Stories about Feature from November, 2011
Bangladesh: A Bold Protest Against Dowry
Farzana Yasmin, a young Bangladeshi bride sent ripples across the country when she divorced her husband right after the wedding, after his family, with his consent, asked for a dowry from her family.
Italy: End of the Road for Berlusconi
Amidst scandals and controversies, the Italian Prime Minister resigned on Saturday, after losing his parliamentary majority during a crucial budget vote. As the technocrat Mario Monti is appointed as head of the new government, many Italians celebrate (on the streets and online) this historic event.
Iran: Uncertainty After Deadly Blast at Arms Depot
A huge explosion at a military base near Iran's capital Tehran, killed at least 17 soldiers including one high-ranking Revolutionary Guard official on November 12. Officials say it was an accident, while bloggers speculate on other possibilities.
Egypt: Homosexuals to Occupy Tahrir on January 1
Egypt's homosexuals have joined forces and intend to march in Tahrir Square on January 1 to demand their full rights in society. The announcement came in a Facebook group which called for the protest. Mona Kareem sums up netizen reactions to the initiative.
Egypt: Plight of Bloggers Continues at Military Courts
A military court today decided to jail blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah for another 15 days, 15 days after first detaining him, pending investigations on what defenders say are trumped up charges. Blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad's trial was also once again postponed until November 27.
India: Aishwarya Rai's Baby and Media Madness
The latest hype in Indian media is the pregnant Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her impending child birth. Twitter users discuss all the rumors, news, controversies and opinions on this issue.
Syria: Virtual Sit-In Garners Global Support
As the uprising in Syria enters its eighth month, activists are getting creative to ensure global attention toward the situation does not cease. An initiative by the Sham News Network asks individuals to submit videos to YouTube expressing their solidarity with the Syrian people.
Syria: Arab League Suspends Syria's Membership
The Arab League slapped Syria on the wrist today for killing more than 3,000 of its citizens by suspending its membership from the pan-Arab group, starting on Wednesday. Netizens react to the League's decision.
Italy/Tunisia: Migrants’ Opinions of the Arab Spring
A documentary film, #Revolution, featuring the voices of some African immigrants living in Italy will be part of "Immaginafrica", a festival dedicated to African film-making organised by the University of Padua, Italy.
Tunisia: Police Violently Disperse Anti-Capitalism Protesters
On November 11, anti-capitalism protesters took to the streets of Tunisia, as part of a global movement called ''Occupy the World on 11.11.11.'' Police used baton, and tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the capital Tunis, causing an outcry among netizens.
Peru: Farmers’ Strike in Andahuaylas
Tuesday, November 8, marked six days of a farmers' strike protesting mining activity in the area in Andahuaylas, in the Apurímac region of Peru. Netizens are reporting through Twitter as the strike continues.
Gabon: Bongo Indulges With Football Match Against Brazil
The Brazilian national football team came to Libreville, Gabon for a friendlly football match against the Gabonese national team on November 10. The social challenges the team witnessed are in stark contrast with the spending habits of the current Gabonese President Ali Bongo.
Colombia: Students Gather in Bogotá's Bolívar Square
On November 10, public university students participated in marches throughout the country and gathered in Bolivar Square in Bogota, the principal administrative center of the country. The event aimed to pressure the government to definitively repeal Law 30 for higher education reform.
Brazil: Is State-Funded Evangelical ‘Gospel Park’ Unconstitutional?
The announcement of the construction of the first ever Brazilian 'Gospel Park' in the state of Acre, caused controversy this October. Public funds will be used for the park that would only benefit members of the Pentecostal evangelical religion, something forbidden by the Federal Constitution.
Chile: Netizens Denounce Police Violence in Mapuche Community
Using social media, netizens share and comment on photos that show a police deployment in the Mapuche community Wente WinKul Mapu Lof Chequenco, Ercilla.
South Africa: Malema is Out, What's Next?
South Africa's most controversial character and politician Julius Malema has been suspended from the ANC for five years. Malema is regarded by his supporters as the genuine voice of the poor in South Africa particularly with his call for nationalisation of South African mines.
Tunisia: Army Critic Sentenced to Two Months in Prison
On November 9, Nabil Hajlaoui, from Sidi Bouzid, was sentenced to two months in prison following his criticism of the Tunisian military institution. He was arrested after writing an article, in which he blamed the army for the recent riots and acts of vandalism which took place in Sidi Bouzid following the elections.
Colombia: Sabaneta Municipality Outraged Due to Electoral Anomalies
After the October 30 regional elections, citizens of the smallest municipality in Colombia - Sabaneta, Antioquia - have peacefully opposed the mayoral election result and called for an investigation into electoral anomalies.
Poland: Open Government Data Camp 2011 and the Future of Open Data
At this year's Open Government Data Camp in Warsaw, "you could talk to techies, members of transparency-oriented NGOs, journalists, social activists, government officials, EU Commission representatives and so on." Jakub Górnicki reports.
Global: Replacing Moreno Ocampo at the International Criminal Court
Luis Moreno Ocampo's term as the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is coming to an end and elections for judges are scheduled for December. The discussions taking place regarding the potential candidates to replace Moreno Ocampo are highlighted here by Evan Fleischer.
South Korea: Online Political Satire Show Draws Millions of Downloads
A hilarious political satire talk show, ‘Na-Ggom-su’, has gone viral in South Korea. The show, which is only available online, is filled with wild jokes and expletives, and mocks the country’s President, Lee Myung-bak and the ruling Grand National party.
