Stories from 19 September 2012
China: Cancer Villages
Shelley Jiang from Tea Leaf Nation blogs about the painful cost of development in China – the increasing number of cancer villages all over the country: Officially and unofficially, the Chinese media have reported 459 “cancer villages” throughout China… Once a rare disease, cancer is now the biggest killer in...
Porn Star Appeals for China/Japan Friendship
Popular Japanese porn star Sola Aoi appealed for friendship between Chinese and Japanese early last week when the tension between China and Japan elevated. But her friendly gesture was not well received.
Bangladesh: First Ever Youth Tech Camp In Dhaka
The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka in collaboration with a local organization called iEARN have hosted a Youth TechCamp in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from September 16-18, 2012. Details can be found in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program alumni Bangladesh blog.
Philippines: ‘Anti-Cybercrime Law Threatens Media Freedom’
The Philippines has recently passed an anti-cybercrime law which aims to protect the security and rights of internet users. But journalists and bloggers fear that the new law could lead to the curtailment of internet and media freedom in the country.
Australia: Violence at Sydney Protest Against Anti-Islam Film
Jim Brown, on his blog Grace Filled World, reflects on the nature of Anger and Mercy, in light of the violent protest in Sydney on Sunday 16 September 2012 over the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
Myanmar: 500 Prisoners Released
More than 500 prisoners in Myanmar are expected to be released[my] this week. A number of netizens assume that it's a political tactic in preparation for the president's trip to the United States.
Southeast Asia: Initiatives to Celebrate International Day of Peace
Various youth groups and individuals in Southeast Asia are initiating several activities to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21. The campaign is timely and relevant since many countries in the region are troubled by long running civil wars, border disputes, and separatist movements.