Stories from 10 May 2009
Kenya: World Renowned Elephant Matriarch Dies in Amboseli
World renowned Amboseli National Park elephant matriarch, Echo, has died from what the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) believes to be a combination of old age and the long 3-year...
Global Health: “Swine Flu” In Images
Though concerns over the "swine flu" outbreak have eased, the virus continues to spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization announced today that there are now 4,379 confirmed cases of the virus in 29 countries. Here are some images of the swine flu's impact globally.
Global: Happy Mother's Day!
If one thing is true of all humankind, it is this: we all have mothers. And in many parts of the world, it is customary to celebrate our mothers with a special day: Mother's Day. Although the date varies, many countries are celebrating today, the second Sunday of May. From Denmark to Dominica, Peru to Pakistan, the United States to Uganda, bloggers of all ages are calling, visiting, or otherwise honoring their mothers today.
Sri Lanka: British Journalists Arrested
In Mutiny reports that three British TV journalists, who reported the grim situation from the Sir Lankan IDP camps for Channel 4 News, have been arrested and will be deported...
Azerbaijan: Blogger response to University massacre
Information about the tragedy which occurred at the end of last month, shocking many worldwide, was slow to emerge, and even more than a week later, there are still many questions left unanswered. However, what is known is that on the morning of 30 April 2009, 13 people were killed in a terrifying shooting spree at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy. Bloggers comment on the tragedy.
Madagascar: Behind the Scenes of Foko Ushahidi SMS Alert System
A growing community of bloggers in Madagascar have been helping a global audience understand the political struggle between a former mayor and a president that recently drove their country into national disarray. A new initiative led by Malagasy bloggers captures witness accounts of social unrest via SMS text messages and Google maps using the Kenyan web interface, Ushahidi.
Pakistan: Fighting The Taliban
The Pakistan army has started to fight back to take control of several districts of the North-West Frontier Province from the Taliban insurgents. More than half a million people have been displaced due to the fighting and this has become a humanitarian crisis. And the fighting is not going to end anytime soon. Pakistani bloggers weigh in on the situation.
Iran: Presidential candidate's painting
Mir Hussein Mousavi, former Prime Minister and one of leading candidates in Iranian presidential election is a painter too.In Setadnet blog you can see some of his paintings.
Iraq: Organised ‘crackdown’ on homosexuals
In the past few weeks there has been an increase in the persecution of homosexuals in Iraq, due to an organised 'crackdown' based on a religious decree for their death. This has been met with anger and outrage amongst both the Iraqi and global LGBT blogosphere.
New bill to increase oversight of American mining companies in DRC
Congolese blogger Alex Engwete writes about a new bill in the U.S. Senate to increase government oversight of American companies with mining interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bahrain: Telecom Mafia
Bahraini blogger Funaki believes there is a new kind of mafia in Bahrain – the telecommunications companies who provide Internet services.
Bahrain: An Alcohol Ban – And Then?
Bahraini blogger The Dude fears for the consequences of an alcohol ban, as proposed by Bahrain's MPs.
Iran: A blogger and social activist was arrested
Change for Equality reports that six members of One Million Signatures Campaign were arrested during and after a peaceful demonstration on Friday which was held in Tehran to celebrate May...
El Salvador: A Broke Government for Funds
When incoming president-elect Mauricio Funes takes office in the beginning of June, he will inherit a Salvadoran government without any money writes JJmar of Hunnapuh [es].
Paraguay: Experiences of an Immigrant in Rosario, Argentina
Elizabeth Gonzalez writes about her experience as a Paraguayan immigrant in Rosario, Argentina at the blog Somos Paraguayos [es] (We Are Paraguayans). She adds that many refer to her not...
Azerbaijan: Bloggers, Global Voices Online author reportedly detained in Baku
Frontline Club blogger and Global Voices Online author Ali S. Novruzov has reportedly been detained in Baku as the Azerbaijani capital prepared for a planned youth demonstration. Tweets from a...
Mexico: Elvira Arellano To Run for Congress
Elvira Arellano, a migrant and activist woman who had been deported from Chicago back to her native Mexico has decided to run for Congress representing Baja California writes Franc Contreras...
Mexico: Economic Costs of the H1N1 Virus
The economic cost of the H1N1 virus is outlined by México Para Los Mexicanos [es] who adds that poverty can help explain the number of deaths attributed to the virus.
Ecuador: The Plight of the Andean Condor
Worried about the reduction in the habitat for the Andean condor in Ecuador, La Voz de Guamote [es] writes about the critical situation for this national symbol in danger.
Iran: Three publishers were banned
Aknoun, Iran based blogger, writes [fa] that Akhtaran,Ageh and Jamedaran are three Iranian publishers that were banned from participating in Tehran Book Fair. The blogger adds this means that each...
Malaysia: “Death of democracy” in Perak
Blogger ktemoc from Malaysia writes that the forcible removal of the Speaker of the Perak State Parliament by unidentified outsiders is “deplorable, disgraceful and deceitful in a democracy.”
