March, 2009
Stories from March, 2009
16 March 2009
Armenia: International Women's Day action sparks virginity debate
Although couples now marry at a later age than before, some traditions have been slow to change in Christian Armenia. One custom, for example, expects women -- but not men -- to remain virgins until their wedding night. However, a recent rally to mark International Women’s Day after which red apples were buried, a symbol of the bride losing her virginity, has prompted intense discussion in the Armenian blogosphere.
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Saudi Arabia: A Well-Documented Sandstorm
Armed with their cameras and video cameras, bloggers in Saudi Arabia documented a massive sandstorm which covered the capital Riyadh, bringing visibility to only a few metres and life to a standstill.
Saudi Arabia: Forty Lashes for a 75-year-old Woman for ‘Mingling' with Men
A 75-year-old Syrian woman was sentenced to 40 lashes, four months imprisonment and deportation from Saudi Arabia, for having two unrelated men in her house. The two men were also charged with ‘mingling' with an unrelated woman and sentenced to prison and lashes, sparking criticism for the country's judiciary and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Saudi Arabia's bloggers speak up.
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Madagascar: A Changing of the Guard?
The Madagascar crisis may have reached a major turning point: the beginning of the end of the President Marc Ravalomanana's regime. While there is still confusion about who is currently in charge, the army seems to have chosen to stand with former mayor Andry Rajoelina. The prime minister's office, as well as the national TV, are now under Rajoelina's control. Twitterers in Madagascar described events as they unfolded.
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Fiji: A step towards elections?
Fiji’s political parties may have taken a first step toward restoring Parliamentary democracy when they met with the military backed Interim Government and agreed on the issues to be discussed during the President’s Political Dialogue Forum, which will take place next month. But the usually exhaustive political blogosphere and forum posters analyzing Fiji affairs have been less than enthusiastic talking about it. And, frankly, they've ignored most of the event.
15 March 2009
El Salvador: Blogger Thoughts Before the Elections
Bloggers are playing a large part in the debate about today's presidential elections in El Salvador. Some are marked by confrontation and others have more conciliatory tone, but the majority are waiting for the results of this year's election. Blogger Hunnapuh collects some of these viewpoints.
I guess this story is supposed to make us Haitians proud of something , just because it involves the USA...