Stories about Weblog from October, 2011
Mexico: President Signs Law Two Years After Daycare Centre Fire
On June 5, 2009, a fire in a daycare centre claimed the lives of 49 children and left 76 injured. The childrens' parents campaigned for a bill to improve the country's daycare centres, which has just been signed into law by the Mexican President.
Pakistan: Bloggers Dismayed at Google Adsense Ban
A recent ban on Google Adsense accounts has left many Pakistani bloggers dismayed. Scores of genuine publishers have fallen prey in a move aimed for crackdown on fraudulent websites and blogs. Sana Saleem reports.
Kenya: Online Reactions to Suspected Al Shabaab Grenade Attacks
Following the Kenyan military offensive against the Somali militant group Al Shabaab, the group responded by attacking Kenya's capital with two deadly grenade attacks: one at a popular entertainment club and the other at a crowded bus stop in downtown Nairobi. The two incidents have provoked a conversation online.
Chile: State Security Law, Violence Deterrent or Repression?
On October 18, Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter invoked the State Security Law to punish the persons responsible for the burning of a bus during the protests supporting the student movement. The country's citizens comment on this controversial measure.
Egypt: Catch the Former Regime Remnants
Last April, an Egyptian court ordered the dissolution of the political organization that ruled the nation for decades. Its members are however reinventing themselves, joining the lists of candidates vying for November's parliamentary elections. See how netizens have joined hands to expose them.
Tunisia: Provisional Results Suggest Islamists Advance
Provisional results of the October 23 election in Tunisia suggest that the Islamist party Ennahdha took the biggest share of the votes. Counting of the votes is still underway, and the final results are expected to be announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Macedonia: Million Tweets – an Existentialist Parody Poem
Blogger iskra_iskric has dared to adapt a Macedonian rock classic by the band Arhangel to the new digital reality, creating a new poem on tweetering.
Zambia: Netizens Divided Over Sata's Apology to Angola
Since he took over as Zambia’s president after the September 20 election, Michael Sata has committed several diplomatic blunders. The biggest talking point is his apology to the Angolan government for former Zambian ruling party MMD's support of the then Angolan rebel movement.
Colombia: Workers and Students Take to the Streets in Protest
Public sector workers and university students have hit the streets of Colombia to express their dissatisfaction. Cati Restrepo explores some of their concerns.
Argentina: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Re-Elected President
Presidential elections held in Argentina on October 23 resulted in a sweeping victory for current President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, according to preliminary results. This post looks at how Argentinians reacted on Twitter.
Mozambique: Uniting Small Farmers for a Better Tomorrow
Mr. Júlio dos Santos Pêssego is one of the principal leaders of the "peasant movement" in Niassa province in Mozambique. He helps organize community groups that work to defend land rights, increase food production and bring prosperity to farming families.
Cambodia: Worst Flooding in a Decade
Cambodia is experiencing the worst flooding in a decade. The government reports that almost a half a million hectares of rice paddies were destroyed by the floods, which could affect food security in the region. Here are more reports about the disaster.
Turkey: Online Relief Efforts for Van's Earthquake Victims
Eastern Turkey was hit by a large earthquake of magnitude 7.2 yesterday. Kubra sums up some of relief efforts that were spearheaded online, pushing for humanitarian and rescue efforts on the ground.
Jordan: Alternative Voices on the World Economic Forum
From October 21 to 23, Jordan hosted the World Economic Forum's Special Meeting on Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Arab World. This year, as the Arab world continues to awaken and reshape its existence, a vocal and alternative narrative is growing online.
Tunisia: Long Queues and Mixed Feelings on Election Day
Today will be engraved in the memories of Tunisian voters, who poured into polling stations, from the early hours of the morning. Tunisians are electing a national constituent assembly to re-write the country's constitution. Long queues and hours of waiting did not dampen the spirits of voters who were determined to have a say in the way their country will be run.
Tunisia: A Rendezvous With History
Today Tunisians have been voting for a Constituent Assembly, the body charged with writing a new constitution and appointing a new transitional government. In the run-up to the elections, bloggers voiced their feelings about the historic moment.
Turkey: 1,000 People Feared Dead in Van Quake
A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit eastern Turkey a few hours ago. Up to 1,000 people are feared dead. The quake hit Ercis, in the mountainous province of Van close to the Iranian border, the hardest. On Twitter, users are checking on loved ones and exchanging updates on the death toll and rescue efforts.
Arab World: Cheering on Tunisia's Elections
Tunisians are receiving positive vibes from netizens across the Arab world as they go to the polls today to elect a 218 member constituent assembly which will rewrite the country's constitution, appoint an interim president and a caretaker government. The elections are historic in that they are described as the Arab world's first free elections following revolutions which toppled the dictators of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. All eyes are on Tunisia today, as Tunisians reap a fruit from their revolution.
Egypt: Watching the Tunisian Elections
The Tunisian revolution preceded the Egyptian one and since then the Tunisians pursuit of democracy has been inspiring to the Egyptians. And now it's time for Egyptians to watch the Tunisians electing for the first time. Here is a snap shot of their reactions on Twitter.
Syria : The “Free Army” defies the regime
Wearing bullet-proof vests and Kevelar helmets and holding assault rifles, 13 men make their way through an enthusiastic crowd (AR) which is warmly welcoming them with slaps on the back. It is the beginning of September in the Boustan al-Diwan district of Homs. For the towns activists today's "haul" is substantial. They are deserters from the Syrian army. Madjid Zerrouky explains:
Coworking Spaces and Nomad Workers in Japan
Coworking is a growing worldwide movement, and Japan is no exception. Surprising to see in a culture where the idea of physically being in the office at all hours is ingrained in the psyche of the salaried worker? Perhaps not.
