Stories about Middle East & North Africa from June, 2008
Morocco: Websites and Newspapers
With the world going digital, many newspapers are meeting the challenge by making their news pages accessible online. The Arab world is no different. Moroccan blogger M S Hjiouij [Ar] complains about the standard of a popular newspaper's website in this post.
Jordan: A New Lease of Life for Dwwen
Arab bloggers held their breath waiting for an announcement on the fate of popular Arab blog aggregator Dwwen. After a bit of uncertainty, the all clear was given and it is business as usual for the site which brings together Arab bloggers, writing posts in Arabic and English, under one roof.
Iraq: Return of a Kidnapped Neighbour
Iraqi Sunshine shares with us different aspects of her life in this post – the return of a kidnapped neighbour, sitting her physics exam and extracting her wisdom tooth.
Iraq: 10 Things I Hate About My Colleagues
Neurotic Iraqi Wife shares with us 10 things she hates about her colleagues at work in the enclosed Green Zone.
Syria: Sleeping Problems
Syrian Muoffaq Qabbani is finding it difficult to sleep.
Iraq: Chinese Food
Do Arabs like Chinese food? Read the reactions a story Sunnyraindrops links to about a Chinese restaurant in Iraq to know the answer.
Palestine: Obama on Jerusalem as Undivided
Barack Obama's pledge on June 11th to AIPAC that Jerusalem should be Israel's undivided capital has angered Palestinian officials. President Mahmoud Abbas made a statement that Obama's pledge is “totally rejected,” while Saeb Erekat, an Abbas aide, said that Palestinian negotiators would continue to insist upon East Jerusalem as the...
Kuwait: Annoying People in Cinemas
Kuwaiti blog Final Haven describes five types of annoying people you could come across in cinemas in Kuwait.
Syria: Coup Plot Crushed
Joshua Landis links to reports about a coup plot against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that was quietly crushed without the world noticing in Syria Comment.
Iraq: Black – The Colour of Grief
Iraqi women are now accustomed to wearing black - the colour of grief and mourning, notes Inside Iraq. But amid the darkness and gloom, some young women admit to wearing brown, green and even pink!
Renewable Energy ‘Supercenter’ at Tel-Aviv University
The Green Prophet blogs about the announcement by Tel-Aviv University. “The proposed Supercenter “will be much more than a hatchery for new clean technologies,” said Prof. Abraham Kribus, an engineer and solar energy expert. “It will be a multi-disciplinary powerhouse including all the non-technological aspects, such as economics, law, and...
Iran:Government protects a national jungle park
Jamshidi,an Iran based blogger, reports [fa] that security forces shutdown illegal buildings and business in Sorkh Hesar, a national protected jungle. Watch the photos here.
Iran:Sex scandal in University
Several Iranian news sites and blogs including Moeini reported [fa] that Hassan Madadi,Vice president of Zanjan University, was caught on film by students as he was taking off his shirt and allegedly about to take sexual advantage of a female student.
Libya: Father's Day
Anglo-Libyan, who lives in the UK, celebrated Father's Day today. “Today in Britain we celebrate Father's Day,while I think everyday should be fathers & mothers day but still it is nice to have a special day dedicated to all the dads out there who usually have to put up with...
Palestine: Goodbye to Blogging
Palestinian Rebellious Arab Girl announced that she will not be blogging for a while. “I don’t know when I will come back,” she adds.
Kuwait: $10,000 Car Treat!
Would you spend $10,000 getting your car waxed? I know I wouldn't - but Lebanese blogger Mark, who lives in Kuwait, draws our attention to someone who did just that.
Bahrain: Where's My Breakfast?
“Who cares about oil prices? Sure it’s at $139 at close in NY yesterday, but it’s still cheaper than water. The issue I have is not that, it is the complete absence of Weetabix from the local market. How can one have a decent breakfast if there is no Weetabix?”...
Egypt: HIV or Homosexuality?
“Which one is wrong – HIV or homosexuality?” is the post of Egyptian blogger Mostafa Husein‘s post.
Kuwait: Covered Hard Candy for Madonna
“Madonna’s album is being raped by Kuwaiti MOI [Ministry of Information], they basically forced leggings on her and took all the pictures off her CD booklet, it is a cover only no inlay pages,” writes Moey.
Saudi Arabia: Long Journey of Waiting
“Lately, I have discovered that my life is a long journey of waiting,” writes Saudi blogger Female [Ar].
Iran: Protest against corruption and inflation
Several Iranian bloggers including Biseda reported[fa] that several hundred people protested in Tehran (Park Melt) and Mashhad yesterday against corruption and high prices.The bloggers and news sites reported at least 150 people were arrested.