Newsr regarding the second day of riots in Cairo and military crackdown on Tahrir Square protesters. One year anniversary of the death of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, flashpoint for the Arab Spring protests. African singer Cesaria Evore dubbed "The Barefoot Diva" has died at age 70.
December 17, 2011

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Military crackdown at Tahrir Square, December 17. Civility, among other things, went missing.


As the news broke several hours ago of intense and brutal crackdowns on the part of the Military government in Tahrir Square in Cairo, word that nine protesters had already died and hundreds were injured on what has become the second day of clashes between the protesters and the Army.

In this newscast, Focus On Africa from the BBC Africa Service, there are several reports of escalating violence as of 1900 GMT when this was first broadcast.

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Mohamed Bouazizi - a sad but tumultuous anniversary.

Since the newscast also covered a number of other important stories, I have included the entire broadcast in this post. This segment marks the first anniversary Mohamed Bouazizi, the fruit and vegetable seller, whose self-immolation in protest to the corruption of the Tunisian government became the flashpoint for Arab Spring. Amid news of the latest clashes in Cairo there were celebrations and the unveiling of a monument to Bouazizi in his memory.

In other news, and while the program was on-air, it was announced that Andre "Dede" Ayew was named BBC African Footballer of 2011, with reports direct from Marseilles France where Ayew's team was playing a match and excerpts of the awards ceremony.

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Cesaria Evora - The Barefoot Diva.

And finally, sad news that "The Barefoot Diva" Cesaria Evora, the singer from Cape Verde who rose to international and Grammy-winning acclaim had died at the age of 70. A tribute as well as a BBC interview with Evora end the program.

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