12 August 2009

Stories from 12 August 2009

Russia: “Kadyrov's Chaos”

  12 August 2009

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.”

Cambodia: Miss Landmine Pageant Raises Questions

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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.

Cuba, U.S.A.: Prisoner in Poor Health

  12 August 2009

“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

  12 August 2009

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?

  12 August 2009

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.”

Bermuda: Educate, Don't Leglislate

  12 August 2009

Bermuda Jewel thinks that the proposed anti-gang legislation “is not a well thought out plan.” Instead, he believes that “education is the answer.”

China: How Did Amoiist Break the Jail?

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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

  12 August 2009

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...