Stories from 20 October 2012
Lebanon: Who Killed Intelligence Chief Wissam Al Hassan?
Syria, Iran, Hizbullah and Israel are all suspects in the death of Lebanon's chief intelligence chief Wissam Al Hassan, who was killed in a bomb explosion, which claimed the lives of eight people and wounded around 80 people, in Beirut yesterday [Oct 20].
Libya: Is Khamis Gaddafi Really Really Dead?
Is Khamis Gaddafi dead? Really really dead that is. The question is still making the rounds exactly a year after the fall of his father Libyan dictator Muammar Al Gaddafi.
Kuwait: “Demonstration will be met with Force”
Anti-government protests are planned in Kuwait tomorrow. Ahmad Al Kandare tweets [ar]: @AhmadAlkandare: Kuwaiti foreign minister: “We call upon the Syrian regime not to oppress and prevent peaceful demonstrations.” The...
Colombia: The “Lleras Law” and Content Creation
We talk with Pilar Sáenz of the Karisma Foundation about the evolution of the controversial Lleras Law, which changes the framework for legislation and regulation of copyrights and intellectual property. Furthermore, we present a video with producer Armadillo Media TV about how the creativity of Colombian internet users could be affected by this law.
Slovakia: “For Decent and Safe Life” Rally Stirs Controversy
Tibor Blazko reports on the controversial Oct. 13 rally for "a decent and safe life," translating netizens' views on the rights of Slovakia's Roma and non-Roma citizens, as well as on the failure of the state to address the alarming social situation adequately.
Colombian Senator Removed and Disqualified, Triumph for Social Networks?
On October 16, 2012 the Attorney General's Office dismissed Senator Eduardo Merlano from office, disqualifying him from holding public office for 10 years after finding him guilty of taking advantage of his position as senator to avoid a traffic ticket. News of the dismissal was well received among Colombian netizens, who attributed the achievement to a successful campaign calling for Senator Merlano to resign.
Russia: DDoS Attacks Cripple Opposition's Online Vote
Eight hours after online voting for the Russian opposition's “Coordinating Council” began, unknown assailants launched a sustained Denial-of-Service attack against the Election Commission's website, disabling the primary voting portal.
Chad: ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ Winner & Human Rights Activist Attacked at Home
DJAMIL AHMAT in Chad reports that Jacqueline Moudeina, a lawyer, human rights activist and winner of an Alternative Nobel Prize Award was attacked at her home (fr) last night (October 19). Moudeina...
Portugal: Citizen Digital Activism
The atmosphere of growing indignation lived in Portugal in face of austerity measures, imposed by government at the command of the troika, has served as the trigger for more and more initiatives that bring new takes on the potential of digital media in the service of citizens.
Australia: PM Julia Gillard's Misogyny Speech Sparks a War of Words
Following the viral video of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s attack on Opposition leader Tony Abbott as sexist and misogynist, a debate about changing dictionary definitions has emerged online.
Russia: Opposition Distracted by Virtual Elections, Loses Real Elections
In August, Global Voices reported on several activists from Russia’s protest movement running for office in local elections. They hoped it would be easier to win these small-scale contests, which took place last weekend. They were wrong, and the Coordinating Council election might be partly to blame.
China: Campaign to End the Unconstitutional Re-education Through Labour System
The injustice faced by 25-year-old Ren Jianyu, a village official in Pang Shui county, Chongqing province, who was sentenced to two years labour education for blogging has brought the Re-education Through Labor System into the public spotlight. Currently, there are more than 60 thousand people detained in labour education camps all over the country and opinion leaders are calling for an end to the unconstitutional system.
