Global Voices Online

The Armenian Observer rounds up and comments on the news headlines of the week. Not unpredictably, the main topic discussed in the local media was the post-election situation in Armenia although interestingly, the focus is more on the personal conflict between the first two presidents rather than the new elected head of state and his main rival.

To mark International Day Against Homophobia, Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts its Unzipped: Gay Armenia List 2008 which recognizes individuals, organizations, media outlets, blogs and events which have worked towards promoting gay rights and equality in Armenia and the Diaspora. The blog, which coincidentally celebrates its first anniversary today, also posts Human Rights Watch's 2008 Homophobia Hall of Shame.

Many comments said that the whole nation should focus on rescue and put aside criticisms. Garbledtext from Bullog pointed out that it is a right time to question in order to avoid further mistake during the earthquake rescue [zh].

China Digital Times has a post on how the Chinese police are using their own forum participants and blog comment makers  to deal with online negative comments. (via Imagethief)

GT!Blog explores 30 years of history to answer the question: Why didn't Japan create the iPod?

Lots of interesting and informative posts on Crimea and Crimean Tatars, including the most recent one, with photos, about Khydyrlez, “the annual Crimean Tatar May celebration of strength and vitality” - by Marusia of My Simferopol Home.

J. Otto Pohl reminds readers that this coming Sunday, May 18, marks the 64th anniversary of Sürgün, the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944.

The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia writes about what it feels like to be a foreigner in Slovakia.

Window on Eurasia writes that the Moscow Patriarchate is planning “to discipline Russian Orthodox priests who use the Internet to advance views at variance with those of the hierarchy or to challenge the church’s leadership in other ways.”