Stories about Feature from November, 2010
Laos and the Convention on Cluster Munitions
The first meeting of state parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions which gathered 101 countries as well as numerous NGOs was held early this month in Laos, which is incidentally "the most bombed country" in the world. GV author Gael Brassac summarizes the keys issues discussed during the convention
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Does culture unite or divide?
With a recent survey indicating that the majority of Armenians and Azerbaijanis are against mutual friendship, hopes for peace between the two neighboring countries appear very bleak indeed. Recent developments, including in the sphere of culture, appear to support that notion, but is there any hope?
Ecuador: “Clean Quito” Campaign Fights Chewing Gum
Have you ever thought about how much it costs a municipality to remove chewing gum stuck to the pavement? Thousands of dollars in street cleaning are spent to fight this habit of discarding chewing gum on the ground. In Quito, the municipal government and several schools began a campaign that seeks to remove gum from the ground and make the capital cleaner.
Ukraine: Social Media Play Crucial Role in Covering Anti-Tax Code Protests
On Nov. 22, several thousand Ukrainian entrepreneurs from different regions gathered in Kyiv to protest against the new tax code approved by the Ukrainian Parliament last Thursday. While the country’s traditional media failed to produce timely and balanced coverage of the events, social network users and bloggers kept Ukrainians well-informed about the latest developments.
Bolivia: 229 Years Since the Sacrifice of Tupac Katari
The story of the uprising of the indigenous freedom fighters has been passed down from generation to generation in the indigenous communities of Bolivia. This rebellious movement was led some 229 years ago by Tupac Katari and remembrance events will take place during the month of November.
Iran: We are all Computer Criminals
Iran's government has a law at its disposal that make it possible to label almost any Internet user a criminal. The “Law of Computer Crimes” was approved by Iran's parliament in January 2009. It has been instrumental in the prosecution and repression of several bloggers, but its articles have never received much public attention or scrutiny.
Cambodia: Stampede tragedy during Water Festival
It was the last hour of the last day of the Water Festival in Cambodia. Then a stampede tragedy over a bridge connecting a reclaimed island to the mainland killed more than 300 people. Here are eyewitness accounts and other blog reactions.
North Korea/South Korea: Deadly Skirmish, Live On Twitter
North Korea has fired more than a hundred artillery rockets at South Korea's YeonPyeong Island near its western border, killing two South Korean marines, injuring at least a dozen and setting buildings on fire. South Koreans have used Twitter to vent their angers, fears and worries.
Serbia: Abuse of Stray Animals Continues
The Serbian President is willing to adopt a severely mutilated dog called Mila, which became a symbol of the suffering of Serbia's stray animals. However, despite all the publicity, horrifying animal abuse cases continue to be reported in the Serbian mainstream and citizen media. Sasa Milosevic reviews some of them.
Madagascar: A Chronology of the Failed Coup According to Tweets
As coup attempts are seemingly becoming a yearly feature in Madagascar, twitter updates from local citizens kept track of the development of yet another mutiny by army officers, a few of them of ready involved in the successful coup of 2009. Avylavitra compiles a series of tweets that described over a couple of days the progression of the failed takeover.
China: Messages behind the flowers to the Shanghai fire victims
Yesterday, thousands of mourners in Shanghai flocked to the 28-storey apartment block that was gutted by a tragic fire on November 15 to pay their respects for the 58 residents who perished. Much of China's headlines today focus on the collective mourning, but few have highlighted the messages behind citizens' insistence in offering flowers at the disaster site.
Thailand: Two Thousand Dead Fetuses in Buddhist Temple
More than 2,000 illegally aborted fetuses were discovered in a Buddhist temple in Thailand and this has reinvigorated the debate on whether it is already time to update the country’s abortion laws. Netizens share their opinion
Qatar: Excitement, Apprehension Build as World Cup Decision Nears
As the buzz builds over who will be awarded the 2022 World Cup bid in two weeks, so does the Internet chatter. Here is a roundup of online reactions in Qatar and elsewhere to the most recent developments in the competition to host FIFA's biggest sporting event.
Guinea-Bissau: The Dictatorship of Consensus and Aly's Temptation for Accusations
With the blog Ditadura do Consenso, António Aly Silva became the most visible and active face of Guinea-Bissau's blogosphere. In this interview, Global Voices tries to understand why Aly can't resist the temptation of accusations, and how is it to be a subversive blogger in the country.
Panama: Retirees Protest With Street Closures
Street closures and peaceful protests have marked the claims of retirees who call for an increase in their pensions. Twitter reactions are almost all against these measures that affect everyone. However, there are those who see the closure of streets as the only viable option.
What does Fiji's government want from Fiji Water?
Fiji Water, the expensive beverage in a square bottle, has created one of the richest brands in the world. Does Fiji’s military government want a piece of it?
Iran: World's Youngest Detained Blogger on Trial
The Iranian government is not only world-class when it comes to persecuting bloggers, they have also set numerous records: from the first jailed blogger in history, to the first blogger to die in prison. Unfortunately, a new record can now be added to the list of Iran's repressive achievements: the youngest blogger to be detained and put on trial.
Cuba: Fiber Optic Cable May Not Bring Greater Internet Access
Officials at Cuba’s Ministry of Informatics and Communications recently announced that a much-anticipated submarine fiber optic cable linking Venezuela, Cuba, and Jamaica, will be in operation by January of 2011. Although the cable’s 640 gigabytes will increase Cuba’s connectivity 3000-fold, it will not bring greater opportunities for Cuban citizens to access the Internet. Bloggers react.
Azerbaijan: Emin Milli released, but another activist detained
Following yesterday's news that video blogging youth activist Adnan Hajizade had been conditionally released in Azerbaijan, Facebook was today awash with news that his friend and fellow activist, Emin Milli, had also been freed.
Madagascar: Coup attempt, as referendum takes place
The controversial referendum held on November 17, 2010 in Madagascar was soon overshadowed by reports of a rather bloodless putsch.
Taiwan: National dignity hurt in the Asian Games
On November 17, leading Taiwanese Taekwondo athlete Yang Shu-chun was disqualified from the 2010 Asian Games during a match with a Vietnamese competitor for “wearing non-certified electronic foot equipment” or “electronic socks”. The incident has stirred up a lot of emotions in Taiwan.
