Foreign Affairs
Violence escalates in Syria, as army begins to defect. by Al Jazeera: The escalating military offensive in northwest Syria began after what corroborating accounts said was a shoot-out between members of the military secret police in Jisr al-Shughur, some of whom refused to open fire on unarmed protesters. A growing number of first-hand testimonies from … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Ai Weiwei’s wife permitted to visit jailed artist. by Google News: The burly, bearded 53-year-old appeared conflicted and his eyes were puffy when his wife Lu Qing was allowed to visit him Sunday, though he seemed healthy, Lu told The Associated Press. “He has changed. His mood and demeanor are so different from the simple … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Tens of thousands gather to protest austerity measures in Spain. by Monsters and Critics: Spain is facing more social protests ahead of Sunday’s local and regional elections after thousands of people demanded ‘real democracy’ in rallies around the country. Demonstrations would continue, Fabio Gandara, one of the organizers of last Sunday’s protests, told the daily … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Greece enters second week of protests over austerity measures. by L.A Times: Waving red flags and toting colorful placards, thousands of workers walked off the job Wednesday, pouring onto the streets of Athens and other Greek cities to challenge a new rash of proposed reforms and cost-cutting measures designed to save the cash-strapped country $33 … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Bahraini protesters tell of bloodshed as crackdown escalates. by Amnesty international: Bahraini protesters today told Amnesty International of bloody scenes on the streets as government security forces stepped up their violent crackdown on demonstrations and blocked access to hospitals. At least six people were reportedly killed in the capital Manama amid continuing protests as the … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Yemen uses nerve gas on protesters violating international law. by Global Post: Doctors from the scene of violent anti-government protests in Yemen’s capital Tuesday night said that what was originally thought to be tear gas fired by government forces on demonstrators might instead have been a form of nerve gas, which is forbidden under international … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Israel begins drafting interim peace plan towards two-state solution. by New York Times: An Israeli official said that the government was “seriously considering an initiative” that would represent a “phased approach to reaching a final peace accord.” The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the proposal because it was not finalized, added that … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Protests met with violence in Libya with over 500 dead. by New York Times: Libyan security forces opened fire again Sunday on residents of Benghazi as they attended a funeral procession for the dozens of protesters killed there the day before, and quickly crushed three smaller uprisings in working-class suburbs of the capital, Tripoli. It … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Anti-government protests erupt in Libya. by Al Jazeera: Protesters burn down a picture of Dictator Gaddafi in preparation for tomorrow’s protests. Hundreds of protesters have reportedly torched Libyan police outposts in the eastern city of Beyida, while chanting: “People want the end of the regime.” Demonstrators gathered in the early hours of Wednesday morning in … Read more
Foreign Affairs
Algeria protesters push for change. by Al Jazeera English: Algerian security forces and pro-democracy protesters have clashed in the capital, Algiers, amid demonstrations inspired by the revolution in Egypt. At least 2,000 protesters were able to overcome a security cordon enforced around the city’s May First Square on Saturday, joining other demonstrators calling for reform. Earlier, thousands of police in … Read more
