Stories from 12 August 2012
Kyrgyzstan: Does Torpedo Testing Pollute Unique Lake?
Blogger Ilya Lukash writes [ru] about a Soviet-built facility on the shore of Kyrgyzstan's unique mountainous lake Issyk-Kul. The facility is apparently used by the Russian navy to test torpedoes in the lake. Angered by the pollution that the facility might have caused to Kyrgyzstan's prime tourist area and natural reserve,...
Togo: Demanding a proper rule of law and a fair share of the country's wealth
Analysing the resignation from government of the PM Houngbo, Mathias Akoulansa wrote on togoforum.com: “In any case, the Togolese political experience of the last 22 years has shown that the Togolese people are consistent in their demands: a proper rule of law, responsible of management and equal sharing of wealth...
Kazakhstan: Olympic Veterans and New Champions
Team Kazakhstan's 13 medals, including seven golds, taken at the London Olympics were nothing short of triumph. Vox Populi posts [ru] photos of Kazakhstani athletes who triumphed in London and adds [ru] images of the country's celebrated Olympic champions from decades past.
Bangladesh: The Yard & The Manimals
Atik Ullah Sayeed posts a photo essay on the Shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh: Traveling In The Ganges River
Bangladesh Unlocked provides a fascinating account on a journey from North in Rajshahi towards South in the Nijhum Dwip via boat on the Ganges river. The blogger comments: “travelling here also provides an experience for a tourist that is not only exciting but also very satisfying.”
Cameroon: Olympic Escape – Blame the System, Not the Athletes
"It's rather sad, however, to see that our country has become a prison, from which everyone wants to escape at any cost." Cameroon delves into reasons behind the disappearance of seven athletes from the 2012 London Olympic Games.
East Timor: Marathoner Captures London Hearts
East Timorese young marathoner Augusto Soares, 25, captured the hearts of the Olympic marathon audience with his perseverance and good humour. With only two months training, his goal was to finish the race, which he did. His smiling run was one of the closing moments of London 2012 Olympics.
Africa: Innovation, Education and Nature
Mutua discusses education and innovation in Africa: “In today’s world it is imperative to create a differentiated and sophisticated economy in order to truly be competitive, so for African states to become significant players in the global economy, we have to find ways to move up the ladder to innovation-driven...
Ghana: President's Funeral in Pictures
Nana Kofi Acquah shares photos of the funeral of Ghanaian President: “I promised to update my blog with more pictures from today's funeral and here they are.”
Ghana: Orphaned Orphans
Demeter blogs about the challenges of managing finances in the Non-Profit sector in Ghana: “I am in touch with Eric Gaetin, the boy who lost the use of his legs due to medical malpractice, whose father then pronounced him “cursed” and who kicked him out of his home and reduced...
Argentina: Football, the ‘Evita Cup’ and New Security Measures
Following the violence at football matches, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner signed an agreement with the Argentine Football Association to control the entry to stadiums. She also proposed a new name for this year's Argentine Football Championship.
China: Xinjiang's Five-Colored Hills
Josh from Xinjiang's far west China gives some travelling tips to a magnificent touristic site, the Five-Colored Hills in Xinjiang.
Iran: When Earthquakes Kill, “TV Broadcasts Prayers”
Two powerful earthquakes hit the northwest region in Iran, East Azarbaijan province on Saturday, killing 250 people and injuring around 1,800. Iranians flocked to the Internet to mourn the victims and to appeal for blood donation and help. They also expressed their anger at the Iranian national TV, which broadcast religious programmes, instead of providing viewers with information about the earthquakes and how to help.
Egypt: The President's Son Fails Admission Test
The GUC Insider is the independent student-led media outlet of the German University in Cairo (GUC). In a short article [ar], it announces that the son of the Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has failed one of the admission tests and will not be accepted as a regular student in this...
Morocco: Marriage Proposal During Twitter Meetup Caught On Tape
A video of a marriage proposal during a tweetup in Casablanca is buzzing in the Moroccan social media sphere. “So far The Geekiest marriage proposal in Morocco,” comments Amine Hachimoto, who first published the video on Youtube.
London Olympic Games made in China
Beatrice from Ministry of Tofu puts together a set of infographic and reports on products related with London Olympic Games which are made in China.
China: Rape Victim's Mother Free After Online Protest
A mother, Ms Tang was sentenced to 18 months labour camp for pursuing justice for her daughter who was raped and forced into prostitution in 2006. An aggressive online campaign finally pressured the authorities into releasing her. (via CDT)
Guyana: Linden Still in Crisis Following Shooting
In July, three people were killed and twenty injured in the mining town of Linden, Guyana after police fired upon a crowd protesting the increase in the electricity tariff. Nearly a month later, the area is still in a state of unrest, with bloggers suggesting that the government is not doing as much as it should.
Trinidad & Tobago: Dark Cloud, Gold Lining
Heavy floods pounded the northwestern part of Trinidad yesterday morning, as two rivers burst their banks following torrential rains from a tropical depression. But the nation's spirits were to be lifted - at least for a while - as the country won Olympic gold for the second time in its history, thanks to the efforts of Keshorn Walcott in the Javelin Throw.
China: Hurdler Liu Xiang's Olympic Failure Provokes Fierce Debate
Liu Xiang', the former world-record holder of the 110-meter hurdles and 2004 Olympic champion in the same event, dropped out of the London Olympic Games without clearing a single hurdle in the race. Some Chinese are sympathetic, others are more frustrated by the failure.
Mexico Wins Historic Football Gold Medal
For the first time in the country's Olympic history, Mexico won a gold medal in Men's Football. On August 11, 2012, the country celebrated as the Olympic team beat Brazil 2-1.