· September, 2008

Stories about Weblog from September, 2008

Cape Verde: Fuel prices on the rise – why?

  30 September 2008

The price of crude oil is plunging, but the population of Cape Verde has been faced with price rises of every sub product of oil, and the news ahead is not optimistic. Bloggers want to know why and provide the Government with some suggestions.

Iran: Mr. Ahmadinejad in New York

  30 September 2008

While Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinjad, addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday declaring that "the American empire'' and "Zionist regime" [Israel] are nearing collapse, pro-democracy Iranians and 3,000 people mobilized by a coalition of mostly Jewish groups, protested against Ahmadinejad's threats toward Israel and Iran's human rights record.

Lebanon: Army Soldiers Targeted…Again

  29 September 2008

Forty five days after the first bombing of a bus transporting army soldiers in Lebanon, another bomb exploded in Tripoli today, killing at least four soldiers and wounding over 20 people.  The initial report indicates that the bomb was planted in a car targeting a bus carrying army soldiers in...

Lebanon: Terror strikes in Tripoli again

  29 September 2008

A remote control car bomb ripped through a military bus this morning killing four soldiers and a civilian in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon. Today’s bombing is the second deadly attack targeting troops in northern Lebanon in less than two months. Following are the first reactions from bloggers about the incident.

Palestine: Retaining a sense of humanity in Gaza

  29 September 2008

As the situation in Gaza deteriorates from one day to the next, many are struggling not only with the enormous difficulties of daily life, but with the change in values they see around them, in a society that has become dominated by Islamist thinking. In this post, a blogger in Gaza writes a passionate cry of despair.

Pakistan: Zardari flirts and the Blogosphere reacts

  29 September 2008

The president of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari met with the US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin in New York recently and used flirtatious words during the discussion. It seemed more like a courtship than a political meeting. Zardari made the following comments: “You are even more gorgeous in life....

Sudan: Returning to Sudan, US Politics and New Media

  29 September 2008

In this round up of the Sudanese blogosphere, we delve into Sudanese commentaries on Sudan, US politics, and new media. It's good to see that the blogger, Path2Hope, finally overcame her writer's block. Apparently she needed a space to vent her anger after she returned to Sudan.

Myanmar: Aid still needed

  29 September 2008

Five months after the devastating cyclone which killed and displaced at least a hundred thousand people, Myanmar is slowly recovering. Relief efforts may be improving but international aid is still very much needed.

Korea: Ceremonial Expenses

  29 September 2008

What is your biggest expense? A website, www.career.co.kr, did a survey of 1,676 employees, and asked them which of their expenses they consider worthless. The highest percentage answered drinking and the second highest was for payment of other peoples’ ceremonies. The top answer could be understood anywhere. Then, what do...

Blogger of the Week: Sami Ben Gharbia

  28 September 2008

This week's Blogger of the Week is none other than Global Voices Advocacy Director Sami Ben Gharbia, known for his dedication to the fight against oppression and censorship. Sami is originally from Tunisia, but has been based in The Netherlands since 1998. He blogs at fikra.

Angola: A new African El Dorado for foreign workers

  28 September 2008

Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Angola has been home to many foreigners coming to find work. It is estimated that there are over 70,000 foreigners living in the country, mostly coming from South America, China, Portugal and other African countries. Find out how this melting pot is evolving through the view point of Angolan and immigrant bloggers.

China: Will a Nobel Peace Prize really hurt our feelings?

  28 September 2008

Hu Jia's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize has raised the question: are The Chinese People easily upset by the notion of human rights? Party spokesman Liu Jianchao would have you think so, and many netizens agree. Not all do, however, judging from comments that haven't yet been deleted.

Egypt: National Theater on Fire

  28 September 2008

It seems that the Egyptians have succeeded in bringing Nero back to life. And the Egyptian Nero has a long list of places to burn. He started with the Egyptian Parliament a few weeks ago, and now it's time for the Egyptian National Theater.

Pakistani Bloggers on the McCain-Obama Debate

  27 September 2008

Pakistani bloggers found much to analyze in last night's televised debate between United States presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. What the US approach to Pakistan should be was a core part of discussion, since Pakistan has come under greater scrutiny in recent times and is considered a hot-spot....

Bangladesh: Bangla blogs are keeping Rahela alive

  27 September 2008

On 19th August 2004, a nineteen year old garment factory worker in Savar, Dhaka Bangladesh was mugged, gang raped, viciously slashed and then left to die in the thickety Jahangir Nagar University campus. She was Rahela Lima Akhtar. There she lay amidst the thick foliage, undetected for three days. Her...

China: One Trillion US Bonds and Debt Scandal

  27 September 2008

According to a New York Times report in early September, the Chinese Central Bank has invested over USD $1 trillion on U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and debt securities. Among the one trillion dollar bill, $376.3 billion have been put into the mortgage backed securities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,...

Russophone Bloggers Discuss the U.S. Presidential Candidates

  27 September 2008

Last week, Israel-based LJ user avva asked his Russophone readers - some of whom are eligible to vote in the upcoming U.S. election - whether they supported Barack Obama or John McCain, and for what reasons. The post generated over 300 comments from bloggers based in the United States, Israel, Canada and Russia. Below are some of the responses.