Stories from 19 February 2011
Yemen: Another Life Claimed on Eighth Day of Protests
Protests in Yemen against President Ali Abdullah Saleh entered into an eighth day on Saturday with more demonstrations throughout much of the country. Clashes between protesters and the military seem to be worsening by the day since the demonstrations began on February 11.
Morocco: “I am Moroccan, and I Will Take Part”
February 20 has been named the day of a "Movement for Dignity" in Morocco. Though Moroccans are torn on the subject of the protests, some have taken to YouTube to express their desires for their country.
Colombia: Report Reveals 2010 Refugee Statistics
“A new report shows that 280,000 Colombians were displaced in 2010, and one-third of these were in areas the government claimed were “consolidated.” Colombia has a total of 5.2 million displaced people, roughly 1 out of every 9 Colombians, and the most in the world,” writes Greg Weeks in Two...
Mexico: Video Game “Call of Juarez: The Cartel” Draws Mixed Reactions
A new video game, "Call of Juarez: The Cartel" by game developer Ubisoft, has drawn criticism from Mexican officials due to its allusions to the ongoing drug and gang violence in the country. But netizens are at odds about the game and the local politician's efforts to ban it.
Azerbaijan: Corruption crackdown
In the wake of popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the oil-rich former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan has unexpectedly launched a crackdown on corruption. Politics By Other Means analyses the move.
Tunisia: Who’s to Blame for the Murder of the Polish Priest?
News of the murder of a Polish priest near the capital Tunis on February 18 was received with shock and grief by Tunisians. In Tunisian blogs and social media, many theories prevail of who could be responsible and what the motive would be.
Libya: Benghazi Rises Against Gaddafi (Updated)
News organizations and people on the ground have reported that Libya's army have shot at demonstrators in Benghazi protesting against the 42-year-rule of Muammar Al Gaddafi. Located 1,400km east of Tripoli on the Mediterranean coast, Benghazi is the country’s second largest city.
Bahrain: Withdrawal of Police as Protesters Reclaim Lulu Roundabout
Bahraini protesters once again thronged to Lulu Roundabout in the capital Manama, after being dispersed from it in a pre-dawn raid, which left three people dead, countless injured, and up to 60 people still missing and unaccounted for. Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa meanwhile addressed Bahrainis on state TV, appealing for calm, national dialogue and a day of mourning.
Iran: Resistance in Tehran
A film shows how people resisted against security forces on 14th of February in Tehran. They chanted against regime's leaders and threw stones.
Armenia: Blind nationalist hatred
Unzipped comments on what appears to be an orchestrated black PR campaign against a local musician in Armenia. One of four finalists in the running to compose the country's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest, reports in the local media attack Vahram Petrosyan for considering that Armenian and Azerbaijani...
Middle East: The Dictator's Handbook now in Bahrain
All of a sudden, many ageing Arab regimes found themselves under the fire of their protesting peoples. But will the same routes taken by both the regimes and the protesters in the different countries lead to the same destination?
Uganda: A Day After Uganda Elections 2011
Ugandans went to the polls Friday 18 February, 2011 for presidential and parliamentary elections. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to win. Below is a roundup of election-related posts and tweets a day after the elections.
Uganda: Kampala quiet after voting
Steven Youngblood says that the capita of Uganda, Kampala, is quiet after yesterday's elections. Meanwhile, President Museveni leads his rivals in early provisional results with 72% of the vote.
Bahrain: Army Withdrawing from Lulu Roundabout Area
Reports coming from Bahrain's Twitter community around Manama on Saturday February 20th of army vehicles withdrawing from Lulu Roundabout where protesters had protested peacefully on Wednesday but were later raided pre-dawn the following morning. On Friday afternoon, protesters headed towards Lulu Roundabout once again only to face live bullets from the military presence at the area.
North Korea's Official Newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, Launches Website
The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's official newspaper and the regime's one of the most important propaganda tool, has launched a website, Martyn Williams wrote [en] on the North Korea Tech.
Bahrain: Live Ammunition Shot at Protesters (Video)
Reports of shootings in several locations in Manama, the Bahraini capital flooded social media websites during the afternoon of Friday February 18, 2011. Videos made in different locations show not only the moments when shots were fired, but also the victims in the aftermath (WARNING: graphic images).
Bahrain: #NickKristof Bullied on Twitter
Since arriving in Bahrain, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof has joined the many voices on Twitter live-reporting turbulent events. While many have been thankful for his updates, and even worried for his safety, others have instead taken to bullying the reporter.
Bahrain: Mourning the Dead
On Friday, thousands paid their respects to the people who died in Thursday's pre-dawn raid at LuLu Roundabout which lead to the death of four men. Mourners followed funeral processions in Daih, Karzakan and Sitra on Friday morning.
