Stories about Middle East & North Africa from May, 2013
31 May 2013
African Union Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The African Union (AU), the single largest organization of states in Africa, marked its 50th anniversary from May 25 to 27, 2013 at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, sparking...
Qatar: New Cyber Crime Law Could Threaten Online Speech
Qatar is looking to shore up its legislation regarding cybercrime, including punishment for accessing sensitive government data, but a draft law recently approved by the country's cabinet also puts limits...
28 May 2013
Syria Untold: Raqqa Lessons, From Freedom to Creativity in State Building
After the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Raqqa in March 2013, the city suffered a tremendous power vacuum, especially in public services. Syria Untold speaks to activists on the...
27 May 2013
Yemen: Two Men Killed for Overtaking a Sheikh's Wedding Convoy
Two young Yemeni men were killed last week for bypassing a wedding procession of a Sheikh (tribal leader) in Yemen's capital Sanaa. Khalid Al-Khateeb and his friend Hassan Aman were...
Hackers in Arab Cities: Slow Internet and Girl Power in Algeria
Meet those Internet geeks in the Middle East & North Africa. Global Voices re-posts excerpts of the blog "Hackers in Arab Cities'' by Sabine Blanc & Ophelia Noor. In this...
25 May 2013
Tunisia: FEMEN Activist Faces Possession of Pepper Spray Charge
Tunisian FEMEN activist Amina Tyler, 19, is set to appear before a court on May 30 to face a charge of "non-authorized possession of pepper spray." If convicted the young...
24 May 2013
Saudi Arabia Executes Five Yemeni Men, Publicly Displays Bodies
Five Yemenis convicted of murder and robbery were executed in Saudi Arabia and their bodies displayed in public in the southwestern town of Jizan. Photos of the bodies suspended from...
Yemen Marks Unification Anniversary as South Marches for Independence
A day before Yemen marked the 23rd anniversary of the unification of north and south to form today's Republic of Yemen, thousands gathered in South Yemen in support of independence...
Iran's Regime Bars Two Top Candidates from Election Race
Once again the Islamic regime's desire for absolute control of political life in Iran surprised many when it announced their selection of only eight shortlisted presidential candidates out of more...
22 May 2013
14-year-old Citizen Journalist Killed Covering Clashes in Syria
Omar Qatifaan, a 14-year-old media activist, was killed while covering clashes between pro- and anti-government forces in the southern Daraa al-Ballad area of Syria near the border with Jordan.
20 May 2013
The Eccentrics and the Women Who Run for President in Iran
Hundreds of hopeful Iranians, including thirty women, have registered as candidates to replace President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the forthcoming election even though they have no chance whatsoever of being elected.
18 May 2013
KFC Deliveries Smuggled into Palestine Through Secret Tunnels
Palestinian Anas Hamra, from Gaza, claims he got his Kentucky Fried Chicken delivered – after a seven hour wait. His story tallies with a recent New York Times report which...
15 May 2013
INFOGRAPHIC: The Forced Exile of Palestinians
In commemoration of Nakba Day, the ‘Visualizing Palestine’ graphic team have released their latest infographic entitled “An ongoing displacement” which “quantitatively catalogues the multiple dimensions of Palestinian displacement and loss...
Bahrain Jails Six Twitter Users for Insulting King
Six Twitter users have been sentenced to a year in prison each by a Bahrain court today for allegedly insulting King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the micro-blogging site.
Saudi Mobile Company Seeks Privacy Advocate's Help to Spy on Clients
Saudi Arabia's second largest telecommunication company, Mobily, has reached for a privacy advocate's help to surveil encrypted communication applications. The advocate went public with the request, publishing email exchanges online,...
14 May 2013
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
Joey Ayoub is Middle East and North Africa editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
Afef Abrougui is Advox Editor for the Middle East and North Africa. Email her story ideas related to freedom of expression online.
Mahsa Alimardani is the Iran and Farsi editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Lova Rakotomalala is the French editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
