2 March 2011

Stories from 2 March 2011

Libya: “Breaking News: Gaddafi is Lying”

  2 March 2011

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.

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.

Venezuela: 101 things to do in Caracas before you die

  2 March 2011

Mirelis Morales Tovar in Caracas Ciudad de la Furia [es] lists 101 things to do in the Venezuelan capital before you die. She also asks readers to add their own suggestions. Her list includes: admire the city from a cable car, ride a mototaxi, dance salsa at “El Maní es...

South Korea: Mapping Burial Grounds

  2 March 2011

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 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. And worries grow that the animal blood and carcasses have already started polluting nearby ground water.

Brazil: Outrage of Brazilian Woman Deported from Spain

  2 March 2011

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.

Mexico: ACTA Public Hearings Kick Off

  2 March 2011

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.

Cuba: An Unnecessary Death

  2 March 2011

“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 publicly. Out of respect and decency they owe it to his mother, so shamefully harassed”: Iván's File Cabinet says that...

Russia: Photographer Complains About Illegal Activities in Moscow Metro

Photographer Alexei Vitvitskiy posted pictures of allegedly illegal activities in one of the central stations of Moscow metro “Komsomolskaya.” “Here they opened a market of illegal immigrants,” Vitvitskiy wrote. ” They sell drugs, fake documents (Russian passports are especially popular), diplomas, certificates, driver's licenses and offer courier services.”

Trinidad & Tobago: The Death Penalty Debate

  2 March 2011

“Rather than focus on trying to remove the perceived barriers to implementing the death penalty, the government should be focused on other things that don't need Opposition support for implementation”: KnowTnT.com blogs about the proposed re-institution of the death penalty.

China: A Deadly Train Trip

  2 March 2011

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 that he was beaten to death during the trip and threw down from a building Daqing, Heilongjiang Province.

Brazil: Communities in Rio Blame Olympics for Evictions

  2 March 2011

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.