Stories from 20 September 2008
UK: Azerbaijani Gay Artist Deported
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that gay Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov has been deported from the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan. The blog also says that faced with protests, the British Midlands Airways’ spokesperson turned off his phone to avoid calls lobbying on Badalov's behalf.
Lebanon: Homosexuality in Lebanon
Although Lebanon stands out as a more tolerant space for homosexuality in the Middle East, the real life for this section of the community is not paved with roses. A quick round up of blogs and spaces promoting this issue in Lebanon gives the reader a brief peek into how this community lives.
Saudi Arabia: Outcry Over Fatwa to Kill Satellite TV Owners
A prominent Saudi scholar issued a religious decree - fatwa - calling for the killing of the owners of satellite television channels which broadcast immoral material. Bloggers from Saudi Arabia react.
Russia-Georgia: The Spoils of War
Robert Amsterdam writes about alleged war profiteers following Russian troops into Georgia.
Russia-Georgia: Reflections on Russian Military Operations
Wu Wei reflects upon the Russian military operations against Georgia following the escalation in South Ossetia into full-scale war and poses questions about mistakes made on both sides.
Estonia: Next population count by cyber census
Osteuropablog notes [GER] that the next Estonian population census in 2011 may be conducted by way of the Internet.
Belarus: Chernobyl Children Banned US Trip
Osteuropablog comments on [GER] how Chernobyl children in Belarus are denied going to the US for rest and treatment.
Eastern Europe: Blogs in German on the Slavic Triangle
Krusenstern presents [GER] a list of 24 blogs in German about Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Ukraine: 77 words on parliamentary upheaval
Eternal Remont notes that the latest political crisis in the Ukraine – the dissolution of parliament – was rewarded a full 77 words by a subsection of The New York Times. In his view, the next turmoil might end up in the Gardening Section.
Belarus: Lukashenko threatens break with the West
LJ user navigatar writes about [RUS] threats by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to break relations with the West, in case the results of Sunday's parliamentary elections are not recognised.
Poland-Ukraine: Saving the 2012 UEFA Soccer Championship
The 8th Circle discusses how Poland and Ukraine – despite domestic political turmoil – cope with preparations of the 2012 UEFA soccer championship.
Russia-Georgia: Arkady Babchenko interview
From the Frontline directs attention to a translation of an interview from Neue Zürcher Zeitung with Russian Novaya Gazeta journalist and photographer Arkady Babchenko about his coverage of the war in South Ossetia.
Singapore bans imported milk from China
Singapore Dutch lady brand of strawberry flavored milk was found with melamine, the same chemical which caused several injuries and death in China. Imported milk from China is now banned in Singapore. A blogger writes: “As a testament to how inter-linked the world now is and how processed many foods...
Another Malaysian blogger arrested
Malaysian blogger Syed Azidi Syed Aziz, better known as Kickdefella, was arrested by the police because of his online campaign to fly the Malaysian flag upside down. The blogger was released Saturday afternoon.
Vietnam: Dishonest gas stations
Some gas stations in Saigon are cheating their customers, Saigonnezumi writes.
Brunei: Abandoned children
A campaign to help three children who were abandoned by their parents was recently launched in Brunei.
Iran:The Stoning of Soraya M.
Parsarts reports that “The Stoning of Soraya M.” is a new, Iran-focused movie. It’s about a woman who gets stoned in a small town in Iran.
Iran: Ramadan and back to nostalgy
Avayemoj, an Iranian blogger, says[fa] that Ramadan reminds her childhood when she was four or five years old. The blogger writes: ” in my home nobody talked about hell and not even about paradise.God was kind and merciful.”
UK: Azerbaijani Gay Artist's Deportation Update
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that following pressure on Azerbaijani Airlines, the details of Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov's deportation from the UK have been changed. The blog calls on concerned individuals and organizations to lobby British Midlands Airways (BMI) who will fly Badalov to Baku in just a few hours.
Russia: Intravenous Drug Use Leading Cause of HIV/AIDS
While sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV, a UNAIDS report says that some of the most worrisome increases in new infections are happening in other places, such as Russia. Many HIV/AIDS experts have also expressed concerns that Russia, as well as other former Soviet Union states,...
Brazil: Suspense as indigenous land rulings in limbo
Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) decided to postpone the decision about Raposa Serra do Sol land but will vote on another less complex demarcation case: the Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe people have been waiting for this decision for over 26 years. Meanwhile, bloggers comment on the fact that, for first time in the history of Brazil's Supreme Court, an indian lawyer defended her people. Watch the video.
