Stories about French from November, 2009
Morocco: War on Press Continues
The Moroccan authorities are ratcheting up their attacks on independent journalists. A week rarely passes without the authorities hitting hard on the press for alleged infractions, cracking down on printed as well as online media. Bloggers have been reflecting on this state of affairs.
France: Does Prestigious Literary Award Entail a “Duty of Restraint” ?
The start of this year's French literary season saw French-Senegalese novelist and playwright Marie N'Diaye awarded a much-awaited Prix Goncourt. However, N'Diaye and her family moved to Berlin two years ago, in large part because of French president Nicolas Sarkozy's politics. Will this be another opportunity to celebrate diversity in a changing French society? Or will the moment be spoiled by controversy?
Algeria-Egypt: Online Feud Over Football Match
Tension is building between Egyptian and Algerian football fans ahead of a decisive football match due to take place in Cairo on November 14, which could determine which of both teams would qualify to next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Ahead of the Saturday showdown, rival fans have been gearing up offline, as well as online heated exchanges, escalating into a little "war" of intimidation.
Morocco: Islamic Finance Banks
we are watching you [Fr] explains why you won't see any Islamic finance banks in Morocco anytime soon.
Southern Madagascar Hit Hard by Severe Drought and Toxic Spill
While the political direction of Madagascar remains mired in total uncertainty since the coup d'etat in March, in Addis Ababa, the international community is again trying to mediate an agreement between the various political movements. The president of the African Union and one of the mediators present in Addis Ababa,...
Caribbean: French Literary Prizes
This week, two of the most prestigious French literary prizes were awarded to two French-speaking authors of African descent: The French-speaking Caribbean blogosphere has been buzzing over this double satisfaction, in this post from Haiti, this one from Guadeloupe and this one from Martinique [Fr].
Morocco: Here Comes the Sun
Morocco has announced this week the launch of a solar energy project, with an estimated cost of $9 billion, aiming at raising the share of renewable sources in the country's energy production. Mostly supportive bloggers have been sharing their thoughts.
French Caribbean: “La Toussaint”
In the French-speaking Caribbean, celebrating "La Toussaint", All Saints' and All Souls' Days, are as much an opportunity for family reunions as the Christmas season is. Here is a review of what the blogosphere says about it this year...
GV French Translator Boukary Konate featured in “Le Monde” Blog
GVO in French translator and Mali-based Bambara blogger Boukary Konate, who blogs at Fasokan, is featured [Fr] in Africascopie, a blog of the French daily Le Monde. They call him “the unrepentant blogger”, and you can listen to a podcast of a “smashing” interview. In an earlier entry of the...
