Stories about Weblog from May, 2015
No Extra Time for FIFA Caribbean Officials as US Justice Department Lays Indictments
There's a frenzy on Caribbean social media today, following the announcement that the US Department of Justice indicted 9 FIFA officials and 5 corporate executives for racketeering, conspiracy, and corruption.
New Messaging App by Iran's Basij Militia Gives State Access to All Conversations
The app will use servers owned and controlled by the Basij, thus allowing easy access to and monitoring of all user conversations by the paramilitary group and intelligence agents.
Political Memes, Welcome to Myanmar
The era of Internet memes has arrived in Myanmar, where the online phenomenon has become a popular way to discuss various social and political topics, particularly upcoming elections.
Why a Meme Compares China's Flood of Retail Investors to a Pig at Slaughter
After months of touting for rising prices, the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily posted a cautionary note this month, warning that stock trading is “high risk.”
Robot Commenters Accidentally Expose Themselves on China's Weibo Platform
Patrick Wong contributed to this post. Chinese netizens are having a good laugh over the mechanized missteps of government-controlled robot commenters, who have been criticizing messages sent by their own masters. A few weeks ago, a group of robots seized upon a congratulatory message posted on Weibo over a year...
Bangladesh Wants ‘Third Gender’ Hijras to Serve as Traffic Police
Hijras often face widespread discrimination and are shut out of employment opportunities. Bangladesh wants to recruit them as traffic police to help change that.
Philippines’ Deadliest Ever Factory Fire Linked to Lax Labor Standards
An initial probe reveals that the factory violated several occupational health and safety standards, despite the government's assurances to the contrary.
After Earthquakes, Nepal Faces Looming Danger of Landslides
After the earthquake, 547 landslides have occurred in 19 districts and there will be more due to heavy rain during the monsoon season.
Washington Post Reporter Jason Rezaian Starts Closed Door Trial in Iran
"If Iran had a case against Jason Rezaian, it would try him in public. It doesn't and won't."
Singapore Bans Music Video for Its Pro-LGBT Content
"How ironic is it that on the same day Singapore bans a song with gay marriage content, Ireland votes in favor of it?"
What Africa Day Means to Africans and Friends of Africa
Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity, when the leaders of 30 independent African states signed a founding charter in Ethiopia.
Leaked Emails Reveal Details of China's Online ‘Youth Civilization Volunteers’
'Speak out in a timely way and positively guide mistaken opinions and thoughts in order to grow mainstream thought and sentiment on the Internet.'
Region-wide Presidential Term Limits for West Africa? Not So Fast.
West African leaders have dropped the idea of instituting a two-presidential-term limit across the region, thanks to the opposition of Gambia and Togo, the only member states without term limits.
On Dubai's Roads, Women Hop on Harleys and Shatter Stereotypes
You might not expect to see women riding motorcycles if you took to the UAE's roads, but a group of women from all over the world are doing just that.
In Argentina, a March on the ‘Global Day of Action Against Monsanto’
"In #Argentina 300 million liters of glyphosate are sprayed annually across 28 million hectares of plantation, affecting more than 10 million people."
Scandal in Argentina as Judges Say a Six-Year Old's Alleged Homosexuality Invited Sexual Abuse
'This moronic "judge" Piombo who calls a six-year-old a transvestite deserves to be thrown in jail!'
Thailand Police Detains Student Protesters During Coup Anniversary
"We cannot build a democratic society if we lack freedom, liberty, rights, justice, and reconciliation."
This Mexican Author Says Languages Aren't Straitjackets, but Tools to Start a Bilingual Conversation
Cristina Rivera Garza used to publish only in Spanish, but after 25 years in the US, she says writing in both Spanish and English brings tremendous richness to her experience.
What Should Singapore's Response to the Rohingya Refugee Crisis Be?
Singapore has remained aloof during the migrant crisis in Southeast Asia, saying that the island cannot accept refugees. But should the city-state do more?
ISIS Claims Responsibility in Suicide Bombing in Shia Mosque in Qatif Killing 21 Worshippers
Twenty-one people were killed when an ISIS suicide bomber blew himself up in a Shia mosque in Qatif, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, after Friday prayers today.
In Bangladesh, It's So Long to Cyber Cafés
Cyber cafés in Bangladesh are shutting down because of easy Internet access on mobile phones. In the past five years, more than 40 percent have closed shop.
