Stories about Breaking News from March, 2012
China: End of Chongqin Model Upon the Removal of Bo Xilai?
The former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader of Chongqing, Bo Xilai, has been removed from his post and replaced by Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang. Some believe that it signifies the end of the Chongqing model, which adopts a Maoist populist approach to justify a hard-fist crackdown on organized crime. Does it mean that China will be more open now to initiating political reform?
India: Don't Work at Night and You Won't Be Raped
The police of Gurgaon has asked women working at commercial enterprises, malls and bars in Gurgaon to stop working after 8pm to prevent rape incidents. Netizens express their anger towards this unreasonable directive and question the negligence of the authorities.
South Korea: Protest Against Start of Jeju Naval Base Construction
Villagers from Gangjeong, South Korea, have been protesting against the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island for several years. On March 7, the South Korean navy together with the construction company Samsung Corporation, started blasting out rock foundations in the coastline.
South Korea : Crisis Map on Clashes over Naval Base Construction in Jeju Island
South Korean net users have created a crisis map on clashes between the government and activists over a naval base construction in the Jeju island. The construction plan has been accused of destroying the environment and the villagers’ way of life.
Spain: Head of Journalist Association Threatens Activist With a Belt
The Head of the Press Association in Granada, Antonio Mora, threatened to hit pro-Palestinian activists with his belt when they protested during a photo exhibition of the relations between Israel and Spain.
South Korea: Violent Clashes Intensify over Jeju Naval Base Construction
Arrest and detention and violent clampdowns are worsening in Gangjeong village, South Korea's Jeju island as dynamites for construction purposes were delivered this week. Media Mongu is live-tweeting photos of clashes between the government and activists, residents and religious groups.
East Timor: Nation Loses a Treasured Political Elder
Online tributes pour in after the loss of one of East Timor's political elders, known affectionately as "Grandfather". Francisco "Avó" Xavier do Amaral was the declarer of independence in 1975, and returned to a free East Timor to serve in the Constituent Assembly and parliament. He was a three-time candidate for president.
Madagascar: Protesting Endemic Poverty
Rivonala Razafison reports in Africa Review that “scores of Antananarivo residents wore black clothes to denounce poverty in the country”. He adds that Madagascar has experienced over 10 different forms of protests since early January. The latest protest is still ongoing and was initiated by army officers of the CAPSAT, the same...
Russia: Bloggers Discuss Crying Putin
At pro-Putin rally, Vladimir Putin cried (photo, video) when heard that he apparently won in the first round of elections. This fact immediately became a hot topic among commenters. “He began to stream myrrh,” and “Moscow does not believe in tears,” a reference to the popular Soviet movie, are among the...
Republic of Congo: Ammunition Depot Blasts Stir Panic in Brazzaville
On Sunday, March 4, 2012, at 8 am local time, an ammunition storage caught fire in the Mpida area of Brazzaville, near the Presidential Palace, causing at least four explosions. Houses in the neighborhood collapsed, creating an atmosphere of panic in the city.
Russia: Election Violations Recorded in the North Caucasus
YouTube-user iFegor had recorded a video transmission from North Ossetia republic where two women are putting numerous ballots into the ballot boxes. In Dagestan, another user had recorded an unidentified man also stuffing ballots. Both republics are known for their unusually high (more than 90 percent) support of candidates and...
Russia: Police and Military Trucks Spotted in Moscow
Bloggers share pictures of numerous police and military trucks that flooded central streets of Moscow. Video summarizing [ru] buses and military vehicles. Photo of trucks standing next to the Red Square. Ridus.ru had compiled a big collection [ru] of pictures of special police forces.
Russia: Absentee Voters and Election Carousels Alarm Twitterers
Russian Twitterers report numerous ‘election carousels’ (form of vote rigging when people vote several times at different voting stations). Bolshoy Gorod shares a picture [ru] of buses that allegedly are transporting ‘carousel voters.’ Echo Moskvy reports [ru] 6000 voters illegally added to Strogino voting station. Users share their carousel observations...
Russia: Ballot Stuffing or Machine Testing?
Glenn Kates (@gkates) shares a link to an election webcam video from a polling station in the North Ossetian village of Chikola, which “appears to show ballot stuffing.” “They could just be testing the machine though,” @gkates adds. Of the 91 comments on the video's YouTube page, the most popular...
Azerbaijan: Massive protests in Quba
Emin Milli's blog posts photos and video of massive protests in Quba, a regional center in Northeast Azerbaijan. The blog says the house of the governor of the region has been burned down and that military units are reportedly being dispatched to the city.
