Stories about Politics from November, 2013
South Africa Doesn't Want You to See the President's Lavish House
The South African government has used $20 million to upgrade President Jacob Zuma's private residence. Government ministers have warned that anyone publishing photos of the home will be arrested.
Ukrainian pro-EU Protest Pleases the Russian Opposition
But no consensus on whether Ukraine should continue the long process of EU accession or whether it should forge yet closer ties with Russia.
Pakistan Government Blames Social Media for Fanning Sectarian Clashes
Following a deadly sectarian clash in Rawalpindi city, manipulated photos of the event quickly spread on social media, inspiring false 'revenge' attacks in different parts of Pakistan, according to authorities.
Competing Candidates Claim Victory in Honduras Presidential Election
Conservative candidate Juan Orlando Hernández is currently leading the presidential vote; but his main rival, left-wing candidate Xiomara Castro, has also claimed victory. Votes are still being counted.
Story of a Democratic Blackout: Valencia's Public Television Shuts Down (Part 2)
In this second and final part of a series, we discuss the reactions and consequences on the shutdown of public television in Valencia, Spain.
Iran: Jailed Blogger Needs Urgent Medical Care
Jailed blogger,Hossein Ronaghi Maleki needs urgent medical care.He was sentenced to 15 years of prison. Laleh tweeted Jailed activist Hossein Ronaghi in very poor health w/ swollen kidneys-(one non-functioning), bladder & prostate disease #Iran #Iranelection — Lalehلاله (@Lalehsr) November 25, 2013
Tiananmen Student Activist Asks Hong Kong Government to Arrest Him
Tiananmen student activist, Wu’er Kaixi, was landed in Hong Kong International airport today (November 25), initially for flight transit. However, he refused to get onto the plane and asked the Hong Kong government to arrest him as he is a most-wanted fugitive since the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. He explained in...
Right-Wing Extremist Enters Second Round of Elections for Governor in Slovakia
Extremist leader of the People’s Party – Our Slovakia (ĽSNS), Marian Kotleba, won enough votes on November 10, 2013, to push through to the second round of the race for governor in the Banská Bystrica region in central Slovakia. The result has come as a surprise to many in the...
Thousands March for the Liberation of Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera
Thousands of people are marching today in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in favor of the liberation of Oscar López Rivera, imprisoned in the United States 32 years ago on charges of “seditious conspiracy.” López Rivera, 70, is a fighter for the independence of Puerto Rico, a colony of the United...
After Haiyan Disaster, Philippines Calls for Relief and Justice for Climate Change Victims
As the Philippines continues to ask for global aid in the wake of the devastating impact of typhoon Haiyan, many Filipinos are also asking world leaders to tackle climate change
Twitter Farce Follows Revelations of Australia Spying on Indonesian President
A political strategist eats his words after using Twitter to comment on the stand off between Australia and Indonesia over spying revelations.
Jamaica: Language & Development
Jamaica needs to be declared the bilingual state it is asap. Annie Paul thinks that “half of Jamaica’s problems stem from its linguistic identity crisis, insisting its mother tongue is English when a huge proportion of the population can only speak Patois.”
GV Face: Students Occupy Bulgaria's Future
This Friday on GV Face we talk abut the future of Bulgaria's protests with our authors Rayna, Nevena Borisova and Ruslan Trad, and Danica Radisic.
Uzbekistan's “Twitter Warrior” Gulnara Karimova Is Back
After disappearing from Twitter yesterday, Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan's “enduring dictator“, has returned to the micro-blogging service. In a flurry of angry tweets, Gulnara is blaming [ru] her mother for using intimidation and arbitrary arrests against her colleagues, allies, and business partners. Gulnara also suggests that her mother is...
Story of a Democratic Blackout: Valencia's Public Television Shuts Down (Part 1)
The announcement by the Valencian government on the afternoon of November 5 fell like a bucket of cold water among television and public radio workers in Valencia, Spain.
Jamaica: Abuse of Police Power
If the police involved…are allowed to go unpunished aren’t you sending a message to other cops with no respect for human rights, especially the rights of the poor, that they have a license to behave like this? Active Voice issues a plea to Jamaica's police commissioner after two teens were...
Ukraine Suspends EU Deal, Protesters Fill Kyiv's Independence Square
On the eve of their Orange Revolution anniversary, Ukrainian citizens take to the streets to protest a suspended EU deal that would help their country grow closer to the West.
Zambia’s ‘King Cobra’ President Publicly Calls Ministers, MPs Fools
President Michael Sata is notorious for his abrasiveness and disregard for protocol at both local and international functions.
Gulnara Karimova Ends Provocative “Twitter War” in Uzbekistan
Uzbek president's glamorous daughter has deactivated Twitter account she used to expose power struggles in Uzbekistan and feuds within the first family.
Hondurans Hopeful Ahead of Elections
Adrienne Pine in her blog Quotha writes that “there is an incredible amount of hope right now in Tegucigalpa,” as Hondurans prepare to elect a new president on November 24, 2013: It's palpable, in the central park, in cafés, on the streets, in my classrooms. It feels to me like...
Saudi Prisoner Interview Raises Controversy Over Arbitrary Detainment
A controversy over the issue of arbitrary detainment rose after the popular Saudi TV show MBC 8 PM ran an interview with Waleed al-Sunani. Find out why.