Stories from 8 August 2010
Iran: Political prisoners on hunger strike
Seventeen political prisoners began a hunger strike at the end of July to protest deteriorating conditions at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Iran has arrested hundreds of journalists, human rights activists, and politicians after the protest movement emerged against the results of the June 12 presidential election in 2009.
Iran: A blogger among hunger strikers
Kouhyar Goodarzi, human rights activist and blogger, is one of 17 Iranian political prisoners who started their hunger strike at the end of July to protest against the poor prison conditions, the behaviour of prison officials, and the ban on visits.
Venezuela: Blog Carnival and Freedom of Online Expression
Global Voices is sponsoring a Blog Festival and invites Venezuelan bloggers to write about the topic "freedom of expression on the internet." This post provides all of the details on how to participate.
Pakistan: Zardari Shoe Bombed
Teeth Maestro mentions yesterday's incident of shoe throwing on Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari in Birmingham as “one of the most happiest moments in Pakistan's history”.
Venezuela: Parkour in Caracas
Mitchele Vidal of the blog Imágenes Urbanas [es] has pictures of a group of teenagers practicing Parkour around a Metro station of Caracas, Venezuela. She asked them if the police ever told them to stop, and they said “this is a public place and we are practicing a sport.”
Paraguay: Information for Attendees of Americas Social Forum
The Paraguayan digital magazine E'a [es] is providing regular updates for people planning on attending the Americas Social Forum that will be held in Asunción from August 11-15. Updates include requirements for entry to the country and the planned program for the event.
Honduras: Drinking Coffee in Surcagua
Irina Vanessa Orellana reminisces about the “power of coffee” to bring friends together in Honduras, as she reminisces about a recent trip about to drink a cup of coffee with some friends in the small town of Surcagua [es] located 20 minutes from Tegucigalpa.
Taiwan: Indigenous people protest against forced eviction
In the video report created by Civilmedia[zht], more than 600 Taiwan indigenous people from different tribes and supporters gathered in front of the Presidential Office and criticize the forced eviction, ignorance on tribal integrity, and vacuum promises from government after Typhoon Morakot that hit southern Taiwan one year ago.
Russia: Musicians Sign Petition for Detained Rapper
Ivan Alexeev (aka Noize MC ), a Volgograd-based rapper famous for its politically charged songs [EN], had been detained for 10 days after a concert where he sang an anti-police song. Blogger Norlink published [RUS] a petition for his defense that had been signed by the Russian rock-musicians.
China: Visa tales
With all the economic growth in China over the past few decades and a growing number of global travelers to match, have visa requirements for Chinese citizens been adapting in step? Well-heeled journalist Chen Zikun shares his experiences, see if or how any of them compare to yours.
The Great Floods of Singapore
A series of freak floods hit Singapore in the past month which is unprecedented for a city state widely recognized as an urban paradise. Residents are angry and they want answers for the apparent lack of government preparation and response during the flooding disaster. Bloggers share their reactions
Afghanistan: State Dept Terrorism Report makes bleak reading
Nick Fielding reviews new report by the U.S. State Department on Afghanistan, noting that Taliban attacks increased over 2008 amid diminished direct influence of al-Qaeda, whilst the anti-government insurgency remained a capable, determined, and resilient threat to stability.
Kyrgyzstan: A political picnic, another failed coup in Bishkek
Murzaki makes a photo-post about a rally in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where hundreds of people went on to the street with the demand to to make Mr. Barktabasov, a mysterious tycoon with big ambitions for power, the Prime Minister. Some protesters were armed. The rally was dispersed, Barktabasov...
Kazakhstan: What do young people want
Popular TV presenter and newly converted blogger Kamila Zhusupova reflects on the realities of Kazakhstan's youth, its problems, values and future.
Egypt: Obssessed with Celebrities’ Religion
In Egypt, some people decide to like or hate celebrities based on their religion. Lebanese actress Nour, Egyptian actress Basma, radio host Osama Mounir, and many others have all been subjected to this scrutiny. Why are people so obsessed with the beliefs of celebrities?
Analyzing GDP growth of Singapore
Furry Brown Dog analyzes the GDP numbers of Singapore and proposes a more accurate indicator to measure the country's economic growth
Singapore: Proposal to remove retirement age
Sam Ho reacts to the suggestion of former Singapore Prime Minister to remove the retirement age so that ‘active seniors’ can continue to work.
Laos: Road improvements
Victoria Minoian visited the southern province of Champassack in Laos and blogged about the impact of the recent road improvements in the area.
Southeast Asia: ASEAN Day
Thai Intelligent News uploads two articles that reflect on the celebration of the ASEAN Day today. ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Thailand: “Yellow protest” despite emergency rule
Despite the ban on mass assemblies, more than two thousand “Yellow Shirts” in Thailand gathered in a stadium to assert the country's ownership of the Preah Vihear temple which is also being claimed by Cambodia. The Prime Minister attended the gathering.
Taiwan: The market for medical tourism
Michael Turton looks at the development of medical tourism in Taiwan.
