Stories about Middle East & North Africa from October, 2011
Colombia: Palestinian Leader Mahmud Abbas Visits President Santos
In Latin America, the countries that don't recognise Palestine are few --including Colombia. As a result, President Abbas visited Juan Manuel Santos in Bogota to discuss relations between Palestine and Israel.
Iran: “Stranger than Fiction” Saudi Ambassador Plot Accusations
Accusations of an Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador in the United States has captured the front page of websites and newspapers around the world. Iranian blogger opinions on this “stranger than fiction” story are diverse as ever.
Mexico: U.S. Alleges Iranian Assassination Plot Involving Los Zetas
Reports that the U.S. Justice Department charged two men with conspiring with "factions of the Iranian government" to assassinate Saudi Arabia's U.S. ambassador and to bomb the Saudi and Israeli embassies in Washington - allegedly with assistance from the Los Zetas drug cartel - provoked strong reactions from netizens in Mexico and around the globe.
Israel: News of Gilad Shalit's Release Welcomed
On October 11, the Israeli government and top Hamas officials confirmed that a deal has been struck between Israel and Hamas that would lead to the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli netizens react to the news.
Lebanon: Gender Discrimination while Buying a Car
Lebanese blogger Rita Chemaly was shocked to be discriminated against by another saleswoman while buying a car with her boyfriend. She shared her story in this post.
Lebanon: The Ridiculous Increase in Wages
Lebanese blogger Rami thinks the increase which the cabinet agreed to issue to the wages in Lebanon is ridiculous and unfair. He explains why in his latest post.
Lebanon: New Blog about Football
Disappointed to discover that there were very few, if any, English-language websites or blogs dedicated to soccer in the land of the cedar tree, Fitzroy Morrissey hopes to rectify this situation through this new blog, Football In Lebanon.
Iran: Two environment watchers sentenced to death
Animal and several other Iranian bloggers express [fa] their deep concern about two environment watchers who are condemned to death penalty. These two environment watchers killed without premeditation the poachers.
Tunisia: A Message to Morocco's February 20 Movement
Moroccan blogger Hisham Almiraat shares a video with a message to the February 20 Movement. Watch how bloggers from around the world tell them – Mamfakinch, which means don't give up the fight, in the Moroccan dialect. The video was shot during the Third Arab Bloggers meeting, which ended in...
Egypt: Mourning the Heros of Maspero's Battle
Egyptians are pulling together after a bout of violence at the state television building Maspero, engineered to pit Muslim against Christian and vice versa. Nermeen Edrees sums up netizens' reactions.
Egypt: Photos from a Protest that Ended with Death
On Flickr, Sarah Carr shares photographs from the protests in Shubra. She writes: “When it reached Maspero protesters were crushed by army APCs and shot dead.”
Egypt: Message to SCAF
Following the Maspero clashes, Egyptian blogger Mahmoud Salem writes: ‘Our political and social leaders need to sit down with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and deliver the following message to them: “If you keep this up you are walking the path of your own destruction. The old...
Egypt: Horror at Maspero
Egyptian journalist Sarah Carr blogs her report on the horrors she witnessed at the Maspero state television building, where around 30 protesters were killed and 150 injured when the military police clashed with Coptic protesters.
Azerbaijan: Land of extreme politeness
Having read about the culture of politeness in Iran, Aaron in Azerbaijan says he has a deeper insight into the culture in Azerbaijan, a country where traditions and hospitality permeate every sphere of life, although not necessarily always genuinely.
Yemen: Saleh Stepping Down? Unlikely!
After months of protests against his 33-year rule, Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in a speech on Saturday aired on state TV said that he will step down "in the next few days." Netizens have however, heard it all before...
Global Voices Podcast: 3rd Arab Bloggers Meeting – Part 2
In an addition to our usual monthly podcast, we have some special audio for you from the newly concluded 3rd Arab Bloggers Meeting in Tunisia. In this edition, interviews with: Zeynep Tufekci, Alexandra Sandels, Hayder Hamzoz, and Roger Dingeldine.
Global Voices Podcast: 3rd Arab Bloggers Meeting – Part 1
In an addition to our usual monthly podcast, we have some special audio for you from the newly concluded 3rd Arab Bloggers Meeting in Tunisia. In this edition, interviews with: Lilian Wagdy, Yazan Badran, Nasser Weddady, Marek Tuszynski, Jillian York, Saed Karzoun, and Malek Khadraoui.
Bangladesh: Beheading of 8 Bangladeshi Workers in Saudi Arabia Sparks Rage
Eight Bangladeshi migrant workers were beheaded in public in Saudi Arabia on 7 October for being involved in the robbing a warehouse and killing of a security guard. Netizens were enraged by this horrific punishment and questioned the transparency of the trial.
Bahrain: Teen Protester Shot Dead
Protests erupted in Bahrain this weekend as angry mourners buried 16-year-old Ahmed Al-Qattan, who was allegedly 'killed by birdshot' according to the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Netizens dispute this - Mona Kareem reports.
Yemen: Celebrating the Bravery of Revolutionary Women
In their eight months of peaceful revolution, Yemenis have been an inspiration to many, not only to Arabs but to the world at large. Despite being the poorest Arab country, Yemeni men and women exhibited their richness in bravery, resilience and steadfastness. Noon Arabia pays tribute to Yemeni women in this post.
Yemen: Celebrating Tawakkol Karman
Tawakkol Karman, an outspoken journalist and human rights activist, described in the Guardian as a "thorn in [Yemeni President Ali Abdullah] Saleh's back", was today named as Yemen's first Noble Peace Prize winner. She has been a prime example of courage and bravery in Yemen since 2007. The reactions continue on Twitter.
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