Stories from 6 March 2013
Activists Worldwide Mourn French Author Stéphane Hessel
Writer, human rights advocate, and French resistance fighter Stéphane Hessel, whose bestselling manifesto on peaceful uprising inspired the disenchanted of Europe and the United States to organize into protest, died on the night of February 26, 2013. He was 95. A peaceful march is planned on March 7, 2013, the day of his funeral.
Trinidad & Tobago: Anything But “Nothing”
Tillah Willah takes issue with Nicki Minaj's “going on American television and describing her country, my country as ‘nothing’.”
South Koreans Dub North Korea's Armistice Threat a Daring Aid Ploy
North Korea has threatened to nullify the armistice that ended the Korean War, escalating the already heightened tension in East Asia region and leaving some South Koreans whirling at the brazen threat from their northern neighbor.
Facebook Instigates Another Russian Media Scandal
Earlier today, Yuri Saprykin, announced that Gazeta.ru’s editors have removed Maria Tsybulskaya from the newspaper’s video-interviews project, because her interview with Saprykin included off-limits political questions about the criminal cases surrounding last May’s violent protest at Bolotnaia Square, and Putin’s declining support in national polls.
Ecuador Declares Three Days of National Mourning after Chávez's Passing
The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael), decreed three days of national mourning after the death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez. The Head of State said that with Chávez's passing, Latin America has lost a great leader and he affirmed that those who fight for their country cannot be forgotten.
Nigerians Shake Up Twitter with Yoruba-Language Tweets
Twitter was abuzz with Yoruba, one of the three major indigenous languages spoken in Nigeria, on March 1, 2013 as speakers of the language lit up the microblogging site with tweets in Yoruba as part of a campaign to celebrate the language on social media and pressure Twitter to include it in its translation project.
Cubans Mourn President Chávez's Death
Numerous Cuban citizens expressed dismay and grief for Hugo Chávez's death through their social media profiles. Redacción IPS Cuba compiles some of these reactions.
Bloggers Duke it Out for Ghana's First Ever Social Media Awards
The best and brightest of the Ghanaian blogosphere will be recognized in Ghana's first ever social media awards, organized by the nonprofit BloggingGhana.
Malawi's President Banda Versus ‘Selfish’ Members of Parliament
Malawi's President Joyce Banda has caused chaos in parliament by insisting that members of parliament not get their fuel allowance arrears, saying her government has no money to pay. The MPs are demanding fuel allowances backdated to 2009.
Venezuela: First Reactions to Hugo Chávez's Death
On March 5 the world learned of the death of the president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias. We collect some of the first reactions shared on social networks, and especially on Twitter via the hashtag #MuereChávez (Hugo Chávez dies).
Slovakia's Roads: “Adopt a Pothole and Watch It Grow”
This year, the situation on Slovakia's roads isn't very good. in Košice county alone, there are over 37,000 square meters of potholes. Tibor Blazko reports.
India Aims to Woo Women With New Budget
Women-centric programs get a hefty 10 percent increase in India's new 2013-2014 budget. However, some women’s and citizens' groups claim that the government's move is inadequate and superficial.
Catholic Church Condemns Sterilization Law in Panama
Panama's National Assembly of Legislators has passed a law that allows women over the age of 23 with two or more children to opt for a free sterilization. The Catholic Church has deemed the law disastrous and has asked that it be repealed. At the same time, Panamanians are divided into those who see the law with good eyes and those who reject it.
Argentine Trains and Their History, Told by Bloggers
The Argentine railway network, the most extensive in Latin America, explained by bloggers who hope to maintain and recover the history of its birth and development.
Omar Banuchi Finds His Niche in the Puerto Rican Web (Part I)
Hugely influenced by the culture of fan boy from comics such as Marvel or DC, Banuchi has fully installed himself in the indie scene of Puerto Rico, where his pixelated brush strokes connect with a small, but growing, public.
Outrage Brews in China Over Hong Kong Milk Powder Regulation
Mainland Chinese are outraged by Hong Kong government's latest border regulation that restricts travelers from taking more than 1.8 kg of infant milk powder out of Hong Kong.
Russia's Public Petitions: By the People, But for Whom?
Yesterday, on March 4, Vladimir Putin signed an executive order regarding the creation of a government petitions online platform, which will allow Russian citizens to create and vote on various policy issues at the federal, regional, and local levels. The website, which is scheduled to go live for federal petitions in April 2013 and regional and local issues in November 2013, will be called the “Russian Public Initiative.”
Celebrating Valentine's Day in Kyrgyzstan
Who cares if Valentine’s Day is a cheesy, commercialized Western export; sometimes it’s nice to have an excuse to be romantic.
Harlem Shake Rocks Central Asia
With this cultural virus we clearly see that if people want to have fun, nothing will stop them. Fighting with Western influence or restrictions on YouTube will not help the authorities.
China Executes Burmese Drug Lord on Live TV
Naw Kham, a Burmese drud lord was executed through lethal injection in China. Many people in Myanmar are shocked and angered to learn that Naw Kham's execution was aired on live TV. Some are also disappointed over the failure of the government to arrange a prisoner exchange deal with China
