Ovi magazine; Tuesday January 17th, 2023

The articles, the opinions, the stories, the poems and the cartoons Ovi magazine covers for Tuesday January 17th, 2023

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The Recent Elections in Bangladesh by Dr. Habib Siddiqui

Bangladesh is known for high voter turnout — in 2008, it was 87 percent, in 2001 it was 76 percent and in 1996 it had recorded 75 percent. In 1991 the voter turnout was 55 percent. The election that recorded the lowest voter turnout of 21 percent was the controversial election of February 1996, which eventually was declared null and void after the opposition Awami League (AL) boycotted it. At that time, Sheikh Hasina was in the opposition who had pressed for the formation of a neutral care-taker government (CTG). (But once in power, she abolished that provision following an amendment of the constitution in 2011.)

In 2014 the voter turnout plummeted to only 51 percent, making it one of the lowest in the history of Bangladesh. The BNP calls January 5, 2014 “Murder of Democracy Day.” According to the international press, the 2018 voter turnout was even lower although the chief election commissioner (CEC) claimed after election that 80% voters had exercised their franchise. 

There is little doubt that with the Jama’at banned, the Awami League’s (AL) strategy has been working. It managed to weaken the opposition front severely. The BNP-led 18-party alliance boycotted the 2014 election as its demand for impartial caretaker government (CTG) was not fulfilled, allowing the ruling AL to win the election with two thirds majority and with little opposition.

Continue reading HERE!

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A fast #poem by Bohdan Yuri

“Cosmic order, young or old,
eternal life shed from bright,
move along on stilted visions,
swiftly set our hearts afire.
Speck our path, give us quarrel,
make us guess, create our best.”

Continue reading HERE

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Fika bonding! #53 #cartoon by Thanos Kalamidas

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Ovi magazine; Monday November 21st, 2022

The articles, the opinions, the stories, the poems and the cartoons Ovi magazine covers for Monday November 21st 2022

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Malaysian General Election Analysis by Murray Hunter

alaysia’s general election results indicate a number of trends that have shaped the future political landscape of the nation. Within the election results, where no coalition grouping can by themselves commend enough numbers to form a simple majority, there will have to be some form of inter-dependentpolitics, in order for any government to be formed.

There were not uniform trends, as different parts of the country voted in different ways. Those politicians who didn’t perform well or were traitors to their party, were severely punished. These include Azmin Ali and ZuraidahKamaruddin, who played a leading role in the Sheraton Putsch, and Maszlee Malik who performed very poorly as education minister. 

With a turnout of 75 percent, there were no ‘give-aways’ before the results were released about which coalition would benefit. A low turnout was expected to favour the Barisan Nasional, while a high turnout was expected to favour the opposition, Pakatan Harapan. Instead, the turnout didn’t favour any group, with the youth vote not being the game-changer the opposition had hoped for.

Continue reading HERE!

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The Comedy of the Tragedy or Sputum to the sky #poem by Amir Khatib

“The sun deceived us
We were defeated by our grandfathers’ land
And the moon gave us whimper that we do not deserve”

Continue reading HERE

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Screws & Chips #47 #cartoon by Thanos Kalamidas

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Ovi magazine; Friday November 11th, 2022

The articles, the opinions, the stories, the poems and the cartoons Ovi magazine covers for Friday November 10th, 2022

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The 2022 US Election by Dr. Habib Siddiqui

American voters went to the polls on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, in what’s called the mid-term election, which will see all the seats in the House of Representatives and more than a third of the Senate up for grabs. In this election, however, they will not elect their president, who is voted into power every four years. As such, the mid-term elections, typically, don’t excite most eligible voters to cast their votes. Outside the senior citizens and the retirees, most young voters don’t show up to cast their votes.

Well, this year may be an exception with a record number of people casting their votes. In my more than four decades of living in the USA, I have never seen as much excitement and commotion with the mid-term polls.

