Stories about Politics from May, 2008
Barbados, U.S.A.: Taking It Back
On the heels of Hillary Clinton's comment about Bobby Kennedy, Barbadian blogger Jdid comments: “You're just playing the spoiler now. It almost looks like you are trying to muddy the waters for your fellow democrat. All I can say is both you and Bill showed a wicked and dirty side...
Jamaica: Gays and Golding
Kadene Porter at Jamaica's Abeng News Magazine analyzes the Prime Minister's controversial BBC interview in which he said that there would be no gays in his Cabinet: “It is rather strange that this single issue has come to define the morals of a people, considering the heinous nature of crimes...
Malawi's Ex-President Under House Arrest
Following recent reports of alleged coup plotters, police picked up and put Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi under house arrest. Lilongwe-based Journalist Bright Sonani gives eyewitness accounts as events unfolded at Kamuzu International Aiport in Lilongwe where Muluzi was picked as he arrived from a trip from the UK.
Lebanon: A deal is reached in Doha
“Beirut – Lebanon is where the action will be after a deal was reached yesterday to end the political crises in Lebanon. Finally Lebanon this week will have a president and the tent city will disappear … hurray …what a break …The Lebanese will never forget Qatar,” reports tearsforlebanon in...
Israel: Making Peace from the Ground Up
“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,” says the Bible. Prof. Alon Tal of Ben-Gurion University and Dr. Muhammad Said Al-Hmaida of Bir Zeit University have taken matters into their...
Ukraine: Tymoshenko's Politics
Foreign Notes writes about PM Yulia Tymoshenko's defeat in the Kyiv election, her meeting with PM Vladimir Putin, and the future of her cabinet.
Ukraine: News Roundup
An update on oil, inflation and other Ukrainian issues – at Orange Ukraine.
Ukraine: Pre-Election Kyiv
Five installments of pre-election Kyiv photos, video and commentary – at Ukrainiana: here, here, here, here, and here.
Australia: Ethnic Macedonian Protest
S.M. of Macedonia: Cradle of Culture, Land of Nature posted photos and videos from the recent protest of over 30,000 ethnic Macedonians in Australia, who demanded that their government stop using derogatory prefixes when referring to the Republic of Macedonia and ethnic Macedonians.
Armenia: Nasty Politics
The first president of the Republic of Armenia depicted as a Jew, supporters of the newly elected president labelled as “Turks” while he is depicted in visual propaganda as a Nazi or female genitalia? Blogian says it's all run of the mill in what is fast becoming a mutually hostile...
Kazakhstan: Scandal Royale
Adam reports that today several British tabloids simultaneously published a breathtaking story featuring their two sexiest topics at once — royal family and eastern moguls who buy out England. This time it's about Prince Andrew's sale of his residence to the Kazakhstan businessman.
Zimbabwe/South Africa: Stand Up for Zimbabwe
Photos from a protest march for Zimbabwe in Pretoria, South Africa: “These images were taken at a protest march in Pretoria yesterday. The signs say it all.”
Bermuda: Debate Shut-Down
As the Bermudian Premier shuts down a Parliamentary debate because of accusations of dishonesty by the Opposition, Vexed Bermoothes says: “By shouting down every question or request for accountability as an accusation of racism or unfairness, the PLP is proving just how immature Bermuda’s democracy is.”
Colombia: Paramilitary Leaders Extradited to the United States
In Colombia, 14 demobilized paramilitary bosses were recently extradited to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. Bloggers in Colombia discuss how this might affect the current political situation in the country and how much the jailed individuals might reveal now that they have very little incentive to keep silent.
China: International Anthopology Congress Called-off
Angry Chinese Blogger reports on the calling off of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences Congress at Yunnan University, Kunming City, from 15 July to 23 July.
Taiwan: Tibet Issued Manipulated in Taiwan Election
Kwang Yin from interlocals.net explained how Tibet March riot had been manipulated in Taiwan during the presidential election period.
Israel: Going Green with Gore
Former Vice President Al Gore added his name to the list of political luminaries visiting Israel in recent months. Gore joined the Board of Governors celebrations at Tel Aviv University this week to accept the $1 million Dan David Prize for environmental activism.
Palestine: Mass Exodus from Gaza?
“50,000 Arabs have left Gaza since last June,” writes Carl in Jerusalem. “In April, I reported that some 80% of Gaza residents want to leave, but this is the first time that the ‘Palestinian Authority’ admits it.” Bethlehem Conference organizer Hassan Abu Libdeh commented: “There is a Palestinian brain drain...
Indonesia: Fuel price protests
Papernas discussed the fuel protests in Indonesia. Hardship Posting notes the protest action coincides with the recent 10th anniversary of the riots which tore Jakarta apart ten years ago. Bellamy Budiman disapproves of the fuel rallies.
Brazil: Can the Amazon problem be solved with new management?
Changing the command in a Brazilian Ministry used to be a domestic affair, but the resignation of the renowned rainforest defender Marina Silva from the Environmental Ministry has sparked global reactions. Ms. Silva's replacement was quickly announced by President Lula, through the designation of Carlos Minc, former environmental secretary of...
Jamaica, Caribbean: No gays in Golding's government
Bloggers around the Caribbean respond to Jamaican prime minister Bruce Golding's assertion that there is no room in his Cabinet for homosexuals.