Topic: Nelson Mandela

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Myanmar's about-face: 5 recent reforms

Since 1962, Myanmar's dictatorship has jailed the opposition, beat up monks, denied aid to disaster victims, and run scorched-earth campaigns against ethnic minorities. That may be changing, however. Here are five key changes the regime has made in just a matter of months.
National Mentoring Month: 10 life-changing stories from celebrities

In the new book "The Person Who Changed My Life," 10 celebrities share stories of their mentors.
In Pictures: Nelson Mandela Day
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 06/21
In Pictures: Michelle Obama travels with her girls

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Progress Watch
In Saudi Arabia, a quiet tide of reform

Declining the revolutionary model that Egypt established in overthrowing Mubarak, Saudi reformers are working for a shift in mind-sets as well as policies – and making headway.
South Africa braces for verdict on murder of far right leader

Afrikaners plan to protest as court delivers verdict tomorrow on two black men accused of murdering white supremacist Eugene Terreblanche. Is this the end of the Rainbow Nation?
Chen Guangcheng: What's ahead for Chinese dissident now in the US?

Now that Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng has reached the United States, both Beijing and Washington are hoping to put what could have been a tense diplomatic situation behind them.
Under African Skies: movie review

When Paul Simon played, apartheid as his backdrop.
Family asks UN to help free former Peace Corps volunteer jailed in Nicaragua

Of the 725 US citizens in jail abroad, more than half are behind bars in Latin America. Jason Puracal was imprisoned in November 2010, and his family says the US hasn't done enough in his case.
Clint Eastwood: His wife and daughters will do family reality TV show

Clint Eastwood will make guest appearances in the new reality TV show "Mrs. Eastwood & Company." It will also feature a South African all-male vocal group.
Africa Monitor
Joseph Kony 2012: It's fine to 'Stop Kony' and the LRA. But Learn to Respect Africans.

Invisible Children's viral campaign to 'Stop Kony' is a powerful use of social media in activism. But by focusing on what Americans can do, they are undermining the role of Africans.
South African ruling party expels Malema, but what's next?

Julius Malema, outspoken leader of the ANC Youth League, was expelled Wednesday for creating division within party. But ANC still faces challenge of appealing to youths.
Africa Monitor
Batwing: an African superhero for an American audience

Batwing is an AIDS orphan and a former child soldier. Guest blogger Sipho Hlongwane says DC Comics's latest character is believable, but Africans seek a hero who reforms system from within. 
Myanmar's about-face: 5 recent reforms

Since 1962, Myanmar's dictatorship has jailed the opposition, beat up monks, denied aid to disaster victims, and run scorched-earth campaigns against ethnic minorities. That may be changing, however. Here are five key changes the regime has made in just a matter of months.
Interview: Former US spy chief sees shift toward Asia

In an interview, Admiral Dennis C. Blair - the former director of national intelligence - says the US needs to back moderate Islamic societies, and urges Israel to keep pace with a changing Middle East.
National Mentoring Month: 10 life-changing stories from celebrities

In the new book "The Person Who Changed My Life," 10 celebrities share stories of their mentors.
Sing Your Song: movie review

'Sing Your Song' shows the energy and optimism Harry Belafonte gave to civil rights work – around the world.
Sometimes There Is a Void

A messy memoir from an important African voice.
Vaclav Havel: playwright, poet, president, advocate for 'the individual' (Video)

Vaclav Havel not only led a peaceful 'Velvet Revolution' in Czechoslovakia, but inspired similar revolutions around the world with ideas that still resonate today. Vaclav Havel passed away on Sunday.
The man Israel didn't release from prison: Marwan Barghouti

Palestinians originally hoped that Marwan Barghouti, compared by some to former South African prisoner-turned-president Nelson Mandela, would be included in a prisoner swap finalized today.
Penn State scandal sheds light on ethical gray areas

There has been plenty of outrage over the moral failings of Joe Paterno and others who were made aware of Jerry Sandusky's alleged sexual abuse of children. But ethical dilemmas are often more gray than black and white. Better ethics education can help us do the right thing in spite of the fog.
South Africa's assembly passes 'secrecy bill,' stirring journalists' fears

Journalists and civic groups warn that the Protection of Information or 'secrecy bill,' will criminalize investigative journalism. The government says it will bolster South Africa's national security.
Second act for Occupy Wall Street: Is it time to come in from the cold?

Moving indoors may be a logical step for Occupy Wall Street protesters as winter looms, but some say it’s the best next tactic for the evolving movement, cold temperatures or not.
Arab Spring's crisis of moral leadership

An Oct. 9 massacre in Egypt shows why the Arab revolutions need moral leaders, not just mass protests, to keep them on track.
Resolve in the Middle East

A Christian Science perspective.
What this feminist and child-marriage proponents have in common

When I met my fiancé, I had to reconsider my objection to marriage. Likewise, as the campaign known as Girls Not Brides kicks off, patriarchs who support child marriage will also have to reconsider their views; fortunately, there are models for how to change social norms about women.
Violence at Malema hearing shows divide within South Africa's ANC

Angry supporters of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema battled police outside the ANC headquarters in the strongest indication that the ANC's youth wing is rapidly falling out of control.
Global News Blog
Nelson Mandela's birthday prompts national outpouring of service

The United Nations called for people to perform 67 minutes of community service on Nelson Mandela International Day, which marks the iconic South African leader's birthday.
In Pictures: Nelson Mandela Day