The election results will have an enormous influence on the rest of President Joe Biden’s term.Currently, House Democrats have a razor-thin 3-vote advantage. In the Senate, Democrats and Republicans are split 50/50, with Vice President Kamala Harris being the tiebreaker.

Continue reading HERE!

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Self Portrait as a Froglet #poem by George Cassidy Payne

“First I feed
on mother’s yolk

attached am I
to her algae soft fingers”

Continue reading HERE

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Screws & Chips #46 #cartoon by Thanos Kalamidas

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Ovi magazine; Monday February 28th, 2022 – Rare Disease Day

 

The articles, the opinions, the stories, the poems and the cartoons Ovi magazine covers for Monday February 28th, 2022 – Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day is an observance held on the last day of February to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families. The European Organisation for Rare Diseases established the day in 2008 to raise awareness for unknown or overlooked illnesses. According to that organization, treatment for many rare diseases is insufficient, as are the social networks to support individuals with rare diseases and their families; furthermore, while there were already numerous days dedicated to sufferers of individual diseases (such as AIDS, cancer, etc.), there had previously not been a day for representing sufferers of rare diseases.

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Malaysia: Johor State Election Will Reshape the Political Landscape by Murray Hunter

The coming Johor State Election to take place on 12th March will most probably redefine the Malaysian electoral landscape. Both sides of the political scene are divided, where political parties intend to run individually, making this the most politically fragmented election since federation back in 1957.

The Johor State Assembly was dissolved last January under pretexts the UMNO government didn’t have a stable majority. Some pundits claim this is a test election to determine whether UMNO go alone in the coming federal election. More sceptical pundits claim this is part of a ploy by the UMNO “court cluster” to engineer an out to serving any prison time.

However, this election metaphorically is just like throwing the ‘cards’ up in the air to see where they land. The result could completely redefine the shape of the new political landscape for the next decade. At the minimum, the state election will define the respective bargaining powers of each political party in forming new coalitions to contest the coming federal election.

Continue reading HERE!

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Russian War Dogs #poem #painting by Nikos Laios

“The sirens are wailing,
The bombs and rockets
Are falling and the
Underground shelters
Are full as smoke
Billows and fills
The haunted
Blue sky.”

“The Barbarians Are Coming”

Continue reading HERE!

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Tang & Ram #029 #cartoon by Thanos Kalamidas

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Ovi today

The Power of Apology by Leah Sellers
Just think, a Leader who Understands the importance of taking the Time and Effort to Explain himself - his Intentions - and the Direction he is attempting to move our Great Nation, the United States of America (and the rest of the World) toward.

The abstinence vote by Thanos Kalamidas
Some thoughts for the abstinence vote and the reaction it caused from politicians and the media in ...Greek

Latvian report by Euro Reporter
Expensive apartments and an airline that sells tickets in Euros the latest Euro-report from Latvia

2nd Opinion #31/09 by Thanos K & Asa B
Seriously, I think you'll need a second opinion after this.

Israel in general election

Voting is taking place in Israel in an early election called by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is stepping down. The favourite to become prime minister is Binyamin Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing opposition party, Likud.



But his opinion-poll lead has been reduced in recent weeks by Tzipi Livni, who heads the centrist Kadima, the largest party in the government. Mr Olmert announced months ago that he was standing down in the face of corruption allegations. An attempt to form a new government without elections failed.

The choice is the hawks or the vultures?

Go hang

A spokesman for Zimbabwean dictator and caricature Hitler, Robert Mugabe has rejected Western criticism of the country's disputed presidential run-off election.

At an African Union summit in Egypt, George Charamba said the West had no basis to speak about the situation - and can "go hang a thousand times".

Zanu-PF's Robert Mugabe said he had won the vote, boycotted by the opposition.

Little prick, you are lucky I’m totally against the capital punishment otherwise I would like to explain to you who should go and …hang and why!!!

US to ignore Zimbabwe poll result

The US will not recognize the outcome of Friday's presidential election run-off in Zimbabwe, a senior state department official has said.

