Stories from 4 February 2011
Syria: No-Show for ‘Day of Anger’
Speculation is rampant from international media that Syria may follow in spreading unrest from Tunisia and Egypt. Betsy Fisher takes a look at tweets to see what Syrians are saying.
East Jerusalem: Sheikh Jarrah is renamed Tahrir Square by activists
The weekly solidarity march of Palestinian and Israeli activists in the East Jerusalem Neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah this morning, was marked by a solidarity protest with the people of Egypt. Protesters carried an Egyptian flag and changed the name of Shaikh Jarrah garden to Tahrir Square. Click for photo
Israel: Jews should be banned from learning Arabic
Arab-Israeli author and Journalist Sayed Kashua wrote a humorous yet sharp column targeting the Israeli narrow view point on the events in Egypt: “I used to think one of the troubles with this place, where people are always buzzing about humanism and accepting others, was the lack of knowledge of...
Israel: Why this Israeli is so invested in Egypt?
Emily L. Hauser writes memories from Cairo as she prays for the Egyptian people: “I know that the Egyptians don’t love the peace that Sadat signed with us. I know that they hate the occupation, distrust Israel and the US because of it, are prone to believing mildly (and not-so-mildly)...
Egypt: The Day of (Almost) Departure
After two days of clashes, in which pro-democracy demonstrators were attacked by pro-Mubarak crowds, Friday - labelled as the "Day of Departure" saw increasing numbers of people pouring into Tahrir Square, down town Cairo, where the images of peaceful celebrations returned. Carmel L Vaisman brings us highlights from the day.
Peru: New Strain of Dengue Spreads in the Amazon
A dengue outbreak that emerged in the Peruvian Amazon region of Loreto has easily spread through several neighbouring regions. On the 1st of February, four confirmed cases had been officially reported in Lima, the Peruvian capital.
Cuba: Pacheco Blogs From Exile
“Cubans, undeniably, have to find a path. We must keep one thing very present: only love can save us from human misery”: Pablo Pacheco, one of the prisoners of Cuba’s Black Spring, blogs about some of his experiences while in confinement.
Trinidad & Tobago: Celebrity Carnival
Trinidad Carnival Diary has been trawling through Twitter to find out which celebrities are coming for Carnival 2011.
Caribbean: Looking at Cairo
Caribbean bloggers have their eyes on Cairo. From Bermuda, Wishful Thinking republishes an image that offers “hope for humanity”; Cuba's Yoani Sanchez says: “The insinuation is clear: five decades of authoritarianism here at home has exceeded its expiration date” and Trinidad-based Globewriter adds: “When you target journalists and shut down...
Jamaica: The Role of Social Media
“They add a different dimension to reporting of events, but to put them at the core of social movements is too strong”: Grasshopper Eyes The Potomac comments on the role of social media in events like the Egypt protests.
Egypt: Wael Abbas, Arrested by Army, then Released
Prominent human rights blogger Wael Abbas was arrested for about an hour by the army today, sending friends and contacts on a search frenzy. He was later released. Meanwhile, the search continues for Google executive Wael Ghonim, who has gone missing on January 25.
China: Internet service as a social contract
What do Chinese netizens think is more likely to spark a new political movement in China: Facebook, a Joe Lieberman-style Internet kill switch, or widespread corruption, inflation and human rights abuses? Find out below.
Egypt: The View from Jordan
Sentiments are generally high in the Jordanian street in support of the uprising in Egypt. People are tuned into the news and events, there is Egypt related chatter at various socio-economic, cultural and political levels, and some are taking to the streets to voice this support. Nadeen Toukan takes us to the solidarity protests.
Egypt: Inside Tahrir Square
Over the past 10 days the way to Tahrir (Liberation) Square, in down town Cairo, has always been the most dangerous of all (literally and figuratively). However inside the “field”, things were different. In spite of the gun shots, regime-sponsored thugs, and fire bombs, the square's sanctuary seemed to be the safest place in the world for all freedom seekers inside it. Egyptian Nermeen Edrees takes us with her, inside the square.
Qatar: Al Jazeera Cairo Office Burnt by Thugs, Arabic Website Hacked
Qatar-based Al Jazeera's Arabic news website was reportedly hacked earlier today, by what the news network described as "opponents of the pro-democracy movement in Egypt." See what netizens have to say about the Al Jazeera face off with the Egyptian government, as anti-Mubarak rallies continue across Egypt for the 11th day. Update: Al Jazeera Cairo office was also attacked and burned by 'thugs' today
Ukraine: Bloggers Spread Information About Political Repressions
Tetyana Bohdanova reviews some of the reports on the ongoing political repressions against “ordinary people” in Ukraine that are being produced by bloggers, independent journalists and cyber-activists.
Palestine: Anger At Palestine Papers
Al Jazeera’s release of the Palestine Papers, hundreds of documents related to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, has provoked strong reactions throughout the Palestinian blogosphere. In this post we hear from bloggers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, who have expressed their opinions both about the papers, and Al Jazeera’s role in releasing them.
‘You're next, Kim Jong-il!’ Korean Peninsula Watches Egypt
News of the Egyptian revolt has reached the Korean peninsula, and speculations are rising in South Korea about whether it could spark mass protests in North Korea. South Koreans overthrew their own military regime in the 1980's with mass public protest, and are voicing their support for the Egyptian protesters.
Jordan: Demonstrations for Egypt, against PM
Two separate demonstrations, held in Amman, Jordan, on Friday, February 4th, ended peacefully. This week saw King Abdullah II dismissing Prime Minister Samir Rifai, in favor of former Prime Minister Maarouf Bakhit. Still Jordanians continued to take to the streets, for reform and in solidarity with Egypt. And in a de ja vu scene, a handful of pro-government protesters clashed with those calling for change.
An Egyptian Activist's Letter Reached to S.Koreans
An Egyptian activist's touching letter explaining the reason of the protest and the fact that protesters are falsely accused as mobs was translated into Korean by Nanum Munhwa, a non-profit social organization promoting peace for global community. It is spreading via Wiki Tree site[ko], a South Korea's citizem media.
Gabon: The Invisible Revolt
Protests in Gabon have failed to make a dent in the international news cycle as all eyes are still turned towards the Egyptian crisis. However, what was considered negligible protests before by Ali Bongo and his partisans seems to have created enough political turmoil to provoke the censorship of a television channel and repression of public protests.
