Stories from 20 November 2009
Poland: Online Campaigning for the Rights of Employees
Sylwia Presley writes about the plight of and online campaigning by a group Polish citizens who work for IKEA via another, smaller, company called Solid Security: they claim to be earning amounts below the national minimal wage, being assigned to work up to 16 hours daily and lacking the basic benefits.
Brazil: The loss of a pioneer digital activist
The Brazilian blogosphere is mourning today: the country has lost one of its pioneers digital activists.
Russia: Local Authorities Slow Broadband Development
On November 10, activists held a rally calling for broadband Internet and protesting against Internet provider monopoly in the township of Kraskovo (Moscow region, 10 km from the Moscow beltroad). This is the first known case of a protest dedicated to the defense of the Internet rights in Russia. The event also raised the issue of the overregulatedness of the process of Internet providing in the country.
Morocco: Marrakesh Film Festival to Focus on Korea
The View from Fez reports that the Marrakesh Film Festival plans to screen a record 44 films from South Korea this year.
Colombia: Tensions and ‘Winds of War’ with Venezuela
As a result of several incidents along the border, tensions have been escalating in the last few weeks between Colombia and Venezuela, two neighboring countries which already have strained relations.
Malawi: Should there be a Sex Workers Bill
Marshal discusses Sex Workers Bill in Malawi: “Recent media reports pointing that the government intends to come up with a Sex Worker’s Bill with an aim of protecting sex workers in the country, shocked quite a few of us.”
Sri Lanka: Learning To Let Go
Roshanthi Lucas at Random Thoughts tells why it is important to learn “to let go of things that are not necessary”.
Kenya: Inventor of the World Wide Web lands in Kenya
Sir Tim Berners-Lee is in Kenya: “Credited with inventing the World Wide Web(WWW), Sir Tim Berners- Lee is in town and was today at the Strathmore University for an Interactive IT education session for IT professionals, students and innovators.”
Maldives: Tolerance
Jadulla Jameel at Madulu Blog comments: “In Maldivian society, as in rest of the world we need more tolerance and respect towards each other. Then and only then, we will be able coexist peacefully in the present and in future.”
Pakistan: Conflict With Afghanistan
Sikander Hayat discusses about the hurdles in the path of resolving the conflicts between Pakistan & Afghanistan and some possible solutions.
Palestine: Gaza Reading Club Learns About Kindle
In Gaza, the members of the Qattan Foundation Reading Club were recently introduced to the Kindle, and photos have been posted on the club's blog [Ar].
Morocco: War on Press Continues
The Moroccan authorities are ratcheting up their attacks on independent journalists. A week rarely passes without the authorities hitting hard on the press for alleged infractions, cracking down on printed as well as online media. Bloggers have been reflecting on this state of affairs.
Bangladesh: Romanian Song In Bangla Tune
Call that fusion or copying, A Bengali in T.O. informs that the tune of a popular Bangla classic song (written by Radha Romon Dutta in the year 1870!) was used by Liviu Mititelu for a Romanian song.
India: Sachin Is Like A God
Greatbong at Random Thoughts Of A Demented Mind celebrates 20 years of outstanding contribution of Indian cricket celebrity Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin is much more than the most famous sportsman in India: “He is a cultural icon, someone who has his place booked in the history books. No not just cricketing...
Featured Author: Filip Stojanovski
Filip Stojanovski is a Global Voices author and translator based in Skopje, Macedonia. He is the Program Coordinator of Metamorphosis, a think tank which seeks the development of democracy and prosperity by promoting knowledge-based economy and information society.
Puerto Rico: Hate Crime Against Gay Teenager Causes Outrage
A horrendous murder has been committed against a gay teenager in Puerto Rico. The LGBT community has demanded that the crime be prosecuted under the Hate Crime Law. Bloggers react to this terrible crime.
Malaysia: Democracy and governance
Reacting to a statement made by Malaysia's former Prime Minister about the “mistake of being too democratic”, Art Harun asserts that “The real danger to the State is the leaders not understanding the limits of their powers.”
Vietnam: Taxi fare refund
RantingsbyMM shares a story on how she was able to get back her money from a taxi driver who overcharged her in Vietnam.
Indonesia: Youth, Art, and Nationalism
Many young Indonesians are expressing their nationalism through art.
Indonesia: Some groups want to ban ‘2012’ movie
Several regional branches of the Indonesian Ulema Council want to ban the movie ‘2012’ claiming the film's content is “unsuitable to be viewed by Muslims because only Allah knew when the world would end, not heathens like the Mayans.”
Thailand: Extravagant temple toilets
Richard Burrow from Thailand reported that temple toilets at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai in Samut Prakan have recently built a toilet which cost as much as 5 million baht.
