Breaking Tweets » John Niederkorn

Czech leader reluctantly signs off on EU Treaty

John Niederkorn — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:44:31 +0000

Per BBC, President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic has signed the EU’s Lisbon Treaty on Tuesday, which was the last step in having the the agreement ratified. Klaus was the EU’s final hold-out on the treaty and even though he agreed to sign, he claimed the Czech Republic would, “cease to be a sovereign state” once the treaty was ratified.

The treaty was constructed to consolidate decision-making within the EU, and it proposes to create a European Council president and change the way member states vote.

Proponents of the treaty say it will give the EU the ability to operate with a larger reach concerning world affairs and in a more efficient manner, while the opposition contends it will weaken the individual countries within the EU.

Twitter users from the Czech Republic and other EU states weigh in on the decision:

elmanufico (Paris, France) The Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, finally signed the Lisbon treaty! The EU now has to find its first president for a 2.5 year mandate. 03 Nov 2009 from Seesmic

davnovak (Prague, Czech Republic) The Treaty of Lisbon’s been signed by Klaus. It may be very true that Czech sovereignity will fade. Makes me sad to think of what happened. 03 Nov 2009 from web

janrezab (Prague, CZ) Our presient Vaclav Klaus has signed the Lisbon treaty.He has done some negative PR to CZ.But negative PR is also PR. #EU #news #Lisbon 03 Nov 2009 from web

pavelpokorny (Prague, CZ) The Czech presidents signs the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. What a relief, it’s over. So we are all a one happy family now, you glad? 03 Nov 2009 from web

franztom (Trieste, Italy) Happy to hear that Czech president Klaus signed today Lisbon Treaty. Now EU will have a president and a foreign minister. Let’s see… 03 Nov 2009 from Twitterrific

RobLoBue (Munich, Germany) Looks like the Czech Republic has signed Lisbon Treaty. I’m still fighting the internal struggle between British Skeptic and EU Beneficiary. 03 Nov 2009 from Tweetie

Niels_Thogersen (Belgium) Great that CZ president Klaus finally signed the Lisbon Treaty. Now we can move on with what Europe really needs to do with all challenges 04 Nov 2009 from web

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UK to downsize nuclear arsenal

John Niederkorn — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:38:18 +0000

Per BBC, Great Britain’s prime minister, Gordon Brown, has revealed to the United Nations he is willing to part with one of the UK’s Trident missile-carrying submarines, leaving Britain with three nuclear capable subs. Brown spoke to the General Assembly proposing a “grand global bargain” as a way to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons and unnecessary stockpiles.

The UK government claims it has made significant cuts to its stockpile of Trident warheads down from 200 to 160, but many British diplomats in the Labor Party would like eliminate the weapons altogether.

Twitter users in the UK express their opinions on Brown’s proposal:

philipsidaway (London) big move Gordon (not) — we have 4 nuclear missile subs which we can’t afford & will never use in anger but we can be brave and reduce to 3 23 Sep 2009 from web

mital_joshi (London) Dr Logan’s final quote is quality- Britain giving up £billion nuclear submarines it never needed in the first place. http://bit.ly/XvfAD 23 Sep 2009 from web

huwspanner (London) Re Trident: I have never, ever heard an argument for our nuclear “deterrent” that is even vaguely convincing when you examine it. 23 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck

jamiedouglas (London) That’s enough nuclear submarines for me, thank you, stop them here: http://bit.ly/16KpWv 23 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck

wesstreeting (London) RT @StephenTwigg: Very encouraging to see real moves towards the worldwide abolition of nuclear weapons 23 Sep 2009 from web

andyglyde (Romford, England) Deciding to scrap a nuclear sub because you already know you can manage without is not in the spirit of disarmament. 23 Sep 2009 from Echofon

Grindrod (Forest Hill, London) Love how bankruptcy of UK economy forcing partial Trident scrapping is presented as “grand global bargain” to halt spread of nuclear weapons 23 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck

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Iran suspends nuclear program talks with EU

John Niederkorn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:12:27 +0000

Per BBC, The European Union was deemed unqualified to continue their discussions pertaining to Iran’s nuclear program, according to Iran’s military chief. Maj Gen Hassan Firouzabadi, Iran’s chief of staff, claims the EU took part with the “interference” in riots which followed the heavily contested Iranian election.

