.
Kyrgyzstan: China Inc. Under Attack
China’s growing economic presence in Kyrgyzstan continues to be a topic for heated discussion in Kyrgyz society. In the country’s regions, this discourse is reflected in acrimonious standoffs between Chinese companies and locals, confrontations the mainstream media often fails to report on.
Ecuador on Alert Over Spewing Tungurahua Volcano
The Tungurahua volcano has been spewing pyroclastic material and ash throughout this month, affecting thousands of families, crops, and animals. Scientists and citizens use Twitter and Facebook to inform about the Tungurahua's activity.
Togo: 11 Missing After Clashes Between Police and Protesters
Koaci writes that 11 protesters are reported missing [fr] after the police clashed with thousands of protesters on the streets of Lomé on August 23: Police forces have used violence so far but they were quickly overwhelmed. For the first time, the whole city was filled with protesters.
China: Mahjong Obsession
Jing Gao from Ministry of Tofu translates a local news feature on the Chinese obsession with Mahjong, a game of chance.
