Stories from 26 January 2009
Madagascar: Looting scenes on video as uncertainty prevails
A youtube video of a looting scene at a major shopping center in Antanarivo was posted by c17dabossbaby. Many bloggers are wondering why the police forces are seemingly absent during...
Czech Republic: Recession
A Fistful of Euros writes on the state of the Czech economy – here and here.
Madagascar: More reports President Ravalomanana has fled
Several bloggers and a Malgasy media website report that President Ravalomanana has fled the country. Still others say the rumors of Ravalomanana's departure are false.
Azerbaijan: Airport Woes
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines arrives back in Baku and despairs at the condition of Azerbaijan's main international airport. The blog says the arrivals area is understaffed and that the...
Live Tweeting Madagascar: Antananarivo on fire, rumors of president fleeing
Citizens in Madagascar, twittering via internet and SMS, report that several buildings in Antananarivo, the capital, are burning and the President has left the country following days of protests.
Guatemala: Experiences in Birdwatching
Guatemala is a major destination for birdwatchers from around the world. The number of species of birds in the country's diverse habitats is more than 700. Many of these birdwatchers are writing about their experiences in blogs, while others are worried about the bird habitats due to environmental destruction.
Georgia: Uneasy Reading
This is Tbilisi Calling comments on a new report released by Human Rights Watch detailing war crimes committed during the August war between Georgia and Russia. The blog says that...
Bahamas: A Disgrace
Bahamian bloggers are incensed at the news that one of the island's senators was allegedly involved in the Travolta extortion plot.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.K., Israel, Palestine: Objectivity?
In response to the BBC's decision not to broadcast an appeal for funds for Gaza, Notes from Port of Spain says: “Someone, somewhere, has been leaning heavily on this famously...
Kenya: The Bandits of Kenya
Do you know the “bandits” of Kenya?: They’re the highest paid legislators in the world, despite Kenya being one of the poorest countries in the world and having a human...
Tanzania: Life is Cheap
Faustine describes how respect for human life is fast deteriorating in Tanzania following the killing of a woman by robbers and an albino.
Trinidad & Tobago: Water Taxis
“For about 100 people at a time, the service makes incredible impact on their quality of life. And if that's not enough of a reason to offer the service, then...
Nigeria: Nollywood Babylon at Sundance Festival
“Nollywood Babylon” is a feature documentary about the explosive popularity of Nigeria’s movie industry popularly known as ‘Nolywood.”
Nigeria: Catch That Goat
A goat has been arrested as a suspect for theft in Nigeria. It is believed that the thief shape-shifted from human-being to goat to avoid capture!
China: Internet In 2008
ESWN translated a local media (Southern weekend) review on major incidents happened in China Internet 2008.
China: Debate over RMB exchange rate
China matter sums up the debate over RMB valuation between the U.S and China government.
Kenya: Kenyan Banks in Trouble
Kenyan banks are in trouble over loan defaults given to individuals under 30 years of age.
Cuba: Being Responsible
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez explains why she doesn't feel like a victim, but rather, responsible.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Inauguration Thoughts
Jamaican Annie Paul features Washington D.C.-based activist Shani Jamila's musings on the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Iran: A leading cultural site was filtered
Haftan, a leading Iranian site covering cultural and art news was filtered by Iranian authorities. Government did not explain any reason for this filtering.
Oceania: Epeli Hau'ofa Has Passed Away
Noted Fijian (Born in Papua to Tongan parents) antropologist Epeli Hau'ofa died on January 11 in Suva, Fiji. The Savage Minds blog links to an essay by Epeli Hau'ofa tha argued...