· March, 2011

Stories about Breaking News from March, 2011

Syria: Protests Continue to Gain Momentum

Monday 21 March, 2011, protests continue in Daraa, in the Syrian south, where five protesters have been reportedly killed yesterday and another one today. While news reports claim that protesters have later on set fire to public buildings, netizens argue that it was the state security forces who have burnt the buildings. Many on Twitter argue that Daraa would be what Sidi Bouzid was for the Tunisians.

Haiti: The Entertainer, or The Professor?

  20 March 2011

According to the reports on Twitter regarding today's presidential election runoff in Haiti, the lines at polling stations are long, and voters at certain pollin were unable to find their names on voter lists. But many are also speculating on the outcome.

Haiti: Election Morning in Pictures

  20 March 2011

Today, March 20, Haitians go to the polls to decide who will be the Caribbean nation's next president. This runoff election is being contested by Mirlande Manigat and Michel Martelly, the two candidates deemed to have received the highest number of votes in the controversial general election held last November. Reports posted this morning by Twitter users on the ground in Haiti pointed to delays in the opening of polling stations, while many outside the country fixated on an incident in which Haiti-born rap star Wyclef Jean, a Martelly supporter, was shot in the hand. Here's a selection of photos posted on Twitter of the scenes in Haiti as the polls opened—or tried to—this morning.

Haiti: As the polls open

  20 March 2011

Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles, covering the Haiti elections runoff today, notes the lack of a police presence outside candidate Michel Martelly's house, expresses skepticism that the vote will be able to proceed uninterrupted, in spite of what the officials say, and reports that the opening of at least one polling...

Libya: More Threats from Gaddafi as He Speaks Again

Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi, who spoke on Libyan television again, threatened a long war, said the coalition would be defeated and that his forces would emerge victorious. Tweeps, who tweeted his speech, said Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for 42 years, also stressed on religion, in a bid to gain sympathy from Muslims around the world.

Libya: Gaddafi Threatens as Coalition Starts Air Strikes

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi spoke for three minutes on the phone, in a call which was just broadcast by Libyan State Television, threatening countries around the Mediterranean Basin, and calling for help from Africans and South Americans. His speech comes as a coalition made up of the US and France, among others, have started air strikes against his forces.

Libya: Air Strikes on Libya Begin

Air strikes on Libya, aimed at crippling Muammar Gaddafi's air defenses, just started, receiving mixed reactions from people around the world. A coalition made up of the US, France, Italy, Canada and the US have been formed for the offensive to uproot Gaddafi, whose people have called for his ousting since popular uprisings started in the country on February 16.

Libya: Mourning Mohammed Nabbous

Mohammed Nabbous, founder of Libya's AlHurra TV, died while reporting from a firefight in Benghazi. Known as "Mo" to his many fans, he brought the brutal repression of Muammar Al Gaddafi's forces home to viewers and journalists from the Middle East and around the world. He leaves behind a wife and an unborn child.

Yemen: ‘Friday Massacre in Sanaa’

Protesters against the rule of long-standing president Ali Abdullah Saleh have once again been fired upon by Yemeni forces, who killed an estimated 40 people and wounding at least 200. Afterwards, Saleh blamed the deaths on a violent faction of anti-government forces and declared a state of emergency.

Syria: Protests Across the Country, 6 Reported Killed in Dara'a

Syria is the latest country to join the wave of erupting protests across the Middle East. While previous calls for protests on 5 February failed, a renewed call to take to the streets on 15 March managed to bring several hundred people to the streets in multiple cities including the capital, Damascus, and Aleppo. Today, in the southern city of Dara'a, 6 protesters have reportedly been killed.

India: Furore In Parliament Over New Set Of Wikileaks

  18 March 2011

The latest round of India Cables from Wikileaks has led to a furore in the Indian Parliament with the opposition demanding an explanation from the Prime Minister. Netizens have been discussing them with much animation, their reactions ranging from disgust to sarcasm and even a bit of humor.

Saudi Arabia: King Promises Saudis More Money

More money was promised to Saudis today, following an address by King Abdulla to the nation. In a short address, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked clerics, writers and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in defending the kingdom. Announcements and decrees then followed that billions would be dished out on Saudis.

South Korea: Real-time Checkup on Nuclear Radiation Levels

  18 March 2011

A South Korea's IT company has set up a special web page [ko] which gives real-time data on nuclear radiation levels. The website enlists major cities’ radiation levels by coalescing data gathered from Japanese Ministry of Science and Technology and the IERNet (Integrated Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network). (read more about...

Pakistan: Sharia Law Saves CIA Agent

  17 March 2011

Adil Najam at All Things Pakistan has this question to ask to the US citizens and tax-payers: “Will the man who sometimes goes by the name of Raymond Davis reimburse the US taxpayers for the reportedly over US$2.25 million paid under Sharia law to save his skin?”

Libya: All Eyes on Benghazi (Video)

Benghazi is the Libya's second-largest city and the political heart and rebellious soul of the movement against Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi. With once fast-charging rebel forces now under considerable attacks by Gaddafi forces, however, Benghazi could become a last stand for Libyan freedom.