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Explosions rock Southern Afghanistan

Fahad Zuberi — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:22:33 +0000

Four suicide bombings rocked Kandahar city in Southern Afghanistan on Saturday.

Voice of America reports, Afghan officials say suicide bombers targeted four different parts of the southern city of Kandahar, killing at least 30 people and wounding 46 others. Authorities say they now have the situation under control.

A Twitter user travelling in Afghanistan has been tweeting the latest developments.

strickvl (Kandahar, Afghanistan) Attacks tonight in Kandahar hit multiple targets: incl prison, opposite Continental Guesthouse, police HQ, and Indian Consulate office 13 Mar 2010 from TweetDeck

strickvl (Kandahar, Afghanistan) There was also a rocket that seems to have hit the ANP Barracks in Kandahar City 13 Mar 2010 from TweetDeck

strickvl (Kandahar, Afghanistan) Phone lines were cut for a bit within the city, a curfew was imposed, and there was some sporadic gunfire (probably panicked guards) 13 Mar 2010 from TweetDeck

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Twitter users are concerned and are praying for the safety of people living in Afghanistan.

JuniorAli (Sugar Land, Texas) Breaking News inside of Afghanistan in the province of Kandahar 4 suicide bombings kill at least 35 and wounds 47 others pray for them 13 Mar 2010 from web

EricSutphin (Kabul, Afghanistan) Multiple bombs reported in #Kandahar with dozens killed. Sounds like a mess. #Taliban striking in advance of ISAF declared Kandahar ops?? 13 Mar 2010 from web

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Website publishes apparent text messages from 9/11

Marcus Wekenmann — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:55:04 +0000

According to CNN.com, a website says it has released thousands of intercepted text messages from the hours leading up to, during and after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon.

Wikileaks.org began releasing the messages Wednesday to mirror the times they were supposedly sent, starting at 3a.m., and ending 24 hours later.

The site says some texts originated from text pagers carried by government officials, yet some carry a personal tone.

According to the Associated Press, a Wikileaks spokesman says the texts were submitted to the site anonymously, but that the data is valid.

Tweeters around the world were both emotionally affected and suspicious of the messages:

Marianuum (Molde, Norway) Seriously? they have published all of the text messages that was sent during 9/11? Am I the only one who finds that disrespectful? 17 Nov 2009 from web

valeposh (Italy) …ok, seriously, I don’t think it’s right to release 9/11 text messages. Show some respect. People died. #911txts 25 Nov 2009 from web

SouthernCanuck (Texas) how the hell did wikileaks get a hold of 570,000 text messages from 9/11? 25 Nov 2009 from Netvibes

carfullofpandas (Calgary, AB, Canada) If anyone wants to ruin their afternoon Wikileaks is releasing pager text messages intercepted on 9/11. Really chilling/upsetting/disturbing 25 Nov 2009 from UberTwitter

yarnpr0n (Waterloo, ON Canada) Reading Wikileaks of text messages sent during 9/11 attacks. Has anyone else read these? Absolutely chilling. 25 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

dwmurphy2 (Cleveland, Ohio) I can’t believe CNN is showing those personal text messages from 9/11. 25 Nov 2009 from Twitterrific

Klondike (Washington, DC) I’m growing rapidly more uncomfortable about this whole 9/11 text messages release. They didn’t even anonymize phone numbers. 26 Nov 2009 from web

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Anniversary of Berlin Wall collapse sparks Twitter comments, TwitPics

Joe Siebelts — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:01:05 +0000

As residents of Berlin commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall, Twitter users around the world are sharing their personal thoughts and reflections.

The event reunited a once divided Germany, and marked a symbolic end to communist regimes during the Cold War era.

