6 March 2011

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.”

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011

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...

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011

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...

6 March 2011

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.

6 March 2011