Stories about Weblog from March, 2011
Russia: Unexpected Results of Radiation Mapping
The crowdsourcing project of mapping radiation levels in Russia measured by private dosimeters not only became an interesting case of digital activism, but also showed some effects its creators didn’t even think of.
Libya: Is Khamis Gaddafi Really Dead?
Rumours have been circulating online and in mainstream media for about two weeks that Khamis Al Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed. Tonight, the rumours are making the rounds again, with a new twist. They say the 27-year-old militia leader, who runs a brigade which carries his name, was killed during an air raid on Bab Al Aziziya Compound, where the Gaddafis reside in Tripoli. Unconfirmed reports add that his brother Muattasim was killed by Gaddafi for 'refusing to follow' orders.
Syria: ‘Friday of Dignity’ Protests Erupt Countrywide
Massive protests broke in several cities in Syria today in response to calls for a “Friday of Dignity” after a brutal governmental crackdown left dozens of protesters dead in the Southern city of Daraa and nearby villages. Videos emerging from across Syria show enormous protests in multiple cities.
South Korea: Controversial Memoir Mixes Art, Sex and Politics
An art curator who shocked South Korea with her fake Yale diploma and government connections released a memoir on March 22, 2011, rocking the nation once again with her revelations. Called the 'art world Cinderella', Shin Jeong-ah's alleged relationships with high-profile political and social figures have made her something of a celebrity.
Kuwait: Massive Sandstorm Turns Day into Night
A massive sandstorm has engulfed Kuwait in minutes this afternoon. Armed with cameras, Kuwaiti netizens gave us a glimpse of their experience as day turned into night. Here are reactions from YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Bahrain: A Friday of Rage Dispersed with Tear Gas
Protesters around Bahrain defied a gatherings law and turned out in masses for rallies around the kingdom dubbed as The Friday of Rage. Protesters were attacked by tear gas - and some say rubber bullets. Here's a round up of reactions from social networking sites.
Argentina: The Conflict between Teatro Colón and the City of Buenos Aires
After twelve years since his last performance in Argentina, Plácido Domingo was scheduled to sing on March 23 at the Teatro Colón theater in Buenos Aires. However, the concert inside the theater was canceled as the very musicians of the theater refused to play there because of their conflict with the city's administration. As a compromise, a concert was held outdoors, but the conflict between the theater's musicians and the city is far from over.
Nigeria: Blogger Arrested for Allegedly Blackmailing a Politician
The Nigerian federal security enforcement agency, State Security Service (SSS), recently arrested Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, a Nigerian blogger who runs 247 Ureports, for allegedly attempting to blackmail Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, a member of the House of Representatives in Anambra State.
Yemen: Crowds Call for Saleh to Step Down in Sanaa
Thousands of protesters have gathered in Change Square, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, to call on President Ali Abdulla Saleh to step down. The protests are going strong in what is being described as The Friday of Departure and the army has reportedly fired gunshots in the air to stop pro-regime protesters from clashing with pro-democracy demonstrators. Here are some reactions from Twitter.
Myanmar: Photos of Earthquake Disaster
A 6.8 earthquake hit northeast Myanmar on the evening of Thursday 24 March, 2011, which was felt in nearby Thailand and as far away as Vietnam and China. The quake killed at least 70 people and destroyed more than 240 buildings in Myanmar alone but casualties could be higher. In Tachilek town, coffins were sold out hours after the quake.
Global Voices’ translator: Jean Saint-Dizier
Jean Saint-Dizier, aka "Juan", is a volunteer translator for Global Voices in French. Madly in love with Brazil, his second homeland, and with Portuguese, Juan translates from Portuguese to French every post about Brazil published on Global Voices because "Brazil is a chance for the world, and I want to share it".
U.S. Embassy in Uganda Gets Social
The United States Embassy in Uganda is now active in the social media sphere, providing updates on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. In a speech launching the initiative, Ambassador Jerry Lanier also recognized social media as a new battlefield in the war for free speech.
El Salvador: Citizen Reactions to Obama's Visit
The visit of the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has sparked comments in favor and against his trip among Salvadoreans. The visit has also stirred up a heated debate on the Salvadoran blogosphere.
Palestine: Biggest Escalation of Violence in Gaza since Cast Lead
The Gaza Strip is lately experiencing the largest escalation of violence since Cast Lead operation in 2008-2009 that claimed lives of more than 1,400 Palestinians, among them over 350 children. On the night of March 22, 2010, Israel started military operations that led to the bloodiest day in Gaza in two years. Palestinian bloggers and tweeps react to the clashes.
Japan: The Importance of Getting Back to Normal
As more time passes since the devastating Earthquake that shook Japan on March 11th, people in Japan are feeling the need to return to normal and put the disaster behind them. Although for many Japanese who lost their homes or loved ones this will be quite difficult, those who weren't as unlucky feel the need to do their part and help the economy get back on its feet.
Taiwan: Call for Energy Policy Review
The ongoing Fukushima nuclear power plant incident in Japan has alerted people in Taiwan about the safety of nuclear power plants in their own country. In order to transform current concern into long term government policy, many netizens are demanding the Taiwanese government conduct a comprehensive review on the country's energy and industrial policy.
Egypt: Taxi Driver Finds Lost Camera Owner via Facebook
What would you do if you found a camera, and wanted to return it to its owner? One Egyptian taxi driver decided to do it the Egyptian way and utilise the internet - with rapid results.
Ecuador: Investigation Around Newborn Deaths Continues
According to Ecuador's latest census, more than 14 million people live in the country, but there is still no consensus on the national infant mortality rate. Recent incidents have called attention to health care practices in neonatal units in Ecuadorian hospitals, triggering an investigation around newborn deaths in the country.
Should Indonesia Abandon its Nuclear Plans?
Indonesia’s plan to build its first nuclear plant in the next decade has been shelved indefinitely because of the nuclear disaster in Japan. Bloggers are joining the debate on whether Indonesia should pursue its nuclear dreams.
Syria: Citizen Videos Show Horror in Daraa
As the crackdown on protests in Daraa continues and reports pour in of more deaths, citizen reporters in the town are capturing video and uploading it to YouTube, which was only recently unblocked in Syria. The videos in this post show the extent of the violent crackdown in Daraa.
Arab World: The Arab Tyrant Manual
The Arab Tyrant Manual is out, and is being tweeted as I type. On Twitter, Iyad Elbaghdadi is repeating all the excuses we have heard from the governments of Arab countries which have had protests calling for regime change and reforms since the Tunisian uprising at the end of 2010. Although they sound like one liners from a comic strip, they still get support from people on the ground.
