Stories from 7 May 2011
Maldives: Rocked by Protests Over Economy
For seven consecutive days, thousands of residents of Male, the capital of Maldives, have protested on busy streets and public spaces, expressing their dissatisfaction over soaring prices of consumer goods and economic mismanagement of the government.
India: E-Governance Initiative Using LED Screen Shows
Badhri Jagannathan at Think Change India informs that Gujarat government has launched an e-governance pilot initiative called ‘Gujarat Swarnim Gram E-Broadcast Project’ in the villages of Amreli which will disseminate information useful to rural livelihood by erecting large LED screens in public places.
India: A Conspiracy Theory
Arunachal Diary speculates whether there was any conspiracy behind the death of Dorjee Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, who died in a helicopter crash.
Nepal: Facebook Movement Demanding Constitution
Pradeep Kumar Singh informs that frustrated by the inability of the incumbent government to enact the new constitution of Nepal on time, some Nepali youth started a Facebook group to create a movement to pressurize the government.
Pakistan: What Did ISI Know About Laden?
Faheem Haider at Pakistan Foreign Policy Blog questions what the Pakistani Military and Intelligence Service knew about the top terror Osama Bin Laden, who was intercepted and killed in Abbottabad, near the Pakistan capital.
Armenia: Childbirth
Motherhood, Repatriation and other fictions, a blog by an ethnic Armenian from the Diaspora turned activist in Armenia, comments on the quality of healthcare in the former Soviet republic. Although conditions are improving, the blog notes, petty corruption and the quality of nursing remain serious problems for expectant mothers.
Equatorial Guinea: Online expression
On World Press Freedom Day, Reporters Without Borders shared a list of press freedom predators. The President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, is on the list. In this country, were there is a tight control of the press, Facebook is often used to share information and opinions on world...
France : demonstration at the Syrian Embassy
On Tuesday, 3 May 2011, World Press Freedom Day, representatives from Reporters Without Borders demonstrated in front of the Syrian Embassy in Paris. Video of the demonstration [in French and English].
Iran: World Taekwondo Top Title
Iran wins world Taekwondo title for the first time.Totefarangi praises Iranian team who stole for the first time the world title from South Korea in history and compares it to the poor performance of Iran's football teams.
Georgia: Armenian-Azeri coexistence
Reader in Baku travels to villages and towns co-inhabited by ethnic Armenians and Azeris in Georgia. Despite the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh, the blogger finds that both ethnic minorities easily coexist together outside of the war zone.
Japan: Anti-nuclear power demonstrations in Shibuya
Several thousand protestors are gathered in Shibuya, Tokyo for an anti-nuclear power demonstration. This demo follows another held on April 10th (video). Hiruma Takashi posted photos of arrests. Twitter users are using the hashtag is #57nonukes.
Mexico: Citizens on Alert Over National Security Law Reform
Mexican citizens are on alert over a reform to the National Security Law. After much pressure, the project is now on hold. According to human right groups, political annalists, lawyers and even some politicians, the reform would legalize the abuses of the army against civilians in the name of national security.
Singapore: Museum website features interactive games
The website of Singapore's National Art Gallery features interactive games and other educational resources to teach children and the general public about art.
Myanmar: Video journalists behind bars
Independent media network The Democratic Voice of Burma reports that 17 of its video journalists are under detention in Myanmar. Some are serving sentences of 27 years for reporting about the real situation inside Myanmar.
Thailand: Opium Museum
The House of Opium in Thailand features the history of opium and its trade in The Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia. It also has a collection of materials which celebrate the culture of north Thailand.
Malaysia: Cost of removing poverty in Sarawak
Anilnetto links to an article published by Aliran about the amount needed to wipe out poverty in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Laos: Mekong Tourism Forum
A new media boot camp will be held later this month a day before the Mekong Tourism Forum in Pakse, Champasak, Laos. The event will gather travel bloggers who are expected to learn more about the tourism potential of the Mekong region.
