Stories about Breaking News from January, 2014
Mexican Filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón Nominated for Oscar for ‘Gravity’
Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Director, plus 9 others, for his work on 'Gravity'.
Two Opposite Arguments on Whether CAR Crisis is a Religious Conflict
Has the CAR Crisis Turned into a Religious Conflict ?
Russia’s Parliament Prepares New “Anti-Terrorist” Laws for Internet
Another Internet crackdown looms in Russia, where the Duma is reviewing three new pieces of “anti-terror” legislation that could place hefty restrictions on the activities of websites and civil society.
Russia's Foreign Ministry Opines on “Queers”
While the translation is labelled as "unofficial," Russia watchers were somewhat taken aback that a homophobic slur could end up on a government website.
‘Bangkok Shutdown’ Begins in Thailand
Opposition groups in Thailand aim to shutdown Bangkok for several days or until the prime minister is ousted. Thousands joined the first day of the protest
Spain's Princess Cristina Charged with Money Laundering and Tax Evasion
Although it is technically possible, few people in Spain expect to see the Infanta Cristina on trial.
How New Interim President Nguendet Can Bring Stability Back to CAR
After Michel Djotodia stepped down as interim president of the Central African Republic (CAR), Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet was selected as the new president of the national council of the transition. Philippe Hugon opines on what needs to be done to bring stability back to CAR [fr]: Il est très important...
New DDoS Attacks on Websites Monitoring Ukrainian #Euromaidan Protests
Vasyl Pawlowsky, an independent consultant and English-language curator of Maidan Monitoring, a website set up and maintained specifically for following events and news from Euromaidan protests in several cities throughout Ukraine, reports in a blog post that the crowdsourced site is not available due to a DDoS attack, allegedly organized...
Viral Photo of a Giant Squid Found in California is Fake
The doctored image accompanied a fake report from Lightly Braised Turnip, which appears to be a satire website. That didn't stop many Web users from circulating the news as real.
Monitoring the Russian Internet for Big Bucks
The Russian Federal Protective Service is asking software developers to design a system that automatically monitors the country’s news and social media, producing reports that study netizens’ political attitudes.
Arrested for Calling Zambia's President Michael Sata a ‘Sweet Potato’
Catholic Priest turned politician Father Frank Bwalya called President Michael Sata a crooked sweet potato that cannot be straightened during a community radio show.
Hindus Attacked in Bangladesh for ‘Crime’ of Voting
"Wasn't the election for everybody? So why are Hindus being targeted? Or did only Hindus vote? So are they not free to exercise their rights?"
Reason for President of Central African Republic Djotodia Imminent Resignation
Multiple sources report [fr] that Michel Djotodia, Interim President of Central African Republic (CAR) will step down tomorrow (January 9) as his country is rocked by violent inter-community conflicts. Although the minister of Communication denied [fr] the president's resignation earlier, Simon Koitoua in Bangui, CAR opines that it was bound to happen because of...
Mass Resignations Within the Ruling Party of Burkina Faso
Morin Yamongba reports that 75 members (including former ministers) of the ruling party in Burkina Faso, Le Congrès pour la démocratie et le progrès (Congress for democracy and progress) have left the party to join the opposition [fr] because of alleged lack of plurality within the party. They also oppose...
Slim Voter Turnout, Violence Mark Bangladesh's Opposition-Less Elections
Amid violence that left 18 dead, only between 10 and 40 percent of voters made it to the polls, down from the high 87 percent in the last parliamentary elections.
More Than 100 Schools Torched in Anti-Election Violence in Bangladesh
"If you cripple the nation in the name of protest, how will you take this country forward?"
Opposition Rallies and Public Gatherings Now Banned in Cambodia
After the dispersal of striking workers in Cambodia, the government has banned Opposition rallies in the capital. Even the public gathering of two persons is now prohibited by the police.
154 Elected in Bangladesh Before Any Votes Are Cast
So many parties are boycotting the upcoming general election, that most of the winners have already been decided.
South Korean Lawmaker Proposes Bill Denying Right to Counsel for Anti-State Criminals
A ruling party lawmaker, Kim Jin-tae proposed a bill [ko] that either denies or greatly limits the right to counsel for criminals who are accused of committing ‘anti-state activities’. It has already drawn harsh criticism from civil rights lawyers who call it ‘utterly unconstitutional idea’ [ko] and sparked heated debates in major...
Police Open Fire on Striking Garment Workers in Cambodia
Cambodian police used live ammunition to disperse a strike by garment workers. It was described as the “worst state violence against civilians to hit Cambodia in fifteen years.”
PHOTOS: Cyclone BEJISA Wrecks Havoc on Reunion Island
Cylcone Bejisa made landfall on January 2 on the French island of Reunion. One person died, 15 people were seriously injured and around 82,000 homes reportedly suffered power cuts. The cyclone has now left the island and the red alert is lifted. Here are additional photos and videos of the...
