Stories from 20 March 2010
Russia: Bloggers Expose Election Fraud Techniques
The recent elections for local administrative offices in Russian regions were the first to show the power of Web 2.0. in uncovering voting violations. Bloggers would gather evidence with their cell phone cameras and published them online.
Iran: Obama's Norouz message
President Obama sends a message to those celebrating the Persian holiday of Nowruz (Norouz), and in particular to the people and government of Iran. Here is the message in You Tube with Persian subtitles.
Iran: Raising money for Iranian journalist refugees
Balatarin web community is raising money for Iranian journalist refugees. The goal is to raise 15000 dollars.
Russia to Investigate Closure of iFolder
Russian Minister of Interior Rashid Nurgaliev gave an order to check if the action of police against a popular Russian hosting ifolder.ru was legal. According to Lenta.ru, the order was given following request by president Medvedev.
Martinique: Election, tension and abstention
On Sunday March 14th, all French citizens including those in the four French overseas departments were asked to vote for the regional elections... but two major elections in a three-month period may have been too much for the 55.55% of Martinican voters who decided to stay home and not vote.
“Damas de Blanco:” A Week of Protest in Cuba
Cuba's Damas de Blanco protests come on the heels of a flutter of international condemnation incited by the hunger striker Orlando Zapata Tamayo's death last month. Wednesday's crackdown by Cuban police was the first in two years on the political group, which is made up of the daughters, wives and mothers of imprisoned political dissidents.
Martinique, French Guiana: Murder & Politics
Martinican blogger Bel Balawou posts [Fr] an homage to the late policeman (from French Guiana) who was killed in the line of duty by an ETA Basque terrorist in the suburbs of Paris, last week. This murder happened between the two rounds of the French regional elections, causing more political...
French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique: March 19th 1946
Guadeloupean blogger Anba pyé mango-la wonders [Fr] about the situation of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Reunion, former colonies which became the four overseas departments of the French Republic, sixty-four years ago.
Iraq: Seven Years On
With the recent elections still fresh in the news it is all too easy to forget that the anniversary of the start of the war is this week. But this will not pass some bloggers. And, the latest results show that the election on 7th March is still too close to call. In the mean time, I have some speculation from the Iraqi blogs.
China: Revaluing the One-Child Policy
Amidst talk of an aging society and a depleting demographic dividend, appeals for a reconsideration of China’s One-Child Policy were voiced during the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Macedonia: If There Was No Internet
Macedonian bloggers and other new media users offer their responses to the question, "How internet changed your life?"
Moldova: Homemade Wine Diary
An expat's homemade wine production diary from Moldova – at Moldovarious.com.
Serbia: Diaspora Serb's Musings on “Serbs, Media, Justice and Me!”
A Diaspora Serb's views on collective blame, collective guilt and other relevant issues – at Balkan Anarchist.
U.S.: Belarusian Diaspora and the 2010 Census
Belarus Digest reports that “the Belarusan-American Association starts a new campaign with compelling slogan ‘Are you proud you’re Belarusian? Identify yourself on the 2010 census form!'”
Russia: Filipina Babysitter and Moscow Police
English Man in Moscow recounts his family's Filipina babysitter's ordeal with the Russian police.
