Stories from 9 February 2009
Morocco: And The Winners Are…
The second annual edition of the Maroc Blog Awards were held in Casablanca on January 31. The awards honor the best Moroccan bloggers (as well as bloggers whose primary blog topic is Morocco) in 13 categories. Jillian York reports on the event.
Armenia: Eurovision Hopefuls
Although considered by most viewers in Europe as somewhat of a joke, there is no doubt that the Eurovision international song contest is taken very seriously indeed in the South Caucasus. Seen as a perfect opportunity to showcase national culture and identity, many in Armenia are already impatient to discover who will represent them at the contest to be held in Moscow in May.
Sri Lanka: The LTTE Menace
“The LTTE is simply a nihilistic organization like Al Qaeda. It’s not designed to actually win anything, it’s just a sore loser. They slaughter to make a point, but never to win one,” comments Indi.ca hearing the news that a female LTTE rebel has blown herself up, killing 28 people...
Madagascar : Bloggers react to Red Saturday's bloodshed
Since riots and lootings claimed fifty dead in Madagascar on January 26, the situation has become bleaker. Saturday, February 07 was an even bloodier day. Dubbed “Red Saturday” by some, it saw the presidential guard fire upon a crowd of protesters who had gathered outside the Presidential palace of Ambohitsirohitra. The crowd...
Pakistan: Street Foods in Lahore
Chapati Mystery posts some mouth-watering pictures of street foods in Lahore.
Georgia: Royal Wedding
Yesterday's wedding between two descendants of the Bagrationi dynasty which ruled Georgia for at least 10 centuries has captured the imagination of royal watchers worldwide. However, for those pondering the state of democracy in the post-Soviet country since the November 2007 unrest, the marriage has also reinvigorated talk of reestablishing the monarchy.
Iran: Islamic Revolution in photos
In Iranian.com we can see several photos of Islamic Revolution in 1978-79.
Azerbaijan: Obama campaign manager in Baku
Just weeks before a controversial referendum will likely remove a constitutional two-term restriction on the presidency, Barack Obama's campaign manager yesterday visited Baku, capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. With foreign broadcasts recently banned in the oil-rich former Soviet republic, the trip has not been well-received by most online political commentators.
Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Windies Win
B.C. Pires [Barbados] and Abeni [St. Vincent & the Grenadines] comment on the West Indies cricket team winning its first Test Match against England in a nearly a decade.
Trinidad & Tobago: In Defense
From Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life blogs about the UDECOTT defense, while The Manicou Report weighs in on the recent resignation of the Integrity Commission.
Dominican Republic: Contrasts in Transportation
There is a big difference between the new Metro system in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and other forms of vehicular transportation writes Rocío Díaz of Monaco [es].
Trinidad & Tobago: Line Jumping
As three police officers make an “emergency” trip to KFC, Trinidadian blogger Paolo, who witnessed the incident, has this to say to the Acting Commissioner of Police: “I do not expect that you knew about this, but now I hope you do. So what the hell are you going to...
Ecuador: An Interview with Winner of Best Latin American Blog
Even though he was unable to travel to Spain to receive the prize for “Best Latin American Blog” in the contest sponsored by 20 Minutos, Carlos Suasnavas is humbled by the recognition and dedicates it to his readers. In this interview, he talks about his blog, which he co-writes with Evan from Argentina, is called Sentando Frente Al Mundo (Sitting in Front of the World) about why he believes he may have more readers outside of Ecuador.
Barbados: Grammy Drama
The Bajan blogosphere is livid over reports that Chris Brown allegedly assaulted pop sensation Rihanna.
Jamaica: Broadcasting Ban
Stunner's Afflictions supports the Jamaican Broadcasting Commission‘s ban on “the promotion of the activity called Daggerin and songs such Rampin Shop which feature an overdose of sexual references and violence.”
China: Sitting on a Firework
Uln from Chinayouren blogs about the crisis that appeared in news and statistics but is absent in daily life in China. The blogger points out three factors that contribute to the incoherence between theory and observation: delay, inertia and transparency.
Taiwan: Naked nurse ads
ESWN translates local news stories about naked nurse ads of plastic surgery clinic at Tainan, Taiwan.
China: Worst Drought in 50 years
A worst drought in 50 years, affecting more than 12 provinces and more than 9.3m hectares, in northern China has hit 43% of the country's wheat crop. The Office of State Control and Drought Relief Headquarters warned that 3.7 million people and 1.85 million livestock had lost access to drinking...
Australian wildfires and web tools
With devastation so widespread, and the threat of Australian bushfire continuing, citizen journalists have had a hard time getting near the scenes. Yet, the internet is full of pertinent information for those living in affected areas about the continuing spread of fires and those outside who want to stay tuned.
Brunei: Who deserves the undistributed zakat funds?
Before Brunei was swept by floods, the hot topic in town was the hundreds of millions in surplus of the zakat or tithe collections. The recipients of the zakat should be the very poor and needy. However, those who were burdened with debts due to overindulgence were also claiming for a share of the undistributed zakat.
Australia: Bushfires devastate Victoria
It is being called Australia’s worst natural disaster. Bushfires have devastated the South East. The worst impact is in Victoria with more than 100 confirmed deaths and more than 750 houses incinerated. Whole towns such as Marysville have been wiped out, destroying their communities.
