Politics
50 years on: Has France really let go of its former colonies?
April 2010
Francafrique, the name given to the secret and sometimes shady political and commercial ties between France and its former colonies, may finally be breathing its last breath.
During his run for president three years ago, French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised to get rid of “Francafrique.” Indeed, French analysts have predicted its death for years. Active speculation began in 1994, with the death of Cote d’Ivoire’s first post-independence president, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who served for 33 years and was known as the “father of Francafrique.” Three years later, then-French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin signaled a turn toward greater neutrality by defining relations with Africa as “neither interference nor indifference.”
And yet, as 14 former French colonies are getting ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their independence this summer, a web of political, financial, military and personal ties still connects them to France. (more…)
No Salt in the City
April 30, 2010 – Columbia News Tonight
Reporter: Saskya Vandoorne
Producer: Kethevane Gorjestani
Our Focus story this week looks at the city’s efforts to reduce the amount of salt we eat. So far 16 food companies have agreed to cut the amount of salt in bacon, rice, ketchup and other foods.
Street Artists Protest Against City Plan to Limit Vendors in Parks
April 23, 2010 – Columbia News Tonight
Reporter and Producer: Kethevane Gorjestani
Hundreds of street artists gathered outside a Parks Department hearing today to protest against new city rules that would cut the number of art vendors around city parks.
Health Care Reform Leaves Public Uncertain
March 26, 2010 – Columbia News Tonight
Reporter: Kethevane Gorjestani
Producer: Thad Novak
Congress yesterday passed a package of fixes to the long debated overhaul of the nation’s healthcare system. Kethevane Gorjestani explains what the new law means for the millions of Americans currently uninsured.
Les Elections Européennes
Reportage réalisé en Mai 2009.
Rédacteur: Kéthévane Gorjestani
JRI: Loraine Canayer
Manifestations de la communauté Tamoule à Paris
Reportage réalisé en Avril 2009.
Rédacteur: Kéthévane Gorjestani
JRI: Amira Souilem
Early voting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Early voting on the UNC campus in Chapel Hill, NC, a few days before November 4, 2008
Des étudiants euphoriques en Caroline du Nord
Publié sur 20minutes.fr le 5 novembre 2008
Il est 19h dans le grand hall de l’Université de Caroline du Nord (UNC), à Chapel Hill. Assis, debout, par terre, les étudiants ont les yeux rivés sur CNN pour ne pas rater une miette de l’élection. Les plus accros comme Ross Twele, un cinquième année, sont par ailleurs connectés à tous les sites d’informations sur leur ordinateur portable. L’ambiance est assez calme car tous s’attendent à vivre une élection très serrée et à passer une longue soirée. «Il y a de très grandes chances qu’on soit là toute la nuit», explique Ross Twele. «C’est pas grave, moi j’ai cours à 11h seulement donc je peux me coucher tard», dit Krishna Kollu, un première année, ajoutant un petit pronostic: «Si on a les résultats avant 2h du matin c’est Obama; si c’est plus tard alors c’est McCain.»
En Caroline du Nord, le vote anticipé a fait le plein
Une file d’attente d’une vingtaine de personnes, des isoloirs et des autocollants «I voted» (j’ai voté) sur fond de drapeau américain. Partout sur le campus de l’université de Caroline du Nord à Chapel Hill, des panneaux incitent les étudiants à aller voter au Morehead planétarium, le bureau de vote du campus. Ici, comme dans trente trois autres états, les électeurs peuvent voter en personnes depuis plusieurs semaines, pendant ce que les Américains appellent le «early voting» (vote anticipé).
Lire la suite sur 20minutes.fr
Editorial: Hillary Clinton, Obama’s Best Friend
June 4, 2008
What is the worst thing that could happen to Barack Obama now? Exactly what many party members and commentators have been calling for: Hillary Rodham Clinton to drop out. Why?
First, this democratic primary has been the most exciting the party has seen in a while. It has engaged millions of Americans who could not care less about politics before. The democratic nominee, most likely Barack Obama, will therefore benefit from a huge number of voters in November. One example, the democratic primary voter turnout in Indiana was an astonishing 29% greater than what John Kerry got in the general election 4 years ago.
To rig or not to rig? That is the question in Georgia
May 10, 2008
Thousands of people gathered on May 1, in a small alley in front of the Central Election Commission headquarters. The windows of the building were shut, protected by bars, curtains closed, with only a few curious heads peeping through. As opposition leaders sought entry to the building, police officers were quickly overwhelmed. Between protesters, journalists and police officers things turn sour in minutes. MP Levan Gachechiladze, former presidential candidate and leader of the United Opposition, the 9 party opposition coalition, was pinned to the ground by police officers and beaten up. The scuffle prevented the opposition from entering the building. Gachechiladze then personally tied up two boards on one of the windows before symbolically nailing them with a hammer, which he eventually threw at the police.