Stories about Weblog from November, 2017
Toxic Smog in New Delhi Leaves Residents Coughing and Demanding Action
“I have been coughing for over a month, and it is only [recently] I realized that it’s because of the pollution. But no one is doing anything about it.”
Amid the Vast Universe of the ‘Valerian’ Movie, Ukraine Gets a Special Shout-Out
The opening scenes of the film include a Ukrainian cosmonaut crew lead by a woman with the country's flag on her sleeve.
Traveling Japan by Bus… on YouTube
One YouTube user has traveled from one end of Japan to the other by local bus, uploading video of the entire trip.
Maung Maung Has Spent a Lifetime Collecting Gramophone Records in Myanmar
The retired police officer, teacher, and lawyer has amassed a collection of more than 100,000 gramophone records over six decades.
Freedom of Expression or ‘Obscene Representation'? The Case Against Indian Cartoonist Bala G
"The incident made me think that my children were burning. I have no words to express my sorrow, so I drew the cartoon out of rage."
Meet Khazar Fatemi, a Swedish Journalist Still Searching for the Afghanistan She Left Behind
"For me it is important to use the freedom my parents fought so hard for."
Humanitarian Crisis Escalates at Australia's Refugee Detention Centre in Papua New Guinea
Catastrophe looms with food, water, electricity and health services cutoff to asylum seekers refusing to leave Australia's former Manus Island regional processing centre in Papua New Guinea.
One Nation, One Tax: The Impact of India's Goods and Services Tax
The Indian government deems the newly implemented Goods and Services Tax a success, but many small businesses have been adversely affected and protests are mounting.
Macedonian Fugitives from Justice Seek Refuge in Hungary
On 18 October, former secret policemen Goran Grujovski and Nikola Boshkovski were apprehended by Greek authorities at Thessaloniki airport while attempting to board a flight bound for Budapest.
A One-Two Punch of Natural Disasters in Cuba’s Camagüey
Hurricanes go, but in Camagüey the victims stay. Irma was the final blow after the tornado that battered them on 29 August 2017.
Today's Russia Fails to Live up to the Sky-High Hopes Buried With Time Capsules in 1967
Time capsules from 1967 -- the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution -- are being opened across Russia for the centennial. The contents are somewhat discouraging.
Insulting the National Anthem Is Set to Become Illegal in Hong Kong
"People will follow out of fear, but not out of respect. The anthem law can't force people to respect."
Watch a Short History of Japan's Frighteningly Good Horror Films
A YouTube channel offers an excellent introduction to Japanese horror cinema.
Bangladeshi Auto-Rickshaw Driver Sues Actor Shakib Khan for Using His Phone Number in Movie
The driver received more than 400 calls in five days from fans hoping to talk with the film actor. The calls affected his livelihood and nearly ruined his marriage.
Award-Winning Malian Blogger Boukary Konaté Was a Teacher, a Trailblazer and a Friend
Boukary Konaté traveled to regions of Mali far away from the capital to train the younger generations in the basics of blogging and safeguarding their culture.
Indonesian Police Go After Social Media Users for Mocking House Speaker
"What does it say about....Indonesia when a politician can continue to act with impunity, while somebody who spreads a meme about him gets arrested?"
Why Tajik Brides Live in Fear of Their In-Laws, Even Before They Get Married
Some 300 brides from the country's Khatlon region complained of abuse from their mothers-in-law in the first nine months of 2017.
Mexican Attorney General's Short Tenure Criticized for ‘Constant Impunity’
"It's important to remember that during Cervantes' time in position, impunity in cases of attacks against #FreedomOfExpression was constant"
China's Twitter Community Is Polarized Over Corruption Allegations by Fugitive Billionaire Guo Wengui
"When struggling with the CCP, one has to be cunning and wise -- borrowing power from one authority to crack down on the other one."
Local Australian Council Votes to Demolish Lawn Bowls Club Despite Viral Video Campaign
The viral social media campaign "All the Bowling Ladies" was not enough to save the Melbourne lawn bowls club from a hostile local council vote.
Macedonian Court Ruling Favors Formerly Jailed Journalist, Indicates Government Conspiracy
Kezarovski spent the better part of three years as political prisoner, under conditions tantamount to torture.