Robert Mugabe could not claim a legitimate victory amid the current campaign of violence against the opposition. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the poll, but Mugabe says the vote will go ahead. Southern African leaders are to meet to discuss the crisis on Wednesday.

Mugabe, Africa’s caricature Hitler must go now!

Criticism mounts on Zimbabwe

International criticism is mounting on Zimbabwe after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of a presidential run-off because of pre-poll violence.

Zambia's leader Levy Mwanawasa, who heads a regional bloc, said a vote held in current conditions would be an "embarrassment" to the region. The US urged UN action over President Robert Mugabe's "illegitimate" regime.

Zimbabwe's ruling party said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn from the poll to avoid "humiliation".

Africa’s caricature dictator, Robert Mugabe has to go NOW!

Veterans for Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe has warned that Zimbabwe's war of independence veterans are ready to fight to stop the MDC gaining power, state media report.

Mugabe was quoted by the Herald newspaper as saying the veterans had asked approval to take up arms but he had dissuaded them. They said Zimbabwe was won "by the barrel of the gun" and should not be surrendered by a vote, he said.

Tensions have been high ahead of a presidential run-off poll on 27 June. Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mugabe but not the 50% needed for outright victory.

The veterans of what? His secret services? The ones who torture and kill the Zimbabwean people day after day? The veteran traitors of the humanity?

FYROM goes to critical polls

FYROM is holding a snap general election called after Greece vetoed the ex-Yugoslav republic's attempt to join NATO because of its name and with the fear of the Albanians.

Macedonia is the name of a Greek region and history resents a perceived and based on lies attempt to claim the heritage of Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great. The country's ruling coalition is also divided over recognizing Kosovo as an independent state.

Around a quarter of the population are ethnic Albanians like most of Kosovo. The centre-right coalition also wants to speed up reforms. Sunday's vote could determine whether FYROM joins both NATO and the European Union, most of which did recognize Kosovo when it declared independence in February.

About time to leave all the hysterical past and try to work in a better future because FYROM has no time to spare and only one chance to prove that it is a modern democratic state!

Africa’s caricature Hitler, Mugabe and his gangsters’ army

Zimbabwe's army chief has told soldiers they must leave the military if they do not vote for incumbent President Robert Mugabe in next month's run-off poll.

Chief-of-staff Maj Gen Martin Chedondo said soldiers had signed up to protect Mr. Mugabe's principles of defending the revolution, state media reported. "If you have other thoughts, then you should remove that uniform," he said.

Gen Chedondo was speaking at a target-shooting competition outside Harare, the Herald newspaper reported. Zimbabwe's generals have in the past vowed never to support the main opposition candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, if he is elected in the 27 June run-off election.

That’s if you had any questions on how far Mugabe’s junta can go! Africa’s caricature Hitler is using the army now and the list for the candidates for the international courts is getting bigger. Monster torturer and idiotic gangster Martin Chedondo is definitely going to keep company to Robert in the dark cell!

A plot to kill in Zimbabwe

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has postponed a return to Zimbabwe because of concerns about a plot to kill him.

"We have received information from a credible source concerning a planned assassination attempt," his spokesman George Sibotshiwe said.

Mr Tsvangirai was set to return to campaign for a run-off presidential election against Robert Mugabe. On Friday, the US ambassador warned post-election violence had made a fair second round run-off vote impossible.

Mugabe will do everything to survive, don’t give him the chance!

Zimbabwe’s second round

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he will contest a presidential run-off, despite fears of widespread poll violence.

Speaking in South Africa, he said people would feel "betrayed" if he did not run, and vowed to return shortly. Mr Tsvangirai called for an end to violence, as well as full access by international monitors and media.

Official first-round results put him ahead of President Robert Mugabe, but not by enough votes to win outright. Mr Tsvangirai had earlier insisted he had secured more than 50% of the vote, and that there was therefore no need for a second round.

"I am ready, and the people are ready for the final round," the opposition leader went on to demand "unfettered access of all international observers" and journalists covering the vote.

Morgan is ready for the second round and this is fine, the question is if Mugabe is ready to go to prison and to be followed by the international court for crimes against humanity!

