Stories about Breaking News from September, 2007
Ukraine: Election Coverage
For the ongoing coverage of today's general election in Ukraine, visit Orange Ukraine (an overview of the day, foreign media coverage roundup and more), and Ukrainiana.
Morocco: Berbers can be blonde
Major media outlets and bloggers went into a frenzy a few days ago when a blurry photograph taken by a Spanish tourist in Morocco's Rif mountain region showed a small blonde girl bearing a strong resemblance to missing British child Madeleine McCann perched on the back of a Moroccan woman. As it turns out, the photo was not of Maddie but of a 2-year-old Moroccan girl. What do Moroccans think of this matter? Jillian York has the story.
Myanmar: “Oh yeah, everything is fine”
Myanmar blogger MoeMaKa Media writes about the need for consensus in statements made by Burmese citizens abroad in order to effectively support the struggle in Myanmar.
Myanmar: Internet Blocked
The follwing post is from a Burmese blogger who wishes to remain anonymous. There have been massive support from Myanmar bloggers for the current protest activities, and the whole Myanmar blogosphere is overwhelmed with news and photos. Because of that, Myanmar Junta got chickened out and banned the political blogs,...
Myanmar: Soldiers fighting each other
Yangon Thu has linked to reports coming in from Myanmar (via Mizimma, in Burmese) talking about infighting between the factions in the army. “The Battalions from Middle Burma and South East Burma are said to have left for Yangon. Rumors are rampant that there is trouble within the Army itself...
China: Bloggers side with Burmese monks
Chinese government talk of non-intervention in the violent crushing of democracy protests this week in the Myanmar capital Yangon hasn't resonated much with a number of high-profile Chinese bloggers, with several taking the risk of openly joining the Red Shirt for Burma campaign and calling for their readers to do the same.
Myanmar: Voices from the Region
Myanmar's government is warning the protesters to stay off the streets following a large demonstration in Yangon yesterday. The protesters are being led by monks and they are demanding more freedom and roll-back of price hikes announced earlier this month. Bloggers from the neighboring countries are posting their thoughts and...
Morocco: Morocco Welcomes New Prime Minister
Following the September 7 elections, Moroccan King Mohammed VI appointed a new prime minister, Abbas el-Fassi, to replace Driss Jettou, who had served in that position since 2002. El-Fassi, who may be best known for a failed business operation involving an Emirati cruise ship (which left many hopeless young men vying for jobs and lead a few to commit suicide), is a member of the winning Istiqlal (Independence) party. Read how the Moroccan blogopshere reacted in this post by Jillian York.
Iraq: Repugnant Black Water
Salam Adil discusses the reactions of Iraqi bloggers to Black Water, a private security firm, which has recently killed at least eight Iraqi civilians while driving American diplomats through the streets of Baghdad in this post.
Lebanon: MP Antoine Ghanem Assassinated
Member of the Lebanese Parliament Antoine Ghanem was assassinated today by a bomb that targeted his car in Beirut’s suburb of Sin el-Fil, Hursh Tabet area. Mr. Ghanem, 64, was a member of the Phalange Party which is led by ex–president Amine Gemayel. At least six other people were killed and 20 wounded in the attack. Moussa Bashir brings us the latest reactions from the Lebanese blogosphere.
Lebanon: Terrorist Explosion
“A large terrorist explosion targetted the Sin el Fil area on the outskirt of Beirut. LBC is reporting that the explosion is near Antoine Library. The reporter is saying that on of the burning cars belong to a member of parliament. The images on LBC are grave. Burning cars, destroyed...
Bangladesh: Yet another Muhammed cartoon controversy
Alpin is one satirical cartoon supplement of the Daily Prothom Alo, which claims to be the most popular Bangla Newspaper in Bangladesh. In the 6th page of its 431th issue a cartoon titled ‘name’ was published (on Monday, September 17, 2007) which created much controversy in Bangladesh. So what was...
Thailand: Phuket Plane Crash
Bloggers in Thailand and the region are posting about the air crash at Phuket airport this afternoon. Phuket is a popular tourist destination in Thailand and many locals and foreigners visit the city for its beaches. Flight OG269, operated by a budget airline, was flying in from Bangkok with both...
Japan: NOVA unable to pay its employees
James at Japan Probe reports the news that NOVA, Japan's largest chain of English schools suffering from a deepening financial crisis, has postponed paying its English teachers this month.
Japan: Prime Minister Abe Steps Down
After less than a year in office, with approval ratings dropping to record lows after a recent humiliating upper house election defeat, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo finally took the step many had been demanding on Wednesday and declared his intention to resign. The timing of the move, which brought the prime minister yet more criticism from politicians and the media, doesn't seem to have gone down very well with bloggers either.
Russia: Surprise Nomination of Victor Zubkov
President Vladimir Putin accepted the resignation of Russia’s prime minister Mikhail Fradkov today and perplexed Russia-watchers by nominating Victor Zubkov, the little-known head of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service, for the premier's post. Here are a few reactions from English-language Russia blogs.
Indonesia: Quake Hits Indonesia, Felt in Singapore and Bangkok
An earthquake measuring 7.9 struck near Sumatra Island in Indonesia. Officials in Malaysia, Indonesia and India have issued tsunami warnings. South East Asians are already blogging about the tremors they felt.
Japan: Prime Minister Abe Resigns
DeOrio at Trans-Pacific Radio has been one of the first bloggers to write about the breaking news that Japanese Prime Minster Abe Shinzo has decided to resign. On the news that Abe may be replaced by his colleague Aso Taro, DeOrio writes: “If Abe is followed by Aso, more competent,...
Egypt: Algerians Protest Bombings
“Thousands of Algerians took to the streets to protest the recent suicide attacks that killed tens,” writes the Big Pharaoh from Egypt. “Very good news. I’m still dreaming of mass protests across the Arab world against the daily carnage in Iraq. I know I’ll be dreaming for a long time,”...
Morocco election photoblog lets voters talk politics with pictures
Millions of Moroccans headed to the polls today to take part in a political process many lament will only offer the Moroccan people more of the same. So if voters aren't particularly enthused, who could blame them? It's Morocco's eighth parliamentary elections since 1960, but as Amazigh Blog (fr) wrote...
Israel: Syria Fires at Israeli Warplane
Aussie Dave, from Israel, wraps up reactions on the latest developments about the possible shooting of an Israeli warplane, which flew over Syrian airspace and dropped ammunition, by Syria.
