Stories from 9 May 2009
Russia: Gas Pipeline Blast in Moscow
Russian bloggers are posting photos of the fire caused by a gas pipeline blast in Moscow a few hours ago: LJ user buchwurm, LJ user goodwine, LJ user principiale, LJ user maroot, LJ user volland. A YouTube video by HorseWhispererRF is here.
Armenia: Banned TV station resumes broadcasting… via mobile
Writing on the Frontline Club blog, Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor comments on a new service introduced this week by the banned pro-opposition TV station A1 Plus to offer video news services via mobile. The entry also looks at the larger issue of alternative voices going online to circumvent government...
Iran:A presidential candidate launches internet TV
Mir Hussein Mousavi, former Prime Minister, launches an internet TV in Iran's presidential election battle.
Taiwan: Labors protested against unemployment on Labor Day
Chaotang took some photos on Labor Day showing the protest against unemployment. David had an article describing why the labors gathered.
Ecuador: Local News from Cuenca Absent from National Newspapers
Esteban Mendieta wonders why news from the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca rarely makes the national newspapers [es], such as the important long distance running race “Las Cruces” that is celebrating its 45th edition. Much of the coverage is devoted to the larger cities of Quito and Guayaquil
Ecuador: Municipal Palace of Guayaquil
La Plegaria de un Pagano [es] provides a historical overview of the of the Municipal Palace in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which was constructed 70 years ago.
East Timor: From sighs to steps forward with the use of the Internet
Being willing to listen what bloggers are talking about, Global Voices faces big challenges to cover the blogospheres of regions where people are not using citizen media. That is the case of East Timor, where there are many Internet connectivity problems which make blogging very difficult. But what are the challenges that bloggers from East Timor face when uploading content to the Internet? And what are the projects, nonetheless, arising in the Timorese blogosphere?
Taiwan: Lessons in diplomacy
The Far-Eastern Sweet Potato reviews the book Nixon and Mao: The week that changed the world. He says the book offers lessons for the US and Taiwan in their current diplomacy with China.
China: Four Great Rivers Conservation
Asia Society's China Green project has produced a video explaining the eco-conservation project at four great rivers region in China.
Japan: For the Price of a Plane Ticket…?
Recently, an initiative by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare offering to cover the travel expenses for unemployed nikkei nationals who wish to return to their home countries has been causing a stir.
Indonesia: Battle over Intellectual Property Rights
Recently the US Trade Representative placed Indonesia in a Priority Watch List of countries where Intellectual Property Rights violations are rampant. The slipping of Indonesia's status from Watch List to Priority Black List is considered a slap on the face by Indonesian officials. Indonesia bloggers react on the issue.
Sri Lanka: Unbowed and Unafraid
ICT For Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace) informs that a new Sri Lankan website named “Unbowed and Unafraid” – has been launched today, which “aims to continue the spirit of investigative journalism of the slain Editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickrematunge.”