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Israel: Ceasefire with Hamas Ends

Gilad Lotan · 17:25, November 19th, 2008 · Middle East & North Africa

The temporary cease-fire (tahdiya) agreement between Israel and Hamas has come to an end earlier this month with an escalation of violence in the region and a re-implementation of the Gaza blockade. Gilad Lotan highlights conversations on the Israeli blogosphere on the escalation of violence and the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. 2 comments · read »

Trinidad & Tobago: Flood!

Janine Mendes-Franco · 15:07, November 19th, 2008 · Americas

Trinidad and Tobago has been at the receiving end of some heavy rains over the past few days, resulting in severe flood waters that have immobilized commuters, compromised infrastructure and wreaked havoc on the public transportation system. But only a handful of local bloggers were on top of the story (perhaps the rest were too busy trying to find a way home). 1 comment · read »

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November 20th, 2008

Peru: APEC Summit an Opportunity for the Country

Juan Arellano · 05:18 · Americas

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum will attract 21 member countries to Lima, Peru, which will have the opportunity to put on display its recent economic accomplishments, investment opportunities, as well as its tourism potential. Many Peruvian bloggers are excited about this showcase opportunity, in spite of the logistical nightmares such a large gathering might produce. 0 comments · read »

November 19th, 2008

Rollback in New Zealand's emissions trading scheme?

John Liebhardt · 21:51 · Oceania

A little more than a week after New Zealand’s National Party swept away nine years of Labour Party rule, new Prime Minister John Key stitched together a coalition government. At the new government's swearing in ceremony in Wellington, Key’s center-right coalition promised to boost economic growth by cutting taxes, enacting free ... 1 comment · read »

Colombia: Government, banking and pyramid schemes

Juliana Rincón Parra · 17:27 · Americas

Colombians are buzzing in outrage after the collapse last week of several investment offices which were operating as Ponzi schemes and pyramids, where people would deposit their savings and receive up to 300% in return. The last company standing was DMG, which has a massive following and is now being investigated and its owners arrested for alleged connections with drug trafficking cartels, money laundry and unlawful acquisition of funds. Surprising though, is that their followers have been unfailing in their support, defending DMG and its strategies on forums, comments and websites. 1 comment · read »

Egypt on Fire: The Gloves and The Invisible Hand

Marwa Rakha · 14:34 · Middle East & North Africa

On Thursday November 6th when Egyptians were celebrating Obama's Victory, Al Ghad Party went up in flames. You can read about the initial blogosphere reactions here and here. Today I am sharing with you Wael Nawara's statements regarding the incident. 0 comments · read »

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East Asia

A small independent café, Berg, is facing possible eviction from a shopping complex in Shinjuku, adjacent to the world's busiest train station. The building owner wants the 50-square-metre café out because the café owner has refused to sign a new contract that allows the company to evict its tenant after a certain period of time. Customers who frequent the café responded and set up the blog site LOVE! BERG!. Within six months, the site collected 10,000 signatures from people who support the café. However, the company ignored the petition and sent an eviction note in September asking the café to move out by March next year. Petition form here.

South Asia

Free Media Sri Lanka reports that one of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) affiliates A.R. Vanna Loshan, General Manager of Vettri FM Radio was arrested under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Colombo. IFJ and the leading media organizations in Sri Lanka condemned the detention of the Tamil journalist without charge.

East Asia

From the 14th to the 16th of November the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit was held in Tokyo, with 160 young leaders debating this year's topic of “Challenges Across Borders, Solutions Beyond Cultures”, focusing on ways to “make the culture relevant in our changing world”. The diary of the 3-day-conference, and pictures of the event, are available on the Asia 21 Summit blog [en].

East Asia

ESWN translated a Southern Metropolis Daily news about a father seeking help online for finding his kidnapped son: the kidnappers demanded 30,000 RMB, but the police refused to accept the case because the amount has to be 50,000 RMB or more. The helpless father therefore went onto the Internet for help.

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