Stories from 14 August 2012
Sri Lanka: Time To Rethink The School Examination System
Serendipity questions the lack of credibility of the School Examination System in Sri Lanka and relates how that is contributing to the growing unemployment in the country.
Pakistan: Economics And Secularism
Ayusyha Khanna at Pak Tea House argues that if Pakistan truly wants to realize its potential as far as economic performance is concerned, then it should adopt secularism to create an atmosphere of peace.
Costa Rica: Cat Literally Drops In During University of Peace Class
A class at the University of Peace in Costa Rica had an unexpected visitor drop in, as a cat fell through the suspended ceiling right behind a couple of students giving a presentation on the Theory of Change. (Via Mashable)
Bhutan: Women Talents Galore
Tenziniesta at Writers Association Of Bhutan Blog celebrates the recent feats of women in Bhutan. For the the first time a female Dzongda was elected and the Supreme Court of Bhutan has a newly appointed female Justice. The Anti Corruption Commission of Bhutan is headed by an woman and guess...
Pakistan: Fighting Stereotypes and Celebrating with India on Independence Day
Pakistan's mainstream and social media is usually fraught with issues ranging from terrorism and sectarianism to economic and power crisis. However, there comes a day, once every year, when even the most cynical tend to let go of their skepticism and dwell in a rather romantic notion of hope. That day is August 14, the day Pakistan got its independence from British Raj.
Tunisia: Sidi Bouzid Rises. . . Again
Sidi Bouzid, the Tunisian city which sparked the wave of Arab revolutions more than a year and a half ago, is once again simmering with a new wave of protests. Economic, social and political woes are moving the masses, who are showing increasing discontent with the current government.
Lebanon: Bank Robber Filmed Shooting Army Officer
From Lebanon, plus961 shares this video on YouTube showing a bank robber shooting an army officer, who happened to be at a bank they were robbing.
Hollywood's Next Go-To Enemies: North Korea and China
North Korea Tech blog wrote about leaked movie scripts and photos of Hollywood's upcoming movies which Chinese media denounced as ‘reshoots of Cold War movie demonizing China’.
Syria: Assad Arrests Alawite Activists
Syrian Darth Nader tweets: “Arrest of tens of Alawite activists by Assad regime for organizing relief efforts for those under siege in #Homs, #Syria.” Assad himself is of the Alawite sect.
UAE: Human Rights Lawyer Abdulhamed AlKumaiti Arrested
Khalid Ibrahim reports: “#UAE:Prominent HR lawyer Abdulhamed AlKumaiti is targeted because he is as always ready to defend the civil &human rights of the detainees.” And Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth adds: “UAE strategy to keep 49 activists in prison: arrest their would-be lawyers too. Threat to national...
Yemen: Journalist Mohammed Al Qadhi Arrested while Covering Clashes
Adam Baron tweets: “Alarming news via his Facebook: Yemeni journalist @mohammedalqadhi apparently arrested today while covering clashes at the min of def #yemen”
Brazil: Judge Orders Halt to Belo Monte Dam
Brazilian judge Souza Prudente ordered halt to the construction of the controversial Belo Monte dam, in Altamira, state of Pará, on August 13, 2012, reports [pt] independent researcher Telma Monteiro on her blog. Netizens’ reactions on Twitter are being shared under the hashtag #BeloMonte.
Chile: Mapuche Women Continue Occupation of UNICEF Office
The peaceful occupation of UNICEF headquarters in Santiago, Chile, by Mapuche women has continued for 20 days. Mapuche leaders have stated that the occupation will continue until UNICEF becomes more actively involved in cases of police violence against Mapuche children. On August 12, blogger and photographer Kena Lorenzini Lorenzini [es]...
Arab World: Curiosity Rover and Arab Scientific Decay
Following rover Curiosity's successful landing on Mars, Arabs on Twitter lamented the miserable state of science in the Arab world: little scientific output and very few patents.
Caribbean: Regional Sports Academy?
Following the success of the Caribbean region at the London Olympics, there is now talk of “a single sports academy…located in Jamaica, and funded by all the governments and private sectors of the Caribbean Community”, to which Weblog Bahamas’ Rick Lowe quips, “Come on.”
Russia: Yekaterinburg University Begins Masters Program in Blogging & Political Journalism
Yekaterinburg's Ural Federal University is for the first time offering a Masters Degree [ru] in “political journalism” with specific training in blogging and “image-making.” In February 2011, UFU hosted [ru] journalist and blogger Oleg Kashin for a discussion with students, where Kashin emphasized the growing importance of blogging. The new program [ru] lasts two...
Trinidad & Tobago: Flood Relief
A comprehensive post about tangible ways in which to help victims of the Trinidad floods, here, while Plain Talk questions the role of the army during the crisis.
Malaysia: Blackout Protest Against Internet Censorship Legislation
"#Stop114A could be Malaysia's most successful digital civil movement. Hacktivism at its best. Let's make it happen people."
Egypt: Front Page of Al Doustor's Consfiscated Issue
Bassem Sabry, from Egypt, tweets a photograph of the “controversial front page of first confiscated issue of Al-Dostour [newspaper], calling for a military-backed Turkey-like State.”
Saudi Arabia: Defending the Virtue of Syrian Women?
On August 11, Bader Al Domiat from Saudi Arabia tweeted a message saying there were around 300 Syrian widows looking for husbands. The message caused outrage among Saudi netizens who apologized from their Syrian brothers and harshly condemned Al Domiat, who immediately suspended his account.
Puerto Rico: Jaime Espinal's Silver Medal Makes History
Puerto Rico celebrates Jaime Espinal's Olympic silver medal, the first to be won for the country in the freestyle wrestling. This is the second medal won for Puerto Rico in the London 2012 Olympics and only the second silver medal to be won in the country's history.
