Latest update: 11/01/2013 

- children - Egypt - Internet - UK


Web users fight for kidnapped 5-year-old Aishah Sabra

Web users campaign to reunite a mother with her little girl, abducted by the father. Online pranksters play a rather sick joke on Justin Bieber fans. And a short video documents one man’s transition from male to female.

By Electron Libre

Web users fight for kidnapped 5-year-old Aishah Sabra

For months now, thousands of web users from all over the world have been fighting to reunite Aishah Sabra with her mother, Leila, who lives in the UK. The little girl, who is just five and a half years old was abducted by her Egyptian father in September 2011, and taken back to Egypt. She hasn’t seen her mother since. Web users have been busy campaigning, hoping to resolve this terrible situation and bring Aishah back home.

A petition has been started on Change.org urging the British authorities to convince the Egyptian government to intervene as soon as possible. The document comes with a moving video in which Aishas’s mother says she won and still has full custody of her daughter in the Egyptian courts and all she wants is for the Egyptian authorities to enforce this court order.

And Leila has also received some valuable support from the hackers of Anonymous. The “hactivist” group has launched a full on website for the missing girl. It’s called "opfreeaishah" and includes information about the little girl and her mother, along with posters like these ones, posters web users can share online or print out to raise public awareness and publicize the story.

So there has been a strong wave of support on the web, and Aishah’s mother Leila is also making great use of the online tools available. She has set up two websites on which she relates her ordeal and months of anguish. She also posts messages for her daughter, saying she hasn’t forgotten her, is searching for her and all she wants is to see her again!

Now trending on social networks

#CutforBieber started trending on Twitter at the beginning of the week, causing widespread outrage. Web users have been passing themselves off as fans of the young Canadian singer and using the hashtag to urge his admirers to self-harm to convince Justin Bieber to stop smoking marijuana after images of him apparently smoking a joint emerged online. The trend began when users of the 4chan forum launched a campaign in very poor taste and in mock protest of his alleged drug use. It has unfortunately had a certain impact, and dozens of Bieber fans have posted photos of their bleeding arms and wrists online… 

Obama souvenir shop launched by inaugural team

T-shirts, coffee mugs, cufflinks, badges bearing a picture of Bo, the Obama family’s dog… in the run up to the Presidential swearing in ceremony, due to take place in Washington on January 21st, an official website has been launched selling goods celebrating Barack Obama’s inauguration for a second term in office. All the articles proudly bear the “made in USA” label and prices range from two and a half dollars for this plastic ruler to 7 500 dollars for a commemorative medallion set.

Video of the day

The person who made this video documented her three-year transition from male to female to share the experience with web users. In less than two minutes we get to see, in stages, how taking female hormones changes the body and facial features. An amazing transformation you can watch in its entirety on all good video sharing platforms.

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