Stories from 12 August 2009
Russia: “Kadyrov's Chaos”
Sean's Russia Blog writes about the recent murders of Zarema Sadulaeva and Alik Dzhabrailov: “The murders could be related to their human rights work, or somehow linked to Dzhabrailov’s past as a Chechen separatist. Either way both are targets in chaos that is Chechnya.”
Lithuania, Ukraine: Shoot Nations Photo Contest
Eternal Remont highlights two winning entries of the Shoot Nations 2009 photo contest: Monika Urbutyte, 17, Lithuania, and Olena Fedorenko, 22, Ukraine.
Cambodia: Miss Landmine Pageant Raises Questions
The Miss Landmine pageant intends to empower landmine victims and challenge traditional notions of beauty. The winner receives a high-tech prosthetic limb. But the Cambodian government canceled the pageant this month.
Bangladesh: Stigmatizing Homosexuals
Ashok Deb at LGBTI Bangladesh shares an email from a gay activist where he told how he was physically abused by his homophobic family members. He went to the police but they refused to file his complaint.
India: How To Close Conversations
Venkatesh Rao at Ribbonfarm.com writes about manipulative ways to close IM/chat and email conversations and the psychology behind these tricks.
Cuba: Concert for Peace?
The Cuban Institute of Music has announced that popular Colombian singer Juanes is scheduled to perform at a "concert for peace" in Havana come September 20th. Cuban bloggers are divided on whether the event is a good idea.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Prisoner in Poor Health
“Nobody, except the few of us motivated by our blood as Cubans and/or our consciences as free men and women, gives a damn”: Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense shines a spotlight on the plight of Cuban political prisoner Ariel Sigler.
Bahamas: Young Mother Killed
As a young mother is murdered in the Bahamas, bloggers vent their outrage – Weblog Bahamas: “Stop the madness that is destroying our country”; Womanish Words: “Where is the public outcry? Where is the conscious, active women's movement in the Bahamas, and in the Caribbean for that matter?”
Trinidad & Tobago: Investigative Journalism?
Club Soda and Salt is infuriated with Trinidad and Tobago's “unquestioning media”, maintaining that instead of asking probing questions, “they are meeting with Manning to learn how to sit down and shut up.”
China: Bubbles and Demographic Trends
Brian Schwarz from China Challenges puts together various opinion posts on the bubbles of China's stock and property markets and their impact on demography.
Bermuda: Educate, Don't Leglislate
Bermuda Jewel thinks that the proposed anti-gang legislation “is not a well thought out plan.” Instead, he believes that “education is the answer.”
Jamaica: Four Athletes Cleared
Girl With a Purpose reports that a disciplinary panel has cleared the four male Jamaican athletes of doping charges.
China: Conversations with an Old Comrade on the Eve of the 60th Anniversary of the PRC
C. Custer from ChinaGeek translated a widely circulated blog post called “Conversations with an Old Comrade on the Eve of the 60th Anniversary of the PRC“. Chinese netizens believe that the post was written by senior Party official Wan Li. Part One and Part Two.
China: How Did Amoiist Break the Jail?
Amoiist, a blogger who was detained by police for 16 days, wrote about his experience in jail and he believed that twitter and rescue action organized by the Internet had saved him.
Pakistan: A Step In The Right Direction
Last week Pakistan's National Assembly passed a bill to outlaw domestic violence, which aims to stem domestic violence by requiring speedy criminal trials and taking a number of measures to protect the women. Bloggers weigh in on this historical bill.
Sri Lanka: Peaceful Elections
Some are framing the results recent council elections in Northern Sri Lanka as as a victory for LTTE supporters or loss for the government. However, Indi.ca opines that: “Having elections at all is a victory against the Tigers. [..] As long as people are voting and not killing each other...
Bhutan: The Influence Of Mobile Phones
Bhutan entered into the era of mobile phones only in 2003. HBO at Kuzu Bhutan Weblog informs that in past six years mobile phones have become an integral part of the Bhutanese society.
Singapore politicians debate on Facebook
Two prominent Singapore politicians have been debating and exchanging strong views on various national issues. The two politicians are not debating on national TV but on Facebook.
Singapore: Reaction to Aung San Suu Kyi verdict
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing disappointment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar was found guilty and sentenced to three years hard labour. But the Ministry also recognized the “significant gestures” by the Myanmar Government
Russia, Ukraine: Music vs Politics
LJ user oleg_kozyrev asks (RUS) Ukrainians not to get offended at Russia because of president Medvedev's address and suggests that fellow-bloggers post “something Ukrainian today,” ending his post with a YouTube video of Vopli Vidoplyasova‘s Vesna (“Spring”) song.
Serbia: Belgrade Mayor's Remarks on Sexuality
Belgraded comments on Belgrade mayor's seemingly “bizarre statement” on sexuality and the upcoming gay pride parade (scheduled for Sept. 20): “His statement is actually well calculated because it is the opinion of the majority of Serbs – that sexual orientation should not be shown in public. The problem is that...