Stories from 24 June 2009
Ukraine: MP Viktor Lozynsky's Case
Ukrainiana writes about Viktor Lozynsky, a Ukrainian MP who has recently been involved in the brutal shooting of a 53-year-old unemployed man.
Ukraine: “Where Life Lives You”
An expat's musings on life in Ukraine – at Greetings from Kyiv.
Czech Republic: No Olympics in Prague
Due to the economic crisis, Prague has abandoned plans to host the 2016 Olympics, CzechFolks.com reports.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: “Moving Buildings”
In one Bosnian town, a mosque was destroyed during the war in 1992, and a church was later built on the spot where the mosque used to be; soon, however, the church will be moved “a couple of hundred meters away so that the mosque can be ‘rebuilt’ on its...
Russia: Kamchatka Volcanoes Online
Profy reports that soon it will be possible to follow Kamchatka volcanoes’ eruptions online.
Qatar: Media Freedom Centre Head Resignation Mourned and Celebrated
After a tumultuous eight months as director-general of the nascent Doha Centre for Media Freedom, Robert Ménard announces his resignation. The centre, which will also lose three department heads, will continue to operate. Bloggers from Qatar weigh in. Doha bloggers, many of whom have been closely watching the DCMF's movements for signs that the region is finally moving toward media freedom, are expressing mixed emotions about this outcome - some, utterly delighted, while others, completely dismayed.
Azerbaijan: A modest Scary Azeri in print
Scary Azeri in Suburbs informs its readers that a Baku-based English-language magazine has featured the blog in a two-page article. The magazine might not be Harpers, the blogger says, but it is real and more importantly, glossy…
Bahrain: The Word Is Out
Bahraini blogger Mohammed AlMaskati comments on how easy it is to get the ‘real’ news about Bahrain today, from outside the country at least: “A simple search for the word ‘Bahrain’ will return you clips of demonstrations, anti-governmental poetry, sermons and riots…The views of our so-called ‘opposition’ are out for...
Togo Abolishes Death Penalty
Togo's National Assembly voted on Tuesday to end the death penalty for all crimes, making it the 15th member of the African Union to abolish capital punishment.
Dominican Republic: Against the Cement Factory in Los Haitises
Dominicans have been protesting against the proposed construction of a cement factory in the protected area of Los Haitises National Park. Citing the rich biodiversity in this ecosystem, many feel like the flora and fauna would be damaged and that there are other places where this development could take place. Those involved in the online campaigns have felt like celebrating when a judge ruled that the development should be suspended due to these concerns.
Iran: Riots police attacked protesters
Lettersoftheliv tweeted that “witnesses say protesters and riot police are clashing in the streets around Iran's parliament in Tehran.”
Palestine: Fighting For Their Land In The Canadian Courts
Joy in Palestine reports that the West Bank village of Bil’in is taking two Quebec-based corporations to court on charges that they are committing war crimes.
USA: Celebrating Tel Aviv's 100th in New York
New Yorkers may have been shocked to encounter a beach party, and accompanying artificial beach, in the midst of Central Park this weekend. The event, organized by the Tel Aviv/Jaffa and New York City municipalities in celebration of Tel Aviv's 100th birthday, included thousands of partygoers and 15 tons of...
Israel: Best iPhone Applications for Hebrew Speakers
JobShuk brings you “Top 10 iPhone Apps for Israel.” Their features include low cost ways to stay in touch with friends and families abroad, a Hebrew/English dictionary, a downloadable Hebrew calendar, and a program that provides the latest rates on currency exchange.
Israel: 7th Most Internet Connected Country in World
Israel is the world's 7th most internet connected society, reports Lirun of East Med Sea Peace. “It means many things,” he writes: “Freedom of information, freedom of expression, freedom of e-activism, freedom of e-entrepreneurship, freedom of media verification, freedom of online association and congregation. It's unlimited…”
Israel: Bedouin Village Relies on Green Energy
The Bedouin village of Darajat is gaining acclaim for its focus on clean energy. The Green Prophet reports: “Most residents have solar water heaters and electric systems, the school is powered by wind and sun, and students learn hands-on about alternative energy by reading the power meters in their classrooms....
Israel: Music Videos Unite Jewish & Arab Youth
Windows for Peace, a nonprofit based in Tel Aviv, Israel, is waging practical solutions for peace. This summer, Jewish and Arab Israeli teens will unite to create short music videos that represent their ideals. According to Israelity, the project's goal is “showing young people in the region that communication with...
Israel: Obama's Ratings Plummet in Jewish World
OneJerusalem.com and Jewlicious observe that American President Barack Obama's popularity ratings in the Jewish world have taken a significant dive since his Cairo speech and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's subsequent White House visit, both in May.
Israel: Predicting Iran's Future
Israeli comic strip artist Yaakov Kirschen critiques the world's most unstable element: “Iranium.”
Israel: Summer in Jerusalem
Summer in Jerusalem is best enjoyed from a bird's eye view, says the Jerusalem Gypsy blogger. “I… like rooftop anythings in Jerusalem. The air is cool at night and there are rooftop barbecues, concerts, etc. happening all throughout the summer. If it's rooftop, I'm there.”
Pakistan: Rallying Against The Taliban
The Taliban presence in the tribal areas of Pakistan has been an issue of international concern in the War on Terrorism. In the aftermath of the 2007 siege of Lal Masjid, Islamist militant leader Maulana Fazlullah and his group Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi and Baitullah Mehsud‘s Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) formed an alliance. After that...
