Nagasaki mayor's death

Japan's Nagasaki prefecture's mayor was shot dead this week while out campaigning for re-election for a fourth term as mayor of the city. This is attributed to the Japan's biggest crime syndicate. Japan's PM said that this is a grave threat to democracy.

This event reminds us not to forget what our society is made of:

Freedom of speech, right to vote, free choice for political, social affiliation and rule of law etc. among many other rights we enjoy under democratic system.  

The government authority must stand strong against those yobs and let them know that no one can threaten democratic principle we all believe in.

China's economic growth

China's economy has grown by 11.1% annual rate in the first quarter of 2007. Economic growth is good for any country, but isn't it overheating? Is it a really sustainable development? What about environmental cost? China has a lot of things to contemplate as it goes fast.

Élection présidentielle française de 2007

It is important to be aware that when political, economic and social insecurities rise, people look for authoritarian solutions, unless there is a credible alternative. That is partly why Chirac had to face Le Pen, the leader of the extreme right-wing party, in the second ballot in 2002.

Let us hope that, this time, millions of ordinary French voters will engage with mainstream politics.

Free Alan Johnston!

Please show your support for the BBC's Gaza reporter, Alan Johnston!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/world/2007/alan_johnston/default.stm

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