Iran: Thousands of hungry workers go on strike

Thousands of unpaid Haft Tapeh sugar cane factory workers in Shoush in the Khuzestan province in Iran started a strike last week. Government sent security forces to repress the workers but strike continues. Several bloggers covered this event, and other related stories of difficult conditions of labor activists. Kaargar (means...

Lebanon: Blogger Fights Cancer

“I am not going to be polite and hold it in any longer. I am not going to let my anger kill me. And I am not going to die of cancer because Lebanon is in agony,” says Dove who also asks: “Is cancer a disease of anger?”

Catching Up with Rising Voices Outreach Projects

Since we last visited the Rising Voices outreach award winners, much progress has been made, including the introduction of the world's first weblog in the Andean indigenous language of Aymara. But first, let us begin in Medellín, Colombia where HiperBarrio continues to make strides in its hillside working class neighborhoods. And they've attracted some much deserved recognition for their efforts ...

Myanmar: Thinking Ahead

Bangkok Dazed wants the opposition to talk to the ruling Junta while there still a small window of opportunity.

Brunei: Visit to Pulau Selirong

Lazy Turtle takes us on a trip to the island of Selirong in Brunei Bay.

Blogger Ampontan offers an essay on the history of a matsuri (festival) which changed after the war, and discusses the aims of festivals. Not serious politics, but it's an interesting view of how “traditions” can be born from specific conditions.

Thailand: Open Letter To in Support of Myanmar Protesters

Prachatai publishes an open letter framed by the attendees of a development studies conference in Thailand. The letter appeals to the governments of China, Japan, India and Thailand to “to stand up to their responsibilities and overcome short term economic interests” and bring pressure to the government in Myanmar.

Thailand: Bangkok Bombers

The Lost Boy wants to know who is blowing up Bangkok. The Thai capital city has been target of multiple bomb attacks over the last year and still there is no confirmation on who is carrying out the attacks.

Thailand: Book on Democracy Banned

Bangkok Pundit writes about a book ban in Thailand. The banned book contains writings from a respected Thai scholar. (Via Thailand Jumped The Shark)