Stories about Breaking News from March, 2012
Spain: General Strike Across Cities and Neighborhoods
Hundreds of people took the streets around cities and neighborhoods in Spain yesterday to participate in a general strike (29M) to protest against proposed government cuts to indispensable social services. March 29 became a new important date in the movements' agenda.
South Korea: Politician Ridiculed for Twitter Account “Explosion” Accusation
In South Korea,a politician's ridiculous comment that his Twitter account was "exploded" by the opposition has come under fire. The politician's remark and the governing conservative party's rhetoric have drawn numerous jokes and sneers online.
Spain: General Strike After Only 100 Days of Government
Spain's main trade unions have called a general strike for today, March 29, with the aim of paralyzing the country, and forcing the government to back down on implementing measures that will weaken workers' rights and cut social services.
Senegal and Neighboring Nations Celebrate Peaceful Elections
An historical ending to a tense electoral period took place in Senegal on March 25. Senegalese celebrate peaceful elections which have permitted the political alternative to express itself. Citizens from Senegal and neighboring countries have voiced their approval, and in some cases, envy.
Senegal: The Provisional Tally of the Presidential Elections
The provisional tally of the second round of the presidential elections were published on March 27: The incumbent candidate Abdoulaye Wade is projected to have obtain 999,556 votes which is about 34.2% of the votes. Macky Sall was elected with about 1,909,244 votes which amount to 65.8%. The percentage of...
Cuba: Pope Benedict XVI Takes a Glance at Cuba's Future
Pope Benedict XVI's arrival at the western province Santiago de Cuba placed the Caribbean nation at the Twitter Trending Topics. Blogs and social media are raging with netizen's opinions on the Pope's visit to the island.
Online Commentary on US President Obama's Visit to South Korea
The Monster Island blog wrote several posts on US President Obama's visit to South Korea. Read the blogger's commentary on Obama's side trip to the demilitarized zone which is a de facto border between the two Koreas and President Obama's new Korean name.
Blogger Analysis on North Korea's Expected Rocket Trajectory
North Korea Tech blog wrote about North Korea's rocket launch which is scheduled for next month. The blogger, after analyzing the International Maritime Organization's documents, predicted that the rocket will drop to earth in two stages off the western coast of South Korea and to the east of Luzon Island in the Philippines.
Mali: Citizens Stunned by Sudden Military Coup
Rengade soldiers have announced that they are seizing power in Mali, after taking over the state television building and presidential palace. They say the government failed to adequately support their troops in an increasingly violent struggle with a Tuareg rebels in the north of the country.
Mexico: 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles the Country
On March 20, around midday, a strong 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the south and central part of Mexico. Many turned to the Internet to contact family and report the situation on the ground. Here are some reactions on the web.
South Korea: Three Major TV Stations Protest for Fair Journalism
In South Korea, following one of biggest TV network’s desperate attempt to overthrow its president over unfair news coverage and corruption allegations, the nation’s two other major TV stations have joined forces in standing up against their management.
Mexico: Videos of the 7.8 Earthquake Felt in Mexico
On 20 March, an earthquake struck off the coast of Acapulco in Mexico, reportedly between 7.6 and 7.8 on the Richter scale. So far, no casualties have been reported. Following, some videos of how the quake was felt in different regions of the country. All audio is in Spanish.
Turkey: Riot Police Continue to Clash with Kurds Celebrating Newroz
Kurdish people are the largest ethnic group in Turkey. They have been subject to state-sanctioned discrimination and human rights violations. Today, in Yuksekova, which is a district in the Hakkari province of Turkey, Kurdish people were attacked for gathering to celebrate Newroz - the Kurdish new year.
Turkey: Police Attack Kurds Celebrating Newroz
Thousands of Kurds took to the streets in celebration of Newroz across Turkey today but were dispersed with water cannons and tear gas. The celebration marks the first day of Spring. Kurds in the past were not allowed to exert their Kurdish identity in public, but since the 1980s, Newroz has become a symbolic event in highlighting Kurdish culture, and identity.
Egypt: RIP Pope Shenouda III
Yesterday, the sun set on Egypt with a somber note - Pope Shenouda III, the Head of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, had died after a long severe battle of illness at the age of 89. Netizens react to the news.
Macedonia: Peace March – Enthusiasm, Controversy
The upcoming March for Peace in Skopje has overwhelming support, evident through the positive uproar in social media. Lone voices, however, warn the initiative is used as a PR opportunity by celebrities, and even as a hypocritical alibi for known hatemongers.
South Korea: Twitter Photos of One-Person Relay Protest against Jeju Naval Base Construction
South Korean Tweeters have joined rallies against the Jeju naval base construction that has been blamed for disrupting residents’ livelihood and destroying a rare ecosystem. Each Twitter user has volunteered to take turns to one-person protest against the construction and to tweet the photos, such as user @okeeffe00, @sirdy10 and @yds5921 did in...
Saudi Arabia: Tweets for Jailed Saudi Activist Draw Global Attention
Saudi Twitter users have joined forces to highlight the plight of a political prisoner Shaikh Yusuf Al-Ahmad on the micro-blogging site. Their effort has made the Islamic scholar's name become a worldwide trend, raising awareness about his imprisonment without charges and access to a fair trial.
Arab World: Hands Off Clooney!
The United States has arrested actor George Clooney and his father Nick at a protest outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington DC. Arab Twitter users register their protest on their arrest on Twitter.
Colombia Orders Arrest of Colombian Ambassador to Peru Jorge Visbal
Colombia's Attorney General ordered the arrest [es] of Colombian ambassador to Peru, Jorge Visbal Martelo, for alleged links with paramilitary groups. After the order Visbal resigned [es] and is expected to return to the country, as confirmed by his lawyer. Twitter users [es] are connecting him [es] with former President Alvaro...
South Korea: Protests Erupted against the Free Trade Deal with United States
A controversial free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea took effect starting March 15, 2012, prompting protests in downtown Seoul, South Korea. The nation's citizen media, Wiki Tree consolidated tweet photos of the protest.
