Stories from November, 2012
Is Meles Zenawi's Ghost Haunting Ethiopians?
Although Meles Zenawi, the late Ethiopian Prime Minister, was formally declared dead three months ago after months of speculation about his whereabouts, his ghost shows no sign of loosening its grip over Ethiopians.
Trinidad & Tobago: Losing My Accent
What does an accent have to do with it? Outlish investigates.
China: Top 10 horrible figures of 2012?
This week, Chinese internet users come up with their own list of the “10 Most Horrid People of 2012.” The list was shared on Sina Weibo by “Weekly Commentary” [zh] (每周评论), but was deleted on Nov 26. China Media Project translated the deleted post.
Are Zambia's Miners Paying More in Taxes than Mining Companies?
A podcast (Taxcast) by Tax Justice Network titled 'Zambian miners paying more tax than mining company' has been posted online claiming that miners pay more tax than the multi-national mining companies they work for.
A Glimpse of the Human Moment of Chinese Leaders
A Chinese micro-blogger, Wang Dongdong tweeted the above image on Sina Weibo, China’s Twitter on November 23, which has been retweeted over 103,000 times. The blogger [zh] said, I really like this picture. Why doesn’t our media give us more images of leaders like this one, instead of always making them look...
In Russia, Fake News Sounds Real
A Russian version of The Onion wreaks havoc on unsuspecting bloggers. Could it be a Kremlin plot? That's probably a hoax!
China's “Great Global Thinkers” for 2012
Samuel Wade from China Digital Times introduced the six Chinese civil society leaders – Chen Guangcheng, Ai Weiwei, Yu Jianrong, Ma Jun, Wang Jisi, Kai-fu Lee – who are listed in the Foreign Policy's 2012 Great Global Thinkers.
Captivated by Japan's ‘Daidougei’ – Street Performance Art
Charmed with “Daidougei”, a type of street performance, an amateur photographer has spent years capturing images of the art form. His blog is titled “ I shoot nothing but Daidougei, I myself don’t know why.” Let’s take a look at his work.
Trinidad & Tobago: Parang, Parang!
In the spirit of the Christmas season, Outlish posts a list of its Top 10 Parang songs.
China: Model Sentenced for Posing in a Police Uniform
A model who posted a risque photo of herself in a police uniform was sentenced to 9 months in jail and one-year probation upon court review. Beijing Cream believes that the punishment is more about her mentioning “government leaders” in her micro-blog attached to the picture: I am under great...
Trinidad & Tobago: No Simple Highway
University lecturer and environmentalist Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh, who began his hunger strike on November 15 outside the Prime Minister's office as a protest against the construction of one part of a billion dollar highway project in southeastern Trinidad, has the blogosphere talking about much more than a road - many netizens see his dissidence as a plea for transparency in the use of public funds and a demonstration against the cavalier manner in which the electorate's concerns are managed by those in public office.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Senegal Scam
When the top cop gets duped by an internet scam you don't know if to laugh or cry. Abeni thinks the Police Commissioner “should have done the honourable thing and resigned.”
Côte d'Ivoire: Online Campaign Says No to Holding Multiple Public Offices
Ivorian bloggers have initiated a campaign for a real public debate on the issue of parliamentarians simultaneously holding multiple elected offices in Côte d'Ivoire. Tired of seeing parliamentarians also being mayors or presidents of local councils, these netizens are using social media and organizing a petition.
Ukrainian Football Fans Rally in Support of the Pavlichenko Family
Dmytro Pavlichenko and his son Serhiy, fans of FC Dynamo Kyiv, were found guilty of the murder of a Kyiv judge. In the past few months, Ukrainian and European football fans have organized a series of unprecedented actions in their support.
Why Are Government Jobs in China So Popular?
More young people sat the National Public Servant Exam this year in China than ever before. Some believe young people seek job security while others worry the private sector is getting less competitive, threatening the country's economic development and reform.
Iran: Reflections on Gaza and Israel
For many in Iran, the issues surrounding Gaza, Hamas, and Palestine are viewed through a prism of politics. Condemning Hamas publicly means becoming a target. One Iranian student organization, became a victim of this policy because of its stance against both Hamas and Israel in the previous Gaza war.
Only Citizens Fall in Iraq's Car Bombings
Around 29 people were killed and 126 injured in eight car bombings in Iraq today [Nov 27, 2012]. Iraqi blogger Wamith comments [ar]: @wamith: Many citizens fall but no one from the government falls in the Iraq bombings
Homs: A Revolutionary Syrian City in Ruins
Homs is a Syrian city that is 4,300 years old and is the home of three Syrian presidents. Homsi protesters were among the first Syrians to take streets in thousands to protest against the Syrian regime. The colossal damage months of shelling has done can be seen in the destruction of historic buildings and architecture, hundreds of thousands of refugees and thousands of martyrs.
Bermuda: Elections & Social Media
Social media is providing lots of undercurrents to the 2012 Bermuda election. Vexed Bermoothes explains.
