· August, 2010

Stories about Breaking News from August, 2010

U.S. Virgin Islands: The Effects of Hurricane Earl

  31 August 2010

Hurricane Earl made its way across the U.S. Virgin Islands yesterday as bloggers continued to share their thoughts and experiences. Jamaican diaspora blogger Labrish, who “[has] been fortunate to travel to these islands several times”, was concerned about her acquaintances there: My thoughts go out to everyone living on the...

Caribbean: “Earl” Watch

  30 August 2010

It's that time again: Hurricane season. Regional bloggers, having been affected by brutal storms in the past, are keeping a watchful eye on Hurricane Earl, which has now been classified as a Category 3 storm. Within the next 36 to 48 hours, it is expected to affect the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, among other islands.

Russia: Bloggers Outraged by Putin's Interview

RuNet Echo  30 August 2010

Recent interview [RUS] of Vladimir Putin to Kommersant newspaper outraged many bloggers. They accuse Putin of a lie [RUS], ignorance [RUS], deliberate substitution [RUS] of the terms “police state” and a “state governed by a rule of law.” Other bloggers condemn [RUS] his attitude towards protesters: “You went out [on...

Chile: Miners record on a video their living conditions

  28 August 2010

Through a video camera lowered down to them, the 33 trapped Chilean miners have recorded their living conditions in the refuge that kept them alive for the 21 days before they were found. In the video they send messages to their families and explain how they spend their days.

Russia: Bono Sings Together with Opposition Musician

RuNet Echo  26 August 2010

Bono's (U2) visit to Russia [EN] turned out to be a highly politicized event. Some complain [RUS], Bono didn't tell Medvedev about the Khimki Forest Park, some admire his joint performance [RUS/EN] with Yuri Shevchuk, an opposition musician. Oleg Kozyrev asks [RUS], “What if Bono could spend part of his energy...

China: Fujian Netizen, Fan Yanqiong, Released from Prison

  25 August 2010

The last of the Fujian 3 netizens still in prison, Fan Yanqiong, was quietly released today on medical parole with nearly a year remaining on her sentence. Watch He Yang's new documentary on her story, as well as that of netizens You Jingyou and Wu Huaying, below the jump.

Chile: Thermoelectric Plant is Approved Despite President's Promise

  24 August 2010

Today, the Regional Environmental Commission of Coquimbo (in Spanish, Comisión Regional del Medio Ambiente de Coquimbo) approved a project to build a thermoelectric power plant in Marine reserve Punta de Choros. Pablo Astudillo writes in his blog, Astu's Science Blog, about the project and its environmental implications; he also posts...

Russian Internet Surveillance Allegedly Hacked

RuNet Echo  24 August 2010

Bloggers discuss alleged hack-attack [RUS] on the government surveillance system (SORM [EN]) that traces government e-mails. The Russian Federal Security Service acknowledged the attack but denied any rumors that sensitive data had been stolen although some Internet users published [RUS] screenshots of the hacked system. LJ user leicacit suggested [RUS]...

Mexico: Miss Universe 2010 Gets All the Attention on Twitter

  24 August 2010

Miss Mexico 2010, Jimena Navarrete, won this year's Miss Universe contest. Mexican Twitter users expressed enthusiasm for Navarrete's victory; however, some criticized the amount of attention the event was getting compared to other, more important issues. Navarrete also tweeted, thanking everyone for their support.

Philippines: Hostage drama ends in violence

  24 August 2010

An ex-policeman hijacked a tourist bus in Manila, Philippines which led to the death of 9 tourists from Hong Kong. Filipino netizens are angry, sad, and disappointed. Here are some online comments.

Chile: 33 Trapped Miners Are Alive

  23 August 2010

33 miners trapped inside a collapsed copper and gold mine in northern Chile confirmed on a small note that all of them are alive inside a shelter, thus revitalizing search and rescue efforts when hopes of finding them alive were fading. The note surfaced inside a bag attached to one of the drills that managed to reach the exact location where they are located, 2,300 feet (700 meters) underground.

Bolivia: State of Emergency Due to Wildfires

  22 August 2010

Bolivia is in a state of fire emergency, with 25,000 blazes affecting 1.5 million hectares. Pablo Andrés Rivero writes [es] about the lack of resources to put out the fires; he also expresses his unbelief at declarations from the Minister of Rural Development, Nemesia Achacollo, who said that only rain...

South Korea: A Pastor Facing Arrest for Visiting North Illegally

  14 August 2010

A left-inclining South Korean pastor who made an unauthorized trip to North Korea will be arrested for violating the National Security Law as soon as he returns to South, South Korea’s Joongang reported. Pastor Han is scheduled to return tomorrow from his 10 day visit to North.