Stories from 15 January 2009
The Netherlands: “A Soda With Karadzic”
Via A Fistful of Euros, a link to a lawyer's account of a meeting with Radovan Karadzic in The Hague.
Palestine: The Human Shields Myth in Political Cartoons
Palestinian-American blogger Will, writing for KABOBfest, analyzes the incidence of the “human shields” myth in political cartoons relating to Hamas.
Syria: Gaza Analysis
Syrian resident blogger Joshua Landis posts analysis on Palestine's bleak future and Syria's disappointment in Obama on his blog, Syria Comment.
Syria: Calling Gaza
Syria Blog advocates for readers to make calls to people in Gaza.
Nepal: Who Killed Journalist Uma Singh?
Democracy For Nepal (DFN) asks the question Who Killed Journalist Uma Singh? An unidentified group of about 20 men brutally stabbed her last Sunday.
India: Much Ado About Slumdog Millionaire
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog that India has been portrayed as the Third World's dirty underbelly in Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire. Aditi Nadkarni at Desicritics has different take on this.
Fiji Flooding: “The economic costs will be massive”
The sun peeked from behind the mass of clouds in parts of the Fiji island group Thursday morning, marking the first time many places had a major break in rain in more than a week. With the respite, the worst flood waters in decades have mostly subsided across Viti Levu,...
Pakistan: Crackdown On Mumbai Attack Suspects
CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan reports that 124 people were arrested in Pakistan in a crackdown on groups allegedly linked to the terror attacks in Mumbai, India.
Sri Lanka: Death Threat To A Blogger
Dare to be different reports that a Sri Lankan blogger got threatened for his life for posting dissenting views. Read the post for details.
Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada: Farewell to the Duke
Spicewriter (from Grenada) and Trinidad and Tobago News Blog both pay their respects to The Mighty Duke, described as “one of Calypso’s greatest icons.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Commission of Inquiry
As the Commission of Inquiry into Udecott continues in Trinidad and Tobago, Paolo's Blog says: “The only real outcome that one can expect from this latest pappyshow is that lawyers will make out like bandits, taxpayers will make out like paupers and it will be ‘bidness’ as usual in the...
Barbados: Facing the Nation
Barbados Underground reacts to the Prime Minister's first formal interaction with the national media: “We applaud the Prime Minister for making himself available to the PEOPLE, our hope now is for the local media personnel to…[exercise] different strategies to source more meaningful information…”
Bermuda, U.S.A.: The Audacity of Marketing?
The Bermuda Department of Tourism is co-sponsoring a party in Washington, DC over the inaugural weekend, which is costing Bermudian taxpayers $75,000. Vexed Bermoothes is not happy about it, saying: “This has little to do with marketing Bermuda tourism…this is about marketing the Premier.”
Syria: Arab Leaders Can't Come Together, Not Even into a Room
As the aggression on Gaza enters its third week, Arab Leaders fail to agree on the need of holding an emergency summit for the member countries of the Arab League which Qatar and Syria have called for. Syrian bloggers are outraged at the political ping-pong going on that highlights what could be described as the greatest political divide in recent Arab history.
Guyana: Speaking Up
“Last August during a Carifesta event, I witnessed what was akin to a public scolding of a young woman who dared to ask a panel of older Caribbean writers and educators why young people were not invited to be panelists for a discussion on the condition of the Caribbean. She...
Armenia: Hate, Lies & Ignorance
After Armenia last month endorsed the UN statement against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the prevalent homophobia in society has resulted in strong criticism of the move from unexpected quarters. One of the most prolific bloggers on LGBT rights in the country and its Diaspora, as well as the South Caucasus in general, voices his concern.
China: Stunning Sayings From Chinese Economists
ESWN translated 17 sayings from illustrious Chinese economists circulated on the Internet, with Chang Ping's comment.
Taiwan: Lantern Festival traditions explained
The Lantern Festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month (9 February in 2009). Paul Katz at China Beat explains some of the Lantern Festival traditions in Taiwan. He also notes it is making a comeback in parts of China.
China: Study on Internet Censorship
Chinayouren tested various search engines and summed up a number of observations on Chinese internet censorship.
Taiwan: Alternative Music Scene
Steve from Fool's Mountain blogs about the alternative music scene in Taiwan, with a number of mtv.
China: Farewell, Bullog
The government's clean-up campaign sweeps the internet world, while not only "pornography" is down, Bullog, a popular blog hosting site which plays as a vanguard of liberalism and democracy thinkings, also a front line of government criticisms and plaza of popular opinions, was shut down as well.
