Stories about Politics from May, 2011
Nepal: Constituent Assembly Term Extended For Three Months
Phanindra Dahal at United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal informs about the latest drama at the current Nepali parliament session where the Constituent Assembly was extended for three months.
Cuba: Reflections on the Conference Against Homophobia
Blogger and gay activist Francisco Rodríguez Cruz reflects on the most recent Cuban Conference Against Homophobia [es].
Cuba: Five Intellectuals Analyze the 15-M
The blog La Pupila Insomne [es] has convened five intellectuals [es] to discuss and analyze the social movement 15-M (May 15) that has developed in Spain in recent weeks.
Puerto Rico: Debate on Media and Politics
Journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto analyzes the recent debate [es] on the alleged donations of the largest and most influential newspaper in the Island, El Nuevo Día [es], to the politician Jorge De Castro Font, convicted of federal charges on corruption.
Puerto Rico: Video on the Gas Pipeline Route
Historian and blogger Ivonne Acosta posts the video of a reportage on the beautiful route [es] through which a proposed gas pipeline will run through. Environmentalists and community activists are opposing the state-sponsored project.
Honduras: Former President Manuel Zelaya Returns
Ousted president Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras from exile nearly two years after he was removed from office through a coup. Bloggers report on the atmosphere before and after his arrival, and analyze what his return means for the country.
Russia: Famous Sci-Fi Writer's Blog Removed for ‘Anti-Semitism’
Following President Medvedev's speech on extremism in the Russian Internet, security services began a campaign against online neo-Nazis and vocal nationalists. On May 28, 2011, the campaign against racial and religious extremism found an unusual enemy – Leonid Kaganov, one of Russia's oldest bloggers, a poet, and a science fiction writer.
Azerbaijan: Twitter as a tool for activism
Global Voices co-founder Ethan Zuckerman comments on the use of Twitter in last week's campaign by Amnesty International to call for the release of prisoner of conscience Eynulla Fatullayev. Although the imprisoned journalist was released, argues Zuckerman, several questions have been raised by the online action and not least in...
Morocco: Tracking Protests
Moroccan blog Mamfakinch has prepared an interactive map which tracks protests happening in Morocco this weekend.
Egypt: Religious Minorities after the Revolution
On Mideast Youth, Ahmed Zidan shares this podcast on religious minorities in Egypt after the January 25 revolution.
Syria: Personal Letter to President Assad
In a letter addressed on May 8th, 2011, to Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, blogger, Syria to Freedom, expresses his disappointment with the president's behavior in the current crisis and implores him in the end to:“Do fulfill your people's demands of freedom and dignity and you will see those people...
Kuwait: Protest Against the Prime Minister
Kuwaitis protested on Friday calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah to leave the government. Mona Kareem summaries the reactions of Kuwaiti netizens on the continuing Friday of Anger protests in their country.
Egypt: Mubarak Fined for Internet Blackout during Revolution
An Egyptian court has fined ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and other officials 540 million Egyptian pounds ($90m) for disconnecting the Internet and mobile phone services during the revolution. Mubarak's regime first shut down access to Twitter when protests started, then Facebook, before turning off the Internet on January 28.
Jordan: Debating Economic Policies and the Road to Reform
The state of Jordan's economy, specifically discussing economic policies since 1989 and the national debt, were the highlight of the 7iber #HashtagDebates. The conversation hosted prominent Jordanian economists Ibrahim Saif and Yusuf Mansur, and was streamed with aramram.com for an online audience. The 7iber #HashtagDebates are part of a vital and ongoing conversation on reforms in Jordan.
Egypt: Tahrir Speaks
Egyptians flooded the streets around the country on Friday (May 27) to affirm their unwavering commitment to the vision and spirit of the revolution they ignited on January 25, 2011. Here is a round up of Tahrir events on Jadaliyya by Bassam Haddad and Ziad Abu-Rish: Tahrir Speaks, which features...
Bangladesh: Options Left For Dr. Yunus
An Ordinary Citizen comments on the options available for Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus after he was removed from the position as Managing Director of Grameen Bank.
Hungary: Corruption On the Rise
Hungarian Spectrum writes about corruption in Hungary: “A few days ago Ernst & Young made public its latest survey on corruption in Europe and came up with the startling result that Hungary is the most corrupt country within the European Union. It can be compared only to Russia.”
Cuba: Any True Democracy?
“When Castro says that Cuba is the most democratic country in the world, I am uncertain if he is being serious or it is black humor”: Iván García says that he will only “believe in the Socialist democracy, as advocated by the regime in Havana, when you see a negative...
Haiti: Vendors in Delmas
Throwing Down the Water reports on “the chaos” associated with clean-up efforts in Delmas, the capital's largest commune.
Trinidad & Tobago: Politricks?
Plain Talk, tongue firmly in cheek, gives a quick run-down of the political goings-on in Trinidad and Tobago, while Weblog Bahamas quips: “Politicians confuse me.”
Spain: From Spanish Revolution to World Revolution
Mobilizations in Spain have ignited what has been called a “World Revolution”, with more than 600 demonstrations and camp outs taking place in solidarity with Spanish protesters. Websites, Twitter hashtags, and Facebook accounts are being used to spread and share information, thoughts, and opinions.
