Stories from 17 May 2009
Morocco: On the Motorbike
The blogger The Aesthetic of Lostness writes about the difficulties of being a female motorcyclist in Morocco and what it all means.
Morocco: Swine Flu & the Economy
Abdelilah Boukili writes about the swine flu and its effects on the economy in this post.
China: Netizens stand with the waitress who killed an official
Deng Yujiao, a waitress in Hubei Province stabbed an official to death and injured another in resisting their sexual advances. Comments on the internet showed no sympathy with the dead official and generally support the 21-year-old girl, acclaiming that she is another Yang Jia who acted in response to an...
Japan: Hatoyama is the next DPJ leader
Following Ichirō Ozawa's resignation, it's Yukio Hatoyama‘s turn to be leader of the Democratic Party of Japan once again – Tobias Harris on Hatoyama's leadership abilities, Ampontan with ‘some morsels of news and rumor’ of the election, and Shisaku on the ‘choice‘.
Peru: Launch of New “Contenidos Locales” Site
Enzo Abbagliati of Cadaunadas [es] announces the launch of the new “Local Content [es]” site that collects much of the content created at the varios public libraries that part of the Biblioredes project in Chile.
Japan: Ueno as a World Heritage site
A UNESCO panel has recommended postponing listing of the National Museum of Western Art and the surrounding buildings in the Ueno area as a World Heritage culture site. Blogger Dragon says that countries with the means to preserve its own heritage sites should give way for less resourceful countries. Taito...
Mexico: Using the Word “Joven”
Mexicans use the word “joven” when they want a waiter's attention. Even though the word means “young person” no matter the age, it took Lesley Téllez of the Mija Chronicles a little getting used to.
Singapore: Youth Olympic Games
Singapore will be hosting the first Youth Olympic Games from 14 to 26 August 2010. Check out the official blog of the major sporting event.
Manifiesto de las Comunidades de Internautas de Bolivia | Palabras Libres
Mario Durán of Palabras Libres [es] publishes the “Manifesto from the Internet Communities in Bolivia” that was created to coincide with Internet Day and the Digital City held in La Paz. The document promotes greater digital inclusion for all Bolivians.
Indian Elections 2009: The Final Results
Indian Election 2009 blog posts the final results of the recently concluded 2009 Lok Sabha Elections in India.
Lao dialects
Caroline Finlay gives a general background on the numerous Laotian dialects.
Vietnam: Bloggers under attack
Le Trung Thanh, a university student and blogger, writes about how bloggers are censored and harassed in Vietnam.
Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar: A Year After
A deadly cyclone hit Myanmar’s southern Irrawaddy delta in May 2008 which affected more than 2 million people. A year after the Cyclone Nargis tragedy, survivors are still suffering while reconstruction efforts remain inadequate. Contributions are still needed in order to help the cyclone survivors.
Disabled Congolese Find Ways to Thrive
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, life for the disabled or physically impaired is wrought with difficulties. With no state support and few employment prospects, individuals with disabilities face numerous challenges. This article explores the innovative ways some disabled Congolese earn their living.
Europe: Alexander Rybak
Natalia Antonova writes on GlobalComment about Alexander Rybak, this year's winner of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Latvia: Baltic Pride March
“The Baltic Pride march took place in Riga on May 16 with almost no problems,” Free Speech Emergency in Latvia reports. “The active counter demonstrators were just a little more in number than the marchers. […] An interesting observation […] was a scene at one street crossing passed by the...
