Stories from 16 April 2010
Afghanistan: Forgotten Hindus and Sikhs
Afghanistan is home to many ethnicities and religions, including small communities of Hindus and Sikhs, Nick Fielding says and tells some facts about the history and culture of these groups.
Afghanistan: The insurgency leader speaks up
Nick Fielding reviews the rare interview with Sirajuddin Haqqani, commander of Taliban forces in Paktia, Khost and Paktika (Afghanistan).
Mongolia: Earthquake in Ulaanbaatar
Radigan Neuhalfen writes a story about the most recent earthquake in Ulaan Baatar, the capital of Mongolia, and also provides a background of seismic research in this country.
Kyrgyzstan: Social Media Matters
Sarah Kendzior analyzes the role of new media in the popular uprising in Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan: President Bakiev fled, resigned
Michael Hancock describes the details surrounding the escape and resignation of ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiev.
Kazakhstan: Long-Awaited Almaty Metro
Michael Hancock tells about the project of long-promised metro system in Almaty, the biggest city in Kazakhstan. It is currently nearing completion, voices concerns over seismic activeness of the region and viability of the new metro.
Afghanistan: Grapples with drug problem
Nasim Fekrat says that there are more than two million drug users in the country, and this number has doubled over the past two years.
Malawi: Madonna and the Girls Academy
Pop star Madonna shares her motivation to help Malawian girls: Having lost my mother at such a young age, I felt a close connection to these children. Their stories had touched my own. In a country of 14 million, a staggering one million children have been left alone with the...
Kazakhstan: Birds, Polish tragedy and Governance
Discussions of the Kazakhstani bloggers this week were centered around three topics, all related to the deep-rooted problems of governance in the country.
China: Yunnan Lake destroyed for luxurious houses
PH from Veggie Discourse translated a China Youth Daily report about the reclamation of Lover's Lake in Dali for building luxurious houses.
China: Remember Hu Yaobang
C Custer from ChinaGeek translates a People Daily editorial written by China’s Premier, Wen Jiabao on the then-General Secretary of the CCP Hu Yaobang. Hu's death in 1989 is directly related to the 1989 democracy movement in Beijing.
China: 3D newspaper
Joel Martinsen from DANWEI introduces the first 3D newspapers in China, the Shiyan Evening News.
Japan: Diet Session Snapshot
A photo of members from the newly formed political party Sunrise Party of Japan nodding off has been making the rounds in the 2channel boards and Twittersphere. The party name can also be translated as “Stand Up, Japan! Party”, causing many a joke.
