· July, 2008

Stories about Breaking News from July, 2008

Israel: Olmert to Resign Following Kadima Primary

Ehud Olmert said yesterday that he will not stand for the Kadima primary in September. According to Al Jazeera English, Olmert said: “I have decided I won't run in the Kadima movement primaries, nor do I intend to intervene in the elections.” Bloggers had a strong reaction to Olmert's resignation.

Palestine: Anger at Young Boy's Needless Death

Israeli troops shot and killed 12-year-old Ahmed Ussam Yousef Mousa during a peaceful protest against the barrier being erected in Nilin. Up to 18 others were injured by rubber bullets during the protest. Ahmed was the only person hit by a live bullet. Jillian York sums up blog reactions in this post.

No to Kuwait's New Internet Law

  30 July 2008

Kuwaiti bloggers are angry at a proposed new Internet Law, which they claim would make their days as free bloggers numbered, after Attorney General Hamad Al Othman announced that a new law dealing with Internet crimes will be issued soon. Abdullatif Al Omar takes a closer look at the Kuwaiti blogosphere and their reactions to the impending law.

Turkey is Typing….Bomb Blasts in Istanbul

While the city of Istanbul enjoyed itself with a Metallica concert, the party died down with the news of a bombing in the Istanbul neighborhood of Güngören, leaving at least 17 people dead and over 150 people injured. Reactions to the news in the Turkish blogosphere were slow, but between speculation as to who is behind the attacks and protests against terrorism, one thing has become quite clear....this hasn't been the first time, and it sure won't be the last.

Guyana: Blogger covers journalist ban

  30 July 2008

On 12 July, news broke in Guyana that a senior journalist had been banned from entering the office of the country's president, allegedly in response to a critical news report. As media representatives and others denounced the move as an instance of press censorship, the Living Guyana blog continued its trend of media rights scrutiny with hard-hitting online coverage of the story.

China: Sneak peak at Beijing Games opening ceremony

  30 July 2008

Danwei.org has been on a very long roll with its Olympics coverage, and now founder Jeremy Goldkorn has found clips of an opening ceremony rehearsal taken covertly by a Korean television crew. (Update: yes, it took a few minutes for the clip to be harmonized. This might work, however.)

Cambodia: Manipulated election results?

  29 July 2008

Vuthanews reports that opposition parties in Cambodia are calling on the international community to reject the weekend election results claiming they were manipulated and rigged. Khmer Nationality writes about election campaigning in the countryside.

Costa Rica: Concerts, riots and concerns.

  29 July 2008

Journalist Cristian Cambronero from popular Costa Rican blog Fusil de Chispas posts a recount of Sunday's Concert where youth rioted and destroyed the campus of the Universidad Latina in the capital city of San José. It seems that when around 3000 of them were not allowed entrance to the free concert venue where already 5000 spectators were waiting for the concert some of the irate teens destroyed the university buildings, storefronts,dismantled cars, damaged the church in the vicinity, looted, threw chairs, rocks and bricks everywhere.

Turkey: Disgusting Bombings

“Every news channel right now is running the breaking news on Istanbul’s bomb blasts, in what the city governor calls a ‘terrorist attack.’ Whoever did it, and whatever message they are trying to convey, this is certainly a disgusting way of doing it,” remarks Mideast Youth, on the latest bomb...

Afghanistan: Violence in the Hazarajat, Protests in Kabul

  28 July 2008

Afghanistan is one of those countries where minority issues drive nearly everything. They form the basis for why President Hamid Karzai is “the best game in town,” but also why he should resign. They form the fundamental structure of the national government, with ethnic set-asides (Kuchis get 10 seats in...

Cambodia: Election day

  27 July 2008

Today is election day in Cambodia. Workers got a 72-hour break in order to vote in the provinces. Motorcycle diaries and John Vink posted election-related photos.

India: Ahmedabad Hit By Bomb Blasts

  26 July 2008

With barely a gap of 24 hours since the attack in Bangalore, another terrorist attack was witnessed today in the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat with sixteen blasts going off in various parts of the city. While the blasts, much like the ones in Bangalore were of...

China: Unheard of ‘Turkestan Islamic Party’ claims recent bombings

  26 July 2008

Do not confuse the unknown Turkestan Islamic Party with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, writes the New Dominion blogger in their detailed post today on the news today of a Commander Seyfullah reportedly taking responsibility for recent bombing incidents in China and the video accompanying the claims (update: someone mentions...

India: Bomb Blasts in Bangalore

  25 July 2008

Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka, was hit by bomb blasts a few hours ago. Reports suggest that seven bombs went off in various parts of the city, within a twelve minute timeframe. The blasts were of low intensity and used gelatin sticks. However, a woman was killed,...

China: Police Olympics guide to stopping “illegal news coverage”

  24 July 2008

How many times has the BOCOG promised that foreign reporters will be given full reign to interview and report during the Olympics Games? Davesgonechina at Mutant Palm looks at the somewhat different story that Chinese police are—and have been, for at least two years—prepared to tell. This story was linked...