Stories from 3 January 2013
Arab World: Al-Andalus: Fall or Reconquista?
While people in Spain celebrated “El día de la Toma de Granada”, those in the Arab world debated whether it was an Arab occupation of Iberian Peninsula or not.
Call for Portuguese Blogs of the Year 2012
Around 380 blogs have already registered on the ‘Blogs of the Year 2012′ competition launched by Aventar.eu. The most interesting citizen media initiatives from the Portuguese and Portuguese language blogosphere can register until January 4, 2012. Voting starts on January 7.
Chinese Newspapers’ New Year's Greeting Censored
Chinese liberal newspapers, Southern Weekly‘s New Year's greeting, was censored directly by propaganda officials without the knowledge or consent of editors. The greeting was a tradition of the papers and this year the topic was on “China’s Dream, the Dream of Constitutionalism”. China Media Project has the story in detail.
China's Business Environment Tougher on Foreign Companies
Dan Harris from China Law Blog foresees that the business environment for foreign companies is getting tougher in China because of unfair competition. Dans business friends believe that China is much more concerned about face and about nationalism and about keeping its citizens happy than it is about the few...
China's Low Budget Film “Lost in Thailand” Breaks Box Office Records
The movie about two rival business managers has become the most commercially successful Chinese film to date. Via Beijing Cream.
Taliban Commander Maulvi Nazir Killed As US Drone Strikes
Maulvi Nazir, a leading militant of the Taliban, has been killed by an American drone strike. Pakistanis are apprehensive on social media sites about how ordinary citizens and military forces may react to this news.
Graffiti in Tehran
Iran is not known for its freedom of expression or popular demonstrations in the public. But urban art is not nonexistent there.Frescoes, mosaics and other 'approved' art adorns walls in certain cities, underground art, although not as apparent as in Europe, is still visible in Tehran.
China Visa Denial: Vendetta as Diplomacy?
Following China's Failure to Renew NY Times Reporter's Visa on Dec 31, 2012, Elizabeth Lynch analyzed China's Vendetta and urged for a free foreign press at the China Law & Policy blog.
A Consensus for Political Reform in China
Yanhuang Chunqiu[zh], a political journal within the Chinese Communist Party, has published a bold “New Year Greeting” in its latest edition. The article, titled “The Constitution is a Consensus for Political Reform,” argues that China’s Constitution already lays out the priorities to be addressed in carrying out political reform.CHINA MEDIA...
