2 March 2011

Stories from 2 March 2011

Libya: “Breaking News: Gaddafi is Lying”

Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi spoke for more than three hours on state television Wednesday March 2, 2011, denying that anti-government protesters and members of the military were mobilizing against his regime. Instead the dictator, who has been in power for four decades, blamed Islamic terror groups, foreign nations with colonial aspirations and the international media for creating stories about the Libya's descent into chaos.

2 March 2011

Tunisia: Refugee Crisis at the Libya Border

The border between Tunisia and Libya has seen a massive influx of refugees since the uprising in Libya began. The initial journey is long and tough, and for most it doesn't end there. Huge crowds of thousands have been waiting for days in freezing cold weather to cross in to Tunisia.

2 March 2011

South Korea: Mapping Burial Grounds

South Korean net users have created a Google map listing where the culled cattle were buried. South Korean government dumped about a quarter of its herd on numerous spots throughout the country to slow down its worst...

2 March 2011

Brazil: Outrage of Brazilian Woman Deported from Spain

The deportation from Spain of Brazilian holidaymaker Denise Severo, a 34-year-old university researcher, has once again raised the issue of immigration between the two countries. Severo has written an open letter about her experience which has been widely disseminated by various bloggers, and prompted many reactions to her treatment by Spanish immigration authorities.

2 March 2011

Cameroon: The Will for Change, Interview with Kah Walla (Audio)

On February 23, 2011, Cameroonians organised an Egypt-inspired protest which saw the few brave participants badly beaten by police. Kah Walla, an organiser of the protest and herself a presidential candidate in upcoming elections, explains what she feels was accomplished by the demonstration.

2 March 2011

Mexico: ACTA Public Hearings Kick Off

The controversial Anti-Counterfeit Commercial Agreement --widely known as ACTA-- is currently under discussion in the Mexican Senate in response to opposition from civil society to the way the treaty's negotiation process is being conducted. Here is a summary of results and reactions to the public hearings held up to date.

2 March 2011

Cuba: An Unnecessary Death

“It is not about ideology. It is a matter of humanity. The government of Cuba would gain credibility if, at one year after the death of Zapata, they would apologize...

2 March 2011

China: A Deadly Train Trip

The Ministry of Tofu translated an online appeal letter written by the parent of a male student, Zhao Wei, who died in his train trip back home. His parent believed...

2 March 2011

Brazil: Communities in Rio Blame Olympics for Evictions

Communities in the West Zone (Zona Oeste) of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil have been earmarked for eviction and removal by the City Hall in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. Recently, at least two of them, 'Vila Harmonia' and 'Vila Autódromo', have witnessed the presence of tractors, government staff and police.

2 March 2011