Stories about Weblog from October, 2010
India: Free Speech Or Sedition?
Indian novelist, essayist and activist Arundhati Roy's recent statement on Kashmir stirred a debate across India. Along-with Indian media, the Indian blogosphere and social networking sites have exploded with reactions for and against her statement.
Caribbean: Hurricane Tomas
Trinidad and Tobago, the twin island republic that seemed to be directly in Tomas‘ path on Friday, was spared its effects, but as the storm veered north, islands that had previously been out of its path were suddenly thrust into storm warning mode. Tomas is now situated south-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico; the hope remains that the Category 2 storm, which is expected to gather more strength, will steer clear of Haiti.
Americas: Virtual Memorial for 72 Victims of Migrant Mass-Killing
Over the last two months, renowned journalist Alma Guillermoprieto has led an online project in response to the mass killing of seventy-two migrants that took place in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas in August 2010. 72migrantes.com is a virtual memorial for the slayed migrants.
Jordan: Political Cartoonists Take Aim at Campaign Posters
Jordanian social media writers continue to focus their writing about the November 9th parliamentary elections on the election posters covering the country, and particularly the capital city, Amman.
Tanzania: 2010 General Elections Roundup
Tanzanians will go to the polls on 31 October 2010 to elect the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives. This is a roundup of blog posts written by Tanzanian and non-Tanzanian bloggers about the elections.
China: Debate on Rare Earths Export
With the rise of nationalistic sentiment in China, a majority of mainland Chinese support the government's policy in restricting the export of rare earths to Japan and other western countries.
Greece: Iranian refugees on hunger strike
Twenty-five Iranian refugees in Athens, Greece have gone on hunger strike since October 14 demanding that Greek authorities process their political asylum applications. Some have had their mouths sewn shut.
Indonesia: Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic Eruption in 48 hours
Indonesia was caught unprepared this week when an earthquake, tsunami and volcanic eruption battered the islands in less than 48 hours. Casualties are expected to exceed 500 and thousands of families need immediate relief.
Zimbabwe: Big Brother Africa, Mugabe and US$300,000
Big Brother Africa is a television show produced by Endemol in South Africa. The show, which has become the most popular TV reality show in Africa, entered its fifth season with Big Brother Africa All-Stars. After 91 days of stiff and exciting competition, Nigerian musician and actor Uti Nwachukwu was announced the winner of US$200,000. The final two housemates were Nigeria's Uti and Zimbabwe's Munya Chidzonga. Although Munya lost, he ended up "winning" US$300,000. Follow Zimbabwean bloggers to know what happened.
China: Mapping violent evictions for homebuyer awareness
The many forceful evictions in China and their tragic victims are widely reported upon and discussed online, but what can be said about housing that goes on the market after the rubble is cleared and the people buying it up?
Argentina: Former President, Nestor Kirchner, Dies
This Wednesday, Nestor Kirchner, former president and husband of the current president Cristina Fernandez, died of a heart attack. Argentinian bloggers shared their impressions on this sudden and unexpected death.
Serbia: Netizens Discuss a U.S. Fighter Pilot's Suicide
The tragic death of American fighter pilot Lt. Col. Harold F. "Hootch" Meyers, who committed a suicide at his home in Santa Barbara on Sept. 12, echoed in the Serbian media and online communities - and there were strong reasons for it.
Puerto Rico: Reclaiming Public Space One Song at a Time
Frecuencias Alternas has covered Puerto Rico’s independent music scene for the past decade through its radio show, and more recently, its website. The newest addition to their site is the video series "Música Realenga" – realenga [es] meaning ‘without an owner.’ Each episode introduces the audience to a particular ‘indie’ artist or band through a couple of live performances filmed in public spaces such as parks, plazas, and sidewalks.
Myanmar: “Boycott elections” campaign
The Myanmar elections will push through on November 7 despite the non-participation of opposition parties. Global Voices translates the statement of Myanmar citizens who will boycott the coming elections
Russia: Blogger Navalny Tries to Prove That Fighting Regime is Fun
One of the most prominent Russian bloggers that use the Internet for fighting corruption in Russia, Alexey Navalny, gives interview to "RuNet Echo" He contemplates if the blogosphere can have a real political impact in Russia and share his further plans for using information technologies in the struggle against injustice.
Video: One Minute Jr video nominees for 2010 Awards
The nominees for each of the 3 categories in the One Minutes Jr project competition 2010 have been selected. In each of the categories of (Self)-portrait, Inside-Out and One Minute...
Peru: Municipal Elections, Delays and the Electronic Vote
After over three weeks since the municipal elections, the people of Lima still didn't know for certain who would be their next mayor; a minimal difference between the candidates has put the spotlight on electronic voting, and the slow process brought forth all kinds of suspicions, doubts and even accusations of fraud attempts.
Tanzania: Bloggers Analyse Tanzania 2010 Election Campaigns
On 31 October 2010, more than 19.6 million Tanzanians will make an important decision for the future of their country. They will take part in the forth parliamentary and presidential elections since the introduction of multiparty politics. With only a few days left before the polls, Tanzanian blogosphere is following closely election campaigns conducted by various political parties.
Ecuador: Seeking Those Responsible for September 30 Uprising
After almost one month since the September 30 police strike, things in Ecuador have calmed down; but investigations to determine who is responsible for the uprising have continued, and Ecuadorians are still divided over how to define what happened that day.
Myanmar's new flag and new name
Myanmar's new flag was unveiled for the first time last week. It also has a new name: it is now known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Myanmar netizens are criticizing the design of the new flag. Some bloggers insist the flag represents only the army and not the people of Myanmar
Zimbabwe: Minister of Commerce and Industry Uses Twitter to Air Frustrations
On October 22, 2010 Zimbabwean blogger Hope noticed a series of fast twitter updates coming from Professor Welshman Ncube, the Zimbabwe Minister of Commerce and Industry and the MDC Secretary General.
