Stories from Quick Reads from June, 2012
Benin: Introducing the African School of Economics
Dr. Leonard Wantchekon introduced the African School of Economics ASE at the World Bank on June 14. The campus will be located in the city of Akassato in Abomey-Calavi (Benin), near Cotonou. The goal of the school is to “to address the dearth of quality tertiary education, cutting-edge research, and innovative public policy in...
Trinidad & Tobago: The Architect of our Public Spaces
Lisa Allen-Agostini and toomucheyes blog about a new exhibition that honours the work of architect Colin Laird, who designed many of the country's most beloved public spaces.
Trinidad & Tobago: For all the Daughters
A new blog, that addresses “everything about being a girl in the Caribbean”, is here.
Jamaica: Guts & Glory in Olympic Trials
“Once again Jamaica has a monopoly on the fastest men and women in the world”: Annie Paul reports from the Jamaican Track and Field Olympic Trials.
Mouth-watering Recipes and Pictures from Turkmen Cuisine
One Turkmen Kitchen is a must-visit blog for gourmands. A native of Turkmenistan now living in Prague uses the blog to share recipes from the Turkmen cuisine. Warning: the recipes come with pictures that look so stunning that you'll want to fork your computer monitor.
Colombia: When the Dead Belong to the Upper-Class
At Hoja Blanca, Lucas Urdaneta refers to the so-called Colmenares Case (the murder of a student of the University of the Andes which has received a lot of media coverage in Colombia), and wonders [es] what happens when victims don't belong to the privileged classes. He adds that, given the...
Tajikistan: Is There ‘National Unity’ in the Country?
As Tajikistan marks an anniversary of peace accords that put an end to the civil war and brought about ‘national unity’ in the country, blogger Ilhom writes [tj] about his recollections of the war. Another blogger, Jovid Muqim, suggests [tj] that there can be no ‘national unity’ in the country where...
Tajikistan: The Role of Intellectuals in Running a Country
Should poets have a bigger say in how the countries they live in are run? Adash Istad writes [tj] that Tajik intellectuals have stayed out of government affairs too long. The blogger argues that it is time for intellectuals to understand that they have a particular ‘mission’ which consists of educating...
Moldova, Transnistria, Gagauzia: “Get to Know Your Neighbor”
On June 30, young social media activists from the cities of Chișinău and Bălți, and from Transnistria and Gagauzia, are meeting for a “get to know your neighbor” event [ro, ru], to discuss issues relevant for young people who grew up separated by geopolitics and the role of social networks...
Nigeria: Senate President Challenged to name Boko Haram Sponsors
Two Northern youth groups on Wednesday criticized the Senate President, David Mark over his recent comments urging northern leaders to check the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, Connected Africa reports.
Armenia: Intolerant Society
Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts a video animation produced by the Civilitas organization illustrating how intolerant society in the virtually mono-ethnic Republic of Armenia can be. The blog also notes that according to the data compiled from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Caucasus Research Resource Centers...
China:Famous School Teacher Harassed Boys
FMN reported that a deputy principal of high school affiliated with East China Normal University has been accused of having harassing his male students at school. Several victims decided to break the silence after 15 years. Official news says Zhang is fired from his position now. Read the full story...
China: Support for ObamaCare
At Tea Leaf Nation, David Wertime looks at reactions to the US Supreme Court's vote yesterday in support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). “Evil capitalism. Why can’t Chinese socialism be as evil?” retorts one microblogger.
Mali: Timeline and Video of the War between MLNA and Ansar Dine in Gao
Weeks removed from striking an alliance to take over the North of Mali, the Tuareg rebel movement MNLA and the Islamist group of Ansar Dine are fighting in the town of Gao, Sila Aksou says. Adam Thiam has the timeline of the conflict [fr] over the control of the Northern part...
Georgia: Men Can Wash Their Own Feet
Making Connections not only posts a recent video by Georgian bloggers against homophobia, but also one calling for gender equality in the South Caucasus country. The blog notes that the second video, featuring Georgian men saying they can wash their own feet, is in response to a comment by the...
Paraguay: Reporters Without Borders Concerned About Public Media
Reporters Without Borders has published a statement saying that their organization, “has every right to be alarmed, as the country’s democracy seems to have been shaken and undermined”, after Fernando Lugo was ousted as President of Paraguay last Friday, June 22.
Armenia: Online Petition to Support LGBT Rights
Following the recent firebombing of a gay-friendly bar in Yerevan as well as homophobic comments from government officials and politicians setting the scene for the aggressive disruption of a diversity rally in the Armenian capital two weeks later, Unzipped draws its readers attention to a new online petition calling for...
China: Guangdong Village Riots over Land Sale
China Digital Times translates a Caijing news story about a village riot in Guangdong province against local government's secret land sale deal.
Malaysia Indie Music
The Wknd website features Malaysian indie music and other indie artists in Southeast Asia
Singapore Versus Hong Kong
Singapore Armchair Critic compares the economic, financial, governance, and press freedom indicators of Hong Kong and Singapore. The two cities are the major financial centers of East Asia
Sri Lanka: State Of The Government Hospitals
Nanadasiri Wanninayaka writes about the state of the government officials in Sri Lanka.
