Stories about Feature from March, 2008
Iraq: “It's good it wasn't a car bomb!”
What better, after a short break, than to give my audience what they really want to read - words from the street in Baghdad and Mosul. And there is no better time as Chikitita is back blogging from Baghdad giving her impression of a city that she has been away from for many months and Neurotic Wife, takes a tour through the 'red zone'. While Baghdad Dentist returns to Mosul after a break in Baghdad and tells us about the difference.
Ecuador: Natural Forces Threatening the Country
The recent diplomatic crisis in Ecuador did not stop other natural forces from producing a crisis of their own in the country. Heavy rainfalls and a threatening volcano have continued to be a focus of local bloggers, who hope that the government and media can be better equipped to handle these ongoing issues. One even poked fun at a governmental campaign that asks Ecuadorans to stay positive in spite of these hardships.
Madagascar: Lessons learned after 3rd severe tropical cyclone in a month
Since late January, 3 severe tropical cyclones have affected Madagascar tremendously, the latest being cyclone Jokwe who made landfall in the northern region of Madagascar, destroying 40 homes and leaving...
Cuban Videos: media ploy or example of free speech?
An online 4 minute video excerpt posted by international media taken from a 2 hour meeting between the president of the National Assembly and students from the Computer Science University (UCI) has brought forth contrasting reactions and debates regarding free speech in Cuba and the direction of the Cuban Revolution.
Israel: Bloggers Mourn Terrorism at Religious School
On Thursday, March 6, eight teenagers were killed and many more wounded in a terrorist attack on a Jerusalem religious school. The perpetrator was identified as a Palestinian from East Jerusalem in possession of an Israeli identity card. Sources say he posed as a student in order to enter the building, writes Maya Norton, who reviews Israel's English language blogs for reactions.
Israel: Palestinian Gunman Kills 8 Students in Mercaz Harav, Jerusalem
A gunman entered the prominent Jewish seminary, Mercaz Harav, in the heart of Jerusalem on Thursday night, killing at least eight students and wounding some nine others. Gilad Lotan reviews the Hebrew blogosphere for reactions.
Americas: International Women's Day Across the Region
Bloggers across Latin America celebrate International Women's Day and pay tribute to the hard-working, brave, and often, mistreated women from the region. Some honor particular women throughout history and others write about groups of mothers that defend the rights of others. For all, it is a celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Women Hold Up Half the Sky: A Poetry Jam
In celebration of International Women's Day, Rising Voices grantee and Nari Jibon founder, Kathryn Ward, came up with the idea of a friendly poetry competition among Rising Voices bloggers. Participants...
Venezuela: Agreement Reached in Santo Domingo
After a very tense week between three South American countries, presidents from the entire region met in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The original agenda was scrapped in order to address the border crisis that had been continuing with insults, complaints and challenges. However, an agreement was reached after lengthy debates leaving each country satisfied with preserving their original argument. Venezuelan bloggers join in and provide their thoughts on the crisis during the week.
Brazil: Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and the besieged Latin America
There was a lot of talk about the 'Border Crisis in Latin America' on the Brazilian blogosphere in the last few days. Brazilian people suffer from an endemic form of 'know-it-all syndrom' and, thus, many of us were talking -- a lot -- and taking sides about the impending conflict.
Syria: We Stand Against Occupation
As the death toll in Gaza continues to climb, Razan Ghazzawi zooms in on the efforts of a Syrian student in the US, who is working on creating awareness of the conflict at his university campus and showing that the Palestinians losing their lives are human too.
FOKO: Bloggers put Madagascar in the spotlight
While the devastations of Hurricane Ivan were under reported in the international media, Malagasy bloggers from the Foko Blog Club filled the void using photos, videos and a map mashup.
Hindi: Cricket victory and foodie delights in Old Delhi
Every Indian cricket fan is over the moon as India handed down two successive defeats to four times and current world champions Australia in first two (of three) final matches...
Japan: American enka singer makes waves
The first ever American-born enka singer, Jero, has become the talk of the Japanese blogosphere the past weeks as he made his debut with the single “Umiyuki (Ocean Snow)”. The...
Iran: Students protest against “gender apartheid”
Hundreds of students continued a protest at Shiraz University against “gender apartheid” on Tuesday 4th of March. The students want their university to put an end to a policy that...
Africa: Vloggers, Bloggers and Movies
A few glimpses of Africa through citizen media videos. From BoB winners, to storytellers, documentaries on artists, Nigeria´s Nollywood movie industry and more.
Armenia: Samizdat & the Internet
After a 20-day state of emergency was declared in Armenia when clashes between security services and the opposition broke out on the streets of the capital, access to the media has been severely restricted. According to presidential decree, local media outlets can now only publish official news and political propaganda is banned. However, the situation has created an unprecedented opportunity for bloggers to move in to fill the gap.
Colombia: The Unsettling Conflict with Ecuador and Venezuela
Colombian bloggers are closely following the events unleashed by the Colombian army's incursion into Ecuadorian territory. Fear of war is palpable throughout the discussions on the legitimacy of the attack and its repercussions, the unveiling of computer files establishing nexus between the Ecuadorian and Venezuelan governments and the FARC and the knowledge of 50 KGs of Uranium that the FARC allegedly has.
Ecuador: Breaking Diplomatic Ties With Colombia
Ecuadorians are divided regarding the incidents along Ecuador's Northern border with Colombia, when the Colombian army attacked a group of FARC guerrillas, killing a top leader, Raul Reyes. As a result President Rafael Correa decided to break off diplomatic relations with Colombia because the attack occurred on Ecuadorian soil. Some bloggers agree with the president, but others are wondering what the FARC was doing in Ecuador and their relationship with the Correa government.
Russia: Notes on the Post-Election Protest Rallies
On Monday, riot police in Moscow arrested dozens of people who attempted to take part in an unauthorized post-election protest rally. Below are several Russian bloggers' reactions, translated from Russian.
Armenia: Eight Dead, State of Emergency Declared
Armenian bloggers respond to post-election turmoil and blood shed, after the political comeback of former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrossian in the 19 February 2008 presidential election, led to violent clashes between police, soldiers and opposition supporters.
