Stories about Weblog from November, 2010
Qatar: Excitement, Apprehension Build as World Cup Decision Nears
As the buzz builds over who will be awarded the 2022 World Cup bid in two weeks, so does the Internet chatter. Here is a roundup of online reactions in Qatar and elsewhere to the most recent developments in the competition to host FIFA's biggest sporting event.
Guinea-Bissau: The Dictatorship of Consensus and Aly's Temptation for Accusations
With the blog Ditadura do Consenso, António Aly Silva became the most visible and active face of Guinea-Bissau's blogosphere. In this interview, Global Voices tries to understand why Aly can't resist the temptation of accusations, and how is it to be a subversive blogger in the country.
India: Is Forwarding Emails A Crime?
A government employee from the Indian state of Kerala got arrested for forwarding an email joke to a few friends, which is about the election debacle of the ruling communist party. Netizens feel that this is an attempt by politicians to stop criticisms against them.
Philippines: Netizens dislike new government tourism campaign
Netizens are up in arms over the government’s new tourism campaign. Various blogs, facebook statuses, and twitter accounts have all become sites of disgust towards the new tourism country branding. Because of negative public feedback, the government announced it will develop a new tourism slogan
Bulgaria: Reactions to Hate Speech Against Arabs and Islam
Kapka Siderova, the wife of a far-right nationalist politician in Bulgaria, made some controversial statements about Arab women on a popular talk show yesterday, sparking outrage and allegations of racism and bigotry. Ruslan Trad reviews the reactions of Bulgarian Facebook users.
Panama: Retirees Protest With Street Closures
Street closures and peaceful protests have marked the claims of retirees who call for an increase in their pensions. Twitter reactions are almost all against these measures that affect everyone. However, there are those who see the closure of streets as the only viable option.
Haiti: Anti-UN Protests Escalate Over Cholera Epidemic
Three days after the first case of cholera was diagnosed in Haiti, The Life and Times of the Mangine Many posted on its blog: Seriously? Cholera? I literally thought cholera...
Philippines: Leading botanist killed in alleged military-rebel cross-fire
A flurry of tributes and condemnations posted online followed the unexpected death of top Filipino botanist Leonard Co and his two assistants in an alleged cross-fire between the Philippine Army and communist rebels in the province of Leyte
What does Fiji's government want from Fiji Water?
Fiji Water, the expensive beverage in a square bottle, has created one of the richest brands in the world. Does Fiji’s military government want a piece of it?
Iran: World's Youngest Detained Blogger on Trial
The Iranian government is not only world-class when it comes to persecuting bloggers, they have also set numerous records: from the first jailed blogger in history, to the first blogger to die in prison. Unfortunately, a new record can now be added to the list of Iran's repressive achievements: the youngest blogger to be detained and put on trial.
Bhutan: Khuru And The Rise Of Feminist Movements
Bhutanese women may have, unintentionally, created the stirrings of their first feminist movements of sorts when they recently started to encroach upon a traditionally male dominated sport Khuru (game of darts).
Macedonia: Skopje Zoo Improvements
Basic improvements at the Skopje Zoo have brought new quality of life for the captive animals and the visitors, who regain confidence in this public enterprise.
China: First case of Twitter inquisition
A woman in China was sentenced to one year of ‘re-education through labour’ for sending a single tweet, under the charge of 'disrupting social order.'
Cuba: Fiber Optic Cable May Not Bring Greater Internet Access
Officials at Cuba’s Ministry of Informatics and Communications recently announced that a much-anticipated submarine fiber optic cable linking Venezuela, Cuba, and Jamaica, will be in operation by January of 2011. Although the cable’s 640 gigabytes will increase Cuba’s connectivity 3000-fold, it will not bring greater opportunities for Cuban citizens to access the Internet. Bloggers react.
Azerbaijan: Emin Milli released, but another activist detained
Following yesterday's news that video blogging youth activist Adnan Hajizade had been conditionally released in Azerbaijan, Facebook was today awash with news that his friend and fellow activist, Emin Milli, had also been freed.
USA Now Alone, as Canada Votes to Adopt Indigenous Declaration
Canada has endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, leaving the US as the only country to vote against the document.
Madagascar: Coup attempt, as referendum takes place
The controversial referendum held on November 17, 2010 in Madagascar was soon overshadowed by reports of a rather bloodless putsch.
Taiwan: National dignity hurt in the Asian Games
On November 17, leading Taiwanese Taekwondo athlete Yang Shu-chun was disqualified from the 2010 Asian Games during a match with a Vietnamese competitor for “wearing non-certified electronic foot equipment” or “electronic socks”. The incident has stirred up a lot of emotions in Taiwan.
Pamela Fever Grips India
Hollywood actress and model Pamela Anderson is creating ripples in India as she arrived in Mumbai a few days ago to take part in a TV reality show. Netizens reflect on what the Indians think of Pamela.
Colombia: Mayor of Bogotá isolated amidst corruption allegations
Bogotá Mayor Samuel Moreno Rojas faced criticism even before taking office in 2008; as the mayor, he has been regarded mostly as an "incompetent" who "lacks leadership", and is routinely mocked with nicknames as "bobolitro" ("dumb"). In the last few weeks, a corruption scandal has added to this criticism.
Azerbaijan: Video blogger Adnan Hajizade released
In a surprise decision, an Appeal Court in Azerbaijan today ordered the conditional release of video blogging youth activist Adnan Hajizade. The news, as well as reaction, quickly spread on Facebook and Twitter.