Stories from February, 2012
Tajikistan: Energy Loss Reduction project continued
Avicenna writes about the Energy Loss Reduction Project in Tajikistan, which has just received additional financing of $18 million from the World Bank Board.
Tajikistan: Culture and history conservation via a book
Tomyris reports that the “Book of The Historical Monuments of Tajikistan” was presented in Dushanbe, the capital of the Central Asian nation, by Tajik government and the diplomatic mission of...
Afghanistan: Useful database of Afghan personalities
Nick Fielding writes that the most complete database of prominent Afghans and Afghan political groupings can be found on a site called Who is Who in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Internal displacement risingInternal displacement rising in Afghanistan Internal displacement rising in Afghanistan Internal displacement rising in Afghanistan
Nick Fielding says more than 100,000 forced to leave their homes between January and June last year due to the spreading conflict in Afghanistan.
Portugal: Web Users Debate Portuguese Private Copying Bill
Currently being debated in the Portuguese Parliament is a new bill (PL118) which proposes a tax on any equipment or software capable of recording, copying or storing analogue or digital content, in the name of author's rights. The online community has wasted no time in wading in on the debate, with the hashtag #PL118 duly trending on Twitter.
Iran: Female blogger was released from prison
Parastou Dokouhaki, a female jailed blogger was released on bail on Sunday. She was accused of collaboration with foreign based media.
Myanmar: Visiting the Kachin Refugee Camp
Nang Nyi wrote about her experience when she and her friends visited a Kachin Refugee camp near the Shan State borders of Myanmar and China. Over 1000 Kachin people have...
Hong Kong, China: Visual Presentation of Why Hongkongers are Unhappy
Jing Gao from Ministry of Tofu translated an InfoGraphics published by Southern Metropolis Weekly that seeks to visualize Hong Kong people discontent.
China: Young Girl Burned & Disfigured By Son of Government Official
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated some Weibo and forum posts about a brutal crime in Anhui, in which a young girl was burned and disfigured by the son of a local...
China: Capitalizing Social Network
Jin Ge from China Bubble Watch reports on how star micro-bloggers capitalize their social network by merging their influence with e-commerce.
Hong Kong: Scandals at the Eve of Chief Executive Selection
Cyril Pereira from Asia Sentinel has an update of the latest development of the selection of Chief Executive (city mayor) in Hong Kong. All candidates picked up by the power...
Singapore: Reactions to the Proposed 2012 Budget
Netizens react to the proposed 2012 budget of the Singapore government, which includes a commitment to lower the country’s dependence on foreign workforce, greater assistance to the elderly, the disabled and the lower-income families, and boosting the capacity of public transport and public hospitals.
Russia: The “Big White Circle” Protest in Moscow
On Sunday, Feb. 26, thousands of people gathered in central Moscow for the Big White Circle protest, forming a human chain along most of the length of the Russian capital's 15.6-kilometer/9.7-mile Garden Ring, protesting against corruption and demanding a fair presidential election, which is to take place in one week, on March 4.
Pakistan: Karachi's Third Literature Gala
The Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) gave an opportunity to authors and book lovers to join together and celebrate reading. Literature from Pakistan and elsewhere was discussed in the two day long event from 11-12 February, 2012.
Tunisia: Police Use Tear Gas and Batons to Disperse Labor Union Protest
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters showing support to the Tunisian General Union for Labour (known by its French acronym UGTT), in the capital Tunis, yesterday (February 25).
China, Koreas: Netizens Express Humanitarian Concern Over North Korean Refugees
As the Chinese government continues to repatriate North Korean refugees who succeed in fleeing into China, views among the country's netizens are split but seem to show more sympathy than adherence to realpolitik
Indonesia: Should Government Censor ‘Rude’ Tweets?
Reacting to the report that Indonesia's Information Ministry plans to target ‘rude anonymous’ tweets, Unspun reminds authorities to focus on more important things like fixing the digital divide in the...
Lebanon: Questions to Expats
Lebanese blogger Liliane asked Lebanese expatriates some questions about their stories of how and why they left their country. Check the questions at her post and the answers in the...
Bolivia: Disabled Protesters Demand More Welfare Support
For nearly 100 days, a group of physically disabled people held a march from the eastern lower lands of Bolivia to the seat of government in capital La Paz, located 3,600 metres above sea level, demanding a yearly subsidy of at least 3,000 Bolivianos (434 US dollars approximately).
Cambodia: Network Against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
Established in 2005, Chab Dai (“joining hands” in Khmer) seeks to end trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia through coalition building, community prevention, advocacy and research.
East Timor: Oil and Politics
Silas Everett writes about the impact of rising oil revenues on the politics of East Timor
