Stories about Breaking News from April, 2009
Japan: Filipino girl sees her parents deported
All are equal before the law and in Japan, foreigners without a legal permit to stay must leave the country. Deportation is assured for any illegal immigrant. This is what...
Fiji: Court rules military government illegal
Fiji’s bloggers are reacting to a recent court ruling that deems the country’s military-backed government illegally came to power in December 2006. The court asks Fiji’s President to appoint a caretaker government to rule in its place until elections can be held.
Palestine: Twittering Gazan Mom Stranded at Cairo Airport Deported after 36 Hours
Her tweets have gone silent and her last message spoke of a deportation to somewhere other than home. Home is Gaza in Palestine, which Laila El-Haddad and her two American-born children Yousuf and Noor can't travel to, to be reunited with their grandparents except through the Rafah Crossing on the Egyptian-Palestinian border - which is closed. Egypt won't let them through; and El-Haddad's visa to the US, where she has flown in from to the Cairo Airport where she was stranded for 36 hours, had expired. Where is the Twittering Palestinian mother and what has happened to her and her children?
Thailand: Thousands join anti-government protest
Tens of thousands of protesters joined the opposition Red Shirts in Bangkok in a bid to topple the government. Many of the rallyists were supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin...
Italy: citizens provide news and reflections on the earthquake in L'Aquila
More than 250 people dead, about 1,000 injured and over 25,000 displaced: Italy's worst earthquake in three decades. While the situation on the ground is still unfolding, people are widely using online tools to offer updates, commentaries, and help.
Moldova: “Grape Revolution” / “Twitter Revolution”
Peaceful protests that took place in Moldova's capital Chisinau on Monday, following the victory of the ruling Communist Party in the April 5 election, turned violent on Tuesday, as protesters stormed and set fire to the parliament building. While it's too early to speak of the outcome of the post-election uprising, one thing is sure: the impact of social media on facilitation and coverage of the protests in Moldova - which is known as "the poorest country in Europe" - has been outstanding.
Moldova: “Chisinau Burning”?
Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow reviews recent blog, Twitter and media coverage of the situation in Moldova.
Moldova: Twitter Updates
Twitter updates on the situation in Moldova (via Tweetscoop): #Moldova, #Chisinau, #pman. According to Mihai Moscovici, the latter “is the acronym for Piata Marii Adunari Nationale, name of the central...
Japan: “Missile” or “Flying Object”?
“Missile” or “flying object”? Yasuharu Dando has put together a page with screenshots of how the major Japanese newspapers have reported whatever it was that North Korea launched over Japan...
Thailand: Another airport blockade?
Twitter user jeremyfanclub heard on the radio that anti-government protesters in Thailand plan to block the Chiang Mai airport today where the Prime Minister is expected to land after noon.
Malaysia: Twitter page of new Prime Minister
Malaysia's new Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Razak has a Twitter account. Check also his website for the links to his Flickr and YouTube sites.
Cambodia: Preah Vihear frontline
Andy Brouwer visited the Cambodia side of the disputed Preah Vihear territory. He posted pictures of soldiers guarding the border.
Fighting erupts again on Preah Vihear border
A border clash took place between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on the disputed Preah Vihear territory. The fighting took place days before the Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land...
Egypt: Baha'is attacks spark outcry
On April 2, several human rights organizations headed to the public prosecutor in solidarity with the Baha'is who were assaulted in Sohag after a journalist called them reverts and urged people to kill them. Marwa Rakha covers online initiatives and the outcry which followed.
Israel: Teen Killed, Child Hurt in Terror Attack
Breaking news in Israel – Two boys were attacked with an ax yesterday (April 2) in the West Bank community of Bat Ayin. Thirteen year old Shlomo Nativ died from his injuries, while 7 year old Yair Gamliel was rushed to the hospital with a fractured skull. The incident, deemed to be a terrorist attack, lead the Israel Defense Forces to the nearby town of Khirbet Safa, where the attacker is believed to be hiding. In the Jewish tradition of burying the dead, Nativ's funeral was held on the same evening.
Brazil: Reporting from the G20 Summit in London
“While G20 leaders chat and take pictures, the photographers and bloggers at the G20 Voice table battle to talk to Bob Geldof”. Rodrigo Alvares has been updating this post at...
Malaysia's New Prime Minister
The soon to be 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia is Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Many writers have expressed concern that Najib's ascendancy will “steer Malaysia back to authoritarianism.”
