20 January 2012
Stories from 20 January 2012
Cuba: Bloggers React to Death of Hunger Striker
It has been a sad day for the Cuban blogosphere, as netizens received news of the death of political prisoner Wilman Villar Mendoza, who has been on a hunger strike since last November.
Zambia: Blogger Challenges Ex-ruling Party's Query On Guy Scott's Appointment
The former ruling party, the MMD, has questioned the legality of the appointment of independent Zambia’s first white Vice President, Dr Guy Scott, threatening to take the matter to the court of law to determine its constitutionality. But one Zambian blogger argues that Dr Scott qualifies hold the office of Vice President and even to stand for the office of president.
Liberia: Was the Presidential Oath of Office Taken Improperly?
Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the oath of office on January 16, 2012 in Monrovia. One Liberian blogger argues that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is not Liberia's President because she did not raise her right hand and kiss the Bible while taking the oath as the procedure requires.
China and Hong Kong: Train Scuffle Ignites Cross-Border Fury
A passenger scuffle over mainland Chinese tourists eating food on a train in Hong Kong, is the latest of a series of cross-border controversies between China and Hong Kong, amidst mounting resent over Beijing's influence in Hong Kong.
Brazil: Toll Roads, Constitutional or Too Much?
After the approval of the Urban Mobility Law in the beginning of 2012, a discussion surrounding toll roads in all national territory came back into play. According to the law, cities will be able to charge an “urban toll” with the intention of diminishing automobile traffic and improve circulation around the cities. However, the implementation of yet another toll makes internal mobility impracticable for a portion of the population, given that several important federal and state highways have already been privatized.
Turkey: Post-Murder Trial, Thousands Remember Hrant Dink
Thousands have marched in Turkey to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and Agos newspaper editor Hrant Dink.
United Kingdom: You cannot evict an idea
Set in a multimillion pound complex, complete with a 500-seater lecture hall that had been abandoned by investment bank UBS, the Bank of Ideas provides room for community groups and other public services that have lost their space due to UK Government's spending cuts. The project is entering the third month and braces itself for an appeal case against their eviction, expected in Court next week.
Chile: Discrimination, Media Ethics, and the Case of #InesPerez
Inés Pérez, a resident of a gated community that prohibits domestic workers to enter by foot, quickly became the subject of online scorn after an interview on Chilean television. When it transpired that her quote was taken out of context, the discussion instead turned to a debate on journalism ethics.




































==> As Africans we need to let go of our victimhood, inferiority complex & acceptance of the mediocre. We deserve...