Stories about Governance from February, 2012
Georgia: Online Campaign Targets Russian President's Facebook Page
With Russian soldiers stations in Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, hundreds of Georgians called for their withdrawal on the Russian president's Facebook page.
Russia: Pro-Putin Rally in Vladivostok Causes Controversy
Pro-Putin rallies, also known as Putings, took place in many Russian cities last weekend. One such Puting caused a scandal in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, which is renowned for its strong support of the opposition and for anti-Kremlin moods in general. Masha Egupova reports.
Russia: Navalny vs Kadyrov
At Jamestown Foundation Blog, Valery Dzutsev reports that Ramzan Kadyrov, the President of Chechnya, has called politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny “a real chatterbox” – and Navalny retaliated by...
Brazil: Quilombo Community in Bahia About to Be Evicted
One of the oldest slave descendent communities in Brazil, Quilombo Rio dos Macacos, has a date for its eviction: March 4, 2012. The claim for the land comes from the Navy of Brazil, that intends to broaden a condo for its officers in that territory, in the state of Bahia.
Sahel: Islamic Fundamentalist Organisations Tighten Their Grip
For a few months now, two religious Islamic fundamentalist organisations, Boko Haram and AQIM (Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb), have intensified their war against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the surrounding nations. The regional blogosphere has quickly reacted, showing concern and providing thorough analyses.
Equatorial Guinea: AFCON 2012 is Over, Corruption Fight Continues
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations is over but the fight against corruption continues: “The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations might have come to an end at the weekend, but...
Brazil: Global Act “We Are All Pinheirinho”
A global act in solidarity with the population expelled from their homes at the Pinheirinho community has been called on Facebook for Thursday, February 23. The idea is to demonstrate in...
Brazil: “Massacre of Pinheirinho”, One Month Later
Blogger Giambatista Brito recalls [pt] the one month anniversary of the “Massacre of Pinheirinho“. On the morning of Sunday, January 22, 2012, thousands of families where expelled from their homes...
Ukraine: Parliamentary Corruption
Taras Kuzio of Jamestown Foundation Blog writes about corruption in Ukraine's parliament and alleged preparations for election fraud.
Armenia: Activists #Occupy Yerevan Park
Green spaces in Armenia continue to dwindle at an alarming rate, but a small yet dedicated group of environmental activists has also grown. Now, in order to prevent further damage, they are attempting to occupy a Yerevan park.
Pakistan: Deciphering the Balochistan Issue
A resolution presented by the US congressman Dana Rohrabacher on Balochistan has stirred the political spectrum in Pakistan. Condemnation has come from government and opposition parties in the national assembly. However, Baloch nationalists are complaining about their rights being sabotaged.
Guatemala: Looking to Georgia for a Lesson on Fighting Corruption
Blogger Luis Figueroa [es] wonders if Guatemala could benefit from following Georgia's example in fighting corruption.
Angola: Anti-Corruption Initiative Urges CNN to Refuse Advertising Deal
Maka, a website that monitors corruption in Angola, launched an online campaign petitioning CNN International to stop accepting advertisement from the government of President Dos Santos. The presidential budget for...
Haiti: Online Reaction to the Duvalier Decision
The investigative magistrate looking into human rights charges against Haiti's ousted dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, recently came to the decision that “the statute of limitations had run out” on those human rights abuses - but apparently not on Duvalier's misappropriation of public funds.
Russia: Dmitry Rybolovlev, the Quintessential ‘New Russian’
Billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev serves as an example of the quintessential 'New Russian' through his controversial activities during the Yeltsin era, his modern business practices, and his extravagant international spending - he has just purchased the most expensive New York City apartment to date.
Yemen: All Set for the One Man Presidential Election
Just one more day to go to Yemen's uncontested and unprecedented “one man” election”, which will start tomorrow, February 21. It will end 33 years of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule and cost the country more than US$48 million.
Singapore Budget 2012
Leong Sze Hian analyzes the Singapore budget presentation for the year 2012. He concludes: “Need to cut rhetoric, and do something, anything, if the government wants to regain some credibility.”
Iran: Security forces kidnapped Khazali from hospital
Several bloggers reported that security forces kidnapped Mehdi Khazali from hospital.Iranian imprisoned blogger Mehdi Khazali has suffered a heart attack after six weeks of hunger strike.His wife and daughter were...
Iran: Internet not just spying tool but spy itself
Iran's intelligence Ministry says Internet not just spying tool but spy itself.
Iran: Execution waits for web developer
The Iranian-Canadian web developer, Saeed Malekpour, is going to be executed ‘at any moment’, a blog updates by his family and supporters reports. Mr. Malekpour is accused of running pornography...
China: Wukan Elections Continue and Inspire
Wukan has moved quickly along its path toward clean and fair village elections, inspiring villagers in other parts of the country and winning support from microbloggers all the way up to university halls. However, at least one central government official has blamed the democratic advancements on psychological disorders.
