Libya: Tributes to Mohamed Nabbous

Libya: Tributes to Mohamed Nabbous

A voice is heard over the sounds of fighting during the violent clashes that broke out in Benghazi on Saturday. This is Mohamed Nabbous speaking on the telephone, and it’s his final recording. The blogger was reportedly shot dead this weekend when he went to report on the attack by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces on the Libyan opposition stronghold. 

The telecommunications engineer had managed to bypass government blocks on the Internet to set up Al Hurra TV, an online television channel providing coverage of the anti-government uprising. In one of his final broadcasts, he went to a neighborhood of Benghazi, camera in hand, to report on the aftermath of an earlier attack.

Many web users are mourning the death of Mohamed Nabbous and are sharing one of his video blogs, which was originally uploaded at the start of the uprising, on social networks. He says in this message that he is not afraid of dying, he is afraid of losing this battle for freedom.

Many cyber activists have quoted these words when paying tribute to him. And a Facebook group has been set up in his memory, hailing the bravery of this man who has become a symbol of the revolution.

His wife Perdita, who is pregnant with their first child, has posted an audio message on her husband’s Web TV, calling upon the people of Libya to carry on his cause, by continuing to post accounts of the anti-Gaddafi rebellion on the channel.

Japan: Art in times of crisis

This cartoon is explaining the nuclear crisis in Japan, with a hint of humour. In this video created by artist Kazuko Hachiya, Fukushima nuclear power plant is represented by a character called Mr. Nuclear. He has a stomach ache and is releasing toxic gases. To stop him from “releasing radiations”, doctors go and cure him with sea water and boric acid.

With Japan facing its worst disaster since the Second World War, artists and art foundations are coming together in a show of support for the nation. An online drawing competition has been organized to urge citizens to be economic with energy, as electricity production has fallen due to numerous nuclear reactors being shut down.

A number of local musicians have composed songs, paying tribute to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. The group Office Augusta in particular, has broadcast this track on the Internet in support of the victims.

The artist Takashi Murakami is asking Japanese artists to be positive and create works on the theme of “Tomorrow is a new day”. Several comic strip artists, like Inoue Takehiko who has posted a collection of smiling Japanese faces online, have responded to this appeal.

And finally, less artistic web users can take part in the project “Pray for Japan”, by displaying these logos on their social network profile pages, as a symbol of solidarity.

Nelson Mandela’s archives

Prison diaries, private letters as well as minutes from meetings… Nelson Mandela is a meticulous man and has written down many notes in his time. Thousands of these documents are currently being scanned and should soon be available to view on the Nelson Mandela foundation web site. Google has donated over 1 million dollars to the foundation to help complete this project.

Imusic school

Learn to play a musical instrument with famous performers. This is what the site Imusic School is proposing. You can learn to play guitar, bass, drum and piano in a variety of styles including Jazz, rock, as well as flamenco. Lessons will be available 24 hours a day via videos upon request.

Video of the day

80 days around the world summed up in a couple of minutes and 8 000 photos. Trey Ratcliff travelled through Europe and Asia and also America, and has created this compilation video using photos taken during his trip and the result is stunning!