Stories from 19 July 2013
Online Gambling No Longer Accessible from Lebanon?
Gambling sites have been blocked in Lebanon, a dangerous slippery slope.
Public Safety in Venezuela: ‘Safe Homeland’ to the Rescue?
A new security plan promises to solve the public safety problem in Venezuela, but the participation of the military generates doubts and mistrust.
Iran: Campaign Against a Mobile Phone Network Operator
Several bloggers and news sites say Irancell, second largest mobile network operator in Iran, in a sms competition insulted Caliph Umar (Omar).Netizens launched a campaign against this mobile network operator and urged Irancell to apologize to Sunnis for this insult.
Kyrgyzstan's President Accuses Britain of “Dirty Lies”
Kyrgyz president Almas Atambayev slammed the British government for "hosting" the son of the country's ousted dictator in a Guardian interview. Kyrgyz netizens weigh the wisdom of his outburst.
Privileges Granted to Ex-Presidents in Madagascar
Reporter Rianasoa posts the image of a document that stipulates what ex presidents will be entitled to in Madagascar. These privileges include but (not are not limited to) the services of five household helpers and two drivers, and a stipend of 6,000,000 Ariary (about $2700 USD/month): Loi N°2013-001 relative aux privilèges...
Pakistani Journalist Takes on Taliban Militant for Malala
As a Taliban militant writes an open letter to Malala, urging her to return home and continue her education, a well-respected Pakistani journalist responds with advising him against picking a fight with Pakistani women.
Gay Uzbekistan: Unknown Singer Stands for an Alternative Lifestyle
A mysterious musician in drag recently hit YouTube with a song about the sweetness of forbidden tea, reminding the world that Uzbeks, too, can be gay.
Sixty Killed During Fighting in Nzérékoré, Guinea
Guinee News reports the latest death toll – 60 – from the killings in Nzérékoré, Guinea [fr] : Les cinquante deux corps qui étaient non identifiables ont été enterrés dans une fosse commune hier. Les autres corps reconnaissables ont été remis à leurs familles. 52 non-identified bodies were buried in a mass...
Saudi Women Banned From Attending Public Trials
Even the wife and mother of Umar Al-Saeed, a member of Saudi Arabia's leading human rights organisation, were forbidden from attending his trial.
Saudi Activist Slapped With Sudden Travel Ban at Airport
Saudi activist and journalist Iman Al-Qahtani was denied the right to leave Saudi Arabia as punishment for her activism and support for reformers in the absolute monarchy.
The Terrifying Potential of a Post-Navalny Russia
On the eve of being sentenced to a five-year term in a penal colony, Alexey Navalny blogged as irreverently as ever.
Residents Oppose Coal Project in Southern Philippine City
Coal plant could also undermine Davao City’s reputation as Southeast Asia’s first smoke-free city.
Chinese Court's Bizarre Anti-Sexual Abuse Poster
A poster, warning people to obey the law otherwise turn from “a fresh daisy” to “a shriveled sunflower”, was recently put out by People’s Court in Manzhouli, a small city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. See Ministry of Tofu for the poster's sexual implication.
China Law Professor: Raping Bargirl Does Less Harm
While commenting on a recent rape case, Tsinghua University law professor Yi Yanyou argued on microblogging site Sina Weibo that, “It does more harm to rape a good woman than to rape a bargirl, a dancing girl, an escort or a prostitute.” Such arguments were echoed when the lawyer of...
Experience of Being Black in China
Marketus Presswood, who previously lived in Beijing for more than eight years, wrote in Tea Leaf Nation about his experience of being black in China in late 1990s. I overheard students speaking in Chinese about how they were paying so much money and wanted a white instructor. One student went...
China: Crackdown on Citizen Movement Activists
Chinese Human Rights Defenders has an update on the arrest of citizens and activists in China. The latest detainee is prominent activist Xu Zhiyong, who is considered a moderate reformer. 25 individuals have been confirmed criminally detained since February for publicly appealing for an end to official corruption and for...
Blockbuster Film ‘Tiny Times’ Reflects China's Generational Conflict
China's older generation critics are blasting the 'materialistic' Tiny Times, a luxury brand-heavy drama about four young women who pursue love and success.
