Stories from 22 February 2011
Yemen: Bullets, Screams and Sirens (Video)
Breaking reports from Yemen's capital Sanaa claim that at least one university student has been killed and many others wounded in late-night fights with pro-government forces.
Egypt: Social Media in the Middle East as a Tool for Incremental Change
In this post, we reflect on Egyptian blogger Hani Morsi's writing about technology driven activism and the role social media plays in providing incremental societal change. Hani's core argument focuses on the long term effects of social media.
Africa: Online Radio for African Poets
Lauri comes across Badilisha Poetry Radio, which features African poets: “I've managed to lose an hour listening to poetry by African poets both here and abroad. I got captured by Karin Schmike's poem Shamshack about the two-faced, false concern of politicians.”
Morocco: King Sets Up Economic and Social Council
After a visit to France, Morocco's King Mohammed VI returned to the Royal Palace in Casablanca to announce the initiation of an Economic and Social Council on Monday, February 22, 2011. The Council, first established in the 1996 Constitution, has been a long time in coming.
Ghana: Action Chapel, turn your noise down
Christian “terrorism” in Ghana: “It’s Sunday morning and yet again the local church, Action Chapel, has turned its speakers up full blast and are terrorising the neighbourhood with its noise. There is no escape in any room in my house as it sounds as if the church is taking place...
Rwanda: Is it Denver Dictatorship Conference?
Vincent does not understand why Rwandan president Paul Kagame is invited to Denver Leadership Conference: “Paul Kagame is responsable, according to several UN reports, of plundering the congo, supporting armed rebels inside the Congo, crimes against humanity and possibly genocide on an immensely large scale.”
Bahrain: Loyalty to the Martyrs
Since Saturday, anti government protesters have been protesting peacefully and freely at Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout. Today marked the eighth day of Bahrain's Day of Wrath protests, as Bahrain's opposition parties organized a mass march from Bahrain Mall to Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout as a sign of loyalty to the eight fallen martyrs from the protests.
Kenya: Video: Me and My Bike
A group of teenagers from Nairobi won the $8000 Passion Pictures Best Film and Artists Project Earth Youth Visions award as part of the 1 min to Save the World contest, which challenged young filmmakers to create a one-minute video about climate change.
Iraqis Calling for Change
Uprisings and demonstrations are currently occurring all over the Arab world. In Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Bahrain and other Arab countries, people are arranging to protest; some are looking to topple their existing regimes, some are willing to simply fix them. Iraq is no different, and its people are calling for change.
Argentina: Lionel Messi to sue politician for improper use of his image
The Latin Americanist reports that a photo of football player Lionel Messi “appeared in a campaign ad for Argentine legislator Alfredo Olmedo, a candidate running for governor of Salta. ‘Say yes to sport, say no to drugs’ is the slogan of the ad […] Messi’s lawyer, Ricardo Giusepponi, declared on...
Why is President Obama Traveling to El Salvador in March?
Mike in Central American Politics mentions several reasons why President Obama is traveling to El Salvador in March of this year, “in addition to security, trade, energy, poverty, etc.”
Libya's Gaddafi: Death to All for Everything
Libya's dictator Muammar Al Gaddafi just gave a furious speech on Libyan State TV today warning and threatening anti-government protesters and their supporters, that the Libya would end up like Afghanistan, Iraq, or Somalia. He encouraged Libyans to come out of their homes and chase down "the terrorists" and hand them in to security forces so they could be "punished with death".
Cuba: Cigar Fest
Havana Times and Repeating Islands blog about Cuba's Cigar Festival.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Outcry Over Molestation Charges
‘Three male teachers were questioned/detained on charges of gross indecency and acts of lewdness with their male charges”, causing a firestorm of reaction in St. Vincent. Abeni hopes to bring some reason to the debate, saying: “In the hysteria over a story that is yet to be proven we cry...
Trinidad & Tobago: Learning from Nature
“It's not always necessary to have complete control in a garden. Sometimes it's necessary to stand back and let things evolve naturally”: My Chutney Garden lets nature take the lead.
Cuba: Masses for Tamayo
Uncommon Sense reports that “State Security agents this week have been warning parishes in Havana to not celebrate Masses to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo.”
Jamaica, Haiti: Insensitive Treatment?
“The Haitians are clearly hurt and humiliated” over the treatment of its youth football team, writes Active Voice, some of members of which were found to be suffering from malaria.
Jamaica: Awaiting Word on Buju
As the jury in Buju Banton's second drug trial continues to deliberate, Jamaica Salt “keep[s] looking for the result – but if the jury couldn’t decide last time, things are more hopeful for Buju this time round.”
Libya: Why was Gaddafi Late?
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011. Libya's dictator Muammar Al Gaddafi is now speaking on State TV. In the wait leading up to his speech, tweeple tried to figure out why he was late in giving his anticipated speech in the following round up of tweets....
Iran: VOA Hacked by “Cyber Army”
Iran's “Cyber Army” hacked Voice of America's website today and left a message for Hilary Clinton: “Mrs. Clinton, Do you want to hear the voice of the oppressed nations? The Islamic nations would no more be tricked by the US, and we want you to stop interfering in the Islamic...
USA: Journalists, Lawyers Forced to Handover Data At Airports
Several American journalists and lawyers who work abroad regularly, have their laptops, flash drives, notebooks and business cards copied by immigration authorities at airports, according to the ACLU. Amy Goodman shares the story of journalist Brandon Jourdan, who says it's happened to him seven times.
