Stories from 17 December 2011
Sidi Bouzid's Anniversary: Celebrating One Year of Arab Awakening
If you had to describe this year in one word what would it be? Leila Nachwati, who was in Tunisia two months ago to attend the Third Arab Bloggers Meeting, shares her experience in Free Tunisia and polls netizens' opinions on what word best describes the year that was since Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest against tyranny a year ago.
Philippines: Storm Leaves Hundreds Dead and Missing
Hundreds died in many parts of Mindanao Island in southern Philippines after tropical storm Sendong hit the country last Friday. The casualties could be worse and may even reach more than 600. It’s the worst flooding to hit the north part of Mindanao in many years. Netizens immediately used the web to report about the disaster and to call for support
Arab World: Thank You Mohamed Bouazizi! Thank You Sidi Bouzid!
Netizens around the world today commemorate the first anniversary of the Arab revolution, sparked by the self-immolation of fruit and vegetable vendor Mohammed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. What started as a one-man protest for dignity ignited the Arab world and beyond.
China: A Week Later, Wukan Remains Under Siege
The Nanfang has compiled a day-by-day summary of the recent events in the village of Wukan in southern China's Guangdong province, still under siege.
Taiwan: Land Expropriation Revision Fails to Address Farmers’ Woes
As the presidential election is approaching, the politicians in Taiwan's Executive Yuan have decided to revise the Land Expropriation Act. However, instead of addressing the farmers' woes, lawmakers have passed a revision of the Act that reinstates the interests of development over human rights.
India: Girls and Their Right To A Career
In India, at this modern age, some parents arbitrarily decide the future of their adult children. Fire Crystal writes about a girl, who was denied of her rights by her father to study and pursue a career of her choice.
China: Pandaman vs. Christian “Batman” Bale Goes Viral
Christian Bale's recent run-in with state security police (aka "Pandas") has inspired a series of viral spoof images, and coincides with the news that another high-profile Chinese dissident has been put back in prison 20 months after he was 'released' on probation.
India: The INK Conference Concludes
The second INK (Innovation and Knowledge) conference was held during 8-12 December in Jaipur, India. BlogAdda posts a detailed roundup of the conference.
Rwanda: Online Reactions to Reduced Sentence for Genocide Mastermind
The Appeals Chamber at the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR) based in Arusha, Tanzania has reduced the sentence of Rwandan genocide "kingpin" Theoneste Bagosora from life to 35 years. The reduction of Bagosora's sentence has been met with mixed reactions.
Bangladesh: A Crowd-Sourced Travel Photography Project
Anil introduces us to Positive Light, Bangladesh's first crowd-sourced photography project.
Africa: Awesome Africa
Awesoma Africa is a travel series aimed at people who want to travel into Africa but do not know how to take the first step.
Brazil-Bahrain: Tear Gas for Repression “Made in Brazil”
Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff reveals on Twitter that the tear gas devices used for repressing the civilian population of Bahrain is manufactured [pt] in the city of Nova Iguaçu, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and adds he feels ashamed [pt] for his country exporting such weapons.
Brazil: Bishop Points Out Rape as Women's Excuse for Abortion
Luis Soares, from the blog Pragmatismo Político (Political Pragmatism) quotes [pt] Bishop of Guarulhos, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, Luiz Gonzaga Bergonzini, who said that “women lie when they say they were raped”. In the bishop's mind, he adds, women lie in order to have abortions, because the...
Bangladesh: Why A Region Is Poor?
Basher tries to analyze why a large region in the north of Bangladesh remains poor.
Bangladesh: Debt Storm Rising?
Mukti is alarmed by the steep rise of Bangladesh government’s domestic debt which is triggering downfall of credit growth in the private sector thus stopping investment.
Egypt: Tahrir Square Burning
Egypt's Military Police have set Tahrir Square ablaze and forcefully pushed away protesters demonstrating outside the Cabinet on the first anniversary of the Arab revolution, sparked by the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia.
Bahrain: A Bloody National Day, a Funeral and More Suppression
On the same day the Bahraini regime celebrated National Day, a funeral procession was due to take place for protester Ali Ahmed Radhi Al-Gassab, who was run over during protests a day earlier. Netizens explain how the funeral was suppressed by government forces.
Bhutan: Thanking The Armed Forces
Tshering Tobgay, the opposition leader of Bhutan posts translation of a motion of thanks in the parliament praising the Royal Bhutan Army.
