Articles: In the Congo, Fighting Continues
Region: Congo
by Elia Varela Serra As the world celebrates Barack Obama's victory as the next president of the United States, AfroSpear reminds us that the conflict in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo hasn't stopped: In this era where a man of African descent has secured the throne of the most powerful nation of the world, a tragedy of enormous proportions continues to be played out in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is indeed easier to sell a... more
Views: 2156Moroccan Blogger Mohammed Erraji Acquitted
Region: MoroccoThe Blogoma, or Moroccan blogosphere, was buzzing today over news of Moroccan blogger Mohammed Erraji's acquittal. Erraji was arrested for writing, in the Arabic publication Hespress, that the king's charity toward his people encourages them to remain helpless rather than work hard. Erraji's case inspired a bit of a renaissance within the Blogoma, reminiscent of when bloggers mobilized in support of Fouad Mourtada, an Internet user arrested earlier this year for c... more
Views: 2459The End of OhmyNews Japan
Region: Japan
At the end of August, 2008, OhmyNews [ja], the citizen journalism site from South Korea that entered the Japanese market in 2006 with much fanfare, closed its doors [ja]. First officially announced on February 22, 2006, and launched shortly thereafter with help from the Japanese media giant Softbank and an investment contract valued at 1.3 billion yen [US$11 million], OhmyNews had a rough ride in Japan right from the beginning. As of the end of July, a... more
Views: 2455Conflict Continues Between Uribe and Supreme Court
Region: Colombia
Over the past year, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez and the Supreme Court have been engaged in a fight because of the so-called Parapolitics scandal, where more than 30 lawmakers from the ruling coalition have been jailed, and dozens of politicians are being investigated, because of their alleged links with right-wing paramilitary squads, including Mario Uribe Escobar, the president's cousin, who was recently released. Last month, Semana... more
Views: 2234Saluting Rado, a Poet Legend
Region: MadagascarThe Malagasy blogosphere is unanimous in saluting the passing of Rado, the renowned Malagasy poet. Jentilisa writes a detailed biography : “Zanaka mpitandrina ny tenany, teraka tamin'ny 1 oktobra 1923 (tapabolana sisa manko) ary Ankadivato ilay fonenana nahalehibe azy. Notezaina tanatin'ny fitiavana an'Andriamanitra sy ny tanindrazana tahaka ireo hafa novolavolaina tanaty lasitra protestanta nandritra ny fanjanahantany” “He was born, Georges Andriamanantena, on O... more
Views: 1790Interview with John Romankiewicz of China's Green Beat
Region: ChinaChina's Green Beat is an effort by “Green brothers” John Romankiewicz, Shane Zhao and Rene Ng to raise awareness about environmental issues in China. The project has developed more thanten short films, complete with bilingual Chinese-English subtitles. From its inception a year ago, China’s Green Beat has received a fair amount of attention in the international blogosphere. It recently was named one of the best blogs covering China by Danwei. ... more
Views: 1238Media Manipulation on the Poisonous Milk Powder Scandal
Region: ChinaWhen the poisoned milk scandal goes from bad to worse and raises international concerns, China government started to increase their control over the media in China. As the scandal involved most well established brands like Yili and Mengniu, ordinary people like Boyuefeel that there is nothing else can we believe in. Indeed, the situation is very depressing especially when the government prefers to manipulate the media than encourage public monitor to safeguard people's lives. beta&... more
Views: 3439Why Do Egyptians Get Divorced
Region: Egypt
This question has been circulating a lot in many unrelated circles nowadays. Statistics show that 75,000 Egyptian couples got divorced in 2006/2007. Wandering Scarab is trying to provide us with some answers: It's been noted that divorce rates in Egypt are on the rise. That is despite the fact that Egyptians generally see marriage as a means of gaining independence and engaging freely in sexual activity, as well as gaining stature from being married. It's possible that divo... more
Views: 3000Lebanon: Political Tensions are Escalating
Region: LebanonWhile the people in Lebanon were under the impression that the latest negotiations between the leading political groups might translate into a glimpse of a brighter and calmer days to come, two people were killed and four injured in a clash between two rival Christian parties in Bsarma village in Koura, north Lebanon. The two parties which clashed are the anti-Syrian Lebanese Forcesand the pro-Syrian Marada movement. Marada’s Youseef Frangieh and the Lebanese Forces... more
Views: 1020Delhi Serial Blasts and After Thoughts
Region: India
On September 13th the capital of India was rocked and terrorized by serial blasts. This is the fourth bombing incident targeting innocent people this year after Jaipur, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. Aaman Lamba reports in Desicritics: Five bombs went off in succession in Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, and Greater Kailash I, killing at least 18 people and injuring over 90. Two live bombs have also been reportedly defused…. . The relatively new Indian Mujahideen claimed responsi... more
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