Qatar: It's getting hot in here

The arrival of summer in Qatar usually means an exodus of both locals and expatriates who can afford a vacation somewhere with a more welcoming climate. As temperatures rise above 45 degrees Celsius (over 110 Fahrenheit) bloggers in Qatar are discussing how to deal with the heat (and humidity). While come bloggers are learning the hard way how to cope with the heat, others have sent their families to cooler climes until the heat alert is over.

American Blogger in the land of “Down with USA”

View from Iran has always been a very attractive blog for me. An American blogger based in Iran writes about her daily experiences in the land of “down with America”. Tori Egherman, the American blogger, has now left Iran. She and her husband have just published a book of photos...

Iran:International support for two jailed worker activists

Kaargar(worker) says[Fa] that international labour organizations such as International Trade Union Confederation calls for world wide demonstrations on 9th of August against Iranian government.These organizations ask for freedom of two famous jailed worker activists:Mansour Osanlou and Mahmoud Salehi.

Hong Kong: Union Organizer Arrested

In response to a call from the International Trade Union Confederation（ITF), unionists in Hong Kong organized a peaceful protest at the Iran Consulate in Hong Kong against the illegal arrest of Iranian union leader Mansour Osanloo in July 13. However, according to coolloud citizen report, after two weeks, the organizer...

Turkey Makes The Right Choice

Abdurahman believes that Turkey made the right choice by electing the AK Party. He writes that the “election was widely followed in the Middle East” and that “in the last few years, in every fair election, an Islamic-leaning party won or were denied a clear victory. Hamas in Palestine, Muslim...

Israeli Security at a South African airport?

Walton Pantland is outraged that Israeli security police are operating in South Africa where they detained, interrogated and strip searched Xolile Nxu, the Vice-President of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) at O R Tambo Airport (formally Johannesburg International).

Bangla blogs discuss evolution – Of life, blogs and women power

What is blogging all about? Is it about sharing one's daily life and/or thoughts with the rest of the world? Is it then an autobiography of sorts? Can a blog be deemed as literature? Suman Rehman, who labels himself as an ‘uploader’ rather than a true blue blogger, set the...

Egypt: Soccer Counters Terrorism, Blogger Helps Drug Addict, Blogging Egypt's History and More

In this week's round-up from Egypt there are so many intertwined stories. One blogger is asking: what is the relation between soccer and terrorism? We also have an interesting story by Isis, (Egypt-The Reality), who is helping a drug addict because of a blog post. Egypt-Napoleon's history is being profiled in a new blog and can a new fatwa (religious opinion) bring imprisoned Egyptian blogger Karim Amer back to life? There is also a follow up on the 11-year-old mother by Zeinobia.

Kurdistance: A Victory in the Turkish Elections

While the Turks have had some mixed reactions to the outcome of the recent Turkish parliamentary elections, Kurds have been rejoicing as potential Kurdish parliamentarians have exploited a loophole in the election system and gained a foothold in the Turkish parliament.

Bahrain: First Female Bloggers Meeting

The First Female Bloggers meeting was held in Bahrain and Gardens of Sand brings us the reactions.

Algeria: Reactions to the Turkish Elections

Algerian blogger Nouri gives us a round up of reactions to the Turkish elections here.

Lebanon: One in Three Want to Leave

Issandr El Amrani, who blogs from Egypt, tells us why one in three Lebanese wants to leave his county.

Israel: Land for Jews Only

Peter Jacob is discussing Israel's decision to sell lands to Jews only.

Iraq: Football Unity

Iraqi blogger Sunshine writes about how the victory of the Iraqi football team has brought Iraqis together.

Arabeyes: Internet War Continues in Egypt

After harassing, questioning and detaining bloggers, the war on the Internet continues in Egypt, this time attacking where it hurts most - the pocket! This is how Egyptian bloggers react to the hike in prices, which will be introduced in September.

Iran:Student Activist Executed as Gang-Member

Kamangir says that Meisam Lotfi, a student activist, executed as gang-member recently in Iran. His mother said Meisam spent six month in the infamous Evin Prison after the July 1999 student riots. Meisam had spent 55 days in solitary confinement after he was accused of setting tires on fire during...

Iran:The Revolution Is What Made This Issue Possible

Homeyra writes about new special feature in Artenews:”the revolution is what made this issue possible.” It is about Iranian culture and literature.

Turkey is Typing….Election Issue

The Turkish parliamentary elections were this last Sunday… and despite public protests in the last few months against the ruling party AKP, they still won with a resounding 47 per cent of the popular vote. Turkish bloggers wrote extensively this week about their predictions of the elections and what future...

Tunisian blogger on AKP victory in Turkey's legislative elections

Of the AKP victory in Turkey tunisiendoctor writes (Fr): “Goodbye to secular military dictatorship in Turkey and best of luck to a democratic, and perhaps even European, Turkey.”

Iran:Religious students and clerics got everything

Ghonabit who lives in Qom,a very important religious city in Iran, says[Fa] there is a real discrimination between ordinary citizens and religious students and clerics. The blogger adds these religious people have their own private buses and some places such as Television Faculty just accept them as students.

“Following the release of the ‘Benghazi Six,’ Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov has pardoned and released them. He’s also granted citizenship to the Palestinian among them,” reports Elijah Zarwan from Egypt.