Stories from 11 June 2013
Snowden Hides in Hong Kong, US-China Diplomacy Takes Center Stage
As Edward Snowden, a US whistleblower hides out in Hong Kong, a wave of nationalism has hit China's blogosphere. Many netizens see the US government's vast snooping as a chance for Beijing to score political points and strike back at the accusations of cyber-espionage that China often faces.
Senegal's Democratic Tradition Takes Worrisome Turn
Senegal has a solid tradition of democracy and protection of freedom of expression and human rights. But recent months have seen the West African nation's reputation as a stronghold for democracy in Africa seriously damaged with the evictions of a Chadian journalist and Gambian dissident, both opponents of the governments in their home countries.
Bangladesh's Capital City Dhaka Gets Its First Bus Map
Commuters who take the bus Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka, home to 15 million people and very heavy traffic, can for the first time look at a map to plan their route, thanks to a crowdfunded and crowdsourced project by US social-venture group Urban Launchpad and Bangladeshi advocacy organization Kewkradong.
Bangladesh's Budget: Comments and Analysis
“Lavish Budget but poor plan?” An ordinary citizen posts comments and analysis on the recent Bangladesh budget for the financial year 2013-2014.
How Southeast Asian Leaders Use Twitter
Twitter has been a very useful tool for Southeast Asian leaders who needed to communicate directly with their citizens. Indonesia's Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is the most popular leader in the region with 2.4 million followers. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Najib Razak is his country’s most popular Twitter personality with 1.6 million followers. The Philippines' Noynoy Aquino is also a prominent Twitter user with 1.5 million followers.
Jamaica: Children as Artists
The National Gallery of Jamaica Blog is excited about an upcoming exhibition of children's art, which will highlight “the children’s unique responses to questions about their curiosities and the diverse urges of their developing imaginations.”
Puerto Rico: “Freedom for Oscar López Rivera, Now!”
More and more people have united in the campaign for the release of Oscar López Rivera, the longest-serving political prisoner in Latin America. Politicians of all ideologies in Puerto Rico, writers, artists, and members of the international community, have come together to ask for his freedom after being imprisoned in the United States during 32 years.
Egypt: Losing Historical Cities
Cairobserver calls [ar] people in Egypt through Facebook and Twitter [ar] to demonstrate in front of governorate buildings, who are responsible for managing the city, across Egypt to call for an end to destroying and deforming historical cities.
Russia Eyes Another Orphan Experiment
Pavel Astakhov's idea of sending Russia's highly-politicized orphans to the restive North Caucasian Republics as a kind of social "experiment" was overwhelmingly condemned by netizens of all political stripes.
Mysterious Disappearances from Bar Add to Mexico's Many Missing People
The federal authorities in Mexico have officially acknowledged a record of 26,121 missing persons. Eleven people should be added to this list after they disappeared without trace in bar "Heaven" in Mexico City.
