Stories about Weblog from November, 2007
Innovative Tools: Live Bicycle Radio
Innovative tools in Colombia and Bangladesh are bringing internet access to communities that would otherwise be disconnected. We take a look at wi-max bicycles in Medellin and mobile phone internet kiosks in Bangladesh.
Japan: Blog Queen takes a break
Gravure idol, talento and blog queen Wakatsuki Chinatsu announced today that she would be taking time off from blogging. The final entry posted today at her official blog attracted thousands of comments from fans offering their support, a few of which are translated here.
Blogenyo, a Webcomic about the Philippine Blogopshere
Tonyo Cruz introduces a newly launched webcomic blog that takes on the Phillipine Blogosphere. Blogenyo seeks to poke fun at the events, intrigues, controversies, issues, and trends among Filipino bloggers.
Korea: Foreigners on Korean TV
A TV program in Korea featuring foreign women who are able to speak Korean and who give their opinions about Korean society and culture has been popular recently. Participants in the program have fast become celebrities due to their exotic appearance. While TV audiences like the program and talk about...
Bolivia: Conflicts in Sucre Over New Constitution
In the city of Sucre, confrontations between citizens and police claimed the lives of four Bolivians. Delegates from the governing party decided on the text of a new constitution without including the opposition. Bolivian bloggers based in Sucre and across the country commented on the violence and tactics used by the majority party.
Peace Corps bloggers from Burkina Faso
My first post for Global Voices Online discussed the expatriate bloggers living and working and writing in Burkina Faso. Today, we’ll investigate another group of expatriates living in Burkina Faso as we delve into Peace Corps bloggers.
Korea: The Entrance Examination for Colleges
The entrance examination for colleges finished last week. Every year it comes along with several events and stories. A story that is never omitted is a tragedy where examinees give up their lives due to the result of the examination. The story always generates opinions and complaints about the current...
China: Our man in Australia?
Chinese president Hu Jintao likes Australia's new Prime Minister, who served as a diplomat to China in the 80s, so much that he invited Kevin Rudd and his family to next year's Olympics months before Rudd would go on to defeat incumbent John Howard in this past weekend's election. What...
Brazil: On the “Che e-mails” and credibility of journalism
An article on the 40th anniversary of Che Guevara's death, led to a heated email exchange between an editor of Brazilian magazine Veja and an American reporter for The New Yorker. The correspondence has spilled onto the internet, where it has fueled a juicy public debate about the impartiality and credibility of Brazilian journalism.
Ahmadinejad and Chavez: “Love is in the air”
Last week, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez made his fourth visit to Tehran in two years to sign more economic agreements with Iran. The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Chavez, say they “admire” each other. Ahmadinejad calls Iran a second home for the Venezuelan president, and Chavez offers support to the...
China: New York Charging Bull hits public
Critiques on Chinese tourists’ vulgar behaviors and ignorance of public rules on foreign land have been all-too-familiar. But this time, the Charging Bull sculpture in Wall-street aroused netizens’ different voices.
Ukraine: Holodomor
This year, Nov. 24 was the day to remember the victims of the 1932-33 famine in Ukraine, Holodomor. Ukrainian bloggers share what they learned about the tragedy from their grandparents.
China: Recently, Can You Afford Meat?
The Chinese National Bureau of Statistics reported that China's October inflation rate had reached 6.5 percent which was the highest during the last 10 years. Although the government described the inflation as a structural price increase, the netizens and bloggers in China have their own views and concerns.
Lebanon: State of Emergency..Or Not
Lebanon is in a political limbo after parliament failed to elect a successor for President Emile Lahoud today. Hours before the end of his term, Lahoud ordered the army to take charge of security, leaving rival factions responsible for naming a president and leading to international calls for calm. Lebanon's bloggers were quick to react.
Bahrain: Losing its identity?
This week in Bahrain we have opinions on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit, a blogger's dilemma about whether to have a female friend, another getting stuck between his wife-to-be and her family, a call for more Islamic bloggers, and a fear that Bahrain won't stay Bahraini for much longer...
Arabeyes: Halal Pork?
Islam, like Judaism, bans its adherents from consuming pork. But what happens when rumours about 'Halal' or religiously sanctioned pork appear in the market? Here's what some bloggers and participants in an online forum from Bahrain have to say.
D. R. of Congo: Interview with ‘Best Francophone Blogger’ Cédric Kalonji
It's always heartening to see a good blog make the leap from a niche audience to wider recognition. Global Voices interviews the Kinshasa-based author of this year's 'Best Blog in French' (as chosen by the Best of Blogs jury).
Lebanon: Presidential Elections Debate Continues
Yesterday, November 22, was officially Lebanon’s Independence Day. Today is the constitutional deadline for the election of a new president of the republic. Bloggers reflections range from optimistic and pessimistic analysis of what is happening and what is expected to the effect of all this on the average Lebanese citizen, writes Moussa Bashir.
Morocco: Women's Stories from Around the Globe
This week, Moroccan bloggers share their interest in issues affecting Muslim women around the world. From the treatment of gynecologists in Iraq to new workforce development initiatives in Morocco to rape sentencing in Saudi Arabia, Jillian York has the story.
Costa Rica: The Arrival of China
Costa Rica recently established formal political and economic relations with global power China, which led to the dropping of ties with Taiwan. As a result, investment and trade between the two nations have begun and has been impulsed after the passed Free Trade Agreement with US. National and international bloggers report on the progress.
Japan: Kids these days
What do you do when you've had enough of young girls sitting on the floor of the train, talking on their phone and acting like it's their home, when meanwhile you've had a gruelling day at work and just want to get through? One 35-year-old man in Yokohama decided that he'd had enough and kicked the 17-year-old girl sitting and chatting with friends beside him. Bloggers had mixed opinions about the incident, but the majority seemed to be sympathetic.
