Stories from 10 January 2013
Internet Boycott Leads to Resignation of “La Comay” in Puerto Rico
On 8 January, social networks were flooded with reports of the resignation of producer Antulio "Kobbo" Santarrosa, the man behind the puppet personality La Comay, probably the most controversial show in Puerto Rican television. His resignation was caused by pressure from social network users.
Russia's Protest Movement Is Back (to Usual)
For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past year: the Russian protest movement—which sprung to life in December 2011—has collapsed. Trusted demonstration speakers are selling toothpaste on TV, top bloggers are accused of pedophilia, and recent rallies have attracted smaller crowds. In other words, Russia's opposition—as it's been known throughout the Putin years—is back to usual.
Chadian President Names Sons at Key Executive Positions
Djamil Ahmat reports that Chadian president Déby named his son Mahamat Idriss Déby, 24, general of brigade [fr] along with 4 other officers. Tchadanthopus adds that his other son Zackaria Idriss Deby was allegedly offered to be vice-president [fr] with executive power when his father is out of the country.
East Timorese Politicians on Social Media
The most popular East Timorese politician on Facebook, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, with a page that counts up to 6,737 likes, doesn't update it at all. Despite having used Facebook quite intensively during 2012's electoral campaign, President Matan Ruak, with 6,603 likes and a Twitter profile (@MatanRuak), seems to have abandoned...
Communications and Social Change Awards Open for Nominations
The Centre for Communication and Social Change at the University of Queensland in Australia is accepting nominations for individuals and organisations working in the theory and/or practice of communications for social change for the Communications and Social Change Awards. Deadline in January 18, 2013.
The Three Kings Visit New York
The Three Kings came and went, but not before passing through New York City to celebrate with hundreds of children that came out for the parade. This Christmas celebration has been a part of the Caribbean and Latin American cultural traditions for numerous centuries.
What Happened to the Cable? Cubans Discuss Internet Access
Over a year after the arrival of a new fiber optic cable to Cuba, the island has failed to see improvements in connectivity speed nor an increase in access to the Internet.
China: Significance of the Southern Weekend Incident
Sino Stand analyzes the social and political implications of Southern Weekend incident in China. Indeed it is a surprising signal that many of China’s youth are primed to push for change.
China's Ten Ugliest Statues
Barry van Wyk from DANWEI gives the readers a tour on China's top 10 ugliest statues.
Students Revisit the Unique Link between Corsica and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico and Corsica (France) share a common bond that is often revisited by an exchange program led by the university of Puerto Rico [fr]. Notwithstanding their similar geographic and agricultural traits (Cultivation of Corsican Citron), the islands are also link by history when hundreds of Corsicans immigrated to Puerto Rico as early...
Chinese Ambiguous Writing on Porridge in Support of Southern Weekly
David Bandurski from China Media Project explains a sublime and ambiguous Chinese writing style used through out the China's history to express political meaning. This time, the example is a Porridge article in support of Southern Weekly to get around vigorous censorship orders.
How Many Twitter Users in China?
A few months ago, a research marketing company claimed that 35 million people in China used Twitter. Jason from Blocked in Weibo puts forward a more sophisticated estimation. Among the 43,784 active Chinese users, the geographical location is shown in the graph above.
Misconceptions about the Economic Situation in Iceland
BECAUSE I’M TIRED OF PEOPLE SPREADING UNTRUTHS Baldur Bjarnason writes a blogpost on how the crisis in Iceland is actually unfolding on Studio Tendra. He details the cozy relationship between the Iceland government and the IMF, decrypts the banks going bankrupt and especially denounced the plight of a growing number of...
Conversations: A Road Trip to Idlib
As part of our effort to highlight civilian stories, below is a conversation between Syria Deeply and a Syrian university student. She’s from a conservative Sunni family in Aleppo. She hopes to leave the country, but first had to get a passport from her family’s registered home address in Idlib. She told us her observations about the road between Aleppo and Idlib.
Jordan: Good White Morning from Amman
Amin Amin shares this photograph from the Jordanian capital Amman this morning:
Public Prosecutor Seeks Flogging for Saudi Women Protesters
Last Saturday, January 5th, relatives of uncharged prisoners managed to organize a small protest in Saudi Arabian city Buraida to demand the release of the prisoners. The protesters, all of them were women and children, were quickly surrounded and arrested by police forces since all methods of public dissent are strictly prohibited and harshly crushed in the absolute monarchy.
Kuwaiti Twitter User Jailed for Two Years for Insulting Emir
Kuwait slapped a two year prison sentence to yet another Twitter user for using the microblogging site to insult its ruler. Netizens react.
China to Surpass the US by 2049?
A report released on January 8, 2013, by the Chinese Academy of Sciences says that China is likely to surpass the United States in all areas by 2049, and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be realized. The statement has been made fun of on Sina Weibo, with netizens urging the real problems in China should be faced.
Police Harass Ordinary Citizens in Kerala, India
The Delhi gang-rape case has activated many live discussions and the moral policing of the Indian societies. In Kerala, most recently there have been three incidents of police harassing the ordinary citizens have been discussed in the social media.
Turkmenistan: What Do Tourists Want?
Tourists coming to Turkmenistan do not seek five-star hotels and casinos; they do not travel to exotic countries for something which they can easily find close to home. They are interested in the local [customs and traditions], antiquities, and the Silk Road.
