Stories from 14 June 2010
Singapore: Swiss national charged over train vandalism
A Swiss national was charged with vandalism after he was accused of spray-painting a graffiti on one of the trains of Singapore Mass Rapid Transit. Vandalism in Singapore is punishable by up to 3 years in detention plus 3-8 strokes of the cane. Bloggers are displeased over the security breach.
France: Reflections on Being Part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Miloud was on board of a Greek ship sailing to Gaza with the Freedom Flottilla that was raided by the IDF. Back in his home town of Marseilles, he tells [Fr] Marseille Bondy Blog about his experience.
Australians Reflect on Obama's Presidency So Far
U.S. President Barack Obama has cancelled a trip to Australia for the second time this year, because of the oil spill crisis. Last time the reason was health care legislation. In his absence bloggers have been assessing his role and his performance as President
Saudi Arabia: How a Censored Page Looks Like
On Twitter, JawazSafar shows how a censored page appears in Saudi Arabia here.
South Africa: The Vuvuzela World Cup Debate
Days into the 2010 World Cup, the vuvuzela debate continues by those criticizing and defending the use of the instrument at games, as well as those who make light of those who complain.
Bahrain: Spying on Citizens Using New Number Plates
Bahrain is introducing new car number plates with technology which allows police to monitor the movement of every vehicle. Blogger Mahmood Al Yousif remarks: “Must we be followed, spied on and harassed by the state in every single facet of our miserable lives to end it now with a completely...
Egypt: Iara Lee's Flotilla Attack Footage
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia posts Iara Lee's one-hour footage from the Gaza-bound flotilla on the night it was attacked by Israeli commandos here.
Algeria: Cabinet Reshuffle
The Moor Next Door takes a closer look at the Algerian cabinet reshuffle here.
Egypt: A Tweeting Government
If you can't beat them, join them. Egyptian Chronicles comments on how the governing National Democratic Party now has a presence on Twitter.
Iraq: A Series of Explosions
Iraqi Pundit comments on the series of explosions that rocked Baghdad yesterday. “Whoever attacked wanted to remind us they're still around,” he remarks.
Israel: iPhone Weather App Divides Jerusalem
If you want to know the weather for Jerusalem on your iPhone, you're going to have to get specific, reports Jewlicious‘ CK. You will now have to choose between East and West Jerusalem. “On the Yahoo weather page East Jerusalem’s weather is in Palestinian Occupied Territories >West Bank >Jerusalem and...
Israel: Politics and Protest with Humor
I see your protest and I raise you one. Jameel of the Muqata gives us politics with a much needed sense of humor. Last Saturday, a left-wing demonstration protesting 43 years of Israeli occupation in the West Bank was infiltrated by counter protesters holding signs such as, “We believe in...
Israel: Violence, Non-Violence, and Palestinian Solidarity
In “7 Reasons I'm Conflicted about the Fredom Flotilla” Daniel Sieradski writes: “By engaging in violence…[the activists] have demonstrated succinctly to Israel's supporters and allies that they, and by extension all Palestinian solidarity activists, are neither non-violent nor pro-peace. This hampers their cause and the greater cause of Palestinian liberation.”
Israel: Barred from Spain's Gay Pride Parade
In an entry entitled “You Know You're an Outcast When…” Israeli blogger David Bogner remarks on Spain's barring of Israel from its gay pride parade. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv celebrated its largest parade ever with 100,000 participants, Isrealli reports.
India: A Challenging Journey Forward
K Vishwanath Reddy at The Call Of India discusses about the challenging journey forward of India, the world's largest democracy.
Iran: Repressed at home, Iranians protest worldwide
While several witnesses in Tehran said that scattered clashes erupted between Iran's security forces and demonstrators marking the first anniversary of a contested presidential election on 12 June, protests also occurred in many different cities of the world.
Global: Tweeting the USA/England Match
The Twittersphere was abuzz during the USA/England #worldcup match on June 12. The game was highly anticipated in the United States, where TV ads touted it as the "most anticipated" match of the World Cup, whereas in England, fans were nearly certain their team would win.
Bangladesh: That Facebook Girl
Aminul Islam Sajib was supposed to meet a girl he befriended at Facebook on his birthday. But the Bangladesh government slapped a Facebook ban. Read what happened next.
China’s foreign residents
C. Custer from ChinaGeek blogs a the result of a survey on China's foreign residents. The finding contradict some of the stereotypes Chinese people have on foreigners.
China and the U.S: The cultural work of tests
Maryannodonnell compares the cultural meaning of test in China and the U.S.
The Internet Situation In China
The Angry Chinese Bloggers comments on the “controversy” and “debate” on the latest China internet policy white paper.