Militias to ‘rape’ Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's "war veterans" militia plan to intimidate voters by posing as police officers during the presidential run-off.

He said they would be based inside polling stations during the vote, whose date has not yet been fixed. The report came as South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, the lead Zimbabwe negotiator, prepared to hold talks with Robert Mugabe in Harare.

Mr. Mbeki has previously played down talk of a crisis in Zimbabwe. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says its supporters are being systematically targeted by the "war veterans" and other supporters of President Mugabe ahead of the run-off.

Mugabe is using everything to stay in power but now he is against the world!

Mass challenge in Zimbabwe

Half of the results from Zimbabwe's parliamentary polls in March have been challenged in court, state media says.

Lawyers say the 105 petitions should not disrupt the work of parliament, but could in the end overturn the opposition's historic majority. The announcement came as southern African mediators arrived for talks over the presidential run-off impasse.

The opposition might boycott a run-off, saying candidate Morgan Tsvangirai was the rightful winner in the first round. Results published by Zimbabwe's electoral commission last week gave Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Mr. Tsvangirai more votes than President Robert Mugabe, but not the 50% needed to avoid a run-off.

Mugabe is out he just doesn’t want to accept it, so let’s help him a bit …Mugabe f%$k off!

Zimbabwe in doubt

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change has ended a meeting in Harare without deciding whether to contest a run-off presidential vote.

A delegation is to visit South Africa to consult MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai before making a final decision. Mr Tsvangirai has not ruled out taking part. Incumbent President Robert Mugabe would win automatically if he did not.

On Friday the MDC rejected first-round results that gave Mr Tsvangirai the most votes, but not outright victory. Mr Mugabe has accepted the official results of the 29 March election, and confirmed he would stand in a run-off. The date has still to be set, but it is expected to be within 21 days.

Mugabe’s kick to the cell is no doubt! The day is getting closer every minute!

Zimbabwe goes for a run-off

A senior official with Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and incumbent President Robert Mugabe must compete in a presidential run-off, based on its election results.

Tsvangirai received 47 percent of the vote in last month's election while Mugabe received 43 percent, the senior official said. A candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote to avoid a presidential run-off in Zimbabwe.

Asked if the results came from Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission, the official would not specify. "We have ways of knowing these things," he said. A spokesman for Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change rejected the ZANU-PF figures as rigged and said the party would refuse to participate in any run-off vote.

Mugabe count the days, your cell is ready waiting!

Zimbabwe, the activists are free

Police in Zimbabwe have freed more than 180 opposition activists without charge four days after they were detained.

This comes as a Zimbabwean human rights group accuses the government of using violence in rural areas to rig a possible presidential run-off. A BBC contributor in the southern town of Masvingo reports that the bodies of two opposition activists have been found after they were abducted.

Allies of President Robert Mugabe say the violence is being exaggerated. Another BBC contributor, in the eastern town of Mutare, reports that opposition activists are starting to take revenge on ruling party militants. He says they burnt down a militant base in Odzi, just north of Mutare on Monday, while the state-owned Herald newspaper says an army training camp was attacked.

He has to back somehow, now Mugabe has the whole international community against him, even his last allies leaving him!

Mugabe loss confirmed

The party of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has failed to regain its parliamentary majority after a partial recount of votes from polls last month.

Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission said results were unchanged in 18 of 23 seats where recounts had taken place. Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF needed to win nine seats to regain its majority, lost for the first time since 1980.

The opposition MDC says it also won presidential polls, although those results remain unreleased. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said the presidential results could be announced after the completion of the recounts, expected by Monday.

But ZEC Chairman George Chiweshe said a "verification and collation" process would take place with agents of the presidential candidates before the long-awaited results were released.

MDC spokesman Nqobizitha Mlilo told the BBC the recount results "only serve to confirm what we've always said in the past, that... we won this election hands down". Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told AFP news agency that the recount results showed the electoral system was "transparent".

Get out of Zimbabwe, more …transparent message than this cannot be!!!