Stories from 1 January 2011
Jordan: Clashes Follow University Elections
The University of Jordan held university elections for its student government on Dec 21, 2010. Following reports of violence and election irregularities, the University promptly issued statements denying the clashes. Less than two weeks later, further clashes broke out.
Tunisia: Lawyers Assaulted for their Sidi Bouzid Stand
Tunisian lawyers have been making a stand throughout Sidi Bouzid’s events - and paying the price for it. They have been protesting regularly to denounce what happened there. And every day, news of the kidnapping, arrest, or assault of lawyers is surfacing on social networking sites.
Jordan: Free Taher Nassar!
Tahir Nassar, a lawyer and former parliamentary candidate, was arrested and detained in a Jordanian prison on charges of “stirring up sectarian strife.” Nassar's offense was his election manifesto that highlighted discrimination against Jordanians of Palestinian origin. Netizens react to the news.
Jordan: Twitter Reactions to Nine Per Cent Fuel Hike
Jordan's government announced year-end fuel price hikes. The cost of gas, referred to as benzine, was raised 9 per cent, while the price of diesel and kerosene was raised by 6pc. Many Jordanians expressed their ire through sarcasm and humor.
Gabon-France: Wikileaks reveals The Financing of French Political Parties by Omar Bongo
On December 30, 2010 Antoine Ganne writes in an article on afrik.com citing Wikileaks : ” nearly 30 millions euros were diverted from the Bank of the Central African States (BEAC) by former Gabonese president Omar Bongo, some of which were sent to French political parties, specifically Jacques Chirac's but...
Mali : New Year's Eve Celebrations in Bamako
Boukary Konate from Mali writes on his blog Fasokan about the preparations and the atmosphere on new year's eve in Bamako (fr)
Jamaica: in the moment
“Tired of hearing of all the disasters, mistakes, deliberate wrongdoing and accumulated grief that made up 2010, in Jamaica,” Petchary suggests instead that readers welcome the new year by enjoying the present moment: “a green and gold morning with sunlight seeping through the trees.”
Bermuda: new year wish list
BeachLime Bermuda shares a 2011 “wish list” for Bermudan politicians, citizens, and bloggers.
Jamaica, Bahamas: three poets
Charmaine Valere shares her thoughts on “three Caribbean men of verse”–Jamaican poets Geoffrey Philp and Kei Miller and Bahamian Christian Campbell–whose poems she enjoyed in 2010.
China: Latest Story Behind the Li Gang Case
C Custer from China Geek has been following up “My Father is Li Gang” incident by translating local reporter Wang Keqin's investigation. Part I: Chen Family Forced to Drop Suit, Part II: Family Goes Silent, Legal Rumblings and Part III: “A Sleepless Night in Xiaofeng’s Home”.
