Egyptians Want to Overthrow the Regime

Egyptians marked the first anniversary of Mohamed Morsi's presidency with huge rallies across Egypt on June 30, calling for him to leave office. Anti-Morsi campaign Tamarrod, whose name translates to rebel, says it has so far gathered more than 22 million signatures from citizens, which call for early presidential elections.

Tamim Bin Hamad Named New Qatar Emir

Former Qatari ruler Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani handed power today to his fourth son, Shaikh Tamim. Doha News maintains a live blog here to cover the story.

Saudi Forces Hunt and Kill ‘Wanted’ Protester in Residential Area

According to netizen reports, Saudi Emergency Forces entered residential areas in the eastern city of Qatif over two nights, and opened fire. An innocent bystander was killed on the first night, and a man 'wanted' by authorities for protesting and demanding reform in the Kingdom, was shot dead on the second night.

Saudi Human Rights Activist Sentenced To 8 Years in Prison

Abdulkareem al-Khadar, founding member of the Kingdom's defiant leading human rights organisation, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was sentenced to eight years in prison for inciting public opinion and establishing an unlicensed human rights organization, among other charges.

Palestinian Assaf Wins Arab Idol Singing Contest

Palestinian Mohammed Assaf won the title of this year's Arab Idol, the Arabic version of American Idol. Because there are contestants from different Arab countries, the citizens of each country consider the win a national trophy. Assaf's win sent thousands to the streets celebrating, chanting and dancing.

Salafists Attack Shia Homes in Egypt, Killing Four

Four Egyptian adherents of the Shia faith were killed in Egypt today when the house they were meeting in was attacked by Salafists, following two weeks of instigation against the Shia. According to various reports, the house the Shia were meeting in, in Giza, Cairo, was attacked and burned. Al Badil News quotes a witness from the mortuary [ar] who says that one of those killed was slaughtered and the remaining three had injuries to their heads. The horrific incident unleashed anger online.

Egyptians Plan Protests for #June30 to Topple Muslim Brotherhood Rule

Egyptians are back to the drawing board, planning protests for June 30, to “topple the regime.” The date, being circulated on social media under the hashtag #June30, marks the first anniversary of the rule of President Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate, who was elected after massive protests started on January 25, 2011, had uprooted Hosni Mubarak.

#4M Social Media and Journalism Conference

Syria: Old Homs Under Siege for a Year

This month marks the first anniversary of the siege of the old city of Homs, often described as the capital of the Syrian Revolution. Homs, one of the first revolutionary Syrian cities to revolt against the tyranny of Bashar Al Assad, has been subjected to bombardment by the Syrian regime, shelling and raids for more than two years, making the daily survival even harder as food and medical supplies dwindle. Netizens describe what it is like to live under siege.

Syria: Criticizing Arab Silence

Political Farce posted a photograph on Facebook criticizing the silence of Arabs over developments in Syria.

Simultaneous “Sit-ins for Freedom” Held Across Saudi Cities

Small groups of Saudi women held simultaneous “Sit-ins for Freedom” across Saudi cities on June 10th, 2013, which were called for by anonymous advocacy group @almonaseron [The Supporters] to call for release of their imprisoned relatives. As a result, over 140 protesters, men and women, were arrested by Saudi forces during the previous two days.

Interview: Award-Winning Mauritanian Activist Ahmed Jedou Blogs for Change

Meet Ahmed Jedou, a Mauritanian activist and blogger, GV contributor, and recent winner of the Deutsche Welle - Best of Blogs (BoBs) Award. We caught up with him a few days before the publication of the BoBs results, discussing his opinion on the state of freedom in Mauritania, his struggle for a civil state in his country, and more.

Families of Saudi's ‘Arbitrarily Imprisoned’ Protest from Home

Friday, June 7th, marked the Second Detainees Day, an event called for by anonymous advocacy group @e3teqal and @almonaseron to raise awareness about the issue of arbitrary detainment in the absolute Saudi monarchy. Participants in the protest hang the photographs of detainees on their homes to draw attention to their plight.

Syrian Creativity: Radio SouriaLi Broadcasts over the Internet

Syrians continue to devise creative and innovative solutions to the daily obstacles they face, despite extreme repression. Radio SouriaLi, formed by a group of young Syrians from diverse backgrounds, is one of the many projects and initiatives emerging from the need for expression and the attempt to reach out to all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic, intellectual and religious backgrounds.

Mauritania Faces Deadly Unprecedented Heatwave

For the first time in 50 years, Mauritania is witnessing a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 50° C. Dozens of death cases have been registered across the country. Ahmed Jedou reports.

Jail for NGO Workers in Egypt

The sentencing of 43 Egyptian and foreign employees in non-governmental organisations [NGOs] to jail terms of up to five years, has sparked anger on social media networks – and on the ground. The move is seen as a warning for human rights organisations, and those promoting democracy.

Yemen's Jailed Revolutionary Youth Go on Hunger Strike

In December 2011, 22 youth were abducted during the uprising against ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Five of them still remain in jail, without charges or trial. Yemeni activists and netizens are now calling for their release, writes Noon Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Blocks Instant Messaging App Viber

Following the Saudi threat to block encrypted communication software unless the government is allowed to spy, the instant messaging application Viber was blocked earlier yesterday. The website can no longer be accessed and the application does not connect.

Saudi Prisoners On and Off Hunger Strikes

The Twitter account dedicated to Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA ) member, Mohammed Al-Bjadi, @FreeAlbjadi, published two letters written by Mohammed Al-Bjadi in prison last year. The letters were published after the Saudi Ministry of Interior denied that Al-Bjadi has gone on hunger strike. We share translations of the letters, that have been making the rounds online. Also read about the plight of prisoner Sayyed Aqeel Al-Shakhouri, who has been detained in October 2011, and is still awaiting trial.

Saudi Youth Arrested for Allegedly “Insulting Religion”

Two young Saudi men were arrested in Riyadh by the Committee of the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) for allegedly insulting religion. One of them, Bader Al-Rasheed, shares his ordeal in a series of tweets.