Stories about Politics from October, 2010
Zimbabwe: Big Brother Africa, Mugabe and US$300,000
Big Brother Africa is a television show produced by Endemol in South Africa. The show, which has become the most popular TV reality show in Africa, entered its fifth season with Big Brother Africa All-Stars. After 91 days of stiff and exciting competition, Nigerian musician and actor Uti Nwachukwu was announced the winner of US$200,000. The final two housemates were Nigeria's Uti and Zimbabwe's Munya Chidzonga. Although Munya lost, he ended up "winning" US$300,000. Follow Zimbabwean bloggers to know what happened.
Gabon, France: Gabon-raised Frenchman to Run for Elections
Will Mael Nyamat explains [Fr] what a black candidate who was raised in Gabon like himself can bring in terms of perspective to the political discourse during the French primary elections. Nyamat also argues in his book that the historically close tie between Gabon and France [Fr] makes him as sensible...
Cuba: Restricted Access
“In Cuba, access to the internet is restricted and very expensive for citizens, but it is also is controlled by state institutions”: Laritza's Laws explains.
Bahamas: Set a Better Example
The last time Weblog Bahamas‘ Jerome Pinder checked, things were “pretty grim” in the Bahamas: “If the behavior of our Parliamentarians is any reflection on us as a people, then you don't have to wonder why social values are crumbling around us.”
Brazil: Dilma, Cristina and machismo in the media
Rodrigo Vianna at Escrevinhador [pt] draws parallels between the rise and leadership of Argentinian president Cristina Fernandez and Brazilian presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff, and slams the often sexist media both women face.
Cuba: Standard of Living
“Nobody on the island may have a high standard of living if it is not authorized by the regime”: Iván García explains that he “aspire[s] to live better. But above all [he] consider[s] [him]self a free man. And that is where a person can be dangerous in Cuba.”
South Korea: Few Christians’ ‘Spiritual Mapping’ Enraged Korean Public
A handful of Christians’ “spiritual mapping” to the largest Buddhist temple in southern Seoul has enraged Korean public. A Youtube video shows (the original video had been removed) a church worship team sings Gospel songs and prays in the temple. Criticism is unlikely to subdue despite an apology from the...
Argentina: Images from Plaza de Mayo After Kirchner's Death
La Propaladora [es] shares images and a video of people gathering at Plaza de Mayo to say goodbye to Néstor Kirchner, former president and husband of current president Cristina Fernández, who passed away yesterday morning from a heart attack.
Russia: Bloggers Discuss Putin's Bruise
The recent visit of Vladimir Putin to Ukraine surprised Internet community with official photographs of Putin with a bruise on his face. Russian bloggers jumped on the opportunity to talk about the possible reason for the bruise.
Cape Verde: draft law passed to regulate Council of Communities
Olhofuturo [pt] reports that a draft law regulating the Council of Communities has been approved by Cape Verde's national assembly, with the aim [pt] of better tackling issues of migration and diaspora. One result looks to be improved efficiency of administrative consular tasks for Cape Verde citizens living abroad, according...
Egypt: Why Does Saudi Arabia Need So Many Helicopters?
Issandr El Amrani, from the Arabist, wonders why Saudi Arabia needs to purchase so many helicopters. “What will they use all of these helicopters for? Future incursions into Yemen? Riot control in Dhahran province? Counter-terrorism in the Empty Quarter? Helicopters, unlike F-15s, are not really for engaging another state (like...
Ethiopia: On Ethiopian Intellectuals
A critique of Ethiopian intellectuals: “Ethiopian intellectuals are a sick bunch. They are wild and radical. Radical in the sense of acting together as a single unit; wild in the sense of having no focus or rather focused only on short term gains.”
Egypt: On Salafis and Shias
“Because some did not believe the claims that the Egyptian regime is behind the Salafi channels and the Salafi trend in the country , the suspension of the Salafi channels revealed very interesting facts,” writes Zeinobia, at Egyptian Chronicles.
Tanzania: Vote Like You Own Your Country
Elsie looks at election related news and events a few days before Tanzanians go to the polls: ” Now, to the serious business: we've got our citizen reporting work cut out for us, folks. I told you already that Vijana FM are running an election monitoring online tool based on...
“United Russia” Ideologist Calls to Forbid Official Blogs
Alexey Chadaev, a leading ideologist of “United Russia,” calls [RUS] to ban blogs and microblogs of senior Russian officials. Chadaev explains that blogging threatens the authority of the Russian political leadership since it has been always based on “three whales: miracle, secret and power,” in other words, exclusivity and distance from...
Argentina: Former President, Nestor Kirchner, Dies
This Wednesday, Nestor Kirchner, former president and husband of the current president Cristina Fernandez, died of a heart attack. Argentinian bloggers shared their impressions on this sudden and unexpected death.
Brazil: satirical voting campaign goes viral
A topic that has been making waves throughout the Brazilian Internet is the satirical campanha #votoserrapq (why I will vote for Serra campaign) [pt]. Organised by the blog Grupo Brasil e Desenvolvimento (Brasil & Development Group) [pt], the campaign consists of video footage [pt] of citizens sarcastically explaining why they will vote...
Serbia: Netizens Discuss a U.S. Fighter Pilot's Suicide
The tragic death of American fighter pilot Lt. Col. Harold F. "Hootch" Meyers, who committed a suicide at his home in Santa Barbara on Sept. 12, echoed in the Serbian media and online communities - and there were strong reasons for it.
Myanmar: “Boycott elections” campaign
The Myanmar elections will push through on November 7 despite the non-participation of opposition parties. Global Voices translates the statement of Myanmar citizens who will boycott the coming elections
Russia: Blogger Navalny Tries to Prove That Fighting Regime is Fun
One of the most prominent Russian bloggers that use the Internet for fighting corruption in Russia, Alexey Navalny, gives interview to "RuNet Echo" He contemplates if the blogosphere can have a real political impact in Russia and share his further plans for using information technologies in the struggle against injustice.
Caribbean: Perception of Corruption
Repeating Islands re-posts the results of Transparency International's latest Corruption Perception Index, and reports that Caribbean nations have not fared so well.
