Iran Elections: Celebration Now, A Long and Unpredictable Path Ahead

After pundits predicted a win for the man they assumed was the Supreme Leader's favorite or a run-off between the conservative mayor of Tehran and the most moderate candidate, no one was more surprised than Iranians themselves at the results of the today's election.

Iran's Presidential Candidates Armed With Social Media

Iranian presidential candidates are competing with each other in use of social media like Facebook and Twitter even though these sites are filtered and generally inaccessible to internet users.

Iranians in Canada Cast Symbolic Votes Days Before Election

Iranians in Canada cannot vote in Iran's presidential election this week, but thanks to an initiative by a group of Iranian expatriates they were at least able to cast a symbolic ballot.

Syria: 18 Journalists Killed in January

Iran: Rapping for Conservative Candidate

A teenager is rapping for Saeed Jalili, a conservative candidate in Iran's 14th of June presidential election.

Iran: Viva Reforms

Hassan Rouhani's supporters in presidential election chanted “viva reforms” and Rouhani in Mashhad. Rouhani is supported by reformists for Iran's 14th of June presidential election.

Syria: Old Homs Under Siege for a Year

This month marks the first anniversary of the siege of the old city of Homs, often described as the capital of the Syrian Revolution. Homs, one of the first revolutionary Syrian cities to revolt against the tyranny of Bashar Al Assad, has been subjected to bombardment by the Syrian regime, shelling and raids for more than two years, making the daily survival even harder as food and medical supplies dwindle. Netizens describe what it is like to live under siege.

Syria: Criticizing Arab Silence

Political Farce posted a photograph on Facebook criticizing the silence of Arabs over developments in Syria.

Simultaneous “Sit-ins for Freedom” Held Across Saudi Cities

Small groups of Saudi women held simultaneous “Sit-ins for Freedom” across Saudi cities on June 10th, 2013, which were called for by anonymous advocacy group @almonaseron [The Supporters] to call for release of their imprisoned relatives. As a result, over 140 protesters, men and women, were arrested by Saudi forces during the previous two days.

Egypt: Losing Historical Cities

Cairobserver calls [ar] people in Egypt through Facebook and Twitter [ar] to demonstrate in front of governorate buildings, who are responsible for managing the city, across Egypt to call for an end to destroying and deforming historical cities.

Australia: Security Storm Surrounds Convicted Egyptian Asylum Seeker

Accusations of 'jihadist terrorism' against an Egyptian asylum seeker has stirred the political brawling in the lead up to Australia’s election on 14 September 2013. The Opposition parties’ election promises include turning back refugee boats and increasing funding to the intelligence and security agencies. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has responded by setting up an internal inquiry into the apparent security failure.

Israeli Social Justice Protesters Met with Violence by Jerusalem Police

A protest organized by three groups affiliated with the Israeli social justice movement (#j14) was held in Jerusalem on Saturday night (June 8). The protesters demanded a reversal of the decision to export most of Israel's natural gas reserves with only 12.5% of the value of the gas going to the State in taxes. The protesters also voiced objections against the budget of the new government, which is expected to significantly raise taxes on Israel's lower and middle-class, while at the same time cutting government services on which those classes rely. The protest, despite being peaceful and rather small (a few hundreds of protesters) was met with an unusually high level of random police brutality.

‘Iran Voices’ Gives Voice to Non-Urban Areas

Iran Voices is created based on Ushahidi‘s successful project. Iran Voices aims to report about Iranian small cities and villages and send by emailing people's requests and concerns to the authorities and MPs.

Interview: Award-Winning Mauritanian Activist Ahmed Jedou Blogs for Change

Meet Ahmed Jedou, a Mauritanian activist and blogger, GV contributor, and recent winner of the Deutsche Welle - Best of Blogs (BoBs) Award. We caught up with him a few days before the publication of the BoBs results, discussing his opinion on the state of freedom in Mauritania, his struggle for a civil state in his country, and more.

Families of Saudi's ‘Arbitrarily Imprisoned’ Protest from Home

Friday, June 7th, marked the Second Detainees Day, an event called for by anonymous advocacy group @e3teqal and @almonaseron to raise awareness about the issue of arbitrary detainment in the absolute Saudi monarchy. Participants in the protest hang the photographs of detainees on their homes to draw attention to their plight.

Syrian Creativity: Radio SouriaLi Broadcasts over the Internet

Syrians continue to devise creative and innovative solutions to the daily obstacles they face, despite extreme repression. Radio SouriaLi, formed by a group of young Syrians from diverse backgrounds, is one of the many projects and initiatives emerging from the need for expression and the attempt to reach out to all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic, intellectual and religious backgrounds.

Jail for NGO Workers in Egypt

The sentencing of 43 Egyptian and foreign employees in non-governmental organisations [NGOs] to jail terms of up to five years, has sparked anger on social media networks – and on the ground. The move is seen as a warning for human rights organisations, and those promoting democracy.

Yemen's Jailed Revolutionary Youth Go on Hunger Strike

In December 2011, 22 youth were abducted during the uprising against ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Five of them still remain in jail, without charges or trial. Yemeni activists and netizens are now calling for their release, writes Noon Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Blocks Instant Messaging App Viber

Following the Saudi threat to block encrypted communication software unless the government is allowed to spy, the instant messaging application Viber was blocked earlier yesterday. The website can no longer be accessed and the application does not connect.

Iran: Jokes about Presidential Debate

Several netizens tweeted about the second presidential debate and made laugh of candidates. Potkin Azarmehr tweeted “Pres Candidates may be asked to play musical chairs next.”

Tunisian FEMEN Activist Faces New Charges

As Tunisian FEMEN activist Amina Tyler is set to appear before a judge to face new charges on June 5, the secular opposition's lack of support to the young woman is met with criticism.