9 March 2011

Stories from 9 March 2011

Bangladesh: Banning Fatwa

“Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, some people are trying their best to fetter their women further in the name of religion,” comments Jerome D'Costa at Bangladesh, Canada and Beyond on the recent...

9 March 2011

The Forgotten Palestinian Refugees of Libya

More than 10 percent of Libya's inhabitants are immigrants and among them there are reportedly up to 70,000 Palestinian refugee settlers. As they flee violence in the country, the Palestinian Authority has tried to coordinate their evacuation, but lack of identity cards has seen them turned away from a border crossing in Egypt.

9 March 2011

Paraguay's Digital Divide

Juan Edgardo Lezcano [es] writes about the digital divide in Paraguay. Juan reports that there are few educational institutions focusing on information and communication technology (ICT), and that low-income citizens...

9 March 2011

Mexico and Afghanistan Border Conflicts Juxtaposed

Netizens are responding to several reports that juxtapose the violence in the Mexico/US border with the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and its border with Pakistan. Though uncoordinated and apparently disparate, the reports have served to crystalize problematic aspects of American policy.

9 March 2011

Thailand: Prime Minister Admits He is British

UK-born Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva has admitted in a parliamentary session that he has not yet renounced his British citizenship. His political opposition intend to use this admission to bring Vejajjiva to the International Criminal Court, for allegedly committing crimes against humanity in 2010. Although Thailand is not a signatory of the ICC Statute, the United Kingdom is.

9 March 2011

Japan: Plum blossoms

Photographer and blogger Buddihka Weerasinghe just published a set of pictures titled Ume (plum) blossoms. The photographs were taken in Katsuyama and capture the beginning of spring in Japan.

9 March 2011

Jamaica: Political Satire

Jamaica and the World posts updates on the Manatt Commission of Inquiry, while Active Voice notes that “political satire is alive and well in Jamaica”, thanks in part to the...

9 March 2011

Guyana: Child Abuse

“When I look into the dark eyes of some chil’ren here, I see things I can’t put a name to”: Guyana-Gyal shivers at some of the things that go on...

9 March 2011

Yemen: Saleh “declares war on Yemen” (Videos)

Once again, Yemen's security forces have shot and killed protesters calling for the resignation of long-term leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. This time, however, the killings took place at Sanaa University, under the nose of international media and observers. With local protesters and opposition members further enraged at the violence, what will the international community do?

9 March 2011

Taiwan: How to Get Your Facebook Back

Recently, Facebook suspended or closed many Taiwanese users’ profiles or pages, including some celebrities’, due to claimed misuse or using pseudo/nicknames. Billy Pan explains his experience in 2009 and how...

9 March 2011

India: The Dictionary – An Obituary

“Every Bengali home had an English dictionary,” comments Anirban, but now many people use embedded dictionaries in their devices or online dictionaries instead. Is it time to say goodbye to...

9 March 2011

India: Why We Let Someone Beat His Wife?

Domestic Violence is very much prevalent in India and husband beating wive is one of the common phenomena. Shilpadesh questions how can the other family members ignore such abuse?

9 March 2011

Taiwan: Social Media Makes Indigenous Voices Loud and Clear

Stories about the Taiwanese indigenous population's struggle for identity, sustainability and dignity are missing from the country's public sphere, as a result of relative social and political domination by the majority Han Chinese population. Now, thanks to social media, indigenous youth are making their voices heard and reconnecting with their traditions.

9 March 2011

South Korea: Suicide Actress's Memoirs Claim Sex Exploitation

South Korean netizens are busy discussing deceased actress Ja-Yeon Jang's memoirs, which contain claims that she was a victim of career-related sexual exploitation. The struggling 26-year-old actress who committed suicide in March 2009, left about 50 letters listing the names of 31 people who she alleged exploited and abused her.

9 March 2011