Stories about Middle East & North Africa from August, 2011
Libya: Remembering Mohammed Nabbous
Tribute is pouring in on Twitter, in memory of Mohammed Nabbous, the founder of Libya's AlHurra TV. Nabbous was killed in a firefight while he was filming on March 19. According to his many fans, Nabbous' spirit is celebrating today's developments in Libya.
Libya: Libya State TV Broadcast Disrupted
With the fast-paced news coming out of Tripoli, social media enthusiasts are weeding information coming out of Libya to keep us abreast with what is really happening there. Stay tuned for the latest details.
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.”
Libya: Bloggers Between Dictatorship and War
It's been six months since the Libyan uprising began. How was the Libyan blogging scene before the February 17 revolution and how has it evolved over the last few months? Fozia Mohamed takes a closer look at the Libyan blogosphere to bring us the story.
Libya: Gaddafi's Right Hand Abdessalem Jalloud Flees to Italy
Libya's former number two, Abdessalem Jalloud, has left the country to Italy on a Maltese plane via Tunisia, a Tunisian senior government official has confirmed. Many people see Jalloud's defection as an indication as to the imminent end of Gaddafi's rule.
Iran: Regime called Google+ dangerous
Head of internet unit in the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance called Google+ is one of the most dangerous social networking for Iranian users.
Somalia: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan In Mogadishu
afrik.com reports [fr] on Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's visit in Mogadishu: “The prime minister, his wife Emine and other [Turkish] political and business leaders, as well as artists, are in Somalia to meet the victims of the drought and famine raging in the country.”
Libya: Anxiety and Hope as Revolutionaries Edge their Way to Tripoli
As Libya's revolutionaries edge their way towards the capital Tripoli, Libyans share their hopes and anxiety on Twitter. Here is part of the conversation being tweeted tonight.
Lebanon: Special Tribunal Unseals Indictment
“The first question that comes to mind is: is this it? After nearly six years of investigation, does the case truly rest solely on telecommunications data? What about witness testimony? Forensics? DNA analysis? Magnifying glasses and trench coats?” asks Qifa Nabki while summarizing the indictment and posting his first reaction...
Egypt: A Cultural Revolution
Ursula Lindsey, from the Arabist, notes the cultural revolution that has taken place in Egypt since Mubarak's ouster.
Algeria: Not Arab Revolutions
Algerian-American Kal, from The Moor Next Door, shares some thoughts on the Arab Spring. “This blog does not write about “Arab revolutions”; no such thing has taken place in the Arab countries from a results-oriented stand point. Important and substantive political change came to a number of Arab countries in...
Kuwait: Fined for Bad Breath
From Kuwait, Mark shares a news item about an Arab motorist who was fined by a policeman for “having bad breath.” “If they’re issuing tickets for bad breath then my previous joke about how sunglasses should be banned might actually happen,” he blogs.
Bahrain: The Plight of Unfairly Dismissed Employees
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif sheds light on the plight of Bahrainis “unfairly” dismissed from their jobs due to the current unrest in the country.
Egypt: Assad's Massacres Continue in Ramadan
“How many massacres have been committed by El Assad regime so far in Syria since the start of the holy month of Ramadan alone !?” asks Egyptian blogger Zeinobia, in Egyptian Chronicles.
Egypt: Graffiti War Continues
From Egypt, Suzeeinthecity shares with us the story of how major brands have jumped on the graffiti bandwagon, competing with revolution art on Cairo's walls.
Iran: A blogger was beaten up in jail
Human rights activists say [fa] Hossein Maleki Ronaghi, a jailed blogger, was beaten up in prison, after writing a letter to Iran's judicary authorities, by a guard and sent to a hospital. This blogger has been sentenced to 15 years jail.
Lebanon: Thousands of Old Photos of Lebanon
Lebanese blogger Rami at +961 posts about his new finding: Thousands of old photos of Lebanon and the Middle East.
Lebanon: Racism in Banks
The Terrorist Donkey posted a new story[Ar] about racism in Lebanon. This time it happened in a very well known bank where they refused to open an account for a man from Nepal.
Lebanon: New Migrant Center Opening in Beirut
Lebanese blogger and Nasawiya activist Nadine shares some exciting news for the migrant communities in Lebanon: their Migrant Center is in the final stages of opening and it needs your help. Read all about the details in her post.
Tunisia: More Protests, More Police Violence
Protesters are back on the streets of Tunis and other Tunisian provinces calling for immediate reforms and the establishment of an independent judiciary capable of bringing corrupt officials and the killers of the “Revolution Martyrs” to justice. Afef Abrougui summaries citizen media reactions in this post.
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