EU states are considering the removal of their ambassadors from Iran as diplomatic hostilities with Iran escalate.

Twitter users in Europe and other parts of the world speak out:

davidsteven (Dorset, UK) Nuclear Iran = nuclear arms race in the Middle East. New nuclear powers = high risk of 1st strike. Viz Kargil. 30 Jun 2009 from web

Balaclava04 (Cologne, Germany) nearly no news about iran in european press anymore. don’t let that happen! keep on struggling! 01 Jul 2009 from web

behnamyazdani (Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany) EU prüft Abzug aller 27 Botschafter aus dem Iran http://bit.ly/rs9kp – Hilft dies jedoch tatsächlich? Wann gibt es Wirtschaftssanktionen? (EU examines the deduction of all 27 ambassadors from Iran http://bit.ly/rs9kp – but this actually helps? When there are economic sanctions?) 01 Jul 2009 from TwitterFox

AntThought (Germany) Just read the BBC news,.. looks like the next step is going to be an escalation of the nuclear threat from Iran… not good… 01 Jul 2009 from web

neysan Hoping EU countries wont withdraw ambassadors from Iran. I fear itll have a negative effect on the outcome of the trial against the 7 Bahais 01 Jul 2009 from Mixero

Arianirani Le Monde: Iran regime accuses & attacks USA, EU & UN. We hope for an International condemnation of Iranian Gov #Iranelection 01 Jul 2009 from web

stuffwriter EU, please withdraw all diplomats from Tehran, no dialogue with murderers #iranelection iran tehran 02 Jul 2009 from mobile web

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Franken wins senator’s seat in Minnesota

John Niederkorn — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:32:46 +0000

Per The New York Times, after eight months of deliberation and millions of dollars in election and additional court costs, Al Franken claimed victory on Tuesday as the next United States senator to represent Minnesota.

With the end of the historic election, Mr. Franken could be seated in the Senate on Monday. Franken’s win gives Senate Democrats 60 votes, which grants them the ability to override Republican filibusters.

Twitter users in Minnesota have varying points of view on the Franken win:

stamptherapy (South St Paul, Minnesota) Trying to see the silver lining. Al Franken only gets 5.5 years of his 6 year term. Oh joy. 01 Jul 2009 from web

ItzJill ( Minneapolis) thanks for the info on Al Franken. I worked on his campaign and was ELATED to hear our state will be well represented! 01 Jul 2009 from web in reply to andersoncooper

briancrck (St. Paul, MN) Disappointed by the election of Franken to the US Senate, but has come to terms with it over the last eight months. 01 Jul 2009 from web

pjcloud9 (Twin Cities, MN) FoxNews.com: “Franken Declared Winner of Minnesota Senate Election, Giving Dems Filibuster-Proof Majority”, dear Lord, please help us. #TCOT 01 Jul 2009 from web

Rumpusgoopus (Minneapolis, MN) On another note, as much as I like him, having Al Franken as my senator is a very odd thing. 01 Jul 2009 from web

HeatherVSJ (Twin Cities, Minnesota) Yay Mr Franken!!! Finally.. the right man is going to the Senate!! 01 Jul 2009 from web

toolsforshuls (Minneapolis) Celebrating that we Minnesotans now have two senators (I guess technically, 3, as Coleman is still senator & Franken is senator elect). 01 Jul 2009 from web

Hellendrung (Minneapolis) Celebrating with the Franken Campaign. Congrats Al (and the hundreds who fought for him)!!! 01 Jul 2009 from TwitterBerry

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British oust diplomats from Iran

John Niederkorn — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:10:17 +0000

Per BBC, British authorities have ordered the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats after Tehran recently expelled two U.K. diplomats.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he had no choice but to take action after Iran had made allegations that were “absolutely without foundation”.

