· September, 2008

Stories about Breaking News from September, 2008

China: Media Manipulation on the Poisonous Milk Powder Scandal

The “Sanlu poisonous milk scandal” attracted more and more attention until the Central Propaganda Department gave strict orders on 9/15 to stop all Chinese media to report and investigate this scandal. Xinhua News, which is a mouthpiece of China government, shifted from a critical tone of voice to more positive reports and eulogy for the government departments' effectiveness in dealing with this scandal...This is a tragedy for hundred of thousands families. However, the sad story is being transformed into a happy story

18 September 2008

Lebanon: Political Tensions are Escalating

While the people in Lebanon were under the impression that the latest negotiations between the leading political groups might translate into a glimpse of a brighter and calmer days to come, two people were killed and four injured in a clash between two rival Christian parties in Bsarma village in Koura, north Lebanon.

18 September 2008

Mexico: Explosions in Morelia During Independence Day Celebrations

Two hand grenades were tossed into a crowd in the city of Morelia, Mexico during independence day celebrations. Eight people were killed, and more than 100 were injured. Authorities are blaming the attack on drug cartels, who have been responsible for brutal killings throughout the country. This concern also led to a recent protest march that attracted thousands. Mexican bloggers are mourning this latest tragedy and are calling on the government to act.

17 September 2008

China: Crisis on “Made in China”

The anger on the poisonous milk powder incident continues to roar everyday. Apart from Sanlu, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China released last night (Sept 16) that one fifth of baby powder manufacturers in the country are involved in the melamine scandal. 22 dairy enterprises, including national brands like Yili and Meng Niu are involved in manufacturing poisonous milk powder. Up till now, at least 6,244 babies got sick with kidney stone disease.

17 September 2008

Egypt: Another Doweika Tragedy Waiting to Happen!

More than 1,100 students have so far joined a Facebook group crying for attention for a tragedy waiting to happen at Alexandria University's Engineering College. As more than 7,000 students get ready to return to classes, will their plight be heard? Marwa Rakha reports.

17 September 2008

China: Infant-killer milk powder sickens the country

Is food in China edible? Chinese people started to ask. The tainted infant formula has not only killed 2 babies, triggered panic among parents, but also gave a solid hit on made-in-China. The biggest problem is, we came to lose trust on all that we can eat.

16 September 2008

Lebanon: The Assassination's Echo

Mr Saleh Aridi was about to drive his car when a bomb planted under the driver-seat went off, killing him on the spot. Mr Aridi a well known top adviser to the government minister and pro-Syrian Druze leader Talal Arslan. With his death, the number of assassinated officials in Lebanon mounted to 11 since former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination on February 14, 2005. Lebanese bloggers react.

11 September 2008

Egypt: Rocks Slide over Slums in Cairo

Egypt woke up on breaking news that “Casualties & injuries in rock blocks collapse over slums of Doweiqa, Cairo” on a Twitter update by Egyptian blogger Noura Yunis on Saturday. A massive rocky body fell from the Mokhatam Mountain, crashing down few apartments just below it, at around 7am, killing at least 30 people. Egyptian blogger react.

8 September 2008

Egypt: Tragedy in Doweiqa

Egyptian bloggers are writing about the Doweiqa disaster, where more than 30 people were killed due to a rock slide. Could this incident have been avoided? And why does tragedy always hurt the most vulnerable of people?

8 September 2008

Lebanon: Political Tension Takes Over The Blogosphere

The political tension in Lebanon is escalating to critical levels with each passing day. The latest helicopter downing by Hezbollah managed to add more conflicts between the politicians and the citizens as well. Intense debates and political opinions can be seen everyday on the evening news and now on the blogosphere too. Local bloggers armed themselves with their personal opinions and analysis, taking the "battle" into their web spaces.

4 September 2008

China: Yang Jia given death penalty in problematic trial

Yang killed people, and this should have been condemned by society. What comes unexpectedly, though, is that he actually earned many people's sympathy. Can't people tell right from wrong? What possible reason could there be, for public and social values to get as screwed up as this?

1 September 2008