Stories from 5 February 2009
Azerbaijan: Tea Houses
Thoughts on the Road makes a stop at a roadside tea house in Azerbaijan and says that contrary to the upmarket stereotype of such establishments in the West, they are very much the preserve of men in the country. The blog also posts a video of a tea house in...
Azerbaijan: Prisoners of Conscience
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines says that Azerbaijan has the highest number of imprisoned journalists for any member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The blog details some of those serving jail sentences and says anyone who is deprived of the right to speak their mind...
Azerbaijan: Confusing Messages
Writing on Voodoo Knickers, Kimpossible says that the outcome of the upcoming referendum in Azerbaijan already looks a foregone conclusion and discusses some of the confusion surrounding posters alerting voters to the plebiscite.
Thailand: Four years after the tsunami
Jamie from Phuket, Thailand remembers the tsunami which hit Asia-Pacific last December 2004. Jamie blogs the tsunami's impact on Phuket. Lilian offered prayers for those who lost loved ones on that day.
Singapore: Pictures at a traffic junction
While waiting for the traffic lights to turn green, Frannxis from Singapore found the time to shoot pictures at the traffic junction.
Singapore: Internet not self-regulated enough
A Singapore minister complains that the internet “is not an effective self-regulated regime.” Mollymeek is worried that many Singaporeans consider self-regulation as an “unproblematically positive concept.” Molly asserts that “self-regulated regime is a disciplinary regime.”
Singapore: Art culture is a joke?
The Temple of Thoughts comments on the state of arts in Singapore: “Singapore is too efficient. We all got to admit, it’s clean, green, but sterile and concrete. Our art culture is a joke, and as much as we want to call ourselves vibrant and cultured, we still have a...
China: Shanzhai Spring Festival Blocked
In the evening of 25 of January 2009, most Chinese people in mainland China were at home, enjoying the year end dinner while waiting for the Lunar New Year. A usual entertainment for the night among family members was to watch the Spring Festival Gala broadcasted by CCTV. This year,...
China: Remebering History
2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of PRC. David Bandurski from China Media Project translates an article by a Chinese scholar Zi Zhongyun (资中筠), who urges China to reflect on its suppression of contemporary history.
China: Logo for 50 Cents
Someone has designed a logo for the 50 cent party (state sponsored online opinion maker). via wumao twitter.
Bolivia: Participation in FITUR
Alexis Argüello Sandoval of Turisbo [es] takes a look at Bolivia's participation in the 2009 International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR).
Paraguay: Stadium Collapse Kills Two Police Officers
Daniel Ortiz of El Peatón [es] criticizes the authorities’ failure to inspect the Defensores del Chaco stadium, where two Paraguayan police were killed after part of the structure collapsed.
Chile: Film Festival at Catholic University in Santiago
Seventeen different Chilean films are being shown as part of the 33rd Catholic University Film Festival in Santiago beginning on February 14 through March 1 writes Notas Al Margen [es].
Martinique: Yes “Oui Canne”
le blog de [moi] [Fr] writes about “Oui Canne”, a new ad campaign for a Martiniquan liquor, a riff on Barack Obama's famous campaign slogan.
Paraguay: Good News for Diabetics
López Barrio has good news for diabetics in Paraguay [es] with the release of a new device to automatically release insulin which is being sponsored by the Paraguayan Diabetes Foundation (FUPADI).
Chile: Number of Unregistered Young Voters
Comparing the number of Chilean young people who are not registered to vote vs. the number who have signed up to use Facebook, Enzo Abbagliati of Cadaunadas [es] wonders why there are more using the social networking site.
Latvia: Vote of Confidence
Manuel Alvarez-Rivera writes at Latvia Economy Watch that “the four-party coalition cabinet of Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis remains in power for the time being, having survived a parliamentary vote of confidence on February 4″ – but “an early general election – one year ahead of schedule – remains a...
Ukraine: Kyiv Mayor's Traffic Violations
Kyiv mayor's car caught on video while driving in the opposite lane; cops can't agree on the violations that took place – Ukrainiana has more on this.