Twitter users around the globe shared different reactions, some of which celebrated the event:

jasonkenney (Richmond, VA) There area handful of historical moments one measures their lifetime by. The fall of the Berlin Wall is one of those moments. 09 Nov 2009 from web

sheiskilla (Germany) Remembering the fall of the Berlin Wall exactly 20 years ago. I’m proud to be a citizen of the United Germany (: 09 Nov 2009 from web

BookRiff (Vancouver) thinking of the Berlin Wall celebration 20 years ago…. I flew there for the weekend to be part of the changing world. Beautiful moments… 09 Nov 2009 from web

jeffkwalters (Undisclosed) My college class voted the fall of the Berlin Wall as the most significant event of our senior year. Can it possibly be 20 yrs.? 09 Nov 2009 from Power Twitter

Other comments focused on the extent of problems still present today:

n667 (Undisclosed) #berlinwall must have fallen dwn, but still ,there exists an imaginary berlin wall btw every country and its neighbours 09 Nov 2009 from web

preparsed (Seattle, WA) Berlin Wall, are we celebrating you as a victory or a defeat? 20 yrs on, not sure it was the ideological finish line it was billed to be. 09 Nov 2009 from web

JBandChocolate (Undisclosed) 20 years since the Berlin wall has fallen…now we have new walls that need to be brought down…World is not rid of walls yet…. 09 Nov 2009 from web

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Some Twitter users shared photos from the events in Berlin:

"These blocks of wall will fall soon like dominos, in Berlin" from @sbink

"I love this! Dominos where the Berlin wall used to be that will be toppled during the celebrations tonight." from @des_pudels_kern

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Israel claims to have stopped Iranian arms ship

David Adams — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:51:29 +0000

Per BBC, the Israeli Navy has seized a ship reportedly headed by Iran carrying weapons disguised as civilian cargo, yet Iran has denied the allegations.

The Israeli Navy has reported that the arms ship was on its way to Hezbollah, where fights between Israeli and Iranian forces has been active.

Several hundred tonnes of weapons were seized making it the largest involving Iran since 2002 when the Israeli military found 100 tonnes of arms.

People in the Middle East reacted to the news through Twitter.

petitedov Smthg nice to wake up to: Israel seizes Iranian ship bound for Hezbollah loaded with rockets, anti-tank rockets, and light arms – IDF 04 Nov 2009 from web

DannyAyalon The recently discovered arms ship is just the tip of the iceberg as far as Iranian efforts to destabilize the region 04 Nov 2009 from web

asfand http://bit.ly/3lGSF7 Israel captures Iranian arms ship. FIGHT! FIGHT FIGHT! 04 Nov 2009 from web

moweezle Our Israeli Navy is working overboard! We just intercepted a shipload full of terrorist weapons: http://is.gd/4N827 04 Nov 2009 from PeopleBrowsr

foxbutters RT @keewatinrose Sea of Green is peaceful. Those urging U to pick up arms, B violent R not your friend #iranelection #iran #gr88 04 Nov 2009 from web

ASoldiersMother @sarinaot UN can’t do anything about 500 TONS of weapons seized by Israeli Navy today; too busy talking of Goldstone failed report 04 Nov 2009 from Seesmic in reply to sarinaot

LeilaSaleh @AliDahmash it doesn’t ultimately mean the the ship was carrying arms for Hezbollah. Iran is much more intelligent to give weapons to them 04 Nov 2009 from web in reply to AliDahmash

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TwitPics: 13 Aban, November 4 Iran protests

Tony Valdivieso — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:19:10 +0000

Supporters of the Iranian government and the opposition have both taken to the streets in Tehran today. Supporters are rallying to commemorate 13 Aban, which corresponds to November 4, the 30th anniversary of the U.S. embassy takeover by Iranian students. The opposition, on the other hand, is protesting the politics of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

According to Global Post, opposition leaders in Tehran, including Mir Hossein Mousavi himself, have called for peaceful protests on 13 Aban . “The 13th of Aban is a… rendezvous,” Mousavi told the Khaleej Times, “so we would remember anew that among us it is the people who are the leaders.”

