[LINK] Some Friday links

[rfmcdpei]

Centauri Dreams reports on the interesting news that, despite predictions, brown dwarfs starts are actually quite rare.

Far Outliers hosts a fascinating passage describing the "Chinese Uighur," a subpopulation of Uighur who are seen by many their peers as too Sinified, in language, religion, and other areas, and another describing how parents who want their children to learn Uighur but want them to learn Chinese are caught in a difficult position between Uighur- and Mandarin-medium schools.

Language Hat is surprised to discover that deep America has pubs, having thought pubs to be either British or direct imports.

Pogge offers commentary on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new policies, which will see him move away from making every significant law a vote of confidence but towards stacking the Senate with Conservatives.

Slap Upside the Head covers the recent conviction of nine gay men, each imprisoned for up to eight years, on charges of lewd behaviour.

Paul Goble blogs about the growing divide between urban and rural Russia.