Stories about Weblog from April, 2017
A Royal Misdemeanour Makes for a Heated Discussion in Nigeria
"I even love the Ooni of Ife more after the snub meted out to him by the uppity head of a tiny chiefdom. Oba Akiolu of Lagos played himself."
The Return of the Butcher of Kabul: What Does It Mean for Peace in Afghanistan?
Global Voices spoke with activist, journalist and author Akram Gizabi about the potential implications of warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's return to the domestic political fold.
Five Foods From Vietnam That Might Be a Little Hard to Swallow for Non-Vietnamese
Have you tried any of these? Fertilized duck egg, Vietnamese pizza with duck's blood, coconut larvae, country rat, and fried cicadas.
CNN Reignites the Great West African Jollof Rice War During Visit to Nigeria
Cries of indignation rang out all over Nigeria after a CNN journalist put the country's information minister in a tight spot with a provocative question about a popular dish.
Police Raid on Kingston Dub Club Puts Noise Pollution Issue on Replay
One of Jamaica's "music/tourism gems" gets shut down by police after neighbours complain about the noise levels. But is there a compromise to be had?
The ‘Royal Duck’ Scarf Trends in Brunei, But Some Are Disappointed With Its Hefty Price Tag
"The amount of selfies I have seen of people just to show their dUCK scarves is part of what Islam does not encourage: vanity."
A Cultural Immersion Program Lets Students ‘Study Abroad’ With Immigrant Families in the US
Sure, some students can manage to study abroad. But City Stay, in the state of Minnesota, is putting a twist on the concept, making it local and far more accessible.
Despite Some Ambivalence, the Expanded Jamaica Carnival of 2017 Was a Hit
Jamaica Carnival is still considered an import from Trinidad and Tobago, but that doesn't mean that Jamaicans haven't been embracing the festival and its economic benefits.
The Lonely Death of One of Ethiopia's Most Public Men
In Assefa’s death, one may find the sadness of exile, something which is both deeply personal and political.
“I'm Glad I'm From Tohoku” Trends on Twitter Following Japanese Politician's Cruel Words
A Japanese cabinet minister's insensitive remarks spurred a popular Twitter hashtag supporting Japan's northeastern Tohoku region, as well as the minister's resignation.
How Two Students in the US Turned Their Online Popularity Into Big Money for Famine Aid in Somalia
It began with a video of Liban Adam drinking a giant bowl of camel’s milk and ended in a one-month $80,000 fundraiser.
The Last Time This Many People Went on Strike in Brazil It Was 1996
Protesters are taking a stand against a series of austerity reforms hastily pushed by Brazilian President Temer, who enjoys a substantial legislative majority and support from businesses, despite sinking popularity.
Rafael Braga Vieira: Symbol of Institutionalized Racism and Criminalized Poverty in Brazilian Justice
Braga was homeless and collecting recyclables to survive when he arrested the first time. But that was just the beginning of a darker saga.
Kashmiri Man Who Was Tied to an Indian Military Jeep as a Human Shield Says He Now Lives in Fear
"...I am afraid of going to a hospital. I’m afraid they will find me and kill me…I haven’t stepped outside my house in the last eight days."
High-Profile Chinese Blogger Arrested for Online Comments, After Years of Police Harassment
Under China's "stability control" measures, it is increasingly common for netizens who are critical of the government to be summoned or detained by police.
Indian Government Bans 22 Social Media Platforms in Kashmir including Facebook, WhatsApp
"By presenting the other side to the Kashmir storyline, the locals once again were able to own....the highly complex and conflicted Kashmir narrative."
Jailed Emirati Academic Endures Hunger Strike to Protest Ten-Year Jail Sentence
"I have no choice but to go on hunger strike to restore my stolen freedom".
Three Ways the Russian Government Is Trying to Control the Internet
“The Internet was created as a special project by the CIA,” Vladimir Putin announced three years ago. Since then, Russian authorities’ faith in the Internet has declined even further.
Taiwan Tops Asia While Hong Kong Falls Four Places in Freedom of Press Index
"A majority [of media workers in Hong Kong] have expressed an increasing pressure which results in deliberate self-censorship."
It’s a Small World After All: Into the Deep Podcast
Spend time with someone from a different country or who speaks a different language, and you'll soon realize you have more in common than you first thought.
Romania's Anti-Corruption Protests and the Burden of Shame
Though shadowed by a sense of national shame, for a few days Romania was an inspirational place, as people took to the streets and acknowledged the widespread reality of corruption.
