Stories from 1 July 2010
USA: Indigenous Rights Declaration under Reexamination
The US government is now reviewing and asking for public input on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples after initially rejecting it in 2007.
Ukraine: Mysterious Deaths at the Kiev Zoo
The Kiev Zoo has recently attracted attention of both the traditional and citizen media because of the alarming events happening there: quite a few animals at the Zoo have died under unclear circumstances during the last year.
Japan: The art of cutting paper
Japanstyle dedicates a post [en] to kamikiri, one of the traditional crafts that uses paper and that is also a stage performance. Attached to the post a video where popular kamikiri artist Hayashiya Imamaru creates splendid silhouettes with scissors and paper.
Russia: Hackers Provoke Closure of the Major News Website
Several articles of Ura.ru, one of the major media outlets, had been significantly transformed by unknown hackers, kommersant.ru reported [RUS]. Aksana Panova, executive editor of the portal, suggested, hackers added severe critics towards regional and federal authorities in order to provoke Roskomnadzor [EN] to issue a legal notice, which might...
USA: Global Feminism Live Chat on July 19
Gender Across Borders, a group blog dedicated to international feminism, is currently seeking new contributors and is holding a public live chat to discuss global feminism on July 19.
Russia: Human Rights Website Hacked and Blocked
First page of Prison.org, a website Moscow Center for Prison Reform, of one of the oldest Russian human rights NGOs, had been hacked, Russ.ru reported [RUS]. The content of the website hasn't been deleted, however, users can't access the website and are constantly forwarded to Yandex.ru search engine instead. Russ.ru suggests...
Russia: Executive Director of Moscow Airport Uses Blog to Blame the Mayor
Michael Vasilenko, executive director of Russia's second largest international airport Sheremetyevo, wrote [RUS] a blog post accusing [ENG] Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov in a deliberate transport blockade of the airport. Vasilenko declared that authorities started roadworks [ENG] on purpose in order to block Sheremetyevo and promote city-owned airport Vnukovo.
Nepal: Prime Minister Resigns
Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal announced his resignation yesterday in a live televised speech. Mr. Nepal's resignation brings an end to a long political stalemate in Nepal.
Pakistan: The Cause Of Ahmadi Massacre In Lahore
Anwer Khan at Pak Tea House examines the cause of the recent Ahmadi massacre in Lahore.
Bhutan: Archery In Question
When a Bhutanese parliamentarian was struck by an arrow recently, an intense debate ensued on the need to regulate archery, the national sport of Bhutan. Dorji Wangchuk opines that “archery is not just a sport, it is a great socializing exercise.”
Sri Lanka: Kite Jam 2010
Kite Surf Sri Lanka blog writes about Kite Jam 2010, Sri Lanka's first kite surfing event, which took place recently.
Bangladesh: On Blasphemy
Tiktiki at Unheard Voice elaborates on the use of blasphemy in Bangladesh politics.
Guatemala: Costa Rican Francisco Dall’Anese to Direct CICIG
Francisco Dall’Anese, Attorney General of Costa Rica, has been appointed to direct the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. Bloggers provide context and analysis on how this new appointment will affect Guatemala.
Africa: Great African photos on the Internet
Glenna links to great African photos on the Internet: “The first set of beautiful photos I’d like to point out are by Jessica Hilltout of football in Africa.”
Uganda: Election dates set
Conserve Uganda writes about election dates: “Nominations for President will be accepted on October 25 and 26, 2010, and the elections for President and Parliament will all happen between February 12 and March 1, 2011.”
Africa: Why was Jabulani ball not made in Africa?
Will Prochaska argues that the choice of the Jabulani ball for for 2020 FIFA World Cup was a missed opportunity: “Sadly, however, a great chance was missed when the decision was made to use the Jabulani ball rather than a ball made in Africa.”
India: Thoughts On Bengal Politics
Nirmalya Nag posts some thoughts on the Politics of West Bengal state of India (Part 1, Part 2).
Ghana: Racist World Cup Ad
Sokari writes about a racist World Cup Ad by German car rental SIXT: “The above advert was sent to me by a friend from Germany which she explains as follows: It is playing various eurocentric, afro-pessimism clichés in relation to the coming Ghana/Germany soccer play.”
Liberia: My life in Liberia
Shreya blogs about her life in Liberia: “I inevitably get sick whenever I travel and my trip to Liberia is no different… I had a minor bought of food poisoning on Monday.”
Ghana: Go Ghana Go!
James writes about world cup game between Ghana and Uruguay: “The beers and biltong have been bought and the friends all confirmed. All is set for a great day of Football tomorrow! Ghana, Ghana, Ghana – our last hope for an African victory.”
Afghanistan: Tribalism and the Taliban
Nick Fielding reviews a new “thoughtful, well-researched report” on how tribalist are the structures of Taliban, Afghanistan's largest insurgent movement between its tribal roots and Islamist ideology.
