Stories about Breaking News from April, 2013
Pavel Durov, Russia's Zuckerberg, Fights for Control of His Creation
Something strange is happening with Vkontakte, Russia’s homegrown version of Facebook. In the last couple of months, the company’s founder and current head, Pavel Durov, has suffered three very public “kicks in the teeth,” one of which might even lead to criminal charges.
Surprise Candidates for Madagascar Elections
Update: Here is the full list of the 49 candidates [fr] for the presidential elections. It does not include the current president of the transition. As the deadline to submit candidacies for the Malagasy presidential elections ends today (28/04), a few surprising candidates have allegedly come forth. While the earlier candidates...
Live Updates on Bangladesh Factory Tragedy
The death toll of the factory collapse in Savar, Bangladesh has risen to 290. Here is a live blog [bn] maintained by the Muktaangon blogging platform curating social media updates on the latest on the relief and rescue effort of the trapped workers inside the collapsed building.
Saudi Judge Bars Women from Trial of Human Rights Activist
Just ten days after the first Saudi woman was granted a lawyer's license, a judge prohibited women from attending the public trial of activist Dr. Abdualkareem al-Khudar, founding member of the Kingdom's defiant leading human rights organisation, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA).
Car Explosion at the French Embassy in Libya
Twitter user @Eh4b10 has posted several photos on twitter of a car explosion near the French Embassy today around 6:50 am local time in Tripoli, Libya.
Attempted Coup d'Etat in Comoros
Comoros police forces state that they have arrested Congolese and Chadian mercenaries in an attempted coup over the week-end. Linfo.re adds that [fr]: Army commanders did not want to engage in an open conflict with the mercenaries. They believe that “any Comoran casualties over protecting an elite cast is itself a act...
Boston Bombings Opens Debate on Rights
After the explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday April 15, Twitter became a primary source of breaking news, and also of misinformation. Conversations were curated around the hashtags #bostonmarathon and #bostonexplosions the first days. On Thursday night, one of the suspects, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed during a police persecution...
Article 19 Mexico Threatened
An anonymous threatening message [es] was delivered to the Article 19 Mexico offices on April 19, 2013, as reported [es] by the pro-human rights and freedom of expression organization. As a result, its director, Darío Ramírez, has published a video [es]. You can follow the hashtag #articulo19 to stay informed,...
Raped? Take Money, And Shut Up! Says Indian Police
A steady out-pour of dismay is being expressed on social media against Indian police and the governmental apathy since the news came out that Delhi police offered money to a five-year old rape victim's father as a price for not going public and filing the complaint.
The Boston Bombings Come Home to Russians
Initially a distant story of bombs and American blood, the Boston Marathon bombings came home to Russians today. The RuNet had been following the investigation into the attacks with great interest, even before the news that the two suspects turned out to be ethnic Chechens. Now that Russia is directly involved, passions burn white hot.
Guatemala's Genocide Trial Declared Invalid
After a turbulent week in the trial proceedings against former de facto dictator Efraín Ríos Montt and former Intelligence Director José Mauricio Rodriguez Sanchez in Guatemala, a lower court declared all proceedings invalid and reversed the criminal trial to the preliminary stage.
Private Guards for Pakistani Candidates
Chowrangi blog reports that considering the deteriorating law and order situation and pre-election violence the Election Commission of Pakistan has allowed candidates to keep five civilian bodyguards with licensed arms during the ongoing Election 2013 campaign.
Blood on the Road to Pakistan's Elections
A suicide bombing, a grenade attack and a remote-controlled explosion - all in one day. Nineteen people were killed in three separate incidents targeting candidates of three different parties. April 16, 2013 was a bloody day for Pakistan's election campaigners.
Mozambique: Coal mine blocked in protest
Mozambique's @Verdade newspaper is reporting on Facebook that about 500 residents of neighborhoods resettled by Brazilian mining company Vale are blocking road access to its coal mine in Moatize, Tete province. The peaceful protest is for greater compensation. The paper is reporting the rail line is also disrupted.
Air Show Ends in Tragedy in the Dominican Republic
An aircraft from the Dominican Air Force crashed into the open sea during the Caribbean Air Show while it was performing an acrobatic stunt. The two pilots manning the aircraft died in the incident.
Venezuelan Elections: Chavism Wins in Close Vote
Candidate Nicolás Maduro, designated by Hugo Chávez as his successor, won the elections of April 14, 2013, with 50.66% of the votes. Only 230 thousand votes separated him from his opponent Henrique Capriles Radonski.
Earthquake Hits Awaji Island in Japan
A strong earthquake hit Awaji island of Japan on Saturday morning April 13, 2013. Twitter user JUN took this photo [ja] of the devastation. Seven people were severely injured, according to a report [ja].
Racism Remarks in the NYT Land Cuban Intellectual in Trouble
Author Roberto Zurbano's tough talk on racism in Cuba published in The New York Times apparently cost him is job as editor at a publishing house and generated a heated debate among the island's intellectuals.
Venezuela: Fire Consumes Part of Canaima National Park
For over a week the Canaima National Park, one of the world's most precious green lungs has been burning beyond control. Many Twitter users are in dismay over the events, but not without pointing to the indolence of the Venezuelan state and that of Venezuelan politicians in general.
Iran Quake Aftershocks Reach Qatar, Bahrain
Doha News charts reactions from Qatar residents following the aftershocks of an earthquake which hit southern Iran today. The aftershocks were also felt in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, where offices in high rise buildings were evacuated.
Syria: Tweeting from the Frontline in Aleppo
Journalist Jenan Moussa is back in Aleppo, Syria, tweeting her experiences as the war between pro- and anti-government forces intensifies. Moussa's tweets are raw and personal, giving readers a snippet of what life is like for those caught in the crossfire.
