· February, 2010

Stories about Politics from February, 2010

Latvia: “Cyber-Security ‘Killer Incident'”

  20 February 2010

Telecoms in Latvia reports that in order to “expose government waste, unjust wage differentials and possible corruption by analyzing data filed by state agencies and public sector,” individuals calling themselves “the Fourth Awakening People's Army” have obtained some “7.4 million records from a database linked to the web-based service for...

Colombia: The Closure of Cambio Magazine

  20 February 2010

The Colombian magazine Cambio, known for its investigative reporting, was recently closed by its owners, who say it was an economic decision. However, journalists say that it was a politically motivated decision.

Belarus: State TV Accused of “Ripping a Whole Sitcom”

  20 February 2010

Belarus Digest reports that while the Belarusian government explains the recently-introduced internet regulations by the need to fight copyright law violations, the state-run TV is now being accused of “ripping a whole sitcom”: “In the CBS original, shown on E4 in Britain, the main character are called Sheldon, Leonard, Howard,...

Palestine/West Bank: Peace Protesters use Avatar Movie Visuals

  20 February 2010

Recent protest against land appropriation of the West Bank village of Bil'in included Palestinian and Israeli activists masked as Na'vi characters from the controversial Avatar movie, which they consider anti-imperialist. Video clips posted by NGO “Friends of Freedom and Justice – Bilin” show Israeli Defense Forces using tear gas and...

Niger: Dusk to dawn curfew imposed

  20 February 2010

Niger's political turmoil: “A dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed, but local reports indicate the capital Niamey was calm today. Tandja changed the constitution last August to stay in power beyond his legal term limit.”

Singapore: New voters

  20 February 2010

Seelan wonders whether Singapore's new citizens will vote for the administration or opposition party.

Belarus, Ukraine: Yanukovych from Yanuki

  20 February 2010

Belarus Digest writes about the “Belarusian roots” of Victor Yanukovych, the winner of Ukraine's presidential election, and about the Belarusian village of Yanuki, the birthplace of Yanukovych's father: “Currently there are only two families live in Yanuki. Both of them are Yanukovichs.”

South Africa: Dare to be wise, Mr. President

  19 February 2010

Discussing South African politics on Thought Leader, Suntosh writes, “Dare to be wise, Mr. President”: But wait — was Zuma trying to hide his immaturity in matters of national governance by ensuring his cabinet would create the façade of a mature president?

Haiti: Reading the Reports

  19 February 2010

Repeating Islands republishes segments of a report on HIV infections in Haiti, while Haiti Vox links to a story on “who's getting the first Haiti contracts”, saying: “It's important for us to widely circulate this information, and to HELP Haitian groups who may want to apply…it's also important for Haiti...

Haiti: Moving On

  19 February 2010

“The men and women of Haiti are strong and ready to show the world that they can rebuild their country”: Wadner Pierre says that Haitians are ready to move on post-earthquake.

Bahamas, Haiti: Migration Debate

  18 February 2010

“The level of ignorance, fear and hate-mongering surrounding the Haitian migration to the Bahamas is astounding – especially when one considers the fact that Africans living in Haiti achieved the first successful slave revolt in history against one of the world's most advanced nations”: Larry Smith at Bahama Pundit weighs...

Cuba: Educational Autonomy

  18 February 2010

“In these two years since Raul Castro came to power, expulsions for ideological reasons have continued – and are on an upward course – in the centers of higher education”: Generation Y blogs about evictions in Cuban universities.