Iranian officials have blamed the U.K. for the civil unrest in their country.

Twitter users in London speak out:

buubus (London) Brown expels two Iranian diplomats in tit for tat action…. Very very mature – Scots man takes the low road again! 23 Jun 2009 from web

powershell01 (London) Britain expels two Iranian diplomats after Iran forced two British diplomats to leave. This is becoming interesting…what will UK do next? 23 Jun 2009 from web

Amazonia (London) RT – Britain expels 2 Iranian diplomats in response to Iran expelling 2 British diplomats – lol sorry but this sounds like 2 kids fighting!! 23 Jun 2009 from web

dailybedlam (London) Iran catches ‘Axis of evil Syndrome’ so, the UK now will expel two Iranian diplomats after the expulsion of two British envoys from Tehran! 23 Jun 2009 from web

b4rk13 (London) UK expels 2 Iranian diplomats in response to Iran expelling 2 British diplomats | typical govt move – nevermind those ppls lives! 23 Jun 2009 from Twitterrific in reply to cnnbrk

thepaolo (London) the UK interfering in Iran’s internal affairs? What an outrageous suggestion!!! LOL 23 Jun 2009 from Ping.fm

Twitter users elsewhere reacted as well:

aberelimar isn’t that kind of childish? If you dismiss my diplomats I will dismiss yours?? #iranelection 23 Jun 2009 from web in reply to oxfordgirl

bgiguy The Britts are expelling Iranian Diplomats. We are inviting them to lunch. Something wrong with this picture! 23 Jun 2009 from Seesmic Desktop

SimplyDishing RT: If you live in the EU, urge your govt to expel Iranian diplomats. They do not represent the people or the country. #gr88 #iranelection 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

allwest4km Does the British expelling of 2 Iranian diplomats mark the beginning of any imminent international sanction on Iran? 23 Jun 2009 from web

lesfloyd I WANT THOSE TWO IRANIAN DIPLOMATS BACK! They can stay in my room. I want to keep an eye on them. 23 Jun 2009 from web

rkamwin IRAN shucks 2 UK diplomats – UK shucks 2 Iranians diplomats back to Iran – Might be a start for reactions in Iran. FREE IRAN!! 23 Jun 2009 from web

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Italy accepts Guantanamo Bay prisoners

John Niederkorn — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:24:58 +0000

Per BBC, Italy has agreed to imprison three inmates from Guantanamo Bay, President Barack Obama has said. President Obama disclosed the agreement at the White House after meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The European Union had previously reached an agreement with Washington to transfer an undisclosed number of Guantanamo prisoners to Europe.

Twitter users in Italy and America comment:

xantar76 (Padova, Italy) 3 detenuti di guantanamo in italia? E dove li mettono? Le prigioni fra poco esplodono…(3 detainees at guantanamo in italy? And put them where? The prisons soon explode) 16 Jun 2009 from Gravity

DivasonaDate (Undisclosed) Italy agrees to take 3 Guantanamo inmates http://bit.ly/JY8KH – I think this is so strange. Interesting, but strange. 16 Jun 2009 from web

zebmckey (Italy, Treviso, Vittorio Venet) provate solo a pensare a guantanamo come stanno saltando di gioia i tre detenuti che verranno in Italia (just try to think about guantanamo like jumping for joy are the three that will be held in Italy) 16 Jun 2009 from Friendbar

semioticmonkey (Undisclosed) Ok. We have prisons full of people in Italy aaaaaand Berlusconi and Obama give us 3 Guantanamo prisoners as a gift for B visit, i guess. 16 Jun 2009 from web

