Boozhooz news

Labour launches 2010 manifesto

2010-04-12T16:49:00.004+01:00

Violent uprising in Kyrgyzstan

2010-04-07T20:22:00.008+01:00

Protests have led to bloodshed on the streets of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where 180 have been wounded and at least 21 killed.

In the grips of what appeared to be a violent revolution, Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, has seen a day in which riot police shot protestors dead. Demonstrators demanding the resignation of president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, seized key buildings across the city including the Parliament and TV station. An attempt to take control of the nation's security service headquaters was repulsed, however, the prosecutor's office was set ablaze.

The opposition claim that security forces have killed more than 100 anti-government protestors and hospitals have been inundadated with casulties. From Bishkek, a Reuters photographer reported seeing 5 dead bodies and Associated Press said that doctors were unable to cope, as casulaties lined the corridors. The news agency reported that nurses wept over dead bodies in hospitals, whose floors were drenched with blood.

Initial reports said that the Kyrgyzstani interior minister had been beaten to death by a mob of protestors, later it was reported he had survived, and a house of the president's family looted by rioters.

The apparently spontaneous uprising began outside the offices of the social democratic opposition parties, where around 200 people gathered on Wednesday morning. From there the congregated protestors marched towards the city centre, avoiding police attempts to stop them. Police cars were overturned and set alight and roads blockaded as they made their way towards government buildings.

Omurbek Tekebayev of the opposition speaking on a national TV station, now under the control of protestors, said "Our only objective is that they [the authorities] resign".

The uprising may be of concern to the US, for whom Kyrgyzstan is a key ally in Central Asia. The country is home to a US airbase and the countries' relationship is a source of growing friction with Moscow. The Kremlin, troubled by the US-Kyrgyzstan relationship, has becoming increasingly irritated with President Bakiyev. In light of this, Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, has denied any Russian involvement in initiating the protests.

Outside the capital, anti-government mobs seized control of local government buildings in many areas. In the central town of Naryn, 3,000 protestors took over the local administration buildings, throwing documents and a flag from the windows. Demonstrators then moved to seize regional police headquaters.

Once seen as a progressive nation, Kyrgyzstan has recently become increasingly authoritarian. However, experts say that it was the non-political factor, an increase in water and gas tarrifs, that triggered the protests.

Peaceful protests in Egypt met with violence

2010-04-07T19:03:00.004+01:00

Peaceful protests calling for political reform in Egypt have been met with a violent response from security forces.

Around 90 demonstrators were arrested in the Egyptian capital for participating in protests against a 29 year state of emergency imposed by the government. The state of emergency allows protests to be stopped, curbs freedom of expression and removes other Human Rights.

Main gathering points in the capital, Cairo, had high numbers of security forces deployed, as did a number of universities. The numbers participating, or those trying to participate, in the protests is unclear. Many demonstrators were beaten and kicked as the tried to converge on Cairo's Tahrir Square. Reports say that plain clothes security forces beat protestors with sticks, whilst other were threatened with knives. Many people were arrested as they sought to travel to Cairo from Alexandria's train station.

The authorities prevented journalists from reporting on the protests, including the confiscation of their equipment. Journalists from Al-Jazeera, Egyptian Dream TV, al-Karama newspaper and a photographer from al-Masry al-Youm newspaper were affected by the media blackout.

Amnesty International condemned the crackdown on the peaceful protests, saying "This intimidation of opposition activists and government critics must end immediately...The Egyptian authorities should demonstrate their commitment to human rights by allowing and protecting peaceful protests."

The protests follow a 29 year period of human rights abuses, including torture and ill-treatment in detention, detention without trial and the use of unfair legal proceedings.

Brown promises electoral reform

2010-04-07T17:23:00.007+01:00

Gordon Brown has announced his plans for reform of the electoral system on the first full day of the election campaign.

Brown said that changes needed to be made to the way politics works after the MP's expenses scandal last year caused a "fundamental rupture" between Parliament and the people it represents.

The Prime Minister said that the key issues that Britain will need to deal with, will not be tackled unless "democracy is fully restored". He said that his plans would make MPs "more accountable to and fully representative of the ordinary men and women of this great country."

Brown said that under Labour plans for electoral reform, MPs would be banned from working for lobbying companies, prior approval from an independent body would be needed for MPs to take up outside employment and would give the public the right to recall MPs who were guilty of misconduct.

He also said that the public would be given the right to petition the House of Commons, to have issues discussed that are of public concern.

