20 August 2010

Stories from 20 August 2010

Sao Tome & Principe: Revolt Against Water Diverted from Hospital

In the past few months, a heated discussion animated the blogosphere of Sao Tome and Principe, on a public health problem that apparently has already been solved. Until last week, there was no water running from the taps of Ayres de Menezes Hospital, but its director now assures that the issue has been taken care of.

20 August 2010

Russia: Bloggers Expose Death Rate Increase

RuNet Echo

Until the emergence of Web 2.0, the Russian government had enjoyed a monopoly on death rate information and could manipulate it. Gregory Asmolov investigates how the Russian bloggers have changed the situation.

20 August 2010

Madagascar: The Undercover Investigations That Exposed Rosewood Trafficking from the Rain Forest

One of the consequences of the enduring political crisis in Madagascar is its punishing impact on the environment. The investigation of activists specialized in conservation and protection of the environment was instrumental in documenting the crimes and holding the government accountable for protecting Malagasy natural resources. Here are there reflections on the initiatives:

20 August 2010

India: Plights Of The Deaf Students

Sukanya at Notes From Wherever I Happen To Be shares the plights of the students of two deaf schools in Bhubaneswar and comments that the “India shining” slogan seems mere...

20 August 2010

Bhutan: An Inspiring Man

Dorji Wangchuk introduces us to Dr Sanga Dorji, chief physiotherapist in Thimphu hospital, whose blindness did not stop him from being the best at his professional field in Bhutan. Tshering...

20 August 2010

Bangladesh: An Important Recognition

Andalib at Cadet College Blog discusses [bn] about the recent decision of Bangladesh election commission to recognize “sex worker” as a profession in the voter ID.

20 August 2010

Liberia: Charles Taylor Trial Update

Alpha Sesay writes about the testimony Isa Sesay, the former interim leader of the Sierra Leonean rebel group that Charles Taylor is accused of providing support at the Charles Taylor...

20 August 2010

Burundi: At Rainbow's end

Christopher Redmonds blogs about the shooting of a new movie in Burundi: “The film is based on the true story of a man who fled to Tanzania in 1972 after...

20 August 2010

Brunei: “I'm sorry” video now a youtube sensation

Zek's youtube video of apology to his ex-girlfriend is the newest internet sensation in Brunei. A popular blogger described Zek as the "Justin Bieber of Brunei" and the video is named by some netizens as the country's "best reality show"

20 August 2010

Malaysia: Where is Press Freedom Heading Now?

The image you have on Malaysia may be one of fastest growing economies in Asia, but do you know it is languished at the bottom 3rd (ranked 131st) in the 2009 global press freedom ranking? Is it getting any better for the citizens and opposition parties that fight against censorship? We will find out from the recent press freedom situation in Malaysia.

20 August 2010

China and North Korea: Jet Crash

Adam Cathcart from Sinologistical Violoncellist looks into the strange jet crash incident in Liaoning province. Some Chinese netizens commented that the incident is the the North Korean version of Lin...

20 August 2010

Hong Kong: Policemen Issued Threats On Facebook

Two policemen wrote in Facebook that they would shoot, Amina, the cop-slapper. Upon investigation, they have been assigned to desk duty and not allowed to carry firearms. However, similar threats...

20 August 2010

El Salvador: Climate Change and Migration

Tim's El Salvador Blog recommends an essay by his friend Beth, “who works with a local community on reconstruction projects necessitated by weather disasters” in El Salvador. The essay is...

20 August 2010