TechyDad (New York, N.Y.) Also: “Obama’s sending Gitmo detainees someplace you might go on vacation!” (Italy) FOX made it seem like we’re putting terrorists in villas 16 Jun 2009 from Seesmic Desktop

pdgoodman (U.S.) Why on Earth would Italy take 3 Gitmo detainees? http://bit.ly/Ep1kd 16 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

oakenquill (Blacksburg, Va.) Italy taking 3 Gitmo detainees. They’ve gone from Club Fed to a full-blown Club Med vacation. 16 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

MLGiannini (New York, N.Y.) I’m Italian-American and I truly love Italy. But I wouldn’t trust those guys to guard my bike, let alone my terrorists. #italy #guantanamo 17 Jun 2009 from web

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Murder suspects found guilty of stabbing French students

John Niederkorn — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:49:45 +0000

Per Guardian UK, two men were found guilty in the brutal murder of two French students last year inside their London flat. The two slain foreign exchange students were tied up, tortured and left for dead having been stabbed over 243 times as a result of a robbery.

Dano Sonnex, 23 and Nigel Farmer, 34 were convicted earlier today for crimes one prosecutor described as “an orgy of bloodletting.” At the time of the murders, Sonnex had been paroled and under probational supervision after serving an eight-year sentence for violence and robbery.

A French user commented on the killings:

Wikio_LaUne Laurent et Gabriel : leurs tueurs condamnés (M6): Emotion et soulagement pour les familles de Laurent Bonomo et Gabriel Ferez. (Laurent and Gabriel: their killers condemned (M6): Emotion and relief for families of Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez.) 04 Jun 2009 from twitterfeed

Twitter users all over the UK expressed outrage and empathy surrounding the savage stabbings:

rognbrow (London, England) Guilty verdicts at the Old Bailey for the killers of those two poor french students. Now we must wait for the sentencing 04 Jun 2009 from web

Graftacus (Leeds, England, U.K) is wondering if there’s any point in keeping Dano Sonnex alive! He’s caught, bang to rights, what’s the point of keeping this animal caged?? 04 Jun 2009 from web

Kapuskasing (Cambridge, England) the guys have gone down for the murder of those two french students in south london last year…horrible 04 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

sue_ward (UK) the story of the murderers of the 2 french students is making me feel sick. It makes me feel that capital punishment isn’t such a bad thing. 04 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

misha_khan (Bristol, England, UK) Probably not the most appropriate place to be saying this but RIP Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo. The most heart-renching tragedy. RIP. 04 Jun 2009 from web

GillianP ( UK) Gasping at court report in judgment of murder of French students in London. Horrendous systemic failure. Students normally welcome, safe. 04 Jun 2009 from web

VideoNasty (London) Jack Straw blaming the murders of Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez on a probation service he’s repeatedly cut funding to is pissing me off. 04 Jun 2009 from web

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British Parliament scandal forces more officials to quit

John Niederkorn — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:45:25 +0000

Per BBC, Julie Kirkbride and Margaret Moran have declared they will not seek re-election and stand down from their positions in Parliament.

The two Members of Parliament made this announcement on Thursday after over 50 members of the British parliament were found spending tax-payer money for personal items and services. Some of the amounts spent were in excess of £50,000, according to BBC.

As of today over 12 members of British Parliament said they will not continue to seek re-election, including Speaker Michael Martin, and more are expected to resign, per the article.

