Stories from 13 April 2009
Palestine: Health Issues On Film
Eva Bartlett, a Canadian activist in Gaza, reports on a short documentary competition held to mark World Health Day, highlighting health issues Gazans face, and medical care during attacks.
Qatar: Media Contradictions
The Qatar Visitor blog discusses the media environment in Qatar, finding that there are contradictory forces at work.
India: Pink Chaddi Facebook Group Hacked
Shivam Vij at Kafila reports that the Facebook group of the Pink Chaddi campaign has been hacked and calls on Facebook to help restore the group.
Egypt: Should rapists be hanged on TV?
Between examining the profile of a sexual offender in Egypt and rallying against sexual predators, an Egyptian member of Parliament proposed a law that allows broadcasting the hanging of rapists live on television. Should rapists be hanged live on television?
Bahrain: News At Full Volume
Bahraini blogger The Dude is not impressed: “If anyone was ever unfortunate enough to stumble upon the Kingdom of Bahrain's official news agency's website, they'd be forgiven for thinking Bahrain was a backward, angry country. Everything, every single release, is IN CAPITAL LETTERS.”
Iran: 19 year old blogger is jailed
Ghomaar, an Iran based blog, writes [fa]that Alireza Firouzi, a 19 year old blogger and student activist was arrested in Zanjan. The blogger adds that Firouzi is among student activists who revealed a sex scandal in Zanjan University in June 2008. Ghomaar adds that Alireza was interrogated by prosecutor of...
Iran: Environmentalists Campaign to Save Isfahan
Iranian environmentalists are using online media tools to save different cultural monuments such as The Si-o-se Pol or "33 Pol" (bridge of 33 arches) an architectural masterpiece in the heart of the Iranian historic city of Isfahan (Esfahan). A battle is ongoing between authorities that want to develop a new metro project and concerned citizens.
Bahrain: Signs Of The Times?
In Bahrain, Weld El-ma6aba has noticed some signs he thinks are pretty unusual.
Bangladesh: Celebrating Easter
David Adhikary writes about Easter celebrations in Bangladesh: “Easter is considered as the second major festival for the Christians, after Christmas. The non-Christian people have very limited ideas about Easter.”
China: Gender Imbalance
Angry Chinese blogger highlights the gender imbalance problem in China with British Medial Journal report on: “China’s excess males, sex selective abortion, and one child policy: analysis of data from 2005 national census survey“.
Egypt: April 18 Declared Anti-Harassment Day
A Facebook campaign calling for a silent demonstration on April 18 against the harassment of women and girls in Egypt is slowly gathering momentum. The call for allowing Egyptian women to move around in safety in their country, was sparked after blogger Asser Yasser's harassers were acquitted. Marwa Rakha reports on the campaign in this post.
USA: No More Columbus Day at Brown University
In response to protests from Native American and other students, the prestigious Brown University in the United States has changed the name of the national public holiday Columbus Day to "Fall Weekend" on its academic calendar. Bloggers are debating this modification of a holiday that honors the European explorer Christopher Columbus for “discovering” America.
Lebanon: Academics and Bloggers Call for Israel Boycott
Lebanese academics and bloggers are lending their voice and support to the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. Antoun Issa sums up reactions from Lebanese and Palestinian blogs in this post.
Japan: CB2, the child robot
On Pink Tentacle, updated news about CB2, the Child Robot With Biomimetic Body. The robot, already presented to the public in 2007 by the researchers of Osaka University, is said to have developed socials skills by recording human expressions via eye cameras. According to Professor Minoru Asada, within the next...
Kazakhstan: A Push for Global Uranium Reserve
Joshua Foust reports that Kazakhstan’s president Nursultan Nazarbayev is continuing his years-long push for a global “bank” for uranium.
Kyrgyzstan: The politician's funeral
Elena tells about the funeral ceremony for Medet Sadyrkulov, ex-chief of the presidential administration of Kyrgyzstan, who tragically died in the burnt car.
Kyrgyzstan: The Vagina Monologues in Pictures
Sam posts a photo-reportage from the Vagina Monologues performance that has taken place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan: Great Success with Iran
Elina Galperin reviews the outcomes of a meeting between the Iranian and Kazakh presidents, who have signed a series of mutually beneficial deals.
Kazakhstan: Railroad politicking
Michael Hancock analyzes the transport policies in the Central Asian region against the background of the Iranian leader's visit to Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan: An Uzbek Feast
Joshua Foust posts an extensive and detailed story about the Uzbek ethnic cuisine and even shares some recipes.
Fiji: President gives former PM new five-year mandate
One day after nullifying the constitution and appointing himself head of state, Fiji’s President swore in Commodore Voreqe Frank Bainimarama as the country’s Prime Minister. After being sworn in, Bainimarama re-appointed his former government, and he will now have executive authority with emergency power
