· August, 2011

Stories about Breaking News from August, 2011

Saudi Arabia: A Special Twitter Hashtag for the King!

A Saudi hashtag entitled #tal3mrak which literary translates into “May god prolong your life” or “your majesty” if translated into a Western context, took Twitter by storm today. The hashtag came as a surprise to those who never thought Saudi netizens would have the courage to address their authorities via social media.

Nepal: A New Prime Minister

  28 August 2011

United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal reports that Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has been elected the 35th Prime Minister of Nepal. The previous Prime Minister Mr. Jhala Nath Khanal of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) resigned on August 15th after serving...

Puerto Rico: Tropical Storm Irene Leaves Heavy Rain and Damages

  27 August 2011

Tropical storm Irene hit Puerto Rico on August 21st leaving wind damage, floods, constant rain, and the evacuation of entire communities. This is the same storm, now a hurricane, that is hitting the United States east coast. The online community has posted videos of the aftermath of tropical storm Irene in Puerto Rico.

Libya: The Liberation of Tripoli

The Internet is back on in the Libyan capital Tripoli, after a blackout that lasted about six months. One by one bloggers and tweeps from Tripoli are coming online, sharing their feelings, emotions and hopes after months of absence and turmoil. Fozia Mohamed brings us their feedback.

Trinidad and Tobago: State of Emergency, Day 4

  25 August 2011

With a national state of emergency — declared by the government to combat rising crime — now in its fourth day, bloggers and other social media users in Trinidad and Tobago express doubts about the effects of the emergency measures and respond with humour to the inconvenience of a nighttime curfew.

Bahamas: Riding Out Hurricane Irene

  25 August 2011

As Hurricane Irene, the first of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, continues to move through the Bahamas, bloggers have been sharing their experiences. Netizens reported very strong winds, extensive damage to property, felled trees and downed power lines. Several roofs were blown off and there were reports of flooding in certain areas.

Peru: 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Jungle Region

  24 August 2011

Juan Arellano –Global Voices author and Spanish Translation Manager– is updating a Storify post [es] with Twitter reactions to a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the Peruvian jungle near the border with Brazil. The earthquake was felt in most of Peru and in parts of Ecuador and Brazil.

Lessons Gaddafi Should Have Learnt from North Korea

  23 August 2011

Joshua from One Free Korea, in comparing the North Korean situation with the fall of Gaddafi, explains about the importance of the nuclear deterrent in sustaining the North Korean regime and its dictator, Kim Jong-il.

Uzbekistan: Journalist Harassed in Tashkent Airport

RuNet Echo  23 August 2011

Elena Bondar, Young Uzbek journalist, was detained at the arrival to Tashkent airport after attending a course on modern journalism tools, organized by OSCE and Deutsche Welle in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Fergana News reports [ru].  After thorough examination of her documents and baggage, the customs officials let the journalist go home, but confiscated CDs and USB...

Trinidad and Tobago: Debating a State of Emergency

  22 August 2011

On Sunday 21 August, the government of Trinidad and Tobago declared a national state of emergency to deal with the violent crime that has afflicted the Caribbean nation in recent years. This legal move — which affects citizens' civil rights — triggered debate and concern among Trinidadians online.

Peru: Customers Show Support for Ripley Department Store Employees

  22 August 2011

Peruvian social networks are buzzing with talk about the temporary closing of a Ripley department stores. Although the closing of the store is officially in accordance with the lack of a security certificate issued by the Civil Defense, it has come about in the middle of a long conflict with its employees.

Libya: Game Over Gaddafi

Libyan revolutionaries are in Tripoli, the country's capital. The thrill is evident online, with Twitter abuzz with joy and jubilation as tweeps countdown the hours in which Gaddafi will leave power. Reports are already circulating that the battalion responsible for his protection has surrendered and decided to lay down arms.

Lebanon: Smoking Banned

“The Lebanese Parliament endorsed a law that bans smoking in public or closed spaces. The law also bans any sort of tobacco advertising and promotions….” reports Moudz, who added that “Non-smokers have been overjoyed today with the news filling up the social timelines with their expressions of approval.”

Mexico: Football Match Interrupted by Gunfire

  21 August 2011

Realidadtorreon uploaded a citizen video recorded inside the stadium where a football match was cancelled after “gunmen opened fire on police outside the stadium in the northern city of Torreon”, as reported by The Associated Press. Eduardopolis [es] blogged about the incident and how it was covered by the media...

Spain: Brutal Police Repression Against Journalists Covering “Secular March”

  20 August 2011

Pope Benedicto XVI's recent visit to Spain sparked a civil "Secular March" in protest against the use of public funds for religious acts in a secular state. The encounters between secular and religious individuals resulted in a wave of police repression against the journalists covering the events. Global Voices presents a selection of videos of the protests.