Cuba's 'Balseros', riots in Sidi Bouzid and rope jumping off Russian buildings

This week our first Observer tell us how the public suicide attempt of a young street vendor in Sidi Bouzid inflamed Tunisians. Our second describes the desperate journey illegal Cuban migrants undertake to reach US soil. Finally, third Observer tells us about "rope jumping", a new adrenaline rush for Russian youths.

THE OBSERVERS

Presentation: Derek Thomson. Editorial Team: Julien Pain, Lorena Galliot, Segolène Malterre, Sarra Grira, Peggy Bruguière.

STORY 1: TUNISIA

On Friday December 17, a young fruit seller in his twenties attempted to set himself on fire in front of the Sidi Bouzid regional council in central Tunisia. His act of desperation sparked a wave of revolt in the provincial town, one of the poorest in the country.

STORY 2: CUBA

A recent video of stranded Cuban boat people that were rescued by the crew of a luxury cruise ship is a stark reminder of the risks illegal immigrants are willing to take to take to set foot on American soil.

STORY 3: RUSSIA

Young Russians have found a new way to add a little spice to their life: rope jumping. This unauthorised extreme sport is not unlike bungee jumping, except for two significant details: you don’t jump in an open, natural space, but off a city rooftop. And you don’t use an elastic cord, but a mountain climbing rope.

Derek Thomson

Presenter

19/05/2012 - THE OBSERVERS

Police injure a student protester in Quebec, Thais question law against insulting royalty after prisoner's death, and more

This show is made up entirely of amateur images. We've seen time and time again how images captured by ordinary citizens then uploaded onto the Web can change history, or at least shift the balance of power. This week, we take a look back at some of those moments.