Stories about Breaking News from November, 2008
Bangladesh: Intrusion by Indian Border Security Force (BSF)
Onnesha reports that some members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) sneaked into Bangladesh soil and started firing when they were intercepted by the villagers. Three Bangladeshi villagers including an infant and the mother were killed.
Egypt for Sale
Word is out that every Egyptian citizen who is over 21 years old will own a part of Egypt's public sector companies and factories. The announcement has been the core topic of talk shows and has made its way to the blogosphere.
Pakistan: GEO TV News Blocked?
Teeth Maestro is reporting that the transmission of Geo News, a Dubai based Pakistani news channel and other channels of the GEO TV network have been blocked in most parts of Karachi.
Japan: 2008 Neologisms and Trendy Words
Presenting this year's 60 neologisms and trendy words [jp], among which only one will be elected representative for 2008, Kôgetsu describes briefly[jp] the events that influenced the choice and Japanese public opinion on the topic this year. His “best three” words are: subprime, tainted rise (事故米) and “Ponyo Ponyo, sakana...
Myanmar: Long prison terms for dissidents
Myanmar’s Junta continues to shock the world. This week, dissidents who joined street protests were sentenced to 65 years. A blogger and young entrepreneur was sentenced to 20 years for keeping defaced images of national leaders in his email inbox. A journalist faces a two-year prison term for writing about the deadly cyclone which hit Myanmar last May.
The Egyptian Hospital in Bagram
Egypt operates a small military hospital in Bagram, Afghanistan. The Press has just got wind of it - and a blogger wonders why such inspirational stories take a while for mainstream media to report on.
Egypt: Lawsuit calling for the devalidation of 25,000 Muslim Hadiths
Marwa Rakha translates for us today a post about an unusual lawsuit against Al Azhar University in Egypt calling for devalidation of 25,000 Muslim Hadiths. "Does Al Azhar have the right to “delete” these hadiths? Did they invent them and now they decided to negate them? So what will they do now with those 25,000 Hadiths? Burn them? Burn the books they are in? Do they have that right?"
Pakistan: U.S. Aid Worker killed
CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan reports on the assassination of U.S. Aid Worker in North West Pakistan: “Media outlets are implying that the Pakistani Taliban may have perpetrated the assassination.”
Taiwan: Arrest of former President Chen
The Far-Eastern Sweet Potato writes that the arrest of Taiwan's former President, Chen Shui-bian, is terrible timing.
DR Congo: Fighting Continues
As the world celebrated Obama's electoral victory, fighting in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has continued in spite of the ceasefire announced by the CNDP rebel group last week. Displacement, killing and lootings haven't stopped, and while regional African leaders met in Nairobi and the world is wondering how to keep the peace in the country, the Ushahidi software has been deployed to the DRC for documentation purposes.
Indonesia: Bali bombers executed
The three Bali bombers were executed in Indonesia. Invig advises Australians: “It is not only hypocritical and racist to support the death penalty for the citizens of another culture, but also makes us appear vengeful and callous.” Majority of those who died in the 2002 Bali Bombing were Australians.
Kenyan bloggers react to Obama's victory
Kenyans have been celebrating since dawn on Wednesday, after learning the man they consider their native son will be the next President of the US. Especially in the small farming village of Nyangoma-Kogelo where Barack Obama's father was born, but also all throughout the country and in the Kenyan blogosphere...
China: Should Lin Jiaxiang be charged of assaults?
Lin Jiaxiang, (CPC) party secretary of the Shenzhen maritime bureau in the Guangdong province of China, is the target of an investigation after he allegedly grabbed an 11-year-old girl in an attempt to molest her.
Saudi Arabia: Hunger Strike Draws Attention to Jailed Reformers Plight
Saudi Arabia's human rights activists started a two-day hunger strike to draw attention to the plight of 11 reformers and activists languishing in Saudi jails without trial - or access to a lawyer. Read on to find out how social networking site Facebook has been instrumental in informing the world about the struggle.
Al Ghad Party – Another fire in Egypt
Al Ghad, Ayman Nour's Party headquarters burnt down one day before their general assembly. According to blog reports, thugs burnt down the building and hampered firemen's efforts to put the fire out. In addition to losing their headquarters, the political party also lost 20 of its members - who were rounded up and arrested instead of the thugs.
Egypt: Ghad Party Headquarters Burnt Down
Despite the recent spate of fires encountered in Egypt, today brings a different story of yet another fire - one started in the political Al Ghad Party's headquarters, in Cairo. Lasto Adri brings us the reactions of shocked bloggers.
Egypt: Sexual Harassment Victim Stabbed to Death
I received an invitation to join a group named “Dr. Shaimaa Fouad … May you rest in Peace.” I did not know her and I wondered why anyone would invite me to such a group. Little did I know! Dr. Shaimaa Fouad died defending herself, writes Marwa Rakha, who tells us who the victim is.
Taiwan: Livecasting the Protest
Different from the fierce encounter between protesters and police forces during the day in front of the Presidential Office, there are more than 400 students peacefully gathering in front of the Executive Yuan in order to bring everyone's attention back to the real question: Is the freedom of expression still...
Taiwan: Defending Rights to Protest
Following David's article on “The Phantom of Police State” coming back with Chen Yun-lin (陳雲林)'s visit to Taiwan on 3 of Nov, I have collected some visual materials showing the conflict between the protesters and police with brief translation. Since Nov 3rd, many protesters wearing pro-Taiwan T-shirt or banners or...
Southeast Asia celebrates Obama’s victory
Southeast Asian bloggers are celebrating the victory of President-elect Barack Obama. In fact, Obama's election success has led many bloggers in the region to reflect about the need for change in their local politics.
Mexico: Plane Crash Carrying Top Government Officials Leaves Doubts
On Tuesday evening, a small plane carrying 8 people including two important members of the Mexican government's fight against crime and drug-trafficking crashed into rush-hour traffic in a Chapultepec neighborhood and left at least 13 people dead. Due to the nature of the officials' work and the risk faced by government and security officials, many are wondering whether it was the work of drug cartels exacting their retaliation or whether it was an unfortunate accident.
