12 August 2012

Stories from 12 August 2012

Kyrgyzstan: Does Torpedo Testing Pollute Unique Lake?

  12 August 2012

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,...

Kazakhstan: Olympic Veterans and New Champions

  12 August 2012

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: Traveling In The Ganges River

  12 August 2012

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.”

East Timor: Marathoner Captures London Hearts

  12 August 2012

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

  12 August 2012

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: Orphaned Orphans

  12 August 2012

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...

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...

China: Rape Victim's Mother Free After Online Protest

  12 August 2012

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

  12 August 2012

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

  12 August 2012

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.