Stories about Breaking News from October, 2008
D.R. Congo: Confusion Reigns in Goma
Two months ago fighting resumed in the DR Congo's Eastern province of North Kivu between the rebel group led by Laurent Nkunda and government forces, in violation of a peace accord signed in January. The fighting has intensified during the last 6 days and, although a cease-fire was announced, the situation remains uncertain in Goma. Here are a few impressions from bloggers on the ground.
Pakistan: A 6.4 magnitude quake hits Balochistan
Let Us Build Pakistan reports that a 6.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan today. More than 100 people have been killed and scores of people are still trapped under the rubbles. The government was quick to declare compensation for the families of the quake victims.
Korea: Rise of ‘No Reason for Murder’
A South Korean man who was not satisfied with himself and society attacked a gosiwon and killed six people in an arson attack and knife in the middle of Seoul.[En] His hatred against this society, mistreatment since childhood and long term odd-jobs, led him to kill innocent people who stayed...
India: Shooting inside a bus
Hindustaniat reports that a young man from the Indian state Bihar was involved in a shootout in a moving bus in Mumbai after he threatened to kill the MNS leader Raj Thackeray with his pistol. The incident ended when he was shot by the Police. Yardloo has photos and videos...
Morocco: Tangier Experiences Massive Flooding
For the past few years, Morocco has been experiencing a significant drought. Unfortunately, recent rain storms have brought little relief, as Northern Morocco experiences massive flooding, claiming the lives of at least 13 people. The View From Fez recently reported on the floods: Thirteen people have been killed in northern...
Yemen: 40 People Killed in Torrential Rain Storm
More than 40 people have been killed and about 30 are missing in Yemen after torrential rain hit Hadhramout. Writing at Moments In Words From Hadhramout, Omar Barsawad brings us the story.
Philippines: 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit
Congratulations to the organizers and participants of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in General Santos City. Mindanao is the Philippines’ second biggest island.
Iraq: Assassination for All Iraqi Interpreters!!!
This is the view that Iraqi Interpreter took of a decision made by the commander of the Multinational Forces in Iraq. Under a new rule, Iraqis who work alongside American soldiers as interpreters are to be required to not cover their face while they take part in operations with the US military.
Speaking of Sexual Harassment: Noha makes Egyptians proud!
In an unprecedented case, sexual harasser Sherif Gommaa was sentenced to three years behind bars, hard labour, and was also ordered to pay 5,001 Egyptian pounds fine to Noha Roshdy Saleh for groping her in the street. Egyptian blogger rejoice.
Croatia: Car Bomb Assassination of Journalists Ivo Pukanić & Niko Franjić
Zagreb, Croatia's capital, was stunned by a car bomb attack directed at newspaper publisher and editor-in-chief Ivo Pukanić, which killed both him and fellow journalist Niko Franjić on Thursday.
Egyptian Blogger Nora Younis Wins Human Rights First Award
Egyptian blogger and human rights activist Nora Younis was awarded the Annual Human Rights Award today.
Japan: The Illegal Download Explained, on 2-Channel
Over the last years, the sometimes raucous nature of the Japanese Internet has repeatedly come under fire over concerns about issues such as harmful content and copyright infringement. Now the spotlight is back again, with news that legislation to ban downloads of copyrighted content is moving ahead as planned, despite earlier delays.
Colombia: Indigenous Protests and Murders Under Media Blackout
Indigenous groups in the Cauca region of Colombia have been marching and protesting their way to Cali, one of the countries larger cities. Accusations of government fire weapon usage against protesters have bloggers expectant of the outcome.
Japan: Outlawing Illegal Downloads
id:seshiapple picks up [ja] comments from a thread on Japanese bulletin board 2-Channel in which IT journalist Daisuke Tsuda asks 2-channelers: “The outlawing of [illegal] downloads is almost finalized, do you have any questions?” As reported in an IT media article [ja] from Oct. 20th, Tsuda was the only member...
Afghanistan: Sayed Pervez Kambakhsh's Sentence Commuted to 20 Years
At least it's not death: An Afghan appeals court overturned a death sentence Tuesday for a journalism student accused of blasphemy for asking questions in class about women's rights under Islam. But the judges still sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The case against 24-year-old Parwez Kambakhsh, whose brother...
Mozambique: Casualties over gas leak in Estarreja
Paulo Granjo [pt] blogs about a piece of news that local newspapers in Mozambique didn't pay much attention to: an accidental leak of aniline gas in a Mozambican chemical plant caused 14 casualties. Nobody has died. “The information has been provided by the Relief Operations District Command and it is...
Japan: Reaction to Asahi article on supermarket inspection
An article in the Asahi Shimbun [ja] about a visit by Japanese prime minister Taro Aso to a Shinjuku supermarket has been taken up on 2-Channel [ja]. Aso reportedly visited the supermarket to inspect rising food prices, and then proceeded to have dinner at the (very luxurious) Imperial Hotel. As...
Japan: Dubbing 10 and Broadcast Law
Economist and blogger Nobuo Ikeda writes about a prominent idea [ja] to introduce the “dubbing 10″ system, abandoned only weeks ago, though an airwaves encryption scheme. Ikeda explains that the idea would be to pair a key to the encrypted airwaves with the dubbing ten system, which he claims is...
Japan: Children in tears over potato fields, net users suspicious
Net users are responding to images appearing on TV [ja] showing children crying in potato fields in Osaka (Japan) on the morning of the 16th after the city sent in forces to clear the way for a national highway between Fushimi Ward and Kadoma Ward. On bulletin boards threads [ja],...
Thailand/Cambodia: Conflict over Preah Vihear Temple (Part 1)
Both Thailand and Cambodia are claiming the historic Preah Vihear temple and the four square kilometers of territory near the shrine. There was a border clash in the area last Wednesday. What are the reactions of bloggers?
China: Student killed by police, but wins not much sympathy
Yang jia, all by himself, killed 6 police at Shanghai in July. Then on Oct 11, a few days ago, 6 police killed 1 college student in a northern city of China. Is a vicious circle of violence starting? But after the video clip of the scene was exposed, the victim lost most of his support.
