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 protests by some Islamic clerics, who are resisting government's efforts to ban Fatwa.
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.
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 can't access the scarce opportunities to learn these skills.
Mexico: Documentary ‘Presumed Guilty’ Back in Theaters
David Sasaki updates a thorough post on the legal actions against the documentary ‘Presumed Guilty‘: “An appellate court has ruled that the movie can again be shown in movie theaters in Mexico. The ruling claims that removing the movie from theaters would damage social interest, and violates the public’s right...
Côte d’Ivoire: Abandoning the CFA?
Papa Keita [fr] wrote on the Dakar Bondy blog [fr] :” Isolated by the International community and by the Uemoa, Gbagbo continues to play tricks. His entourage is stirring up the launch of Ivory Coast's own currency, and even worse – this would mean leaving the UEMOA, which encompasses some West African...
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.
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.
Trinidad & Tobago: Carnival Results
Results from the most talked-about Carnival competitions here and here, while Lisa Allen-Agostini weighs in on show-stealing at the hotly-contested Soca Monarch contest.
Cuba: Satellite Situation
Uproar over satellite dishes in Cuba, here and here.
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.
Trinidad & Tobago: The CL Collapse
In an attempt to make sense of the “financial fiasco” of the CL Financial collapse, Afra Raymond says: “Our House needs a serious cleaning and we need a new commitment to serious retrospection if we are to succeed in understanding this scandalous situation.”
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 Twitter debut “of someone tweeting as if they’re the imprisoned don, Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, languishing in a New York prison.”
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 in the dark.
Nigeria: Top Women in Web and Tech Entrepreneurship
To mark the International Women’s Day celebration, Loy Okezie presents remarkable and influential Nigerian women in web and tech entrepreneurship.
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?
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 he got his account back.
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 paper dictionaries?
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?
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.
Libya: Gaddafi Forces Continue to Shell Zawiya
Intense reports of tank and artillery shelling of Al Zawiya, in the north western part of Libya, are making the rounds on Twitter. Here's the latest on the battle, which Gaddafi state media claims to have won.
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.
