Stories about Weblog from November, 2011
Video: Plural+ 2011 Awards Young Filmmakers
Youth from around the globe were awarded in New York for their thought-provoking short films showing their proposals for making society more peaceful and multicultural by addressing the topics of diversity, migration and social inclusion.
“Let Us Dream”: Demonstrating Against Unified Job Hunting in Japan
On Labor Day, students gathered in Tokyo and Kyoto to rally against the practices of job hunting for fresh graduates.
India: Youth Slaps Minister Over Price Rise and Corruption
On 24 November, India's Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, was slapped on the face by a youth as he was leaving a government building. Harvinder Singh was apparently fed up with the growing inflation, corruption and graft cases in the country and decided to hit out in protest.
DR of Congo: How Will the Elections Unfold?
The presidential elections in the DRC are scheduled for November 28. The stakes are evidently high, given the history of civil conflict. Many observers have highlighted the major events during the campaign, and attempted to forecast how the elections will unfold.
Mali, Niger: Tuareg Voices Barely Heard Over the Sounds of War
Since the start of the war in Libya, many security and political experts have warned against potential Touareg threats in Mali and Niger. Is it a real threat or mere speculations? For the moment, the only place to hear the voices of the Tuareg is on the internet.
Mexico: Massive Civil Lawsuit at ICC Seeks Drug War Justice
23,000 Mexican citizens have asked the International Criminal Court to investigate heads of drug cartels, President Felipe Calderón and other top officials for crimes against civilians in Mexico's ongoing Drug War.
Egypt: Summing up the Second Wave of Protests So Far
Miran Hosny sums up the recent second wave of protests in Egypt. The death toll is allegedly just shy of 40 and Central Security Forces and police have reportedly continued their attack-and-retreat dance with Egyptian protestors, blasting them with tear gas and other chemical gases that are as yet unidentifiable.
Yemen: Mixed Reactions as Saleh Finally Signs GCC Deal
There have been mixed reactions amongst Yemenis towards President Saleh's signing of the Gulf Cooperation Council deal; some are disappointed and skeptical, while others are joyful and relieved. Noon Arabia reports.
Pakistan: The Death of Nusrat Bhutto
The recent demise of Nusrat Bhutto, former first lady and wife of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was mourned across Pakistan. A public holiday was declared as a part of the mourning, which triggered a wave of reactions from Twitter users questioning the logic behind such a move.
Egypt: Popular Justice Tackles Police Brutality
Social media users in Egypt have revealed the identity of a police officer accused of shooting to target protester's eyes. Tarek Amr reports of the emergence of several popular justice initiatives in the country.
Tunisia: Elected Constituent Assembly Holds Inaugural Session
November 22 marked another turning point for Tunisia. The constituent assembly, responsible for taking charge of the draft of the new constitution, held its first session. Afef Abrougui reports.
Qatar: Opinions Divided Over Sale of Pork
News has been spreading in Qatar that pork products are now available for purchase in the country, albeit only from the single Qatar Distribution Company store, and only to those with alcohol permits. Omar Chatriwala reports.
Thailand: Survival and Creativity During Floods
The situation in Thailand is improving as floodwaters are receding but the death toll is now more than 600. The flood disaster is the worst in the past five decades but it also showed the creative and inventive ways of the people as they coped with the floods.
Spain: Controversies in the General Elections
The PP (Popular Party) of Spain won the recent general elections with an ample majority. Chris Moya tell us about some of the controversies at the voting centers.
Peruvian Amazon: The Challenges of a Wonder of Nature
The Amazon rainforest has been declared as one of the provisional 7 new wonders of nature, a recognition that is expected to benefit the Peruvian region of Loreto and the city of Iquitos by incrementing tourism. But is the region actually prepared for this?
Pakistan: Twitter Reactions to the SMS Filtering Announcement
The Pakistan Telecom Authorities' possible attempt at SMS filtering for abusive contents, had twitter timelines flooded with reactions; mostly humorous. Sana Saleem compiles Twitter reactions and provides update on the issue.
Pakistan: Plans to Filter Around 1,500 Words in SMS Traffic
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is the center of attention of the country's social media junkies and human right groups these days, for its infamous leaked list of banned obscene words and phrases for SMS traffic. Pakistani bloggers react.
Cuba: Blogger and Scholar Ted Henken on New Media in Cuba
Ellery Biddle interviews City University of New York (CUNY) Professor of Sociology Ted Henken, a Cuba expert who is the author of El Yuma, a blog that explores social currents in contemporary Cuba and closely follows the Cuban blogosphere.
Brazil: Maximum Fine After Silence on Chevron's Oil Spill
On 7 November, an oil platform operated by Chevron-Texaco and located 350km off coast from Rio de Janeiro, began spilling crude oil. Two weeks after, the spill is believed to be under control and Chevron has been fined the maximum amount allowed by Brazilian environmental authorities. But not all is clear concerning the intricacies and coverage of the environmental disaster.
Kenya: Life in Dadaab, the World's Largest Refugee Camp
Around 75 percent of all refugees are believed to reside in countries neighboring their own, and this is particularly true in Kenya, where approximately 450,000 people inhabit the world's largest refugee camp.
Russia: Digital Oppression Hits Web Forums as Election Approaches
As the Russian parliamentary election comes closer, dispersed attacks on regional discussion boards have turned into a massive wave of digital oppression. Alexey Sidorenko reports on several cases.
