Stories about Breaking News from September, 2009
Indonesia: Strong earthquake hit West Sumatra
The coastal city of Padang, West Sumatra is once again devastated by an earthquake.
Madagascar Delegation Barred from UN General Assembly Stage
In an attempt to legitimize the military-backed government, Madagascar's acting leader was scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly on Thursday, only to be barred. Malagasy bloggers and twitterers react.
Guinea-Conakry: 58 Killed By Army
International news sites, French radio [fr], BBC Africa, Twitter [fr], journalists, NGOs and political leaders report of on armed forces shooting on unarmed crowd in Conakry, Guinea capital, today on sept.28th a number of 58 protesters, wonded or dead, were evacuated to the main hospital in Conakry. The crowd was...
Egypt: Another journalist to be deported
"Your name [is] on the computer." With those words Cairo-based Swedish journalist and blogger Per Bjorklund is being turned away from the Cairo Airport, where he landed a few hours ago. Egypt's bloggers are angry and speaking up against it.
Myanmar: New Currency Note Issued
The government of Myanmar had announced on state television and radio that a new currency note of 5000 Ks. will be issued starting from October 1st, 2009.
Philippines: Flooding documented on citizen videos
Citizen videos were able to capture horrible scenes of loss and devastation caused by a tropical storm which struck Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the Philippines last Saturday.
Philippines: Helping flood victims through social media
A tropical storm hit many parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the Philippines last Saturday. Social networking sites were flooded with personal stories, photos and videos of the typhoon's aftermath. The stream of information soon became a “hub” for coordinating rescue and relief efforts for those who had access to the internet
Philippines: Worst Flooding in 40 Years
Tropical Storm "Ondoy" hit the Philippines last Saturday triggering the worst flooding in 40 years which left 50 people dead and 280,000 residents displaced. Social media sites were maximized to share updates about the storm and to assist flood victims
Tunisia: Severe Flooding Kills 15
Flash floods hit Tunisia this week, killing at least 15 people and damaging property in the town of Redeyef in southern Tunisia. Bloggers declare two day of mourning and speak out against a media apparatus which trades on people's miseries to trump up the government.
Massive Protests in Guinea
A MISNA (Missionary International Service News Agency) report published on Sept. 25, states that massive street protests took place in Labé, Guinea second largest city, against Captain Dadis Moussa Camara, the military head of the state.
China: Xinjiang restaurant blown up
Beijing-based Twitter user Maggie Rauch had her camera ready when her local Xinjiang food restaurant exploded on Friday morning. “Could feel the explosion from my apartment,” she writes on her Twitpic of the blast. “Some of the guys who work there standing outside.” One week remains until the 60th anniversary...
Egypt: Blogging Farouk Hosni's Defeat
Egypt's Culture Minister Farouk Hosni has kept bloggers busy over the previous few days. His failed bid to secure a seat at the helm of UNESCO has polarised the blogosphere, with some even cooking up conspiracy theories to justify his defeat.
Cuba: activist arrested and released
Uncommon Sense reports the arrest and subsequent release of Cuban activist and journalist Belinda Salas Tapanes in Havana. “Salas is president of the Federation of Latin American Women (FLAMUR), one of the more effective opposition groups in Cuba.”
Honduras: Citizen Videos from a Country Under Curfew
A curfew has been imposed by the interim government in Honduras while clashes between protesters and police persist after the return on September 21 of ousted president Mel Zelaya. Citizens have captured videos on the streets.
The Egyptians Tweet Farouk Hosny's Defeat
Bulgarian candidate, Irina Bokova, 57, was elected the head of the UNESCO, defeating Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosny. Instead of mourning the loss, Egyptians celebrated his defeat on Twitter.
Lebanon: Anger Rebuilding of Palestinian Camp Suspended
Anger and protests erupted in response to the Lebanese Government's decision to suspend the reconstruction of the Nahr el Bared Palestinian refugee camp. Bloggers voice their outrage in this post by Antoun Issa.
Honduras: Scenes in El Carmen Colonia
HablaHonduras [es] posts videos of scenes in El Carmen Colonia in San Pedro Sula.
Haiti, USA: MacArthur award for Danticat
Repeating Islands reports that Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat has won a prestigious “genius award” from the MacArthur Foundation.
Philippines: National Artist Under Surveillance
The Philippine Navy recently confirmed that the man caught stalking the home of Bienvenido Lumbera, a prizewinning poet, dramatist, literary critic, and National Artist on September 17 was one of its personnel carrying out a surveillance training exercise.
Indonesia: Most wanted man confirmed dead
Noordin M. Top, Indonesia's most wanted man, was confirmed dead after being involved in a shoot-out with police forces. Indonesian twitterrers were quick to react to this story.
Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago: literary obituaries
Litblogger Geoffrey Philp posts short tributes to two Caribbean writers who have died within 24 hours of each other: Trinidadian Wayne Brown (1944-2009) and Jamaican Trevor Rhone (1940-2009).