Stories from 6 August 2013
Russians Wary of Snowden Asylum
Snowden's decision to hitch his wagon to Putin's makes opposition and human rights activists uneasy, while his status as a defected "spy" alienates many of Putin's supporters.
Do FEMEN's Topless Protests Advance Women's Rights or Jeopardize Them?
When a man sets himself on fire in protest, no one accuses him of harming the movement he self-immolated for. Why does FEMEN face those accusations?
Macedonians Protest Clearing of Trees in Skopje
Like in nearby Turkey and Serbia, the protest that seemed to revolve around a few trees became something much more.
Syrian Pianist Malek Jandali: “We Need Freedom for True Art”
Dictators fear the soft power that can transform people’s mind, which is why they target artists and intellectuals. Syrian musician Malek Jandali speaks out
Iran: Bye, Bye President Ahmadinejad
Iranians using the hashtag #AhmadiByeBye are saying good riddance to a divisive and dysfunctional presidency.
Uruguay One Step Closer to Legalizing Marijuana
Lawmakers and citizens have been debating the government's plan to decriminalize the controlled sale and production of marijuana for more than a year.
Saudi Activist Released After Two Years in Prison
Charged with establishing an unlicensed association and possessing illegal books, Mohamed el-Bjadi was released from a Saudi prison today. The Saudi Twittersphere rejoices.
Spain: Catalan Water Polo Player Quits Twitter After Harassment
Roser Tarragó had displayed the Catalan separatist flag and a picture wearing the Catalan team suit instead of the Spanish one on her account.
Tchip: The “Shaking My Head” Meme from Africa
Nadéra Bouazza explains what being “tchippée” [fr] means for french speaking black communities. Tchip is the sound one makes when he/she disapproves of the behavior/action of someone else (roughly similar to the “shaking my head” internet slang). The “Tchip” sound is used across most black communities and has become an internet meme:
Bangladesh Court Disqualifies Jamaat-e-Islami Party from Elections
The ruling comes as the party faced mounting criticism for its opposition to Bangladesh's independence and its top members implicated in war crimes.