“By targeting dates of historic significance to the regime, opposition supporters aim to ’subvert’ ideological symbols touted for 30 years by the Islamic Republic,” writes Tara Mahtafar of PBS, “…thereby re-brand[ing] that date as an ideology-free ‘green’ day, the trademark color of the country’s burgeoning pro-democracy movement.”

@Madyar

@dadashiii

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

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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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BBC protest scene turns chaotic

Craig Kanalley — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:07:10 +0000

An estimated 500 protestors took part in a rally outside the BBC Television Centre in London this evening, protesting an appearance by British National Party leader Nick Griffin on the television debate show “Question Time.”

About 30 people managed to breach security and enter the building, at least temporarily, but their efforts were quickly quelled by police, according to Sky News.

Employees of BBC and others near the scene tweeted about the chaos.

minxlj (Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.) - @paul_a_smith – Friend of mine works at #BBC in London; says she battled through loads of anti-BNP protestors to get into work this morn 22 Oct 2009 from mobile web

minesatriple (London, U.K.) The bbc is under seige hellllllp!!! 22 Oct 2009 from UberTwitter

adamblenford (London, U.K.) It feels a bit strange to be working in a building people are trying to break into 22 Oct 2009 from Echofon

minesatriple (London, U.K.) Protesters have stormed the bbc, most eventful days work ever – tweeting live from the front line! 22 Oct 2009 from UberTwitter

tanya_n (London, U.K.) @marc_vallee I think I just spotted you on BBC News24 at the BNP/BBC protest! Looks like it’s starting to kick off there a bit. 22 Oct 2009 from web

Richard_C (London, U.K.) Wandered through anti-fascist protest outside BBC. Bit of chanting, mostly press and Socialist Worker vendors. Didn’t sign any petitions. 22 Oct 2009 from TinyTwitter

howardread (London, U.K.) Had a little look, as did most of the BBC. Lots of police, lots of protesters in head-locks. Not a lot of work being done. COME ON PEOPLE 22 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

Some posted TwitPics of the protest. This picture from @UAF had the caption, “the anti-BNP protesters have moved to outside the BBC’s audience entrance”:

@UAF also posted this TwitPic with the caption, “a sea of placards outside the BBC already”:

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UK postal strike set for Thursday, Friday met with mixed responses

Lauren McTigue — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:46:09 +0000

Royal Mail’s postal strike is now set for Thursday and Friday after failed attempts by the British government to discourage the strikes.

The Wall Street Journal reported today that there will be more than 40,000 workers striking Thursday, and nearly 80,000 set to strike Friday. The workers are seeking better pay, conditions, and a better way of dealing with modernization, namely e-mail.

News of the strike taking place has some Twitterers are reacting with jokes, suggesting that this will have little effect on their lives in the next two days.

Kapuskasing (Cambridge, England) shame about the postal strike…there is sooo much stuff i need to accomplish with them…NOT…but will milk it for sure #honorarybrit 21 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

SonyaVanSickle (Texas) So this UK postal strike – they do get that there’s email now, right? And the more strikes that occur the less likely ppl are 2 MAIL things? 21 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

YorkshireTea (United Kingdom) Got an email from an SMS provider to reassure me that their service will not be affected by the postal strike. Erm, thanks? 21 Oct 2009 from mbpidgin

RalphCooper (London, England) Does anyone at all support the postal strike? 21 Oct 2009 from Tweetie

Others who will be affected by the strike are less concerned about the postal workers, but still worried about certain orders arriving on time, perhaps one of the bigger uses of “snail mail” in recent years.

paulrandall (Southwest of England) Hoping my copy of Forza 3 won’t get delayed too much now the postal strike is going ahead 21 Oct 2009 from Tweetie

BeadieJay (Oxfordshire, England) Angry at myself for forgetting postal strike. Now no way to get 60th Wedding Anniversary card to parents for Friday 21 Oct 2009 from web

