Stories from 27 May 2010
Hungary: Bloggers’ Photo and Video Reports on the Flood
The floods of the past weeks affecting Central and Eastern Europe are not over yet, and below are some of the photo and video reports by Hungarian bloggers from areas affected by the natural disaster.
Jamaica: Dudus, Security & Seaga
In the Tivoli Gardens area of Jamaica's capital city – home turf of alleged drug lord Michael Christopher “Dudus” Coke and epicentre of the unrest that has gripped the Caribbean nation for the past several days – the loyalties are clear, at least from those who care to be vocal about...
Lebanon: Elections Vs Football
What's overshadowing the Lebanese municipal elections? Free Thinking Lebanon blames football for stealing its thunder.
Bahrain: Abu Dhabi's Gold ATMs
Gold dispensing machines? Ammaro, from Bahrain, discusses Abu Dhabi's new flashy Gold ATMs in this post.
Jordan: A Day with a Grave Digger
From Jordan, Karabeeb (Ar) interviews a grave digger – and discusses his profession.
MENA: 15m Facebook Users
As of May 2010, Facebook has 15 million users from the Middle East and North Africa (excluding Iran, Israel and Turkey), reports Spot On. Seventy per cent of the users are in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar: The Al Jazeera Initiative for Internet Freedom Launched
Qatar-based Al Jazeera Network has announced The Al Jazeera Initiative for Internet Freedom. For more information, click here.
Mauritania: Spotlight on Tunisian Cyberactivism
Mauritanian blogger Nasser Weddady sheds light on cyberactivism in Tunisia with this insightful post, dedicated to the memory of Tunisian dissident and internet activist Zouhair Yahyahoui.
Bahrain: Blocking of Sites Gains Momentum
Bahraini Mahmood Al Yousif comments on the blocking of sites around the world – and the excuses given for that.
[Report] Technology for Transparency
This report is the culmination of four months of research examining the objectives, challenges, successes, and effects of online technology projects that aim to promote transparency, political accountability, and civic engagement. It presents case studies, conclusions, and recommendations toward making the grassroots use of technology more effective in improving governance worldwide.
Ghana: Our first batch of refugees
Togo's Security Minister is quoted by the BBC saying that 3,500 refugees have crossed into Northern Togo from Ghana following ethnic conflict and land disputes. Ghanaian blogger and journalist Ato Dandzie discusses the issue in his post titled Our First Refugees.
Maldives: Divehi Language Or Islamic Studies
We Show The Facts. You Know The Rest blog discusses the plan of the Maldives government to make study of Dhivehi language and Islamic studies as optional in A Level.
Bhutan: Such Is Life
Jeans at Kuzu-Bhutan Weblog shares an anecdote of life in Bhutan's capital Thimphu.
Zimbabwe: Police raid house of Director of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe
After the arrest of two employees of the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) on the 21st May 2010, the police have gone further to search the house of Chesterfield Samba, the Director of GALZ, Sokwanele reports.
South Africa: FEEFA 2.010 Whirled Cup Sowth Afrika!
Many South African companies are planning to profit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, more and more are finding it difficult to play by the rules of ambush marketing and FIFA's strict copyright laws.
Kenya: No need for unnecessary ICT regulations
Erik discusses ICT regulations in Kenya: “Maybe, instead of adding unnecessary regulations, governments should look to truly and strongly punishing unfair and dirty practices that are already on the books.”
Sri Lanka: Unique Perspectives On The End Of War
Sanjana Hattotuwa at ICT for Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace) informs that GroundViews, the Sri Lankan citizen media platform, has published a special edition on the end of the war against LTTE.
Brazil: Bloggers React to Iran-Brazil-Turkey Nuclear Deal
Brazilian bloggers react to the deal reached between Brazil, Turkey and Iran concerning the uranium enrichment of the latter: from optimism to skepticism, here are some thoughts on the role of Brazil in such an international turnaround.
Trinidad & Tobago: Offering Advice
Raymond Ramcharitar has some advice for the People's National Movement, the political party that now moves from government into opposition.
India: Controlling Export Of Cotton
Offstumped blog criticizes the recent decisions of the incumbent Indian government to control export of Cotton using steps like ban on export to a license based red tape system.
St. Lucia: Gun Violence
Sun, Rain, Or… is saddened by the recent spate of gun violence in St. Lucia, the “up close and personal shootings…”
