Stories from 24 December 2008
Oversleeping in the Philippines
Going against the current traces the cultural roots of oversleeping as a taboo in the Philippines.
Philippines: Watching Pinoy Big Brother
Overwrite views the popular reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother from a Baudrillardian lense: ‘When one watches the show, where is the center-point? Who is watching who? And which side stands on reality? Does it mean that the actors are showcasing reality because they are in the “reality show”? Or...
Philippines: Music Teacher's Memoirs
A young music teacher from the southern Philippines shares her experience on teaching musical expression to children.
Singapore: Quotable (un)quotes of the year
Singapore Dino compiles the year's “stupid remarks” from Singapore's “Bungling Ministers.”
Singapore Flyer, a white elephant already?
Because of the recession, fewer people are visiting the Singapore Flyer (the world’s largest observation wheel). According to Empty Vessel, “if no drastic measures are taken to restore people’s confidence in stepping into the capsules, the Flyer risks becoming Singapore’s biggest white elephant.”
Singapore: Unnecessary study on Tsunami impact
DK is surprised that the government commissioned a S$1.3 million two-year study which only confirmed a well-known fact that Singapore is protected from tsunamis.
Thailand: Blocked websites
The Freedom Against Censorship Thailand has just received a secret list of blocked websites leaked from Thailand’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. The report mentioned 1,303 websites which were censored by the government.
Vietnam: Blogging to be regulated
Vietnam has introduced some new restrictions on blogging. Blog posts which undermine national security, incite violence or crime, and disclose state secrets are banned. Internet companies are also ordered to issue reports to the government every six months.
Myanmar: Shoes, politics and colonialism
Shoes had been a symbol of politics in Myanmar. Aung Zaw of The Irrawaddy writes about a “shoe incident” involving British colonizers who didn't remove their shoes when they met the Burmese king a century ago. This became a national issue.
Vietnam: Extreme street cables
oobject posts pictures of extreme street wiring in Vietnam cities.
Japan: The year in Japanese blogs
What were bloggers writing about this year in the Japanese blogosphere? The year in Japanese blogs at Global Voices included posts on everything from an American Enka singer making waves in Japan, to debates on the regulation of “harmful” Internet content, to the Olympic torch relay in Nagano.
Bangladesh: A Calm Election
Kristin Boekhoff posts some pictures of the street advertisements of the candidates of the Bangladesh election. She comments that so far the election has been quite calm.
Pakistan: Winning The Best South Asian Blog Award
Teeth Maestro from Pakistan has been selected as the best South Asian Blog at the Brass Crescent Awards. Congratulations!
Mexico: Beauty Queen Busted for Arms
Former Mexican beauty queen Laura Elena Zúñiga Huizar was recently busted for arms, ammunition and cash writes Jessica Uribe of Vivir México [es].
All Quiet in Guinea After Coup, Say Bloggers
Confusion reigned following the passing of President Lansana Conte and an apparently successful coup led by Guinean General Moussa Dadis Camara. However, despite early fears of bloodshed, all is quiet on the streets of Conakry, according to bloggers.
India: Improve Quality Of Governance To Tackle Terrorism
Nitin Pai guest blogs at Death Ends Fun stressing the need to improve the quality of governance of India to battle terrorism. And it can be achieved: “By voting. By giving money, legitimately, to politicians to support their election campaigns. And by holding them to account.”
Iran:Campaign to Free Jailed Doctors in Iran
Digiactive reports about a new campaign to free jailed doctors in Iran. Dr. Arash Alaei and Dr. Kamiar Alaei have been in prison for six months.
Angola: On The Lack of Human Rights
In the mood for the Human Rights Day celebrations this December, Angolan bloggers have much to say. Angola has still not ceased appearing in reports about violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, despite holding a seat on the Human Rights Council.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Sock & Awe
Trinidadian blogger Attillah Springer is playing Sock and Awe, “the simply brilliant online game” in which more than 46 million people have pelted shoes at President Bush – but more importantly, she is “plotting ways to pelt intellectual shoes, coming up with ideas on how to bobolise those who would...
Memories of Christmas in Cameroon
Expats in Cameroon blog about how they are spending the Christmas holidays in their host country, while Cameroonian bloggers abroad write about their memories of spending those special days back home.
