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Wednesday 29 March 2023 Dublin: 10°C

# Democracy

All time
# 814 million
Voting has started in the world's biggest general election in India
It’s expected that the country’s 814 milion-strong electorate will shy away from the ruling Congress party.
# Democracy
Afghan voters brave Taliban threats in historic election
Afghanistan’s third presidential election brings an end to 13 years of rule by Karzai, who has held power since the Taliban were ousted in 2001.
# back online
Turkish authorities have (reluctantly) restored access to Twitter
So. Many. Notifications.
Voices
Column: Student politics is key to civic participation in later life
With the right support, we can raise a new generation of politically aware citizens eager to reinvigorate the electorate, writes Clive Byrne.
# Diplomatic War
8 things that have been said and done on the Crimean crisis today
The process of integration has started and the international community isn’t happy as Russia sets itself up as a powerful entity once more.
# surprise surprise
North Korea had an election yesterday. Guess who won.
In the absence of any competing candidates, voters are simply required to mark “Yes” next to the name on the ballot sheet.
# one man one vote
It's election day in North Korea and people have one option: 'Yes'.
In the absence of any competing candidates, voters are simply required to mark “Yes” next to the name on the ballot sheet.
Voices
Column: Economic rights are just as vital to a democracy as civil rights
We must rail against the insidious notion that moral norms are not rights at all but, rather, privileges bestowed upon us by our kindly masters, writes Dr Tom Hickey.
# Threat
Youth unemployment ‘puts the wind beneath the wings of every extremist in Europe’
The Minister for Finance said that extremism is something that is a threat to every democracy in Europe.
# Ukraine
Hundreds wounded as police and protesters clash in freezing temperatures in Ukraine
More than 200 people were wounded amid mounting fury over draconian new anti-protest laws.
# pussy riot
Another Pussy Riot member has been freed in Russia after amnesty
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova was today freed hours after Maria Alyokhina was released. The third band member, Yekaterina Samutsevich, was freed months into her sentence.
# Protests
Thailand set for elections as parliament is dissolved
Up to 100,000 protesters remain on the streets of Bangkok, calling for the complete ousting of the current government.
Voices
Column: Voting is too often seen as a "right" when it's actually a duty
Structures need to be put in place to get the most amount of people to vote, to ensure the structures of the country have the greatest legitimacy along with those who govern them.
'Extortion not part of our democracy' - Obama on default threat
Yes, it’s the debt ceiling issue again.
# A House Divided
Let’s figure this out – what’s the real plural of referendum?
It often seems as if the debate on pluralising ‘referendum’ can be as divisive as the issues being voted upon. So who’s right?
# Irish Aid
Ireland to give €700,000 to war-torn Mali
The money will be used to help refugees and internally-displaced citizens of the west African country.
Voices
Column: The Mahon Report shows we need direct democracy to end abuses of power
The corruption identified in the Mahon Report would have been avoided under a system of direct democracy – which demands that the public have a real say in decisions that affect their lives, writes Raymond Whitehead.
# mugabe
Mugabe's party claims victory as observers question vote
Zimbabwe election observers have said that the country’s Presidential election was “seriously compromised”.
# Mali
'Large turn-out' in Mali's first election since French intervention
The election is seen as vital for restoring constitutional order after a coup in March last year.
Voices
Column: Seanad abolition would widen the democratic deficit in Ireland and Europe
The Seanad shouldn’t be abolished but reformed; without it, we will have no institution capable of protecting us from the mistakes of unelected technocrats, writes Fiachra Ó Raghallaigh.
# Jailed
Putin opponent sentenced to five years in penal colony
Moscow mayoral candidate was Alexei Navalny earlier convicted of embezzlement in Russia’s northern Kirov region.
# Egypt
Muslim Brotherhood should not be treated as criminals – ElBaradei
Egypt’s interim premier has called for the inclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood in the democratisation process, adding that new elections would take place within a year.
# Anglo Tapes
President Higgins: Anglo Tapes “are not the voices of the people of Ireland”
Michael D reassures Irish people they will be recognised internationally for their spirit and hard work.
# European Union
President: Racism will rise if Europe does not focus on citizens
President Michael D Higgins criticised the EU for listening to the concerns of financial institutions over citizens.
# Election
Chavez heir wins Venezuela vote - but opposition refuses to concede
Nicolas Maduro, who had been acting president since the death of Hugo Chavez, won 50.66 per cent of the vote last night.
# Not the News
Here is the week's news... skewed
Breaking via The Mire wire: RTE stars confused by Pope’s message of humility, and Office of Public Works ‘may never know’ the source of the Cork floods.
# Promissory notes
TDs question lack of debate on promissory notes
Deputies Micheál Martin and Peadar Tóibín both criticised the lack of facility for debate on the issue in the Dáil today.
Voices
Column: Secrecy has led to shameful practices in Ireland - whistle-blower law is needed now
If the economic downturn has taught us anything, it is the importance of exposing systemic wrong doing, writes Louise Bayliss.
# Pakistan
Bhutto son launches political career
First major public speech made on fifth anniversary of Benazir Bhutto’s death.
# Egypt
Egypt awaits referendum results as opposition cries fraud
Opponents to the new constitution have said it will weaken human rights, particularly women’s rights and undermine the independence of the judiciary.
# Clashes
Obama tells Egypt he is 'deeply concerned' over protest deaths
The US president told Mohamed Morsi that he was worried about the deaths of protesters in Egypt in recent days.
Voices
Column: They promised an end to stroke politics – has it worked out that way?
Gary Murphy looks at Ireland’s history of ‘stroke politics’ and asks: should we simply accept that this is the way things will always work?
# Your Say
Poll: Should the voting age be lowered to 17?
The Constitutional Convention, kicking off today, is to consider lowering the minimum voting age. What would you do?
# Egypt
Egypt: Protests rage as Morsi promises democracy
Morsi opponents began a one-week sit-in in Tahrir Square and called for a mass protest on Tuesday.
# Burma
Obama visits Aung San Suu Kyi at home, calls for more reform
Barack Obama has become the first sitting US President to visit the country.
# Politics
New political party 'Direct Democracy Ireland' launched in Dublin
The new party aims for Ireland’s political system become direct democracy rather than a representative democracy.
# Seanad Abolition
Seanad abolition: Where do the parties stand?
The government has committed to abolishing the upper house but where do the parties stand on whether it should stay or go? We asked them and here is what they told us…
Voices
Aaron McKenna: The Constitution is ours – so why aren’t we writing it?
Real people power would look very different to this fiction of engagement.
# Democracy
Constitutional Convention aims to begin discussions next month
132 members of the public have been identified to participate – 66 of whom will be direct substitutes for the others.
# Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi awarded with the US Congress’ highest civilian honour
Burmese democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi has been presented with the US Congress’ highest civilian honour – which she was awarded while under house arrest in 2008.