Stories from 7 July 2012
Africans in China about China in Africa
Tom from Seeing Red in China has two interesting posts about the perception of Africans in China on China's presence in Africa. The second post is a follow-up discussion by his friends from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana.
Palestine: Documentary About Arafat's Death Prompts Questions
The news channel Al Jazeera recently broadcast a documentary on the mysterious death of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Paris on 11 November, 2004. The documentary alleges that rather than dying of natural causes, Arafat was poisoned with polonium, raising many questions.
Greece: Attack on Athens Microsoft Headquarters
On June 27, 2012, arsonists attacked Microsoft's headquarters in Athens, Greece. On Athens Indymedia, a group took responsibility [el] for the attack as an “act of war against suspicious silence and general captivity”. Greek-American startup entrepreneur Eric Thanopoulos-Parks reacted [el] on Facebook: “In its offices, Microsoft incubates Greek startup companies, unsupported at this...
Guatemala: Wave of Attacks Against Female Activists
In the last couple of weeks two female activists have been attacked. The victims are Lolita Chavez, an indigenous leader and member of the K’iche’ People’s Council, and human rights lawyer Yolanda Oquelí. Their cases have gone mostly unnoticed in mainstream media, but citizen and independent media have been raising awareness about their attacks and the dangers activists like them face.
China: Cement Cones to Drive Away Homeless People
China Hush translates a local investigative report about the design of cement cones under the highway bridges in Guangzhou. It is obvious that the purpose of the cones is to drive away homeless people, yet no government department has admitted the responsibility so far.
China: Happy Birthday Secretary Bo
Former Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai had been forced to step down early this year as a result of the fled of city police chief Wang Lijun into the U.S consulate. In early July, his followers expressed their support by writing anonymously birthday greeting around the city. (via China Digital...
Pakistan: Women's Rights Activist Killed
Fareeda Kokikhel Afridi, a prominent and tireless rights activist has been shot dead. She was the head of an NGO working for women's empowerment in the conflict-ridden tribal areas of Pakistan.
