Stories about Weblog from August, 2015
‘You Stink’ Protesters Call for the Resignation of the Lebanese Government
A trash problem is threatening the Lebanese government as protesters demand better services and less corruption. Is Lebanon ready to listen to the demands of its people?
Afro-Latin American Women Use Social Networks to Commemorate Over a Decade of Struggle
"The situation of women of African descent is a unique one: because of their gender they find themselves even more vulnerable and susceptible to exclusion."
Bashar Al Assad Got It Right: Syria Belongs to Those Who Defend It
In his latest speech, Bashar Al Assad said Syria is for those who defend it. Asaad Hanna explains what that means.
Guyanese Police Officers Punished for Being Pregnant
Outdated laws in Guyana make it possible for the police service to dismiss female officers who get pregnant while on probation. Could that change sometime soon?
This Doctor Has Written Thousands of Postcards to Get Health Advice to India's Poor
He spent his career trying to deliver health care outside of expensive hospitals. Now, he's sick — but he doesn't want to get treatment.
Indonesian Court Orders Family of Former President Suharto to Return Embezzled Funds
Indonesia's Supreme Court has ruled that the foundation of the late President Suharto is guilty of embezzling state funds from 1976 to 1998. It ordered the family of Suharto to return 315 million US dollars to the state. Suharto ruled Indonesia from 1967 to 1998. During his 31-year rule, he...
Tourism Poster That Put Jamaica on the Map Gets New Life
What is perhaps the most famous travel poster in world history got a new wave of attention thanks to a recreation by American musician Alicia Keys.
Netizens Think Official Explanations for Tianjin's Dead Fish Are as Likely as Fish Drowning
"These fish felt ashamed. They saw that so many people had died. They felt sorry and drowned themselves."
14 Films That Have Been Banned in Iran Since 2007
Movies continue to be banned for a variety of reasons in Iran, despite the president's lip service to the need for more cultural freedoms in the country.
Scammers Make Use of Mainland China's Reputation for Corruption to Con Hong Kongers
Scammers pretending to be mainland Chinese police called up Hong Kong people, telling them they were wanted fugitives in mainland China and must pay to be declared innocent.
Malaysia Considers Forcing News Websites to Register with Government, As Political Scandal Unfolds
"It is highly unlikely that this move is intended to achieve anything other than the shutting down of criticism."
Argentinians Keep the Memory of Dictatorship Victims Alive on the Web
For almost 40 years, Argentinian human rights movements have fought to preserve the memory of their disappeared loved ones, a struggle that has adapted for the Web 2.0 era.
Despite President Rouhani's Promises, Films Continue to Be Banned in Iran
Rouhani's remarks during his election campaign increased hopes that banned films would make their way to the cinemas. That hasn't been the case.
In Venezuela, Even the Police March Against Insecurity
Violence in Venezuela has shown no mercy. Not even with law officers, who protested in Caracas despite prohibition from authorities and silence from the media.
Hong Kong Investigative Journalism Start-Up ‘Factwire’ Crowdfunds HK $3 Million
“Hong Kong is one of the few places where information flows almost completely freely. If Paris has Agence France-Presse, New York has the Associated Press...why [shouldn’t] Hong Kong have FactWire?”
A Ping-Pong Table Puts Singapore's Intellectual Property Regulation Under the Spotlight
"...we feel that more can be done to encourage, respect and protect content creation. Unfortunately, limited understanding of artists’ rights and standard industry practices remains."
Puerto Rico Celebrates the First Same-Sex Weddings—And It's About Time
After many years of hardships and struggle, same-sex couples in Puerto Rico can now formalize their commitment to each other.
After 2 Bombings in Bangkok, Thai Internet Users Join #StrongerTogether Movement
Two bomb blasts rocked central Bangkok in the past two days, killing 20 people and injuring hundreds. Now Thailand tries to move forward.
Saeed Kamali Dehghan on Covering Iran for The Guardian
"The common problem in many western media organisations is that they see Iran as black and white, and Iran is not like that. It’s a spectrum, it’s a rainbow.”
Students Push for Alcohol Prohibition in Southern India Street Protests
"The protests against the prohibition of alcohol are a great move. If Tamil Nadu government bans the sale of alcohol, it will be greatly appreciated by the general population."
How 1,500 People Temporarily Shut Down Europe’s Biggest Source of CO2
One participant came back from the action saying that for the first time in his life, he felt truly powerful.