Stories about Breaking News from October, 2010
Caribbean: Hurricane Tomas
Trinidad and Tobago, the twin island republic that seemed to be directly in Tomas‘ path on Friday, was spared its effects, but as the storm veered north, islands that had previously been out of its path were suddenly thrust into storm warning mode. Tomas is now situated south-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico; the hope remains that the Category 2 storm, which is expected to gather more strength, will steer clear of Haiti.
Guyana: Cyclone Approaches
Demerara Waves reports that “the densely populated coastland, including Georgetown and several villages, could be struck by strong winds, heavy rainfall lightning and thunder” associated with an approaching weather system.
Trinidad & Tobago: Approaching Storm
aka_lol says that an approaching tropical storm “doesn’t look good for a population that had to put up with extremely bad weather for the rainy season and continues to weather the Clico financial crisis with desperate threats from formerly-rich policyholders.”
Barbados: Another Fire
The Bajan Reporter posts footage of yet another fire in Barbados, saying: “Something is going on… Apart from Campus Trendz…in the last 21 days there was the Lighthouse in Silver Sands…Cafe Sol…then Sam Lord’s Castle…and now in Bridgetown with a business in broad daylight…is the DPP going to make a...
Argentina: Former President, Nestor Kirchner, Dies
This Wednesday, Nestor Kirchner, former president and husband of the current president Cristina Fernandez, died of a heart attack. Argentinian bloggers shared their impressions on this sudden and unexpected death.
Argentina: Former President Néstor Kirchner Dies
Néstor Kirchner, secretary general of UNASUR, former President and husband of current President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, died of a heart attack on Wednesday. His name is currently the top worldwide Twitter trending topic. Calafate, the place where he passed away, and Cristina Fernandez are also a trending topics.
Peru: Thousands of Indigenous People Block Rivers in Protest
Globalizado reports [es] that thousands of indigenous people in the Amazon are blocking the mouth of rivers Marañon and Tigre. The communities are protesting the constant contamination of the rivers by oil company Pluspetrol, which they accuse of neglecting those affected by a recent oil spill [es] and of not...
Flooding disaster in Thailand
More than 40 people are now confirmed dead due to rising floodwaters in the northeast and central parts of Thailand. Parts of Bangkok, the country’s capital, are now flooded too. Netizens provide disaster updates through blogs and twitter
Puerto Rico: Reactions to the Tax Reform
“Twittericans” use the hashtag #mensajegobernadorpr to react to governor Luis Fortuño's message on the tax reform.
Mexico: Thirteen residents executed at Tijuana rehabilitation center
Gancho reports that, “Thirteen residents at a Tijuana rehab facility were executed yesterday, in apparent retaliation for the seizure of 134 tons of marijuana last week. […] This is not the first time rehab center residents have been targeted (often, rehab centers are said to double as gangs’ centers of...
Jamaica: Farewell to the “Cool Ruler”
Jamaican reggae icon Gregory Isaacs, popularly known as the “Cool Ruler”, died this morning at this home in London, after a long battle with cancer. Possessing one of the most soulful voices in the reggae genre, Isaacs was probably best known for his song “Night Nurse” (from the 1982 album of the same name). The Jamaican blogosphere has been active upon hearing news of his death, to the point where the late singer has become a trending topic on Twitter.
Haze envelops Singapore
Haze in Singapore and south Malaysia! They blame it on the burning of trees in Sumatra, Indonesia where farmers are preparing for the crop planting season. Residents are coughing and complaining. The haze makes everyone dizzy and the web is buzzing about it
Pakistan: Marriage Of Convenience
Tamashbeen at All Things Pakistan finds it disgusting that 23-year old Azhar Haidri of Multan, Pakistan has become a media celebrity by marrying two women within 24 hours – the woman he was engaged with and the woman whom he claims as “his true love”.
Cyclone Giri hits Myanmar
Cyclone Giri struck Myanmar's west Arakan State. The cyclone is stronger than the deadly Cyclone Nargis which hit Myanmar two years ago.
Benin: One of the Most Affected by the Floods in Western Africa
Blaise Aplogan posts a photo of floods in Benin [fr]. He adds a table that summarizes the number of casualties and people affected by the floods in several western African countries, noting that Benin was one of the most severely hit [RFI report in French].
Taiwan:Typhoon Megi Breaks Rainfall Record
Zhong Sheng-siung (鐘聖雄) on citizen media “88news.org” is now reporting and uploading first-hand photos from Su-ao in Yilan county where Typhoon Megi has brought more than 1400 mm in just two days. In his post are photos of flooded Su-ao town and rescuers trying to find missing people in a...
Bangladesh: Beware Of The Population Bomb
Recent reports say that the population of Bangladesh has risen to 164.4 million. “Obviously Bangladesh’s biggest problem is over population,” says Fuad Hasan.
Thailand: Worst flooding in decades
Heavy rains in the past weeks produced the worst flooding in many decades in the rural northeast of Thailand. Since October 10, flooding also hit 13 provinces of Thailand. Netizens share their stories and reactions
Mexico: 20-year-old Woman is New Police Chief of Northern Mexican Town
Marisol Valles García is a married 20-year-old woman studying Criminology; she is also the new chief of police in Práxedis, Chihuahua, a town located around 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico's most violent city.
Pakistan: Ethnic Violence In Karachi
“Karachi continues to be the target of alleged ethnic killings as death toll of such targeted killings has reached an alarming 75 in the past four days,” informs Guppu.com.
Madagascar: Citizens Reporting of the Latest Clash Between Armed Forces and Protesters.
Blogger Jentilisa gives a detailed eyewitness account [mg] of the latest acts of violence [fr] between security forces and protesters on October 18th in Antananarivo, Madagascar. An estimated 1,500 people protested in front of the court where members of the opposition were to appear. Here is a citizen video of the protest before the...
