Stories about Politics from July, 2013
Bhutan's First Female Minister
According to Bhutan's Buddhist traditions and values men and women are seen as equals. However, women are rarely seen in high positions. Blogger Nawang P. Phuntsho celebrates election of the country's first female minister. Aum Dorji Choden, an MP elect from Trashigang, has recently been appointed as the Minister for...
South Korea: Over 25 Thousands Protested Against the Secret Agency Scandal
Mass protests against the state secret agency's electioneering scandal thundered across South Korea over the weekend. More than 25 thousand Koreans (Police estimated little below 8000 people) allegedly have attended a candlelight vigil in Seoul and dramatic photos and a video clip of the protest have been shared in major online venues.
Immigrants: Much More Than an Abstract Number
Robert Valencia interviewed Mexican journalist Eileen Truax, who recently released her book ‘Dreamers: The Fight of a Generation for its American Dream’.
Brazil's Indigenous Demand ‘No More Dams’
After the release of scientists kidnapped by the Mundurukus last June, the Brazilian government agreed to meet the indigenous and listen to their claims.
Water Shortage Crisis Looms Large In Bangalore, India
With rapid growth, polluted bodies of water, and few solutions in place, water is becoming scarce in India's third largest city.
Women Candidates in Cambodian Election
Mapping tool confirms that women candidates are still the second choice of Cambodia’s major political parties
A Jewish Russian Mayoral Candidate Even the Nazis Can Love
With his half Jewish heritage, Evgeny Roizman would be an unlikely political star in Russia, were he anyone but Evgeny Roizman.
What Issues do Malian Voters Care about in the Presidential Election?
Bruce Whitehouse parses out five key issues for the upcoming presidential election in Mali (July 28). As for what Malians expect from the poll, Whitehouse reports: Voters are overwhelmingly concerned about the high cost of living, unemployment, corruption, law and order, and everyday quality-of-life questions, particularly water and sanitation. Preserving...
Ethnic Slurs Haunt Alexey Navalny
Alexey Navalny came under harsh criticism from Russian opposition movement colleagues just days after he was released from Kirov jail, and as soon as it became clear that he would continue to run for mayor of Moscow throughout the appeals process for his 5-year long prison sentence.
Alleged Fraud during Parliamentary Elections in Togo
Parliamentary Elections are underway in Togo today (25/07/2013). The Save Togo Association has already reported instances of alleged fraud [fr]. Togolese activist Sylvio Combey posted an image from one of the polling station on twitter: 8h l'urne vient d'être montrée vide aux votants à #Kanyikopé #TGInfo #TG2013 #Nukpola #Fb pic.twitter.com/DZU1iFTPqI —...
Mumbai Restaurant Forced to Pull Political Food Bills
The restaurant was forced to shut down after it mentioned government corruption and criticized a new "air-conditioned eatery tax" on its bills that were being handed out to customers.
Peruvian Town Remembers Those Who Died Defending Water Rights
July 3 marked the one-year anniversary of the death of five civilians during clashes between police and demonstrators protesting against the Conga mining project. The people of Celendín demand justice.
Petition to Amend Vietnam Laws that Restrict Media Freedom
More than 60 Vietnamese bloggers signed a unity statement urging the Vietnam government to improve its human rights record and commitment as it vies for membership in the UN Human Rights Council: The Vietnamese government also needs to review the human rights situation in their own country and the Vietnamese...
Saudi Arabia Jails Seven Facebook Users for Calling for Protests
Political dissent is not tolerated in Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy. Seven men are now behind bars, accused of disturbing public order and calling for protests on Facebook.
Two Spanish Aid Workers Freed After 21 Months in Captivity
Montserrat Serra and Blanca Thiebaut were building a hospital in Dadaab, Kenya, within the largest refugee camp in the world, when they were abducted.
App Tracks Argentina's Congress Voting Records
An app called “Década votada” (A decade in votes) [es] aims to help citizens understand “Argentina’s National Congress elections and the degree of each candidate’s allegiance to their party at the moment of voting,” as Knight International fellow Mariano Blejman writes in Source. Mariano, who specializes in data-driven journalism, interviewed...
Protests for Election in Madagascar Lead to Violence, Arrest
Vola R of Ma-Laza reports that 7 were hurt [fr] following police repression of protests demanding elections in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The party leading the protest states that the current administration has no intention of organizing elections this year and is just hanging on to their position of power. The leader of...
China Sets Up Fund to Research ‘Chinese Dream’ Campaign
The "China dream", China's propagandistic twist on the American dream which props up the Communist Party as the only way to prosper, has received academic funding for research.
Vincent Wijeysingha: Singapore’s First Gay Politician
On his Facebook he wrote: I am going to Pink Dot tomorrow. And yes, I am gay.
State of Islam in Southeast Asia
Murray Hunter of the University Malaysia Perlis discusses the situation of Muslim-majority societies in Southeast Asia as well as the issues associated with the rise of Islam in the region. Poverty, literacy, education, displacement, feudalism, unemployment, suppression, and control is dispossessing Muslims within ASEAN. Government and Ulama are trying to...
PHOTO: South Koreans Protest Against the Secret Agency Scandal
Another round of protests against the state secret agency's electioneering have erupted in South Korea over the past weekend. @wsjfree posted a nice roundup of protest photos on Storify.
