Stories from 14 July 2009
Georgia: Controversial online game
Unzipped: Gay Armenia, a ground-breaking LGBT blog in the region, comments on news from Gay Caucasus [RU] that a homophobic game, Kill the Faggots, is proving popular among children in Georgia. The blog says the game is disgusting and that the site should be shut down.
Georgia: Nationalist Pop
This is Tbilisi Calling comments on the tendency for pop music to be used for political purposes in countries such as Georgia. Although there have been some songs which have lampooned forces on both sides of the political divide, the blog also notes their use for nationalist purposes in a...
Syria: Allergic to Religion?
Mohammed writes about a phenomenon that he feels has gone too far. He feels that many people have a certain “Religion Influenza” [Ar] that makes them hostile to anything related to religion.
Syria: Ode to Blogging!
Mariyah writes about her blogging journey, and gives tribute to different Syrian blogs that she follows.
Morocco: Changing Nothing and Everything
As summer in the kingdom wears on, bloggers across Morocco all seem to be talking along the theme of change. From the foreign experience in Morocco to the freedom (or lack thereof) of the press, the blogoma is waxing philosophical on a variety of topics.
Turkey: Google Sites Banned?
Turkey and My Foreign Perspectives reports that yet another lawsuit has been filed in Turkey that might result in the banning of another web service: Google sites. She adds “Do these silly courts not understand how they impair their people from becoming more educated and doing better business by blocking...
Iraq: Alcohol in Iraqi Kurdistan
“In Ankawa, the Christian quarter of Arbil, there are so many alcohol shops with fake beer brands made in Turkey. There are also real beer trademarks, but that's also from Turkey (Efes). In the ‘Muslim’ part of Erbil (Hawler) you can also get alcohol, but it's mostly ‘sealed’ off with...
Barbados: Dark Day for Windies
Diaspora blogger Jdid is disheartened by the direction of West Indies cricket, saying: “Thank you WIPA and WICB for killing our cricket. You're both doing a bang up job!”, while compatriot Barbados Underground adds: “In light of the illogical decisions in recent years exhibited by the WIBC and WIPA, the...
Cuba: Remembering Segundo
Repeating Islands remembers “well-known Cuban musician and composer Compay Segundo”, who passed away in Havana six years ago today.
Dominica: Tourism Development?
“The issue of sustainable development has been a troublesome issue…and the Caribbean is no exception; as the pace of development has begun and in some cases has already outstripped the rate at which our valuable and fragile ecosystem can replenish itself”: Dominica Weekly advocates approaching tourism development with caution.
Trinidad & Tobago: Crime Reporting
This Beach Called Life thinks that the “high murder rate has desensitized us from understanding the effects of murder and it has also made the job of a crime reporter in Trinidad and Tobago boring” – so, in an effort to “to make life easier for future crime reporters”, he...
Malaysia: No to English in Science & Mathematics
No more English in science and mathematics by 2012 in Malaysia. That is the long overdue decision from the Ministry of Education on the policy of teaching science and mathematics in English. The government refuted the claim of political influence in the decision-making process.
Barbados: Man Power
Faced with appliance problems, Barbadian blogger Ingrid Persaud “decided it was time to deploy the only weapon that works in getting things done in Bim: an assertive man.”
Russia: Moscow election posters
LJ user Ilya Yashin publishes [RUS] campaign posters for the upcoming Moscow local elections, illustrating the current Russian political landscape.
Pakistan: Is the proposed E-crime bill a form of Democratic Dictatorship?
Mystified Justice wonders what purpose the proposed E-crime bill will serve other than obstructing freedom of expression. She feels that it would be much more constructive if instead, the government was to focus its energy on dismantling the illegally operated, infamous,provocative and inflammatory FM radio channel broadcast by Maulana Fazlullah...
Russia: Sources of sectarianism
Sean's Russia Blog reflects upon Russians’ affinity to religious sectarianism, against the background of RIA Novosti coverage.
Russia: Barring appeal to the Court of Europe
Finrosforum turns attention to a Russian legislative proposal designed to bar citizens – mainly Chechens – to sue Russia at the European Court of Human Rights.
Nabucco: Running out of gas
Der Spiegelfechter comments on [GER] the agreement to build gas pipeline Nabucco and wonders where the gas will be coming from, whereas Der Unbequeme questions [GER] the need of yet another pipeline. LJ user xystos argues [RUS] why Nabucco is a mere mirage, and LJ user tertiaroma sees [RUS] the...
Czech Republic: Sixty percent of Czechs support death penalty
The Czech Daily Word draws attention to a survey showing that 6 out of 10 Czechs support the death penalty.
Belarus: The Grünwald pillow battle
LJ user reaktivny puz advertises [RUS] a 15 July celebration of the 1410 battle at Grünwald (Tannenberg) by staging a battle with pillows.
Belarus: Between Napoleon and Alexander
LJ user nicolaev writes about [RUS] Belarus during the Napoleonic wars and how the country related to Russia and the invading French.
