Stories about Politics from May, 2010
Russia: Blogger and Activist Arrested for Viral Video
Leonid Nikolaev (aka LJ-user nikolaevleo) the main actor in the recent viral video against cars using emergency vehicle lighting had been arrested, lj-user halfaman reported. The blogger suggests the arrest is provoked by the video Leonid took part in.
Iran: Two Bloggers and Student Leader on Hunger Strike in Prison
Two bloggers and one leading student activist - deprived of their pen and blogs in an Iranian prison - are now using a hunger strike to protest prison conditions and defend their rights.
Jamaica: Dudus, Security & Seaga
In the Tivoli Gardens area of Jamaica's capital city – home turf of alleged drug lord Michael Christopher “Dudus” Coke and epicentre of the unrest that has gripped the Caribbean nation for the past several days – the loyalties are clear, at least from those who care to be vocal about...
Brazil: Bloggers React to Iran-Brazil-Turkey Nuclear Deal
Brazilian bloggers react to the deal reached between Brazil, Turkey and Iran concerning the uranium enrichment of the latter: from optimism to skepticism, here are some thoughts on the role of Brazil in such an international turnaround.
Trinidad & Tobago: Offering Advice
Raymond Ramcharitar has some advice for the People's National Movement, the political party that now moves from government into opposition.
India: Controlling Export Of Cotton
Offstumped blog criticizes the recent decisions of the incumbent Indian government to control export of Cotton using steps like ban on export to a license based red tape system.
St. Lucia: Gun Violence
Sun, Rain, Or… is saddened by the recent spate of gun violence in St. Lucia, the “up close and personal shootings…”
Jamaica: Resetting the Clock
“Jamaica's bizarre socio-economic clock cannot turn back but it can be reset”: Living in Barbados suggest the current situation “may be the spur to find ways to start dealing with that process.”
Jamaica: Latest Updates
Twitter has been buzzing with the latest developments regarding Jamaica's state of emergency. Things began to look "much better" late yesterday: wanted men were turning themselves in, one international mainstream television station was reportedly going to "apologise for [its] 'inaccurate report'" (although some tweeple were of the opinion that "an apology [was] not enough") and all seemed quiet in areas that had previously been fierce battlegrounds.
Jamaica: Situation Improving?
Four days into the state of emergency imposed on the Jamaican capital, the situation is becoming clearer - not simply in terms of statistics - but in understanding the chain of events that led to the current impasse. There are also reports that life in the capital city may slowly be returning to normal.
Russia: “Circassian Nationalism and the Internet”
At OpenDemocracy.net, Zeynel Abidin Besleney writes about “the role played by the internet as a lifeline linking otherwise isolated activists and communities and reinforcing the Circassian nationalist cause.”
Russia: Coalmine Disaster Victims’ Families vs Thugs?
Vadim Nikitin comments on “this week’s unprecedented measure to provide each widow of the [May 9] mine explosion victims with police protection to ward off attacks from organised criminals after their compensation payouts.”
Russia: Explosion in Stavropol
Miriam Elder reports at GlobalPost on the explosion in Stavropol, which took place next to a centrally-located concert hall shortly before a Chechen folk dance troupe was to perform there. LJ user dimazelensky, whose office is inside the concert hall building, wrote (RUS) that the police had cordoned it off...
Bahamas: Waiting on the Budget
“The Prime Minister has hinted at some austerity measures or belt tightening, but, on top of that we're told additional taxes are on the way”: Weblog Bahamas is waiting to see what the country's 2010-11 Budget, due to be presented today, will hold.
Colombia: Presidential Election and Campaigning in Citizen Media
The Colombian Presidential election is scheduled for May 30, in which Juan Manuel Santos and Antanas Mockus are considered the frontrunners. The contest is actively being discussed in citizen media by supporters, opponents, and those indifferent of the candidates.
Jamaica: Bloggers Look at the Lighter Side
West Indians have a saying, "If you don't laugh, you'll cry." Certainly, the current wave of violence in Jamaica - is nothing to laugh about. But after days of sobering news, bloggers clearly needed to seek out the amusing aspects of an otherwise untenable situation.
Ukraine: Interview With Kyiv Post's Editor-in-Chief
Part 1 of an interview with Brian Bonner, editor-in-chief of the Kyiv Post – by David Brauer, at MinnPost.com's Braublog.
Ethiopia: EU monitors release preliminary findings
David posts the executive summary of the preliminary statement of the European Union Election Observation Mission, which observed the 23 May 2010 elections to the House of Peoples’ Representatives and State Councils in Ethiopia.
Uganda: Freedom of press under attack
Freedom of press in under attack in Uganda as Richard Kavuma of Katine Chronicles reports.
Bloggers React to Gunfights and Change in Government in Madagascar
Gunfights in Antananarivo and yet another change in the government shook Madagascar the past week. Bloggers react:
Pakistan: Netizens Protest The Blanket Ban Of Facebook And Other Sites
After the ban of Facebook, Youtube and several other sites in Pakistan, many netizens of the country are outraged by the decision.