Twitter users in the U.K. commented on today’s new developments:

skinpup (Salford, England) When the [expletive] is this backward country going to be forced to have a fair system to elect our MPs? @DowningStreet http://bit.ly/Ycr8n 28 May 2009 from TweetDeck

felix_cohen (Bath, England) Thinking about starting a petition to stop MPs being addressed as Honourable unless they actually, you know, start behaving honourably 28 May 2009 from Tweetie

rchiswell @girlonetrack (Harrow, UK) Ah – but those MPs aren’t qutting until next election:when they’ll be eligble for a “golden handshake” of a years salary:£64k! 28 May 2009 from web in reply to girlonetrack

libdom (Hull, England) If any more MPs announce they’re standing down we could stick them all on a conveyor belt and play a new version of The Generation Game. 28 May 2009 from Tweetie

brenmar (London, UK) is wondering why MPs, such as Julie Kirkbride, brazen it out until someone wises them up overnight. They still don’t get it. 28 May 2009 from web

PaulHulbert (Yate, Bristol, UK) Is that 3 MPs going today? I can’t keep count any more. Kirkbride, Moran, and apparently now Fraser. 28 May 2009 from web

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German election results leaked on Twitter

John Niederkorn — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:13:11 +0000

Per FT.com, some German parliament members are accused of leaking results of last Saturday’s presidential election via Twitter, as the nation’s politicians begin their investigation today.

The outcome of Hörst Koehler’s re-election as Germany’s president was published on Twitter almost 15 minutes before the result was officially announced.

Although Koehler was heavily favored to win, the apparent breach of the election protocol has vexed seasoned members of Germany’s parliament.

Twitter users also find the news perplexing:

axelhorns (Munich, Germany) Berlin “Twitter-Gate” – German MPs tweeted election results for Bundespräsident Köhler early: heavy quarrelling on Twitter use in Parliament 26 May 2009 from web

Katikat (Germany) Germany’s idiotic politicians should not be allowed to twitter. They gave away the result of the pres elections 15min before it was offical 26 May 2009 from web

AnnaU52 (Hamburg, Germany) loves the fact that the final result of the election of the federal president of Germany was on twitter before it was offical 26 May 2009 from web

me_Jochen (Sønderborg, Germany) Germany has its #twitter crisis. Two members of parliament twittered about the outcome of the president election, before it was official. 27 May 2009 from mbpidgin

brunotoledo (London, England) @RealBillBailey the dangers of twitter! Apparently some politicians in Germany tweeted an election result before they were official 27 May 2009 from dabr in reply to RealBillBailey

tim (London, England) German MPs under fire for Twitter leak: http://bit.ly/NNvX1 Any other good examples of Twitter gaffes from politicians? 27 May 2009 from web

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UK credit crunch puts AAA rating in jeopardy

John Niederkorn — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:02:51 +0000

Per Guardian UK, Britain is in danger of losing the country’s top-tier credit rating, which provides access to inexpensive borrowing on international markets.

The results came after a downgrade of Britain’s economic standing by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) from “stable” to “negative” today as the agency expressed concern involving the UK deficit. S&P reported a “one-in-three” chance that Britain’s AAA credit rating may be lowered, which then drives up the cost of borrowing, per Guardian UK.

British Twitterers commented on the credit crunch:

indejames (London, U.K.) Ouch – S&P downgrades UK outlook to negative! Wasn’t it the ratings agencies commercialisation that caused the credit bubble?!?!?!? 21 May 2009 from web

grandvizirofpix (London, U.K.) dark days in the office. sleepless nights too. damn this credit crunch! 21 May 2009 from web

mel_hearts_u (London, U.K.) credit crunch = no £££ = no shopping = no handbags. i’m seriously considering busking. 21 May 2009 from web

alooof (London, U.K.) Standard&Poor,the company most responsible for the credit crunch has just made our proposed recovery more expensive.thanks.http://is.gd/C3jk 21 May 2009 from web

Ruthy19 (Liverpool, U.K.) i just got munched by the credit crunch -_____- 20 May 2009 from web

jacquelinio (Liverpool, U.K.) is sick of the credit crunch, it’s boring now 20 May 2009 from web

laurenkjones (Manchester, U.K.) £1,600 for a duck pond? Lucky ducks, eh? Credit crunch shmedit crunch… 21 May 2009 from Tweetie

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