Stories from 5 August 2009
Ukraine: Economy Update
Ukrainiana comments on Ukraine's economy: “Ours is an economy that thrives on cheap labor and cheap natural resources. The outcome? Poor living standards. A net population loss of more than 6 million people during the last 18 years.”
Russia: Putin's Youth Militia?
A Step At A Time reports that “the Kremlin-led youth group, Nashi, decided to establish bands of militia consisting of disadvantaged youngsters armed with stun guns. Under the plan, hundreds of thousands of Putin’s young stormtroopers would patrol Russia’s streets and have the right to check people’s IDs.”
Poland, UK: “Polish Action”
Sylwia Presley posts a review of a “new portal, Polish Action, dedicated to promotion of a positive image of Poles abroad.”
Russia: More on iPhone Sales
One more post on iPhone sales in Russia – at Profy.
Russia: “Astroturf Websites” Gone
A Fistful of Euros reports that “a number of pro-Russian astroturf websites” have vanished.
CEE, Central Asia: Post-Communist Leaders
A Fistful of Euros writes about “the first generation of post-Communist leaders”: “Well, here’s a question: almost 20 years later, how many of them are still running things? Not so many.”
Moldova: The President's Son
A Fistful of Euros writes about the Moldovan president's rich son.
Slovakia, Croatia: Football Fans Clash in Zilina
CzechFolks.com reports on clashes between Slovak and Croatian football fans that took place in a Slovak town of Zilina.
Slovakia, Hungary: New Slovak Language Law
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the new Slovak language law and reviews Hungarian reactions: “Is this a new effort to fuel nationalism despite, or perhaps because of, membership in the EU?”
IndieGoGo: fundraising for independent film-makers
IndieGoGo is a fundraising and promotion platform for independent movie makers where they can network, showcase their work and raise funds for their projects.
Bangladesh: Helping The Hijras
Husain Amer writes in The Bideshis about a small group called Hijras (transvestites and transsexuals) who are shunned from the conservative Bangladeshi society. A support group runs three learning centers for them where they also get free STD and HIV education and testing.
Nepal: OLPC And Primary School Curriculum
Daniel Drake is working in Nepal to help the local One Laptop per Child implementation and writes about his experiences in his blog: “one of the things you learn early on is that this deployment is very much focused on content for the Nepali primary school curriculum.”
Iran: Protest continues in Iran
Iranian protestors chanted Allaho Akbar (God is Great) and other anti regime slogans near to Iranian parliament where Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sworn in as Iran's president on Wendesday.
India: The Free Education Bill
The Indian parliament has approved a bill guaranteeing free education for children aged between six and 14. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly discusses the background and the historical importance of this bill as the right to education is a fundamental right guarded by the Indian constitution.
Iran: Mournful Mothers’ blog
Iranian mothers, who lost their child during the protest movement, launched [fa] a blog named Mournful Mothers.
Iran:Cartoonists Plan to Boycott Tehran Competition
According to Nik Kowsar, a leading Iranian political cartoonist, many of his colleagues have decided to boycott the Ninth Tehran International Cartoon Biennial, scheduled for late October. The boycott is a reaction to the government's post-election actions.
Trinidad & Tobago: Movie-Making
“Trinidad and Tobago has many things going for it as an ideal location for making movies apart from rebates and government bureaucracy”: This Beach Called Life lists the twin island republic's unique selling points – and a few of the movies that were made there.
Bahamas: The Public's Right To Know
“The debate over the port relocation, the harbour dredging and the future of Saunders Beach gradually ratcheted into a controversy and has now turned into a raucous political brawl,” writes Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith, who insists that “the people are entitled to information about what our government is doing or...
Barbados: Slow Speeds
After considerable testing, Barbados Free Press concludes that “both broadband and dial-up access to [the blog's] website is being ‘throttled’ on a rotating basis by Barbados-based Internet providers.”
Bermuda: Challenging the Status Quo
“Why is it that when it comes down to that final vote Bermudians get scared and stick with the status quo?”: 21 Square examines the island's political climate, while Bermuda Jewel wonders if white Bermudians are politically irrelevant.
Jamaica: Doping Hearings
Girl With a Purpose learns that the doping hearing of the Jamaican athletes whose urine samples tested positive for a banned substance “ended prematurely”, while YardFlex.com confirms that the track and fielders will be missing the upcoming World Championships in Berlin.
