Stories about Breaking News from January, 2013
Pedophilia & Rape Accusations Flood the RuNet with Cruelty
The Internet, any way you slice it, is a strange place populated by strange people. In the last few weeks, the Russian Internet—often your typical den of online cliques and conspiracy theorists—has boiled over the levees of "strange" and flooded the RuNet with a new intensity of bizarre moral recriminations. In the six days since RuNet Echo first reported on this story, top blogger Rustem Adagamov's situation has developed rapidly.
Richard Blanco: America's First Latino Inaugural Poet
The President of the United States, Barack Obama, requested his inaugural poem from Richard Blanco, son of Cuban immigrants and the first Latino, Spanish speaker, and gay man to receive this honor.
Journalist Killed During Ceasefire Talks in Central African Republic
The network of Human Rights Reporters in Central African Republic reports that journalist for the Radio Bé-oko Elisabeth Olofio was killed [fr] when Sékéla rebels entered the town of Bambari, CAR on January 7. A ceasefire agreement was signed [fr] between the rebels and the Bozizé government today (January 11)...
Peru: Wendy Sulca, YouTube Phenomenon, Teased Once Again
Peruvian YouTube star Wendy Sulca greeted her supposed fans on her Tweetcam earlier this month, seemingly unaware that she was the victim of a series of pranks as she stated fictitious names, some with double meanings
Venezuela: Legal Stand-Off Over Chávez Absence
Venezuela returns to the spotlight of political debate. In this article, we explore what is happening in more detail.
Internet Boycott Leads to Resignation of “La Comay” in Puerto Rico
On 8 January, social networks were flooded with reports of the resignation of producer Antulio "Kobbo" Santarrosa, the man behind the puppet personality La Comay, probably the most controversial show in Puerto Rican television. His resignation was caused by pressure from social network users.
Chadian President Names Sons at Key Executive Positions
Djamil Ahmat reports that Chadian president Déby named his son Mahamat Idriss Déby, 24, general of brigade [fr] along with 4 other officers. Tchadanthopus adds that his other son Zackaria Idriss Deby was allegedly offered to be vice-president [fr] with executive power when his father is out of the country.
China's Propaganda Department Threatens to Dissolve Beijing News
The impact of the Southern Weekend censorship scandal has spread from Guangdong to Beijing - the capital of China. After the publisher of Beijing News, a sister publication of Southern Weekend, refused to reprint an editorial that accuses "foreign forces" for being behind the Southern Weekend incident, the Beijing Propaganda Department threatened to dissolve the paper.
Ivorian Bloggers Under Arrest for Allegedly Interfering with Disaster Recovery While Trying to Help
“@diabyMohamed: #drameplateau I have just been arrested by the police for our citizen action to provide helping hand to victims in cote d'ivoire… with @cyriacgbogou who spent the night at the police crime unit of plateau Humanitarian bloggers Mohamed Diaby and Cyriac Gbogou wrote on twitter that they were put...
Taliban Commander Maulvi Nazir Killed As US Drone Strikes
Maulvi Nazir, a leading militant of the Taliban, has been killed by an American drone strike. Pakistanis are apprehensive on social media sites about how ordinary citizens and military forces may react to this news.
Mauritius and Reunion Island Brace for Cyclone Dumile Impact
Lexpress.mu reports that Mauritius is on high alert [fr] as cyclone Dumile makes landfall on the island. Agaléga island was hit hard [fr] and was in blackout for 24h. Réunion island is also on high alert [fr].
Struggling to Make Sense of the Deadly Stampede on New Year Day in Abidjan
Tree trunks laying on the road seem to have triggered the stampede that killed 60 and injured 49 during a new year celebration in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The fact that the area was not adequately lighted may have contributed to the terrible tragedy. Israel Yoroba in Abidjan reports on a...
