Stories about Weblog from August, 2015
Sargassum Seaweed Turns the Caribbean's Crystalline Waters Murky
The dark brown seaweed that the Sargasso Sea was named for is washing up in bulk along Caribbean beaches. One diver takes us underneath the thick layer of algae.
Tianjin Lives Up to Its ‘City Without News’ Nickname After Deadly Blasts
Netizens were shocked that local media aired Korean dramas and cartoons in the immediate wake of the disaster, then followed up with coverage dripping with praise for local authorities.
A Trailblazing Media Outlet Fact-Checked the Peruvian President's National Address
Were the president's claims about his government's investment in education true? False? Misleading? Ojo-Público had the answer in real-time.
Meet Venezuela's Orthodox Priest Who Rocks in His Robes
Father Elias is not your typical rock star, playing in a priest's robe. He's not what many expect a priest to be like, either.
Raising Flags and Hopes
"We are witnessing a new era in Cuba. . . for the first time in my life there isn’t a specific enemy we're expected to fight at all costs."
Human Rights Protections Weaken as Tunisia Fights Terror
Despite the PM's reassurance that "people can talk or write whatever they like," authorities have been cracking down on speech.
The Hilarious Mystery Surrounding Items Forgotten on Japanese Trains
A Matome Naver user has compiled a list of perplexing items that Twitter users have found inside train cars, including a brass tea kettle, a bonsai tree and a tomato.
‘Las Patronas': Making Mexico’s ‘Train of Death’ a More Humane Place
How a petition on Change.org pushed a family improving the lives of thousands of U.S-bound migrants towards a nomination at the 2015 Princess of Asturias awards.
Watch Out For the Most Tightly Contested Election in Tanzania's History
"Lowassa is a Maasai Robin Hood. Or Tanzanian El Chapo. Look at the hands he touches and not the toes he stepped on."
Bolivian Restaurant Wins Praise for Welcoming Breast-Feeding Moms With Open Arms
Bolivia is reportedly the South American country with the highest proportion of mothers who exclusively breast-feed, but mothers who do so in public don't always find support.
Are GMOs the Answer to Kenya's Food Security Issues?
Kenya looks like it is ready to get back on the GMO train. Is it right to?
Painting Nails in Bolivia: A Job but Not a Living
There's no bonus or holidays or health insurance. Nail painters in Bolivia live each day at the mercy of God. How much do they earn? Not enough.
Why Is Gang Rape and Child Rape Skyrocketing in Bangladesh?
Some observers say rape and sexual harassment would rise in parallel with women empowerment since this patriarchal society denies freedom of women.
Meet the Displaced Kachin People of Northern Myanmar
"There are no happy moments here in the camp. We are all struggling to live and we are always busy with our lives."
Gaza's ‘Colorful Neighborhood’ Brings Hope and Healing in Palestine
Gaza's Al Zaytoun is called "the colorful neighborhood" for its brightly painted streets and decorated walls, an urban renewal effort following 2014's Israel-Gaza war.
Google's New CEO Sundar Pichai is Getting a lot of Love from India
Google has created a new larger holding company Alphabet with a new CEO for Google, Sundar Pichai. Indian social media users welcome Pichai's new leadership with greetings, pun and humour.
Should Conspiracy Theories Enjoy Free Speech Protections?
To what extent, should conspiracy theories enjoy free speech protections? Three members of the Global Voices community share their thoughts.
After “Grossly Distorting” UN Views on the Internally Displaced Ata-Manobos, the Philippine Military Apologizes
"The community wishes to return to its lands but stressed that they will only feel safe to do so if the long-term militarization of their region comes to an end."
Impunity Is the Tie That Binds the Tlatlaya Massacre, the 43 Missing Students and El Chapo's Escape
Repeatedly officials charged with obeying the law decided instead to flout or ignore it, whether out of greed, inadequacy, fear or revenge.
Croatians React to Alleged ISIS Beheading of Tomislav Salopek
Social media users in Croatia, Egypt, and worldwide react to the alleged beheading of a Croatian expat in Egypt by ISIS.
Bangladesh Police Chief Tells Bloggers, ‘Don't Cross the Line’
"Those who illogically write against religion in blogs are also extremists," said a high police official.