Stories about French from March, 2012
Europe: Will ACTA Treaty Pass After Protests?
The ratification of the Anti-Counterfeiting Treaty (ACTA) by the European Parliament has been delayed in expectation of an opinion from the European Court of Justice on its conformity with fundamental rights.
After Kony 2012, “What I Love About Africa” Reclaims Narrative
An online campaign about Ugandan war criminal Joseph Kony has caused enormous controversy in Africa. A counter initiative to highlight positive aspects of the African continent #WhatILoveAboutAfrica is now trending on Twitter.
France: Why Celebrated Film ‘The Artist’ Isn't Such a Hit at Home
In February 2012, French and world cinema history was made after five Oscars were awarded to the film 'The Artist' and its leading actor Jean Dujardin. But despite winning Oscars, the film did not enjoy critical acclaim in France.
Tunisia: Paying Tribute to Cyber Dissident Zouhair Yahyaoui
Today marks the 7th death anniversary of Zouhair Yahyaoui, an award winning Tunisian cyber activist who was detained during the regime of Zeine El Abidin Ben Ali. He passed away after facing serious health issues due to torture, and police abuse while he was in prison. In tribute to his sacrifice, March 13 is being celebrated as the National Day for Internet Freedom in Tunisia, starting this year.
Greece: Folk Musician and Researcher, Domna Samiou, Dies at 84
Greeks all over the world express their sorrow for the death of Domna Samiou on March 11, the great singer of traditional Greek folk music, as well as their appreciation for her work and research.
Italy Condemned for Violations of African Refugee Rights
On February 23, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg came to a historic judgment that Italy had violated the European Convention on Human Rights by intercepting and sending back Eritrean and Somali migrants to Libya. Abdoulaye Bah reports.
Togo: Human Rights Organizations Pressure President Gnassingbé
For the second consecutive time in 2012, the Organisations de défense des droits de l’homme (Organizations for the Defense of Human Rights - ODDH) expressed their discontent with the prevailing socio-political situation in Togo.
Africa: Tech Entrepreneurship Bubbling in the Developing World
To illustrate the technological transformation that the African continent is undergoing, CNN's African Voices has highlighted 10 leading tech voices from different African countries. While the article put a much needed emphasis on the innovation trend originating from the African continent and their achievements, many tech experts felt that the feature did not represent the whole scope of tech innovation and entrepreneurship that is brewing in all the regions of the continent.
La Réunion : A Dynamism far from the Cliché of Dependence on Public Aid
Sandrine Dionys interviewed [fr] Emmanuelle, a young entrepreneur from La Réunion for the Bondy Blog. She rails against the cliché of the Réunion Islanders being dependent on the French government for aid.
Madagascar: Protesting Endemic Poverty
Rivonala Razafison reports in Africa Review that “scores of Antananarivo residents wore black clothes to denounce poverty in the country”. He adds that Madagascar has experienced over 10 different forms of protests since early January. The latest protest is still ongoing and was initiated by army officers of the CAPSAT, the same...
Republic Of Congo: After the Blasts, Anger and Solidarity
One day after the March 4 blasts in the ammunition depot in Mpila near Brazzaville, the time has come to assess the number of victims. Recent assessments vary from 150 to at least 200 people killed and 1,500 wounded.
Mauritania: “Facebook is at the Center of the New E-Dissent”
In the wake of the Arab uprisings, the media often overlook Mauritania and its 3 million inhabitants - another country where dissent and social discontent are on the rise. Here is an interview with well-known Mauritanian Internet activist Nasser Weddady on the country's social media scene.
Friendly atmosphere in Abidjan as Senegal nationals in Côte d'Ivoire went to vote
Suy Kahofi wrote on mondoblog [fr] regarding the atmosphere in Senegalese polling stations in the capital of Côte d’Ivoire: “This voting process has been, above all, a time of reunion for Senegal nationals living in Côte d'Ivoire, and the good-natured atmosphere seen outside the polling stations has also been felt within.”
Republic of Congo: Ammunition Depot Blasts Stir Panic in Brazzaville
On Sunday, March 4, 2012, at 8 am local time, an ammunition storage caught fire in the Mpida area of Brazzaville, near the Presidential Palace, causing at least four explosions. Houses in the neighborhood collapsed, creating an atmosphere of panic in the city.
