Stories from 11 December 2013
#52ThingsAboutTanzania to Celebrate 52 Years of Independence
Tanzania mainland celebrated 52 years of independence on December 9, 2013. To celebrate, started the hashtag #52ThingsAboutTanzania to share facts and figures about the country.
Chinese Web Giants Alibaba, Baidu Launch Online Investment Funds for the Everyman
China's Internet powerhouses have successfully entered the online finance and investment business scene, challenging state-owned banks' monopoly.
Gay Sex is Once Again Illegal, India's Supreme Court Rules
"I was not a criminal yesterday, today I'm one. I intend to remain one. Wont ask for lordships permission before loving."
Visible Discrmination Against Ahmadis in a Shop In Pakistan
Farhan Janjua at Guppu reports a hate speech against Ahmadis. A mobile shop displayed this message “Caution: Qadianis (Ahmadis) are banned from entering.” The Ahmadi Muslims are religiously persecuted as a consequence of professing their faith.
Syria's Homs: Once a Great City, Now a Winter Wasteland
CBS news correspondent Clarissa Ward tweets the photograph, saying: There are no words. Winter in #Homs #Syria – once a great city, now a wasteland pic.twitter.com/TTAiUPWVuk via @abumuqawama @borzou @RamiAlLolah — Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) December 11, 2013
Saudi Airlines Still has Manual Levers for Plane Seats
Saudi Muna AbuSulayman complains about the use of manual levers in Saudi Airlines aircraft seats: How old are theses @saudi_airlines planes!!!! 3rd time this week I was seated on them . Manuel levers??? Seriously! pic.twitter.com/8lotaiWRke — Muna AbuSulayman (@MunaAbuSulayman) December 11, 2013
No Electricity in Gaza
From Gaza, Palestine, Mohammed Al-Agha tweets: Without electricity for 14 hrs, and still waiting for ! everything here gonna be worst ! gazans have no life. #Gaza #palestine — Mohammed Al- Agha (@MZa_94) December 11, 2013 He continues [ar]: الزلمة اللي بطلع يجيب الكهربا شكله ماخد إجازة ؟ حنطبق ال24 ساعة...
The Caucasus Network: Personable Blogger, Svetlana Anokhina
Svetlana Anokhina—a 50-year-old journalist, writer, and community manager from Makhachkala, Dagestan—is as personable and undoubtedly real as netizens get.
Bolivians Protest Against Cochabamba Public Transport Price Hike
Pictures and messages shared on social networks show public dissatisfaction with public transport services and suggest that locals would be willing to pay more if the service were better.
Non-Violent Activist Razan Zaitouneh and her Team Kidnapped in Syria
Four activists, among them internationally acclaimed non-violent activist Razan Zaitouneh, from Syria's Violations Documentation Center (VDC) were kidnapped by unidentified masked gunmen, sparking a call for their immediate release.
The Caucasus Network: Dagestan Blogger Rasul Kadiev
Rasul Kadiev is a lawyer, born and raised in Makhachkala, Dagestan. Constantly among the region’s top five bloggers, he writes in Russian and uses LiveJournal.
Appeal to Free Spanish Journalist and Photographer Kidnapped in Syria
Appeals continue for the release of journalist Javier Espinosa and freelance photographer Ricardo Garcia Vilanova, both Spanish, kidnapped in Syria by the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq.
India Loves Gold. So Why Did Actress Rima Kallingal Get Married Without It?
"I want to use this beautiful life that I have...to send out my strong vote of protest against the dowry system that we still shamelessly and silently follow."
Russian State News Agency Gets a Loyalist Upgrade
One of Russia's best known news agencies, RIA Novosti, won't survive the winter. Employees of the state-owned international news agency awoke to discover a new presidential order "liquidating" their organization.
Uruguay Becomes First Country to Legalize Marijuana Market
Uruguay's Senate voted 16 to 13 to legalize the production and sale of marijuana. President Mujica is expected to sign the law, which would become effective starting next year. Estoy a favor de legalizar la Marihuana pero estaria bueno ser noticia en el mundo por nuestra Seguridad y Educacion —...
Australia: Vagina Knitting Not Everyone’s Taste in Art
Is vagina knitting art? It is not your everyday discussion in Australia.
