Stories from 22 May 2013
'14 Million: Life, Family & Liberty’ Movement Sparks Controversy in Ecuador
"14 million" is a citizen initiative that seeks to protect the rights of the family by opposing the free distribution of the day-after pill and other family planning policies in...
How Big Is Alexey Navalny's Army?
As Navalny's show-trial for lumber embezzlement continues, such questions are perhaps more important than ever. Here are some data-points which could be used to make a rough approximation:
Promises of Social Justice for India's Landless
As rapid industrialization and development in India snatches up land and livelihoods, activist groups such as Ekta Parishad have loudly campaigned on behalf of the landless and homeless and pressured...
Private Plane Trip Rocks Costa Rican Government
Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla has been questioned for using a private airplane owned by a company linked to a businessman who is allegedly involved with drug trafficking in Colombia....
14-year-old Citizen Journalist Killed Covering Clashes in Syria
Omar Qatifaan, a 14-year-old media activist, was killed while covering clashes between pro- and anti-government forces in the southern Daraa al-Ballad area of Syria near the border with Jordan.
How Social Commerce Tightens China's Grip on the Internet
A deal between e-commerce firm Alibaba Group and Sina Weibo, China's most popular microblogging service, has been heralded as a jump-start to the era of social commerce in China. But...
Thailand's Prime Minister Sues Cartoonist for Insulting Facebook Post
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is suing a popular cartoonist for defamation over a comment he posted on Facebook comparing the leader to a prostitute for "selling out her country".
Cadmium-Laced Rice Found in China
Rice contaminated with high levels of the toxic heavy metal cadmium, dubbed "cadmium rice," is the latest food scandal in China to trigger public panic and anger among the country's...
Panama President Levels Dirty Accusations Against Journalist on Twitter
The president called a journalist who wrote an article about his electricity-related business dealings a "sexual harasser" and "crooked" (accepting bribes or blackmail). The social networks reacted in a variety...
