Stories from Quick Reads from February, 2010
Morocco: The Death of a Newspaper
Jamal Elabiad writes of the possible demise of Morocco's only English-language newspaper, The Casablanca Analyst.
Iran: Webcomic about a young protester
Zahra's paradise ,a graphic novel, is the fictional story of the search for Mehdi, a young protestor who has disappeared in the Islamic Republic’s gulags.”
Sri Lanka: Best Of The Blogosphere In 2009
London, Lanka and Drums announces the best of Sri Lankan blogs in 2009.
Nepal: Photos Of Old Kathmandu
Going Global posts some pictures of the old town of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
Nepal: World's Shortest Man
XNepali reports that Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the shortest man in the world. Khagendra (18) is 56 cm tall and weighs just five kilograms.
Palestine: Sleepless in Gaza
The premier episode of a 90 part series, Sleepless in Gaza…and Jerusalem will be launched on YouTube on March 1st. The series will be a video diary about four young Palestinian women, Muslim and Christian, two living in Gaza and two in Arab Jerusalem/West Bank. The series will show how...
Armenia: Chance meeting
Unzipped: Gay Armenia visits the Yuri Mechitov photo exhibit at the National Theatre in London as part of an festival of events honoring Armenian film director Sergei Parajanov and runs into the photographer. The blog posts photographs from the visit and encounter.
Georgia: Eurovision National Competition
With Armenia having already chosen its entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway, now comes the turn of Georgia. The Oikotimes reviews the six songs presented to the Georgian public by Sopho Nizharadze. Crazyescfan's blog describes the winning entry, Shine, as a strong and emotional song by...
Armenia: Diplomatic Academy
Armenia: Higher Education & Sciences reports that a Diplomatic Academy supported by the EU, OSCE and UN has been opened in Yerevan with the purpose of creating future career diplomats. The blog notes that several among the first intake were women.
Azerbaijan: Water Tuesday
As was the case last year, Sheki, Azerbaijan introduces its readers to the start of events leading to the holiday of Novruz with Water Tuesday. The blog also says that February is considered the toughest month of Winter, but says that it also marks the beginning of Spring.
Azerbaijan: Khojali anniversary
Sheki, Azerbaijan marks the anniversary of a massacre taking place during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh. The blog laments the loss of life during war and hopes that the victims rest in peace.
Azerbaijan: Oil Academy corruption allegations
ANTV, a citizen journalism site recently awarded for its contribution to freedom of the press in Azerbaijan, posts a YouTube video [AZ/EN] interview with Elmin Badalaov, a fourth year student at Baku's Oil Academy expelled allegedly because of his investigation into corruption at the prestigious institute.
Nigeria: Has God answered our prayers?
On Yar'Adua: Has God answered our prayers? Nigerian blogger Imnakoya asks in a post about the health of the Nigerian President: “First, the prayer is not for the president to just return, but be able to function fully as the president.”
Zimbabwe: Top African songs from Power FM
Top African songs played on Power FM in Zimbabwe: “Museke brings you a list of African songs that have been getting major airplay in Zimbabwe this year.”
Ghana: Ghana Music Awards 2010
Chale writes about nominees for Ghana Music Awards 2010: “Sarkodie, Ayigbe Edem, Wutah, 4×4, Bradez, Becca, Ohemaa Mercy and Obrafour lead the number of nominations for the Ghana Music Awards slated for April 10.”
Nigeria: Is Mrs Yar'Adua running the country?
Loomnie tries to answer controversial questions surrounding Nigeria's presidency:”…is Mrs Turai Yar’Adua, the wife of the president, really the one running the country? Did she make them release that press release in order to cover up the fact that her husband is very sick?”
Nigeria: Acting President yet to have access to classified information
“Nigeria's Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is yet to have access to the cateory “A” classified Information vault located in the inner chamber of the President's office,” from Chidi Opara Reports.
Azerbaijan: Scary Azeri turns 1
To mark its first birthday, Scary Azeri in Suburbs posts an illustration to celebrate the occasion.
Azerbaijan: ANTV receives freedom of the press award
ANTV [AZ/EN/RU], an online citizen journalism site co-founded by now imprisoned video blogging youth activist Emin Milli, has received an award from ZEIT-Stiftung for its work in promoting independent voices and alternative news and views in Azerbaijan [RU]. The Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) also carries the news...
Russia and US to Broaden Collaboration Online
Vesti.ru wrote [RUS] about the visit of the U.S. “innovation delegation” [EN] led by America's Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra [EN]. The plans of the Russian-U.S. cooperation include launching e-government Web sites and visits of Twitter, Cisco and Mozilla representatives to Russia in June 2010.
Russia: Sakhalin Island Fails to Connect to Broadband
Blogger w7062c wrote [RUS] about two unsuccessful attempts to connect Sakhalin island [EN] (island in the Pacific north closer to Japan) to the broadband network of Russia. The third attempt is scheduled for 2011. Until then, 580,000 inhabitants of the island are able to go online via satellite only.
