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.
Venezuela: Rapper Defies New Ban Against Violent Images
Venezuelan rapper OneChot is using social media to distribute his video criticizing the violence in Venezuela in days after president Chavez declared a month long ban on media's use of violent images, triggering an investigation surrounding the video's release.
Russia: Bloggers Expose Death Rate Increase
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.
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:
Guatemala: Almost 1,000 Children Live in Temporal Government Housing
In his blog Carpe Diem, Luis Figueroa wonders [es] what will happen to the almost 1,000 children who live in temporal government housing while they wait to be adopted into a home or return to their own.
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 rhetoric.
Explicit Websites Blocked In Nepal And Violators To Be Criminalized
XNepali Blog informs that the Nepalese Government has decided to block all websites containing explicit contents and nudity and criminalize the violators who view or host such websites in Nepal.
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 Tobgay interviewed Dr. Dorji earlier.
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.
Russia: Shocking Pictures of Russian Neo-Nazis
Bigpicture.ru posts Guillaume Herbaut‘s [FR] photos of the “Slavic Union” [RUS], a neo-Nazi group aimed to establish National-socialist reign in Russia. In April 2010, the group's activity had been prohibited.
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 trial at the Hague.
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 coming home to find his wife and daughter murdered.”
Russia: Wildfires Victims Sorry They Fought For Their Houses
The aftermath of the recent wildfires in Russia is on the agenda of the main media channels. Reports on and interviews with victims, volunteers, humanitarian aid workers and government officials are covering mainly positive developments: new houses are being built for the victims, financial compensations are being paid to the...
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"
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.
Russia: 19 Years Since Coup d'Etat Attempt
Bloggers share recollections [RUS] of the 1991 events [EN] in Russia when a group of Soviet generals tried to seize the control over the country. User s01101 posts pictures [RUS] of the commemoration of the events in Saint-Petersburg. Oleg Kozlovsky asks [RUS] his readers, what if coup d'etat would succeed. “We'd be...
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 Biao.
China and the U.S: Trouble Waters
Sinica podcast looks at the trouble waters between China and the U.S around China’s coast.
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 made by ordinary citizen had ended up in court with criminal charges. (more from ESWN)
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 called, “In Search of Shelter and Protection: Environmental Migration and Climate Change.”
Colombia: Siblings Create Dining Hall for Hungry Children
María Eugenia, from the blog La Mariposa, writes [es] about María Cenelia and Carlos Hernán, a sister and brother who created a dining hall for children in Cali, Colombia. The hall became foundation Funcreamor, serving children that would otherwise go hungry. The foundation has a Facebook [es] profile where they...
