Stories from 25 October 2010
Puerto Rico: Second Blog Day Against Violence
Bloggers Nahomi Galindo Malavé and Verónica RT convened bloggers in Puerto Rico to express themselves on violence against women and the media for the Second Blog Day “No More Violence Against Women.” [ES]
South Korea: A Repairman Won the Nation's Biggest Singing Contest.
Hur Gak, is a stout, homey-looking repairman who took home the trophy of the nation's biggest singing contest, “Superstar K,” Korean version of American Idol. Hur won around 177 thousand USD, a car and the opportunity to release his own album. He is now referred to as Korea's Paul Potts. Video...
Brazil: changes made to digital crimes bill
Jomar Silva, of blogging collective Trezentos [pt], speaks out against recent changes [pt] made to a controversial draft bill on cybercrimes in Brazil. The bill, which would require web users to provide identification for online transactions, such as setting up a blog or downloading files, may now see content service...
Kyrgyzstan: Parties Get Down to Coalition-Building
With no clear winner in Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary election, the five parties that gained seats have immediately plunged into a race to build a ruling coalition with the right to choose the next prime minister, Dina Tokbaeva writes.
Uzbekistan: Facebook blocked
The authorities of Uzbekistan have banned Facebook, possibly in an attempt to block Uzbek users from the opportunity to read the content of the banned independent websites via the social network, Abulfazal reports.
Kazakhstan: Fake repatrates scandal
Albika reports that several thousand ethnic Kazakh repatriates have never existed, but the government spent 300 million tenge for their benefits in result of the massive fraud.
Israel: Controversial Loyalty Oath Undermines Democracy
The Israeli cabinet approved by a 22-8 vote the proposed amendment to Israel's Citizenship Law, which would require all those seeking citizenship to pledge allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state," sparking controversy on the ground and online.
Kyrgyzstan: Assassination or provocation attempt?
Marat Sartpaev writes about the post-electoral scandal in Kyrgyzstan as the currently leading parliamentary party’s member said he was allegedly attacked by “the armed spec-op officers”, who, though, were “defeated” by unarmed guards at his house.
Kazakhstan: Education System Flaws
KZBlog refects on the classc post-Soviet problem that school teachers in Kazakhstan are too often treated like members of an office staff, and their loyalty is more important than their being able to be productive.
Afghanistan: Another Taliban official involved in peace talks
Nick Fielding informs his readers that Afghan Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Barodar after having been released from custody in Pakistan, is at the centre of peace efforts, amidst the spread of instability into the North.
China: Rare earth
George Chen blogs about the international and domestic debates over China’ exportation of rare earth.
China: Protest over “Mandarin only” education program
Angry Chinese blogger looks into the recent protest in Qinghai by Tibetans against the introduction of “Mandarin only” education program.
Bangladesh: Islamic Financing Is A Recent Development
Mezba at A Bengali in T.O. has some interesting questions regarding “Islamic” financing.
