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‘Communism is a failed system’: Cuba cracks down on social media access amid protests

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Cuba has restricted access to social media including Facebook and Whatsapp in the wake of unprecedented anti-government protests

Dozens of people have been arrested in Cuba after thousands joined the biggest protests for decades against the island’s Communist government.

Images on social media showed what appeared to be security forces detaining, beating and pepper-spraying some of the protesters. 

Unauthorised public gatherings are illegal in Cuba and protests are rare.

The White House has offered support to the cuban people calling for freedom, meanwhile Senator Ted Cruz described the protestors as brave.

Cuba is striking back against protesters by barring access to several major social media sites, including Facebook at Whatsapp

The government enacted the ban after huge anti-government demonstrations protesting an economic crisis that’s led to mass power outages and food shortages.

Mobile internet has only been available in Cuba for two years. Many activists agree that the new access to social media in the country has been a major contributing factor to the protests. In Cuba’s capital city, atypical power outages have become increasingly common.

“The pattern of restrictions observed in Cuba indicate an ongoing crackdown on messaging platforms used to organize and share news of protests in real-time,” NetBlocks director Alp Toker told Reuters.

However, the government is yet to confirm or deny whether they are intentionally causing the outages. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the situation is “complicated”.

“Our weapon is the internet. If they take away the internet we are unarmed”

“The government does not want people to see the truth,” said one protester, Gino Ocumares.

Dissident has also been rising in the country over the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, and increasing restrictions on civil liberties in the country. However, the Cuban government rejects these claims. Rather, they say the US orchestrated and funded by the demonstrations.

Hundreds took part in these protests, chanting ‘down with communism’ and ‘freedom for the people of Cuba’. One resident said that the protesters were met with gunfire. The activist say the government is using ‘rapid reaction brigades’ to counter the protests. The government organises these groups of civilian fighters.

“I think the Communists have lost control, they won’t have a solution to this situation,” said one of the protesters. “The people are tired of so much humiliation, so much repression.”

https://twitter.com/MaElviraSalazar/status/1415138762330361856?s=20

Counter pro-government rallies

Protests such as these are rare in a country such as Cuba, which has a tight handle on expression of public dissent. State-run media report that at least one man died at the protests. Several people also sustained serious injuries. Although the state has confirmed no other deaths, the number is likely higher.

However, many counter-rallies have also been taking place across the country. Around 100 supporters carrying the Cuban flag gathered in one of these demonstrations yesterday.

Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.

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Calls for tougher protest laws following terror attack

Former minister urges NSW-style protest restrictions after synagogue arson, calling for stronger action against antisemitism.

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A former minister of the Andrews government has criticized Victoria Police for overlooking terror symbols in Melbourne and is urging state Labor to adopt stricter protest regulations akin to those in New South Wales.

Philip Dalidakis, who served from 2015 to 2018, linked the recent arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue to a failure in public safety measures.

He is advocating for the introduction of protest permits and enhanced police authority to disperse gatherings.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has labeled the synagogue attack an act of terrorism, a stance not shared by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who refrained from such a designation to avoid hindering police investigations.

She characterised the attack as designed to instill fear within the Jewish community.

Community fear

Albanese signaled that the attack fits the definition of terrorism due to its intent to incite community fear.

He highlighted Labor’s commitment to Jewish community safety, referencing $25 million allocated to enhance security and an additional $32.5 million pledged.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton condemned the attack as a national disgrace and accused Labor of failing to address rising antisemitism.

He, along with former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, called for a formal terrorism designation and the formation of a police taskforce against antisemitism.

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Assad granted asylum in Russia amid regime change

Bashar al-Assad granted asylum in Russia; Biden emphasizes opportunities and risks post-Assad era in Syria.

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Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have been granted political asylum in Moscow, according to a source from the Kremlin reported by TASS.

Assad, who was last in Damascus on Saturday, fled the country early Sunday, as confirmed by both Syrian and Arab security officials.

Russia’s foreign ministry indicated that he had officially stepped down and left the country.

Though Assad planned to address the nation Saturday evening, the speech never took place.

His wife and children had previously departed for Russia in late November, with his brothers-in-law moving to the United Arab Emirates.

Potential risks

President Biden referred to the fall of the Assad regime as a “historic opportunity” for Syrians to shape their future.

He acknowledged both the potential and risks involved.

Biden credited his administration’s actions, such as supporting conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, for weakening Assad’s position by diverting the resources of his allies: Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah.

He reiterated the ongoing U.S. sanctions against Assad’s regime.

The U.S. plans to send senior officials to the region and provide humanitarian aid to support the Syrian people during this transition. Biden confirmed that the U.S. military presence in eastern Syria will continue, particularly to secure prisons housing Islamic State members.

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Young men profit from risky crypto and political betting

Young men are increasingly investing in risky crypto and political bets, yielding high returns despite potential risks and disadvantages.

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Young men are increasingly taking risks in cryptocurrency and political betting, reporting substantial gains as markets rise.

Investments by young men are significantly outperforming traditional ones.

A diverse portfolio consisting of bitcoin, gold, GameStop, and DraftKings yielded a 62% return in 2023.

Many young male investors view their speculative trades as a pathway to traditional goals, supported by the entertainment aspects of mobile trading. However, owning cryptocurrency and meme stocks is influenced by gender attitudes. Data from the Pew Research Center shows a stark disparity between young male and female investors in crypto ownership.

Political expectations

The recent surge in bitcoin prices is partly due to favorable political expectations surrounding the newly elected administration. Political betting has also grown, with a majority of participants being male and under 30.

Many young men feel compelled to pursue risky investments due to economic pressures and perceived barriers. While they report higher earnings, nearly half claim to face discrimination, contributing to feelings of alienation.

The pandemic fueled increased retail participation in investing, especially among younger demographics. Influencers on online platforms significantly impact investment decisions, often promoting risky behavior.

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