MissUnderscore (North East England) Damn you postal strike. I ordered black pipecleaners for my class’s pom-pom Halloween spiders. They have not arrived! 21 Oct 2009 from web

nizzy_ (Scotland, UK) just my luck! saas sent out my award letter yesterday and the postal service is going on strike tomorrow, arghhh. 21 Oct 2009 from web

alecyeoman (Cornwall/Norwich) Great. Postal strike is going to delay the book I ordered from Amazon. 21 Oct 2009 from web

Some companies have been shipping products early in anticipation of the strike, including Microsoft which has allowed some users who have ordered the new Windows 7 to receive their orders early.

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Newsweek reporter freed from Iran prison

Fahad Zuberi — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:27:14 +0000

Maziar Bahari, Newsweek’s Tehran corresponent, was released on $300,000 bail after spending four months in prison, the magazine announced Tuesday.

Khaleej Times reports, scores of journalists and reformist politicians were arrested following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election, which triggered mass protests in Iran and charges of voter fraud.

Twitter users are delighted to hear that Maziar Bahari has been freed.

margaretgee (Sydney, Australia) Fantastic news – journalist Maziar Bahari freed from Iran and reunited with his wife in London. 20 Oct 2009 from web

JeanieFinlay (location undisclosed) http://bit.ly/1OrMJD Maziar Bahari is Free! 20 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

foxbutters (Tehran, Iran) Some good news: Newsweek reporter Maziar Bahari has arrived in London after months in prison in #iran, freed on bail. #iranelection 20 Oct 2009 from web

maleria_withav (Boston) GREAT MOMENT 4 #JOURNOS! Newsweek reporter Maziar Bahari Released in Time to Witness Birth of his 1st Child! http://bit.ly/12Z1uV 20 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

supposedly_fun (Ottawa, Canada) ( RT @PaulDewar: Glad to hear that Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari has arrived in London after over four months in Iranian prison. 20 Oct 2009 from web

thesixthwoman (location undisclosed) OH, thank god! Maziar Bahari released! (Iranian/American Reporter was detained in Iran since elections in June) http://bit.ly/12Z1uV 20 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

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China skeptical of Dalai Lama’s plans to visit India

Trish Donovan — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:11:12 +0000

The Dalai Lama is planning a visit to Arunachal Pradesh, India next month. While India has said they are not worried about this causing conflict with China, it has been made public that many Chinese do not like the presence of Dalai Lama in India.

His upcoming visit has become controversial due to a border dispute. Phayul.com reports, “India has reaffirmed the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s right to visit its disputed border region with China in the face of objections from Beijing, a media report said Saturday.” The Dalai Lama hasn’t visited the state since 2003.

The Hindu also reported on the upcoming event, making note that this is a trip that supports him as a spiritual figure.

Indians respond to the Dalai Lama’s visit next month:

soleslide (Mumbai) PM should hold a summit with the Dalai Lama in Arunachal Pradesh to send a message to the Chinese. But that would need balls, wouldn’t it? 13 Oct 2009 from TinyTwitter

sayan12 (Kolkatta) @BDUTT I think sending Dalai Lama on a visit to Tawang is sending a message to China. 13 Oct 2009 from web in reply to BDUTT

aeronett (Mumbai) @Vikram_Sood It’s time India played the ‘Tibet’ card. The dalai lama shd be given more patronage & be allowd to openly critise China 13 Oct 2009 from web in reply to Vikram_Sood

IssuesFirst (Mumbai) @aeronett Agree on Tibet card. And Dalai Lama. We hv to be pre-emtive with China–even in gesture. Confucians understand art of dipl & war.. 13 Oct 2009 from web in reply to aeronett

IssuesFirst (Mumbai) Apart from MEA’s bold statement today warning China to lay off Illegally occupied Kashmir, India shd play Dalai Lama card with great finesse 14 Oct 2009 from web

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