Stories about Feature from May, 2010
Japan: PacMan, still a hit after 30 years
When it was released in 1980, Pac-Man captured the world's attention and transformed the video game industry. Now Pac-Man is back to celebrate his 30th birthday, and he's popping up in unexpected places. In blogs and on Twitter, Japanese reflect on the game that launched their country to the forefront of the global video game industry.
Latin America: Internet Day Festivities Across Region
Internet Day is an event that started in Spain in 2005 and has been spreading throughout the world thanks to the United Nations, which designated May 17 as the World Information Society Day. This year, in many countries across Latin American, there were events that were promoted and organized through blogs and Twitter.
India: Outrage At Mangalore Plane Crash
An Air-India Express plane arriving from Dubai has crashed in Mangalore Bajpe airport in south India, killing most of the 166 people on board. It is the first major crash in India for some years, but many bloggers and Twitter users are not surprised at the news.
Taiwan: Responses to Thailand's upheaval, if there is any
Taiwan is no stranger in terms of “Red Shirts” and street protests. In September, 2006, the island had its own anti-corruption campaign which also involved about one million red-shirt protesters...
Puerto Rico: Violent Confrontation With Demonstrators
Last night, as the governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño held a political fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel in San Juan, students and supporters clashed with special police forces who arrived to quash a demonstration in the lobby.
Hiring: Global Voices Seeks Director for Rising Voices
Global Voices seeks a Program Director for its Rising Voices citizen media training and outreach initiative. To express your interest, please send a cover letter and CV by no later than June 10.
Thailand: Blog reactions to Bangkok violence
Bangkok is now under full government control after government troops successfully removed the Red Shirt protest barricades in the city. Here are several blog reactions from Bangkok about the raging political crisis in the country
Nigeria: A debate on pedophilia, Sharia law, and the ‘two’ Nigerias
The headline is tabloid-esque: "Nigerian senator marries 13-year-old girl". It refers to 49-year-old Ahmad Sani Yerima, whose marriage a few weeks ago has drawn criticism from around the country, playing into the divide between the Muslim north and Christian south of Nigeria.
Malawi: The world reacts after sentencing of gay couple
A day after the world marked International Day against Homophobia, a court in Malawi sentenced Malawi gay couple to jail for fourteen years.
Madagascar: Violence Erupts Between Army and Dissident Police Unit
On May, 20th 2010, sustained gun battles between rival armed forces lasted for an hour in the capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo. The ongoing political crisis has once again erupted...
Taiwan: In memory of Chao-Jung Hsu, a Taiwanese WWII veteran
As part of an impassioned campaign to create a memorial park for Taiwanese WWII veterans, Chao-Jung Hsu's set himself on fire and died exactly two years ago.
Thailand: Arson in Bangkok, protests spread to other provinces
The anti-government Red Shirt camp in central Bangkok is already under military control but retreating protesters burned several buildings in the city. Protests also erupted in other provinces. Here are blog reports and twitter reactions from Thailand
Colombia: Presidential Candidates Answered Questions Asked on Youtube
Colombian political website La Silla Vacía [es] (The Empty Chair) with the support of TV news channel NTN24 organized a presidential debate where candidates answered questions people submitted through online video platforms, emulating the CNN YouTube debate that some say [es] put Obama in the White House.
MENA: International Day Against Homophobia Celebrated
May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is still a region for concern according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (IGLA), as homosexual acts are still legally punishable in all MENA countries with the exception of Israel. Despite this, there are associations in the region which openly and passionately celebrated IDAHO; Katharine Ganly takes a look at some of the major events in the region.
Facebook Is Blocked in Pakistan As It Indulges In A Controversial Campaign
After the outcry surrounding the Draw Mohammed Day Facebook page, which is campaigning for the creation of mass cartoon caricatures of Prophet Muhammed [PBUH] on the 20th of May, today the Lahore High Court ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block the entire Facebook.com domain in Pakistan till the 31st of May. Pakistani bloggers react.
South Africa: 32 teams and 40,000 prostitutes for 2010 FIFA World Cup?
If you are going to South Africa to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup, you should probably be prepared to meet 40,000 prostitutes from around the world who are expected to flock to South Africa...well, that is if you believe in rumours!
Bahrain: Why was Al Jazeera's Office Shut Down?
Bahrain temporarily shut down the office of Al Jazeera Satellite Channel for "violating professional conventions." Bloggers and tweeps react to the development in this post - especially after rumours surfaced that the Qatari station's bureau was closed because of a report it aired on poverty in Bahrain. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera says it doesn't even operate an office in Bahrain so what exactly is going on?
Pakistan: The Draw Mohammed Day Controversy
A controversial Facebook campaign called “Everybody Draw Muhammed Day” has irked many Muslims across the world. This has also caused an uproar in the Pakistani blogosphere and many bloggers are questioning the motives, the necessity and the hypocrisy behind this initiative.
Levant: Bloggers start warming up for World Cup 2010
The World Cup will kick off in about three weeks and bloggers across the Levant have already been busy using their keyboards and camera shutters trying to capture the hysteria that engulfs the world once every four years. Anas Qtiesh brings us the reactions of Syrian and Lebanese bloggers in this post.
Puerto Rico: Second national strike in less than a year
The student movement and the strike they have sustained for almost a month at the main campus of the state-run University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and in 10 of the...
Thailand: Red Shirt protesters remain defiant
The Red Shirts want a truce with soldiers but the government insists the protesters must first disperse before negotiations can proceed. Soldiers are already using live ammunition against protesters which the government justifies as a necessary step to restore order in the capital.
