Stories from 18 December 2013
China and North Korea: The Inevitable Fate of Jang Song Thaek Under Dictatorship
"The only rule of dictatorship is no rule." Many Chinese netizens believe the purge of Jang Song Thaek in North Korea a wake-up call for China's political reform.
Indian Diplomat Devyani Khobragade's Arrest, Strip Search Earn Apology from US
US Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly expressed regret in a phone call to India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon over how the arrest of Devyani Khobragade was handled.
New Version of Brazil's Marco Civil Submitted to the House of Representatives
On December 11, congressman Alessandro Molon (PT-RJ) submitted to the Brazilian House of Representatives the new version of the Marco Civil.
Bangla Blogging Community Gears Up For The Fifth Bangla Blog Day
On December 15, 2005, Bangla Blogging started its journey through the largest Bangla Blogging platform Somewherein.net [bn] and the community grew larger every year. A section of the Bangla bloggers’ community started to observe December 19 as Bangla Blog Day since 2009. The fifth Bangla Blog day will be celebrated...
Dozens Detained on Human Rights Day in Cuba
Bloggers, punk rockers, intellectuals, dissidents, and a pair of Argentine tourists were all detained in Cuba last week, just in time for international Human Rights Day.
“We Are More Alive Than Ever:” Coral Herrera and the Struggle for Gender Equality
In this second part of an interview with scholar and blogger Coral Herrera we discuss the struggle for gender equality in Latin America and the road that remains before us.
Made in Togo: A 3D Printer Built from Recycled E-Waste
Afaté GNIKOU is an IT engineer in Togo who wanted to tackle two important goals: create the first 3D printer from Togo, reduce the alarming number of E-waste dumped into his country. Here is a presentation of the 3D printer project, called W.AFATE : A. Gnikou is a member of...
Documentary: Mining's Terrible Consequences for Brazil's People and Environment
On the eve of the vote of Brazil's new Mining Code, a documentary produced by collective Mídia NINJA appeared to give voice to the communities in regions affected by mining.
Refuse to Pay Pension Premium? Japan Could Seize Your Assets
The Japan Pension Service has announced that people who refuse to pay the national pension premium could have their assets seized if they still refuse to pay. Japan's young population have been reluctant to pay for national pensions mostly because they believe the system will be broken by the time...
Cuba: Madiba Was Great, But Not Perfect
Cuban blog Without Evasion says the best way in which she can pay tribute to Nelson Mandela is by “imitating him in forgiveness and reconciliation”: I forgive you…for the friendship with…the vilest dictator my people has ever had…for placing your hand –redemptive for your people- on the bloodied shoulders of...
Jamaican Songstress Tessanne Chin Wins “The Voice”
Caribbean netizens are celebrating the victory of Jamaica's Tessanne Chin on the popular music reality show, The Voice - as well they should be - their votes helped her win!
Cubans’ Daily Concerns Trump Controversial Handshake
While the Obama-Raúl thing sent a large part of the exiled Cuban-American community…into an uproar, in Havana [it] was little more than just another bit of news. Iván García offers insight as to why most Cubans overlooked the exchange.
