Stories about Middle East & North Africa from January, 2014
Iran: Several Miners Arrested
Iran's Anarchist Workers’ Facebook page reports that several striking miners got arrested in Yazd province.Iran's students tweeted Security Forces Illegally Arrest Striking Workers http://t.co/M0f8faTlqw #Iran #IranElection — Iran دانشجویان ایران (@GreenQuran) January 31, 2014
Egypt's Anti-Terrorism Law to Target Internet
Facebook, among other sites, will come under new scrutiny in Egypt, when a draft "anti-terrorism" law comes into effect.
Citizen Journalists Expose Police Brutality During Protests in Algeria
Protests, which shook El Guerrara town, exposed violent practices by the police in Algeria. Netizens filmed and denounced these practices. Abou Semmar reports.
Australian Journalist Peter Greste Caught in Egypt's Media Crackdown
Writing in Working Life, Andrew Casey highlights the risks to media freedom in Egypt as international journalists and other media workers face terrorism charges. Among them is Australian Peter Greste, an Al Jazeera journalist.
Coursera Online Courses Blocked in Syria, Iran and Cuba by US Sanctions [UPDATE]
Hit by US sanctions, Coursera students from Syria, Iran and Cuba, can no longer complete their studies on the online learning platform. Netizens react.
Lebanon: New Stamp to Commemorate Armenian Genocide
Lebanon will have a new national stamp released to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. The announcement was made by Minister of Telecommunications Nicolas Sehnaoui on Twitter.
Child Artists in Syria's Largest Refugee Camp ‘Zaatari’
Syria children at the Zaatari refugee camp, on the Syrian-Jordanian border, was showing off their artistic skills, writes Syria Untold.
Iran: A Facebook Administrator Arrested
Iran's cyberpolice say they have arrested administrator of a Facebook page called “Sherarat” (meaning villainy”). Iranian police added this Facebook page used to publish stories and photos about thugs and made publicity about their actions.
Egypt: Is Sissi's Promotion a Step Closer to the Presidency?
Abdel Fattah El Sissi's promotion to field marshall has created a buzz online, with many wondering whether it paves the way for him to run for presidency.
Congrats Tunisia on the New Constitution!
Bloggers from across the region paid tribute to Tunisia for adopting a new constitution, three years after the ousting of dictator Zeine el Abidin Ben Ali.
Tunisia's Constituent Assembly Adopts New Constitution
It was a historic day for Tunisia, which voted in favour of a new constitution, three years after the ousting of its dictator, at the beginning of the Arab revolutions.
Egypt: What's Next for Field Marshal El Sissi?
Egypt's army head General Abdel Fattah El Sissi is now a Field Marshal. It is not clear whether this is a prelude to him running for president.
Cries of Discrimination as Israel Detains Undocumented African Immigrants
Many have fled their home countries for Israel and are seeking refugee status. The detentions have unleashed a wave of demonstrations in Tel-Aviv.
Brazil's Evolving Relationship With Refugees
The number of refugees accepted into Brazil practically tripled from 2012 to 2013.
GV Face: Live from the Arab Bloggers Meeting #AB14
GVers Advox Director Hisham Almiraat, GV MENA Region Editor Amira Al Hussaini, SMEX Co-Director Mohammed Najem and Berkman Fellow Dalia Othman share with us their insights from this remarkable event.
Breaking: Huge Explosion Rocks Downtown Cairo
Egyptians just woke up to the sound of a huge explosion, that rocked downtown Cairo. Initial reports claim that the explosion happened around the Cairo Police Directorate.
On Love, Politics and the Francophone Culture
France seemed to shrug at the news of French President François Hollande's affair with actress Julie Gayet. Are other French-speaking countries as relaxed in matters of love?
Iran:Tehran Welcomes China's Help to Launch the National Internet
Iranian authorities in the Ministry of Information recently met with their Chinese counterparts and said they welcome China's experience to launch Iran's national internet.” Amin Sabeti tweeted: #China will help #Iran to launch the National Information Network or the National Internet http://t.co/nhLSmQRMnv @Liberationtech @lorenzoFB — Amin Sabeti (@AminSabeti) January 20,...
Saudi Arabia Jails Palestinian Poet for ‘Atheism and Long Hair’
Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh is in a Saudi prison, allegedly for spreading atheism - and having long hair. Mona Kareem reports
Yemeni Activist Receives Death Threat on Facebook
Prominent Yemeni political activist and journalist Hani Al-Junid received a death threat on Facebook. The threat, by an anonymous person, warned that Al-Junid's "termination" was soon.
Lebanese Blogger Spoofs Study on Middle Eastern Women's Clothing
The question “How Should Middle Eastern Women Dress in Public” posed by the University of Michigan is attracting hilarious spoofs online. The content is so rich that an additional post to our first one was necessary. When Washington Post Max Fisher shared the original image on Twitter, he wasn't expecting...
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