Stories about Breaking News from February, 2008
Cameroon: Will the widespread unrest bring political change?
Cameroon was besieged this week by the worst violence in fifteen years, as a transportation strike formally ended by unions on Wednesday expanded into a more general protest against rising food and oil prices and President Biya's attempts to alter the constitution and extend his 25-year rule. Bloggers and netizens describe the situation on the ground and what it means for Cameroon's future.
EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood Trial Postponed
“The verdict in the military trial of 40 leading members of the Muslim Brotherhood has been postponed until March 25, according to friends who went out to Haikstep Military Base today in the hope of being the first to hear,” writes Elijah Zarwan, from Egypt.
Armenia: Post-Election Revolution Scenario?
That there would be mass demonstrations immediately after the presidential election held last week in Armenia was known long ago. Many observers also figured on yet another attempt by the radical opposition to stage a colored revolution of the type seen in Georgia and Ukraine. However, few expected it to succeed, but a week after the 19 February vote, the situation is now gearing up for what might be serious confrontation between opposition supporters and the authorities.
East Timor: Salsinha admits attacking Xanana Gusmão
According to Timor Online [pt], Gastão Salsinha, who replaced Alfredo Reinado as the rebels’ leader after he was killed during the attacks on the East Timor's top leaders, has admitted having opened fire against Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão but said they did not intend to kill him. “So the theory...
Lebanon: US Embassy in Serbia on Fire
From Lebanon, Sophia keeps us up-to-date with the attack on the US Embassy in Serbia in this post.
Serbia: Twitter Updates from Belgrade
Mini-updates on Twitter from Belgrade 2.0 blogger Viktor Marković are here.
Japan: Gov't to admit Burmese refugees
At the Glocom blog, there is news that the Japanese government is planning to admit refugees from Burma now staying in Thailand.
Martinique: Dockworkers on strike. Again.
In Martinique, le blog de [moi] writes that the port of Fort-de-France is completely blocked [Fr], and has been for a week, by dockworkers on strike. She's not too sympathetic, noting, according to one report, that dockworkers’ salaries have doubled in the last five years, and that they last went...
Egypt: No Change in Cuba
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia comments on the latest news regarding Cuba's strongman Fidel Castro's resignation.
Morocco: Bloggers Rally Behind Fouad Mourtada
In Morocco, francophone bloggers rally behind Fouad Mourtada, jailed for posting a Facebook profile that spoofed a member of the Moroccan royal family. Mourtada's arrest reveals the tensions between modern Morocco and Morocco of the Middle Ages, they write, while still holding out hope for an acquittal.
Cuba: Castro Steps Down
Cuban bloggers are abuzz with news of Fidel Castro's retirement: Babalu Blog: “My emotions are in turmoil”; Child of the Revolution: “I know that when it comes to Castro, nothing ever is what it seems”; Review of Cuban-American Blogs: “Nothing has changed for him or Cuba”; 1Click2 Cuba: “Monarchs excepted,...
Madagascar: Cyclone Ivan Wrecking Havoc.
Tropical Cyclone Ivan has landfalled in the Northeastern region of Madagascar on February, 17th and it is now categorized as a category 4 Hurricane. (via meteo france) Even though Madagascar is better prepared for cyclone season, having already taken the blunt of many cyclones (most recently cyclone Fame), the region...
Guyana: Massacre in Bartica
As reports of another massacre – this time in Bartica – reach bloggers, Living Guyana asks “How many more?”
Kosovo & Serbia: Independence Blogging
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia on Sunday, Feb. 17, has caused both celebrations and protests - as well as plenty of media coverage and an avalanche of blog posts. Below is a selection of some Anglophone bloggers' views.
Korea: Burning of Namdaemun
Namdaemun, the Great South Gate (called Namdaemun or Sungnyemun), which was established in the 14th century, was ravaged by a fire that broke out on the 10th of February. It was was the city’s main entrance from the south when Seoul became the capital of Korea more than 600 years...
China: Darfur, a reason to say No?
Is the Darfur issue a reason to say No to the 2008 Beijing Olympics? Spielberg nodded recently, while Mr. Bush shrugged, and Beijing frowned. But how about the common people in China?
Japan: Future words of the Web Era
Japanese web visionary Umeda Mochio (see earlier translated interview) announces the upcoming release on Feb. 27th of his new book, “Five propositions for a web era: These words will open the way to the future!” (ウェブ時代 5つの定理―この言葉が未来を切り開く！ [ja]), at his blog My Life between Silicon Valley and Japan [ja]. According to...
Bahrain: Response to Hezbollah leader's death
Hezbollah has wide support in Bahrain, and there has been an immediate response to the news of the death of Imad Mughniyeh, a top Hezbollah leader, reports Ayesha Saldanha.
Trinidad & Tobago: “Twittering” the Earthquake
Caribbean Free Radio feels the earth move under her feet in Trinidad – and immediately posts to Twitter.
Syria: Imad Mughniyeh Assassinated
The latest headlines from Damascus talk of a car bomb explosion in the uptown neighborhood of Kafar Suseh. The explosion - as was discovered later today - was a successful assassination attempt at one of Hizbulla's top leaders Imad Mughniyeh. Yazan Badran sums up the reactions of bloggers.
Turkey is Typing… Turban or No Turban?
The "Turban" (or Islamic Headscarf) in Turkey has always been a hot-button issue within the Republic. This week, the Turkish parliament approved a preliminary bill that would allow women to wear headscarves at University... the result of which has caused an outcry from many sections of Turkish society. Is the lifting of the headscarf ban a sign of a positive democratic process or the slow takeover of a religious autocracy?
