Stories from 8 December 2011
Mozambique: Jubilation with Mayoral Opposition Win
Supporters of opposition mayoral candidate Manuel de Araújo celebrated his victory in by-elections before the official results on Wednesday evening, both on the streets of the central city of Quelimane and Facebook. Araújo is a long-time blogger who led an innovative campaign both online and in real life.
Puerto Rico: TEDx Tomorrow
“Tomorrow is a big day for Puerto Rico”: Dondequiera blogs about the much-anticipated TEDx San Juan, adding: “2011 has really been a breakthrough year for the Internet in Puerto Rico. TEDx San Juan, Wordcamp, Social Media Club, and Startup Weekend were all great steps forward.”
Trinidad & Tobago: The CARICOM-Cuba Summit
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog reports on the arrival of Cuban President Raul Castro, while KILKAYTAY comments on “the hurricane in the snocone cup over the shifted location of the 2011 CARICOM-Cuba Summit”.
Cuba: The “Chupi Chupi” Scandal
“A disproportionate scandal has been unleashed these past few days around a vulgar Cuban video clip officially demonized and quasi-banned by the Culture Minister himself”: Without Evasion blogs about the furor surrounding the reggaeton hit Chupi Chupi.
Jamaica: Blue Lagoon
Labrish reports that “Jamaica's precious Blue Lagoon won a significant victory this week when a Preservation Notice was signed by the Government.”
Iran:Tehran displays captured US drone
Several bloggers such as Az Mian Negarha, linked to a YouTube film where Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps displayed a US captured RQ-170 Sentinel plane on TV on Thursday afternoon.
Russia: Analyzing the Possible Scale of Saturday's Election Protests
As the situation with the Russian election results and the country's detained protesters has not yet been resolved, people in many cities are preparing for demonstrations on Saturday 10 December. Alexey Sidorenko analyzes online group demographics and the possible outcome of the protests.
Iran: ‘Ready to hack US virtual embassy’
Haji Digital, a pro-government online user in Iran, says in Friendfeed [Fa]: “We are ready to take over the US virtual embassy in Iran and completely hack it”.
Greece: “Giving Birth is Not a Privilege of the Rich!”
A newspaper has revealed some public hospitals in Greece have refused treatment to women in labour, because they did not have the money to pay hospital fees of 950 euro. Veroniki Krikoni reports.
Iran: US virtual embassy blocked
Nima Akbarpour, Iranian blogger and IT journalist, says [Fa] that Iranian authorities have blocked US virtual embassy website, hours after its launch. He says that was predictable.
South Korea's Top 10 Discussed Topics in Facebook
In Wiki Tree site, a net user posted Facebook's top 10 most-discussed topics [ko] in South Korea for 2011. Dogani, a movie that revealed sexual assaults on disabled kids made the top 2, and the nation's most popular satirical podcast, Naggomsu ranked No. 6.
North Korean Restaurant in Cambodia
The Travel Fish blog introduced North Korean restaurants in Phnom Penh that offer a glimpse into the hermit kingdom's cuisine and music. Most of North Korean oversees restaurants were set up to acquire foreign currency for the regime.
China: Outrage as ‘Underage Prostitution’ Law Protects Child Rapists
A recent case has once again seen Chinese government officials saving themselves from harsh legal punishments by 'reclassifying' their crime of child rape as 'underage prostitution'. This legal definition has people outraged, both off and online.
Puerto Rico: Journalist Adds Volume to His Voice on Twitter
One of Puerto Rico's most well-known journalist, Rafael Lenín López, has made his career on local television and radio news programming. Rafael has also become an important voice on the Internet using social media in innovative ways to communicate with his audience and amplify his journalistic coverage.
Greece: Twitter Campaign to Release Arrested Activist Reporter
Several Greek users scrambled a Twitter campaign (#freemenacius) to demand the release of a young activist arrested while reporting for OmniaTV on protests in Athens on the third anniversary of the police killing of 15-year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos. @menacius and others arrested, including some minors, are charged with felony offenses and were allegedly...
Brazil: The Death of Socrates, A Brazilian Idol
Sócrates, one of the greatest Brazilian soccer players, died at the age of 57 on December 4, 2011, a result of septic shock caused by excessive consumption of alcohol over the years. The blogosphere pays a last tribute to this soccer idol whose rare "critical thinking" made him a political leader in and out of the field.
USA: Uncertain Future of Student Occupy Movement in California
The pepper spraying incident against a group of peacefully protesting students, which occurred on November 18th on the Davis campus of the University of California, has called the attention of the media and fueled the discussion on police misconduct. The student occupation continues, but the future of the movement is unknown.
Pakistan: Reaction on NATO's Attack Killing 24 Pakistani Soldiers
November 26, 2011 marked the death of 24 Pakistani troops as a result of a violent attack by NATO helicopters and fighter aircrafts on Pakistan Army's border posts in Mohmand Agency of FATA in Pakistan. No less than 13 troops were also injured in the attack. The attack is being condemned and protested against by politicians, journalists, religious organizations and members of the civil society ever since.
Japan: Lifestyle and Awareness Changes after the Earthquake
The Japan for Sustainability blog summarized results of various questionnaires that indicate how Japanese lifestyles and awareness have changed after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Subjects include energy, nature, inter-personal relationships, careers, and marriage.
