February, 2009
Stories from February, 2009
9 February 2009
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.
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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.
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8 February 2009
Malawi: Of Election Fever and Going Digital
The week gone has been a politically hot one for many Malawians as they have seen their presidential and parliamentary candidates present their nominations papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission ahead of the May 19 polls. By the end of the exercise, about 10 have presented their papers and presidential candidates and several hundreds to compete for the 193 seats in parliament.
Armenia: Tax Lottery
Unsuccessful with punitive measures to prevent widespread tax evasion, the government of ex-Soviet Armenia has introduced a monthly national lottery based on an 8-digit number found on the back of sale receipts. From increasing sales to encouraging male customers to hit on female shop assistants, bloggers think the initiative to make businesses accurately report sales and pay taxes has the potential to prove a win-win situation for everyone.
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I think the reason it stuck with me is that I was fired from my first real job--teaching at a...