Stories about Feature from October, 2011
Saudi Arabia: Prince Naif is Coming
Saudi Arabia has appointed its Interior Minister Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud as the Kingdom's new crown prince. The news has been received with fear and caution by netizens, who say human rights and freedom will reach a new low as a result.
Guatemala: Three Generals Finally Arrested and Indicted for Genocide
Guatemalan courts are set to face a challenge without precedent in the country: prosecuting genocide. After three decades of failed efforts to prosecute the Guatemalan Army, three generals stand accused of perpetrating genocide and other war crimes against the Maya Ixil people.
France: New Visa Restrictions for Foreign University Graduates
France has taken a legal step which makes it more difficult for foreign students who have graduated from French universities to work on French territory and thus change their student visa permit into a working visa. Julie Owono reports on reactions to the new immigration rules.
Mexico: Discussing the Possibility of Recall Elections
The Chamber of Deputies in Mexico has been discussing a political reform for weeks. But the initiative that reached the floor lacks elements that its supporters considered essential, like the "recall of the mandate", most commonly known as recall elections.
Egypt: A Class Project That Became One of Egypt's Biggest Charities
From a class discussion after a lecture at Cairo University, to the building one of the biggest charity and volunteer organizations in Egypt. Here's the story of how university professor Sherif Abdel-Azim helped create Resala.
South Korea: Warning to Twitter Influencers Fails to Discourage Voters
South Korean capital, Seoul, elected a new mayor on October 26. The mayoral race was a fierce battle between an elitist female candidate from the ruling party and an outsider from democratic party. Despite warnings from the authorities, influential Twitter users continued to encourage people to vote throughout.
Overview of Occupy Southeast Asia
‘Occupy’ protests are also spreading in Southeast Asia. Inspired by the global ‘Occupy’ movement, assemblies were organized this month in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore. Here is an overview of the 'Occupy' actions in the region and their online impact.
Hong Kong: Sexual Orientation Conversion Advocated by Government
In June 2011, the Hong Kong Government Social Welfare Department invited Christian Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy organisation New Creation, to train its social workers. The move has caused anger in the LGBT and wider community.
United Kingdom: At Age 77, a Life of Inspiration
Julie Kertesz started blogging and photographing at the age of 70. Now at 77, she has become a role-model to people of all ages who desire to lead full and active lives of learning and doing. Paula Góes reports.
Yemen: Yemeni Women Burn their Veils
Yemeni women burnt their veils and head scarves today as a sign of protest to condemn the regime's brutality and violence, which has killed around 25 people overnight in Sanaa and Taiz and has been targeting women lately.
Egypt: Revolution Call Renewed After Khaled Said Murder Trial Verdict
Two police officers have been sentenced to seven years in prison for the assault that led to the death of Khaled Said, the young man whose murder in Alexandria has fueled the Egyptian revolution. Netizens are angry at what they describe as a lenient sentence.
Armenia: Earthquake in Turkey felt in Yerevan
On Sunday, the earthquake that struck Van, a city in South Eastern Turkey, was felt in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, and other parts of the small South Caucasus country. Onnik Krikorian reports.
Pakistan: Political Satire Becomes Internet Sensation
A recent song released on YouTube, by a group of young men from Lahore, has become an Internet sensation. The songs lyrics are heavily loaded with political satire, something that is rarely witnessed in Pakistan in recent years.
USA: The Challenge of Diversity in the “Occupy” Movement
One month since the initial occupation of the financial district of New York, Wall Street, collective actions in the city continue to diversify. Activists and organizations from minority communities have begun to join and also express their indignation.
Mexico: President Signs Law Two Years After Daycare Centre Fire
On June 5, 2009, a fire in a daycare centre claimed the lives of 49 children and left 76 injured. The childrens' parents campaigned for a bill to improve the country's daycare centres, which has just been signed into law by the Mexican President.
Pakistan: Bloggers Dismayed at Google Adsense Ban
A recent ban on Google Adsense accounts has left many Pakistani bloggers dismayed. Scores of genuine publishers have fallen prey in a move aimed for crackdown on fraudulent websites and blogs. Sana Saleem reports.
Kenya: Online Reactions to Suspected Al Shabaab Grenade Attacks
Following the Kenyan military offensive against the Somali militant group Al Shabaab, the group responded by attacking Kenya's capital with two deadly grenade attacks: one at a popular entertainment club and the other at a crowded bus stop in downtown Nairobi. The two incidents have provoked a conversation online.
Chile: State Security Law, Violence Deterrent or Repression?
On October 18, Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter invoked the State Security Law to punish the persons responsible for the burning of a bus during the protests supporting the student movement. The country's citizens comment on this controversial measure.
Egypt: Catch the Former Regime Remnants
Last April, an Egyptian court ordered the dissolution of the political organization that ruled the nation for decades. Its members are however reinventing themselves, joining the lists of candidates vying for November's parliamentary elections. See how netizens have joined hands to expose them.
Tunisia: Provisional Results Suggest Islamists Advance
Provisional results of the October 23 election in Tunisia suggest that the Islamist party Ennahdha took the biggest share of the votes. Counting of the votes is still underway, and the final results are expected to be announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Zambia: Netizens Divided Over Sata's Apology to Angola
Since he took over as Zambia’s president after the September 20 election, Michael Sata has committed several diplomatic blunders. The biggest talking point is his apology to the Angolan government for former Zambian ruling party MMD's support of the then Angolan rebel movement.
