Stories from 16 August 2011
Indonesia: Villagers Threaten to Raise Malaysian Flag
Villagers in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan have threatened to raise the flag of Malaysia during the Indonesia's Independence Day celebration to protest the lack of economic and social services in the province.
Singapore: Foreign Maids are Happy?
Yawning Bread posts some questions to the survey conducted by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower about the situation of foreign maids and workers in the city. The survey showed that most maids are happy working in Singapore.
Malaysia: Voter Registration Details
reg2vote is a website developed by concerned citizens of Malaysia to give information on voter registration events throughout the country.
Vanuatu: Concern on Media Independence
The Pacific Freedom Forum released a statement expressing concern about the reported visit of a politician in a state-owned media station in Vanuatu demanding the censorship about his arrest on the eve of Vanuatu Independence day celebrations
Vietnam: Blogger Pham Minh Hoang Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison
On August 10, 2011, Pham Minh Hoang, a math teacher and political blogger, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison and an additional 3 years of house arrest; he was charged with “attempt to overthrow the [vietnamese] goverment” reports Reporters Without Borders [fr]. Hoang, who has been in pre-trial...
The ‘New Latin America’ Faces its Past
The Council on Hemispheric Affairs Blog is posting a series “that will explore the concept of the New Latin America by focusing on recent developments that highlight how the region contrasts with its past.” So far COHA research associates have written about the Dos Erres trial in Guatemala, Venezuela's Hugo Chávez and Simón...
Guatemala: Memoir Captures Complicated Adoption Process
Steven Roll in Travelojos reviews Mamalita: An Adoption Memoir by Jessica O’Dwyer, a book about “the long and grueling adoption process she and her husband suffered through in Guatemala”.
Peru: New Bills for a New Congress
Miguel Morachimo in Blawyer [es] comments on two bills currently being discussed by Peru's new Congress. One is “another attempt to change the Penal Code to establish the dissemination of private conversations through the media as a crime”, and the other seeks to create a “Computer crime law” which adds...
India: RTI and Wildlife Activist Killed in Broad Daylight
Indian Right To Information activist and NGO worker Shehla Masood (39) was shot dead in front of her residence in Bhopal on Tuesday morning. She was also known for campaigning on wildlife conservation. Indian Twitter users react to this tragic death.
Ecuador: President Correa's Tumultuous Relationship With the Media
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa recently won a libel case against newspaper El Universo, for an article in which journalist Emilio Palacio gives an account of Correa's actions during the September 30, 2010 police uprising. The ruling has caused a greater breach between Correa and the press, raising concerns about freedom of expression in Ecuador.
India, US: Stories Of Adoption From India
Lassi With Lavina shares some stories of parents who have adopted children from India. The post also contains some tips and a list of procedures on how to adopt a child from India.
Puerto Rico: Blogging & Ethics
Gil the Jenius grades himself on his blogger ethics.
Trinidad & Tobago: Tweeting for Anya
“trinidadian beauty queen turned superstar designer anya ayoung-chee is mashing up the competition and she needs our support”: inkblot*photography is drumming up online support for Trinidad and Tobago's hopeful in Season 9 of the fashion reality show, Project Runway.
Trinidad & Tobago: Meet Morvant
“As a true-blue, third-generation Morvant denizen, I realize that most people know not of the Morvant of which they speak”: Outlish fills us in about life in this Port of Spain suburb, which is all too often stigmatized.
Iran: Blogger Freed After 25-Day Hunger Strike
Dr. Mehdi Khazali, a blogger, publisher and son of a leading conservative cleric and former Council of Guardians member, Ayatollah Khazali, was released on bail from prison on Sunday after a 25-day hunger strike. The blogger has raised his voice against the Iranian government for the last two years.
Cuba: Everyday Violence
“We are a society where a blow and a scream have replaced words, let’s admit it and begin to look for solutions for it”: Generation Y blogs about “violence not reflected in the official media.”
Jamaica: No Love for Gays?
“The situation in Jamaica concerning the status and well-being of its homosexual citizens continues to evolve in a one step forward-two steps backward manner”: Active Voice explains.
Malawi: Confusion and Uncertainty Over August 17 Vigil
With hours to go before August 17, the day set aside for follow-up nation-wide demonstrations in Malawi, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the country. One team has announced a postponement, another team has indicated they are going ahead. Online reactions range from relief to frustration, confusion to defiance.
Africa: The Looting of African Fishery Resources
The first chapter of the Greenpeace project SOS Oceans is entitled: “How Africa feeds Europe “. The website introduce the project with the following statement [fr] : “After depleting the reserves of fishes in their own waters, European fish boats are now on the move to target other oceans to fish in.”
Russia: New Legislation to Allow “Creative Commons” License
Russian Communication Ministry submitted to President Medvedev a project for legislation update that would allow using “Creative Commons” (CC) copyright license in Russia, newspaper Vedomosti reports [ru]. The project is a follow-up to a meeting between Medvedev and leaders of Russian Internet community [en] where the president promised to support...
Senegal: Mayor Becomes the Oldest Elementary School Graduate
Assane Diallo celebrates the uncommon achievement of the mayor of Tambacounda in Senegal : ” Among the 2 233 candidates for the Year End Elementary School Diploma was the mayor of Tambacounda, Mr Oury Bâ. The 67-year-old elected official successfully earned his first diploma, a testimony to perseverance and the value he gives to education....
