Stories about Breaking News from May, 2007
Egyptian Blogger Monem to Be Freed
Jailed Egyptian blogger Abdulmonem Mahmood is being released on Saturday - but Egyptian bloggers are holding their breath and are full of apprehension on their future in a country which has so far conducted a witch hunt on bloggers, reports Freedom For Egyptians.
Touring Libyan Blogs: Tony Blair, Watermelons, Shock and Awe and a Really Hot Summer
Extreme security measures, the relationship between bloggers and watermelons, shock and awe tactics and what happens to you when the weather reaches 49 degree Celsius are just some of the topics Fozia Mohammed echoes from Libyan blogs this week.
Egypt: Monem will be freed and Amr Gharbeia interrogated
Blogger Abdel-Monem Mahmoud appeared today before the Public Prosecutor who ordered to release him after 45 days in custody. “Monem and his group are expected to be release on Saturday after completing paperwork.” said his lawyer. Hossam el-Hamalawy reported that the Egyptian blogger Amr Gharbeia has been interrogated today on...
Lebanon: Hariri Tribunal Wait Over
“Today, after a long wait, the International Tribunal will be established. The next priority is to build bridges, mend fences and restore unity and confidence in this country,” writes Beirut Spring.
Lebanon: More on the Crisis in the Country
For the second week, Lebanese bloggers have posted anecdotes, reflections, updates, photos, videos, jokes, sarcasm and drawings on the issue that is taking precedence over all other topics. The issue is the ongoing violence which is taking the form of clashes in the north between the army and the militants and the terrorist explosions jumping from one location to another around the country, writes Moussa Bashir.
Japan: More on the suicide of Matsuoka Toshikatsu
Blogger fukumimi at from the inside, looking in speculates about possible explanations for the suicide of the late minister of agriculture Matsuoka Toshikatsu. Responding to a report mentioning that a suicide letter was found, he writes: “If I were a betting man I’d bet that, being a typical ex-bureaucrat turned...
Malawi: Malawi's first lady passes away
Sad news from Victor Kaonga: “It has been reported by Malawi's State House officials that the First Lady Madamme Ethel Mutharika passed away Monday 28th May after long illness. A month-long period of national mourning has been declared.”
Japan: Agriculture Minister commits suicide
James at Japan Probe writes about news reports indicating that the head of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Matsuoka Toshikatsu, committed suicide today, noting that the suicide could be in response to news from a few days ago that Minister Matsuoka had received 13 million yen in donations.
Morocco: YouTube is Blocked, and the Blogoma is Not Happy
It seems that censorship is on the rise again in Morocco. After last year's blocking of Livejournal and Google Earth, the blogoma erupts as YouTube is added to the censure list. Jillian York reports on what the blogoma thinks of this recent act of censorship.
Syria: Presidential Referendum and Lebanon Clashes
Today, Syria is reelecting president Bashar Assad for a new seven-year term in office. The process is done through a referendum, which means there will be no other challengers. The referendum paper has a green circle that says "Yes" and a gray one that says "No". The result is expected to be 99.xx% in favour of the president - as is the tradition in Syria for the last 37 years. Yazan Badran sums up the reactions of Syrian bloggers here.
Morocco blocks popular video site YouTube
Early this morning, the news broke across the blogosphere that Morocco has joined the ranks of countries like Iran and Tunisia, which already block YouTube. A Moroccan in Washington D.C. posted: “According to postings online and friends in Morocco, access to Youtube is blocked. Nobody knows the reason for this....
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Murder of Innocents
After a domestic squabble turns disturbingly violent, Abeni wonders, “When did it become okay to kill our children, when?”
Palestine: Explosions Close to Home
‘We go to sleep now waiting for the next round of Israeli attacks against “Hamas targets”. That is what they are calling them now. Last night, I couldn't sleep again. The drones were waxing and waning in intensity overhead. And then of course the Apaches. And the explosions. But this...
Lebanon: Fighting Resumes
Writing from Lebanon Blacksmith Jade says: “After a two-day long truce, fierce fighting in and around the Nahr el Bared refugee camp resumed on Thursday night as the Lebanese Army evacuated journalists, and intercepted a group of Fatah al Islam gunmen as they tried to flee the camp.”
Ukraine: Piskun, Again
Ukrainiana writes: “Svaytoslav Piskun, Ukraine’s perennial prosecutor general, lost his job today.” Once again. This time, though, his dismissal has caused some Ukrainian politicians to talk of “an attempted coup.”
Morocco's UN Refugee Office Closes its Doors
Cat in Rabat reports that The United Nations Refugee Office in Morocco has closed its doors after African migrants stormed the building on Saturday. “They were demanding financial assistance for accommodation and food, as well as residency papers, access to healthcare, and the right to work,” she says, adding: “There...
Trinidad & Tobago: Soca Star Arrested
Trinidad and Tobago girls, politics, sports, technology, carnival and lifestyle reports on the arrest of soca singer Machel Montano following an incident that occurred outside Zen nightclub a few weeks ago.
Iraq: US Troop Movement
Iraqi blogger LadyBird shares the latest rumours on the mobilisation of US troops in Iraq here. “Information came right now from Iraq that US occupation forces are moving all their heavy machineries and tanks into Al-Kut Airbase in south Iraq. No more details and not confirmed yet but this come...
Syria: Lebanese Ceasefire
“Fateh Al Islam has accepted a government offer of a ceasefire. They say they will stop attacks if the army does not attack them. The army has responded by saying they never fire first. Humanitarian organisations say it's vital to have a break in fighting to get food and water...
Kuwait: Lebanese are “Fed Up”
‘“We are fed up!!” That is what all Lebanese are saying these days. Past two days, I asked many lebanese people in Kuwait what they think of whats going on, all of them have given up any hope they had for our country to rebuild and all they want now...
Kuwait: Loose Lion
Lebanese blogger Mark reports that a lion is on the run in Kuwait and is being hunted by police. “I just heard there is a lion loose in Kuwait. It seems it escaped from a Sheikh's (member of the Ruling Family) residence in the Fintas area and now the cops...
