Stories from 6 March 2011
Russia: Putin Party
@MiriamElder is tweeting from the “racy ‘Putin Party’” taking place at one of Moscow's nightclubs: “No one here basically but strippers and photographers shooting the strippers http://plixi.com/p/82136606.”
Libya: That's Not Fighting, It's Fireworks and other #DesperateGaddafiLies
Libya's dictator Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi has long been known for eccentricities and blustering actions, odd writings and strange remarks. A new Twitter hashtag #DesperateGaddafiLiesRT collects some of these statements. Of course, Global Voices cannot confirm their veracity.
Saudi Arabia: What Saudis Demand
As protests engulf the region, Saudis too are making their voices heard. A petition addressed to King Abdulla is being circulated, with demands aimed at wide ranging political reforms. Also on Twitter, tweeps are listing their demands for a better country.
USA: Twittersphere Debates Kristof Column on Islam
A column by New York Times writer Nicholas Kristof riled the Twittersphere today. In the column, Kristof asks if Islam is the reason for stagnation in the Middle East and North Africa. Readers take issue with his characterizations of the region.
Pakistan: Grief And Loss And The Stripping Of a Nation’s Soul
“Pakistan’s vicious fundamentalists are stripping their nation’s soul, bit by bloody bit. God help them,” comments Dheera Shujan at South Asia Wired.
Nepal: Legalizing Prostitution
Nepali Blog is advocating for legalizing prostitution in Nepal.
Estonia: The Singing Revolution
Kovács & Kováts remind readers that some revolutions – like Estonia's Singing Revolution – are bloodless.
Maldives: Media Misleading People
Hassan Ziyau is furious that the Maldives media have twisted and sensationalized news reports of a child being decapitated during birth at IGM hospital, the largest hospital in the Maldives.
Libya: Zenga Zenga Meme Goes Viral
Gaddafi's now infamous "Zenga Zenga" speech has sparked a meme over the internet. Remixes of segments of the nationally televised address in which "The Guide" promised to "cleanse Libya inch by inch, home by home, house by house, street by street (Zenga Zenga)" are mushrooming on video sharing websites, much to the delight of Gaddafi opponents.
Azerbaijan: Dirty deeds and cover ups
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines, one of the moderators of a Facebook group calling for pro-democracy protests in Azerbaijan on 11 March comments on the arrest of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, one of the other online organizers. Noting that the Harvard graduate has been reportedly beaten, tortured and threated with rape, the...
Saudi Arabia: Protests Reach Eastern Province
The flame of protests raging across the Arab world, from the Ocean to the Gulf, has reached the Saudi Arabian cities Al Qatif and Al Hafouf. More than 100 people gathered in each of the two cities for the release of Shiite cleric Tawfiq Al Amir, who was arrested on Friday, March 4, after calling for a constitutional monarchy and a war against corruption. Al Amir was released a few hours ago.
Libya: Videos Expose Gaddafi's Violent Riposte
Amidst an almost complete internet and media blackout, videos still manage to come out of Libya, giving us a glimpse of what's happening on the ground. Here's a video round up of some of the action from Zawiyah, Misurata, Ras Lanuf, Al-Bayda and Ajdabiya.
Morocco: Casablanca Protest Draws Thousands
Protests in Casablanca's Mohammed V square today drew thousands of Moroccans, as evidenced by the many photos and videos being posted online. Participants in the demonstration are demanding government reform and an end to corruption.
Azerbaijan: Facebook activism or military service?
Democracy Now! comments on the case of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, the Harvard educated activist detained in Azerbaijan last week. As one of seven moderators for a Facebook group calling for Egypt-style protests in the oil-rich former Soviet republic, the blog notes that the charge of avoiding military service is being used...
Brazil: Female Officer Strip Searched by Male Investigators
The Brazilian blogosphere reacts to a video recently released online in which a female desk officer with the state police of São Paulo is strip searched by male investigators from the police force's Office of Internal Affairs. The case dates back to 2009 but was only recently disclosed to the public.
Armenia: Eurovision not with a bang, but a whimper
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on the song to be entered into this year's annual Eurovision Song Contest and says it is disappointed by the choice. Moreover, the blog reluctantly says, it believes the song is so bad that it will not be supporting Armenia's entry this year and points readers...
Philippines: Reactions to Proposed National Bloggers’ Association
There is an ongoing debate among Filipino bloggers regarding the proposed formation of a ‘National Bloggers' Association'. Bloggers on both sides of the fence - those in favor and against the proposal have expressed their respective positions
Cambodia: HIV parade in Sihanoukville
An HIV Parade was held in Sihanoukville in Cambodia to raise public awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Cambodia: Save Boeung Kak Campaign
The Save Boeung Kak Campaign website provides updates and news reports of the struggle of Phnom Penh residents to defend their land and housing rights as the Cambodia government prepares to develop the Boeung Kok area for commercial purposes.
Cambodia: Visual tour of life in Phnom Penh
Tuktuk Sessions is a website which features songs and everyday scenes in Phonm Penh, Cambodia.
Mexico: Possible Documentary Censorship Causes Commotion
A Mexican judge ordered theaters to temporarily halt screenings of the popular Mexican documentary Presunto Culpable (Presumed Guilty). The filmmakers, in an announcement posted on their website, state that the documentary will continue to be shown until they receive a government or judicial order. Still, the Mexican blogosphere has been actively discussing the issue, mostly focusing on censorship and freedom of expression.
