Stories from 29 January 2011
Could Nicaragua experience “the Egypt and Tunisia phenomenon”?
In an interview with El Nuevo Diario [es], Global Voices author Rodrigo Peñalba was asked [es] if the phenomenon seen in Egypt and Tunisia is “far from the national reality” and if netizens would respond in the same way. He concludes that the newspaper, instead of asking “could this happen...
Qatar: Qaradawi to Mubarak: “You are blind, deaf and dumb”
Banished Egyptian cleric Yusuf Al Qaradawi described Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak as “blind, deaf and dumb,” lending his influential backing to protesters calling for a change in the regime for the fifth day in a row.
Egypt: Government Thugs involved in Looting, Lawlessness
The world continues to watch the fast paced developments in Egypt, now on its fifth day of demonstrations against the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak. Despite the Internet block imposed by the government, some Egyptians are back on Twitter today, telling the world what is happening around them in...
Netherlands: Dutch-Iranian woman executed in Iran
Dutch-Iranian Zahra Bahrami has been executed in Iran after having been found guilty of drug-related crimes and sentenced to death on 2 January. Zahra Bahrami was arrested on 27 December 2009 when she reportedly attended an anti-government demonstration.
Bangladesh: How Much For The Desk Clerk?
Commenting on the corruption in Bangladesh Kazi Rubaiat Imam at The Lunatic Is On The Grass proposes to develop a website where everyone can “see and update the rates of bribes for getting things done at the government offices”.
Morocco: The King's Very Private Visit to France
According to a Moroccan opposition journalist interviewed by French news website Rue89 [fr] King Mohamed VI of Morocco arrived Thursday in France for a private visit, and is staying in the castle the royal family owns near Paris. A holiday abroad at this time of general unrest in North Africa...
Egypt in Photographs: From the Streets of Cairo
When not out on the streets of Cairo, human rights activist and Global Voices Advocacy contributor Ramy Raoof has been uploading photographs of demonstrations to share with the world. In this post, we share Raoof's images from Cairo.
Egypt: When Mubarak's Speech Fires Back
After keeping quiet as protests raged Egypt for four days in a row, a defiant president Hosni Mubarak addressed the nation early today, calling protesters "gangs" and "thugs." He also fired the cabinet and said that he would reinstate a new cabinet today. Netizens from around the world are not only disappointed, but outraged with his speech.
Lebanon: Protest in Support of Egypt
A solidarity protest in support of the demonstrators in Egypt is taking place next to the Egyptian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. Similar protests are being reported around the world, as Egyptians continue to rally against the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak.
India: Environment, Common Sense & Social Media
Munna on the Run hopes that social media conversations will work as a gentle persuading force against the profit-at-any-cost market forces and re-ignite a common sense approach to development.
Brazil: Ministry of Culture abandons Creative Commons
Brazilian Minister of Culture's decision to remove a Creative Commons license from its website provoked all sorts of reactions on social networks and among bloggers. It is the first instance of undoing of the previous government inclusive public policies regarding Internet, digital culture and authorial rights.
Egypt: Demonstrations Continue for Fifth Day
Widespread demonstrations continue to rock Egypt for the fifth day in a row, as netizens around the world continue to closely watch developments on the ground. Reports say the millions of demonstrators are taking to the streets to protest against president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.
China: 88% of Chinese trust government?
Edelman, one of the top five global public relations firms, released its 2011 Trust Barometer on January 26 2011. The report indicates that China ranked first, with 88% trust, in the world in terms of trust government. On the other hand, the United States fell from 46% to 40%.
Philippines: Online debate over SIM registration
The registration of cellphone subscriber identification module (SIM) cards has become a hot topic for Filipino netizens as lawmakers pushed for the measure in the wake of a recent bus bombing that allegedly involved the use of a cellphone.
Ukraine: Photos of Hutsuls
Sergey Maximishin (LJ user remetalk) shares his photos of the Ukrainian Hutsuls and their land in the Carpathian Mountains.
Russia, Ukraine: More Tributes to Playwright Anna Yablonskaya
At The Guardian's Comment is Free, Natalia Antonova writes about the Jan. 24 suicide bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport and about playwright Anna Yablonskaya, who was killed in the attack. Another tribute to Yablonskaya – at The Guardian's Theatre Blog, here.
Czech Republic: The Czech Roma During the Holocaust
Czech Position writes in detail about “the wartime fate of the Roma” – whose “tremendous suffering and loss [are] often reduced to little more than a historical footnote.”
Romania: Accession to the Schengen Zone
Kosmopolito writes about Romania's “clumsy way” to the Schengen zone.
Serbia, Kosovo: Comment on Dick Marty's Report
Belgraded.com comments on Dick Marty's “report on organized criminal activities committed by the Kosovo Albanian side during and after Kosovo conflict”: “As it turns out, there are now at least two things Serbs and Kosovars have in common – people who committed crimes during the war and politicians and other...
Ukraine: Support “The Pickle Project”!
Linda Norris and Sarah Crow are fundraising on Kickstarter in order to be able to return to Ukraine and continue work on The Pickle Project, which “explores contemporary and traditional Ukrainian foodways, introducing fascinating people, practices and places, through photographic documentation, audio interviews and video.”
Hungary: New Media Law To Be Modified?
Hungarian Watch reports that “Hungary seems poised to make changes to media law” – but “freedom of the press is still on shaky ground.”
