Stories from 23 July 2009
Russia: “Leaving the Caucasus, a Taboo Subject”
Robert Amsterdam's Blog links to Kerkko Paananen's translation of an article by Igor Averkiev, “which argues that Russia would be stronger, more secure, and better off if it pulled out of the Caucasus.”
Moldova: RFE/RL's Blog on Repeat Vote
Natalia Morari is blogging in English at RFE/RL's #moldovavotes, a blog set up to cover the July 29 repeat parliamentary election in Moldova.
Kenya: Water Crisis and Government Inaction
The Mount Kenya Trust Blog decries the worsening water crisis in Kenya, pointing out the wanton waste of resources by an MP (Member of Parliament), and continuing wildlife-people conflict.
Hungary: The Hungarian Guard Banned
A paramilitary association called the Hungarian Guard was banned at the beginning of July after more than a year of investigation by Budapest Court. Guard members and supporters held spontaneous and officially organized rallies in Budapest to save the organization.
Africa: Bloggers Discuss HIV/AIDS among gay African men
Sub-Saharan has reported high rates of HIV among gay men in Africa. Let's listen to views of LGBT African bloggers writing about the issue.
Citizens of the World “United 4 Iran”
On Saturday July 25, people around the world will have the opportunity to support Iranians in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic human rights by attending rallies in dozens of cities around the world.
“Resign or Else”: Portraits of Media Repression in Madagascar
VNR is a young journalist at one of the largest newspapers in Madagascar. When we first talked over the phone, her number was hidden and the first thing she said was to ask carefully what was the purpose of me wanting to talk to her. She and another journalist friend...
Ethiopia: Live discussion of the film “The Market Maker”
Follow live discussion of the film “The Market Maker”: The Market Maker follows Eleni Gabre-Madhin, a charismatic Ethiopian economist who, in an effort to end hunger in her famine-plagued country, designs the country’s first commodities exchange.
Trinidad and Tobago: Online Art Networks
Younger contemporary artists in Trinidad increasingly use online media like blogs and social networks like Facebook to exhibit and document their work and engage each other in critical conversation.
Cuba: Ferrer Arrested
Cuban bloggers react to the arrest of Dr. Darsi Ferrer on the grounds that he allegedly bought construction materials on the black market to repair his house: Blog for Cuba, Uncommon Sense and Human Rights Cuba.
Trinidad & Tobago: Building Authenticity
Build an authentic community and “the worship thing will come”: Trinidad and Tobago's gspottt attends a talk “about faith and sexuality, pain and healing, abuse and inclusion by the Christian church.”
Bermuda: Crime & Punishment
Bermuda's 21 Square takes a look at the country's crime statistics and concludes: “We should be focusing more on improving the justice system rather than worrying about the effectiveness of policing.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Top Sites
KnowProSE.com takes a look at Trinidad and Tobago's most viewed websites, saying: “It's really interesting to see how the Internet use has changed…and will continue to change as internet penetration continues.”
Bangladesh: Connecting To The Asian Highway
Had I been in Voyager 1!!! opines that the current proposal of connecting to the Asian Highway is not useful to Bangladesh as “it will go through several land ports in Bangladesh-India border but not anywhere near our two seaports.”
Bangladesh: Beauty Of The Countryside
Expat blogger Amy Moyer is charmed by the amazing Bangladesh countryside.
Japan: School Lunches
Kara at morotsuka.com has chronicled what goes on during school lunches in Japan.
Pakistan: Guinness Record For Tree Planting
All Things Pakistan informs that Pakistan has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as a team of 300 volunteers succeeded in planting 5,41,176 mangrove tree saplings in a day.
Bahrain: Accusations of Islamist Hypocrisy
The Bahraini Nationalist read the response by the Olama Islamic Council to the Crown Prince's call for dialogue with Israelis: “It’s the usual, humdrum response we’ve come to expect from all Islamist political groups…it exposes the hypocritical way these groups approach the issue of Palestine.”
India: Interview with Dina Mehta
Blogadda interviews Dina Mehta, one of the best-known bloggers and social media observers from India. She is also a friend and Advisor to Global Voices Online.
India: Orissa Pride
Photoblog ::MyFiveFromAnyShoot:: captured the LGBT Pride moments at Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa state in India and posted some of them. “It was a small but colorful and vocal group (about a 100) – from several districts in the state,” the blog informs.
Armenia: An interview with Liana Aghajanian
Born in Iran, but raised and now living in the United States, Liana Aghajanian is a writer and a relative newcomer to the Armenian blogosphere. However, Aghajanian has set an important precedent for alternative voices and an independent media in Armenia and the Diaspora with her Wordpress-based e-zine, Ianyan.