Brown announced that the Labour manifesto would include a commitment to the creation of a written constitution, to allow a free vote of MPs on the lowering of the voting age to 16 and a commitment to the creation of fixed term Parliaments. The Prime Minister said that following a Labour victory, a referendum on electoral reform would be held next August. He said that matters of voting reform and the establishment of an elected Upper House would be put to the public vote.

Brown criticised Conservative resistance to the removal of the heriditary principal from the House of Lords, saying that the party "likes to talk about change, but never delivers it".

He said that the country had been "through the turbulence of a global recession...and a political corosion that knew no party lines, but we weathered the storm. Britain was not broken." Summing up his commitment to electoral reform he said "our democracy belongs to you, not just at election times but all the time."

Election Timetable

2010-04-07T17:18:00.005+01:00

6th April 2010– Prime Minister asks the Queen to dissolve Parliament and announces election date

7th April 2010 – PMQs continue as normal

12th April 2010 – Parliament is dissolved and writs are issued for elections in each constituency

15th April 2010 – 1st TV Leaders debate
ITV’s Alistair Stewart hosts this debate in the North West of England on the topic of domestic affairs

20th April 2010 – Deadline for nomination, withdrawal of candidature and appointment of election agents at 16:00 and nominations will be announced at 17:00 This is also the last day to register to vote and apply for a postal vote

22nd April 2010 – 2nd TV Leaders debate
This debate from the South West of England is hosted by Sky’s Adam Boulton, discussing the theme of foreign affairs

29th April 2010 – 3rd TV Leader’s debate
The final debate hosted by the BBC’s David Dimbleby will be broadcast from the Midlands on the topic of the economy

6th May 2010 – Polling day, stations open at 07:00 and close 22:00

12th May 2010 – Parliament is reformed

"Let's go to it!"

2010-04-06T14:17:00.008+01:00

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has, today, announced the date for the General Election.

Following a meeting with the Queen to ask for the dissolution of Parliament, the Prime Minister announced on the steps of 10 Downing Street, alongside cabinet colleagues, that the election will be held on Thursday 6th May. Describing the election timetable as the worst kept secret of recent years, he set out his plans if re-elected next month.

Brown was keen to stress the skill and experience of his cabinet team saying "I am not a team of one, I am one of a team." He also spelled out his election pledges, asking the public to give him a mandate to ensure an economic recovery, preserve public services and to reform of the political system.

Leaders of the other main parties also started their official election campaigns today. David Cameron, speaking on the banks of the Thames, criticised Labour's 13 years of "big government" and called for a new era of "big society". Nick Clegg emphasised that this election was not a "two horse race" but that the Liberal Democrats were a real alternative.

Haitian earthquake relief effort

2010-01-16T01:34:00.000Z

100,000 dead in Hatian earthquake

2010-01-15T18:55:00.005Z

The UN says that between 50,000 and 100,000 people may have been killed in Haiti's 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

The UN has launched an appeal to raise $562m (£364m) for the victims of the disaster. The head of the the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , John Holmes, said that the money would be used to help support 3 million people for 6 months. So far $360 million has been donated, half of which, Holmes says, will be spent on food. The chief of OCHA, also said that a further amount of between $20 and $50 million would be needed for "health, water and sanitation, nutrition, emergency shelter, early recovery and agriculture."

Aid has been pouring in to the capital, Port-au-Prince's airport but is not able to be distributed to all who need it. The lack of essential supplied has angered many Haitians and let to reports of looting in the capital. US defence officials have said that around 10,000 US troops will arrive in on the ground or off Haiti's coast by Monday.

The US has led to the relief effort and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, will visit the country on Saturday. In a statement President Obama said that "The scale of devastation is extraordinary" and that the United States should "do what it takes to save lives and help people get back on their feet".

Meanwhile Amnesty International has urged the UN to ensure that human rights are protected along side the humanitarian efforts. Amnesty commended the UN for its rapid relief effort, stressing that Haiti's vulnerable must be protected. A statement from Gerardo Ducos, Haiti researcher at Amnesty International, said "“The current situation of lawlessness in Haiti and the increased vulnerability of women and children creates the perfect environment for human rights abuses and crimes such as rape and sexual abuse to take place undetected and go unpunished".

For the latest news follow us on Twitter.

