· January, 2012

Stories about Feature from January, 2012

Pakistan: Moral Policing of Dating Couples Gets TV Show Axed

  30 January 2012

In a recent live Pakistani television show, a group of middle aged women were seen scouring the parks of Karachi to hold accountable the couples dating without their guardians' knowledge. Protests mounted on social media which led to the firing of the anchor and removal of the show from the network.

South Africa: Student Anti-Racism Poster Causes a Stir

  30 January 2012

South Africa's Democratic Alliance Students Organisation recently released a controversial poster as part of their anti-racism campaign, which shows a naked mixed-race couple embracing. The poster has caused a huge stir on Facebook, Twitter and blogs and even generated viral spoof posters.

India: New Challenges to Fight Tuberculosis Worldwide

  29 January 2012

India’s media sphere exploded last week with reports from Mumbai of a tuberculosis strain (TDR-TB) completely resistant to all known treatment. As the World Health Organization released a statement refuting the term TDR-TB, the blogosphere erupted to remind whatever they call it, they should do something about it.

Myanmar (Burma): Betwixt and Between

  27 January 2012

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Burmese Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi this week addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, urging further support from the international community in Myanmar. Such engagement will be particularly important for refugees and internally displaced people.

Serbia: The Media War Against Angelina Jolie

  26 January 2012

Angelina Jolie was concerned about the reception of her director's debut movie, 'In the Land of Blood and Honey', in Bosnia and Serbia, and some of her fears turned out to be justified. Sasa Milosevic reports on the virtual battle that Jolie's film has caused.

Madagascar: Exiled Former President Ravalomanana Refused Return

  23 January 2012

Since January 18 2012, former president Marc Ravalomanana has announced that he would return to Madagascar soon after being in exile in South Africa for three years. On January 21, the capital city anxiously anticipated his return as thousands gathred on the roads leading to the airport waiting for the plane to land. However, a few minutes after the plane entered the Malagasy airspace, the plane was told to divert from its route and land in a different city. Malagasy citizens reacted in real time to the tumultuous event.

Yemen: Saleh Gets Impunity After All

  22 January 2012

Yemen's parliament has endorsed the law granting outgoing Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh total immunity from any crimes committed during his rule, including the killing of protesters since the beginning of the popular uprising against his regime in February. Netizens react to the news.