In the UK, the DEC has launched an appeal for the victims of the earthquake, you can give by visiting the DEC website or by phoning 0370 60 60 900

Silent rush hour after heavy snow

2010-01-05T19:40:00.004Z

Heavy snow causes UK travel chaos

2010-01-05T10:46:00.003Z

Heavy snow and ice has caused widespread travel disruption across the UK.

Many roads across the country are treacherous and even some main roads have not be gritted and are now impassable. Airports across the North of England, including Leeds-Bradford and Manchester, have closed while runways are cleared. Rail travel has also been affect with delays on many lines.

Hundreds of thousands of school children have been sent home as hundreds of schools close in the worst hit areas.

So far Northern England has seen the heaviest snow fall but the wintry weather will move South to the Midlands, Wales and the South-West. Snow began falling in Scotland, which saw overnight temperatures dip to -15C. A further 10cm of snow is forecast over most of the UK with heavier snow on elevated ground.

Local councils have said they have sufficient grit supplies to keep main roads open, however, reports from some areas say that many main roads have been left untreated. Roads in North Worcestershire were covered with snow, ice and slush this morning as many drivers attempted to get home early. The untreated surfaces caused treacherous driving conditions and left roads gridlocked.

A dangerous year for journalism

2009-12-31T14:09:00.008Z

No year passes without challenges for journalists and affronts to press freedoms and 2009 has shown that conflict zones and elections provide as much danger as ever.

Two appalling events this year have highlighted these risks and made 2009 one of the most dangerous years for journalists. On 23 November, the largest ever massacre of journalists on a single day took place in the Phillipines. A total of 12 journalists and 18 others were killed by the private militia of a governor in the southern Philippines in election related violence. The second shocking event of the year was the massive restrictions on press freedoms in Iran during rallies disputing election results and the subsequent mass arrests of journalists and bloggers.

Press freedoms organisation, Reporters sans Frontières, says that 76 journalists have been killed this year and a further 573 arrested. Their annual report also shows that 1456 journalists had been physically assaulted or threatened this year, a 56% rise on 2008.

Furthermore, RSF claim that 1 blogger has been killed and an additional 151 bloggers and cyber-dissidents arrested, a 155% increase from 2008 figures. The press freedom report also notes that 61 bloggers had been physically assaulted.

The massacre of journalists in the Philippines, a dark day for press freedom, was condemned by RSF as "an incomprehensible bloodbath". The organisation said that "Never in the history of journalism have the news media suffered such a heavy loss of life in one day,". Nonoy Espina, Vice-President of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said “The government must without question bring those responsible for this massacre to justice, not just the killers but also the masterminds, whoever they are.” The deaths in the Philippines along with 21 others made the country the most dangerous in the world for journalists. These deaths made up 75% of the 44 deaths in the Asia-Pacific region making it the most dangerous region, by numbers of deaths.

The most recent death of a journalist came only yesterday, when award-winning Canadian journalist, Michelle Lang, was killed in Afghanistan. The Calgary Herald reporter became the seventh female journalist to be killed this year and the first Canadian journalist to die in the war in Afghanistan. Lang was embedded with Canadian troops in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar and was killed by a roadside bomb whilst traveling in a Canadian military vehicle. Reporters sans Frontières said “Lang’s death just two days before the New Year is a cruel reminder of the dangers that journalists face in war zones,”.

Not only have journalists faced the threat of death or physically injury this year, 33 have been kidnapped over the past 12 months. Despite the endeavours to of journalists report from the most hostile of regions, 570 media have been censored this year, a 61% increase on last year.

Additionally, 157 journalists have gone into exile this year, most notably from Iran where 50 journalists fled and 27 who left Sri Lanka. Somalia also saw around 50 journalists leave along with dozens of others who sought refugee abroad from Eritrea, Mexico, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Colombia and Guinea. RSF described the number of exiled journalists as "a dangerous tendency and it must be very strongly condemned,".

Reporters sans Frontières rounded up this tragic year by saying "Three years have passed since the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1738 on the protection of journalists in conflict zones but governments still seem incapable of protecting reporters,".

'Arbeit macht Frei' Auschwitz sign stolen

2009-12-18T17:44:00.003Z

The sign over the entrance to the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz, has been stolen.

The sign which reads 'Arbeis macht Frei', made in 1940 by Polish prisoners at the camp, was stolen in the earlier hours of Friday morning. Israel's Holocaust Museum branded the theft an 'act of war' and the Muzeum Auschwitz Memorial called it a 'desecration'.

The 5 metre long, 40kg sign reads 'Work will set you free' in English and police say it was removed between 3:30 and 5:00am on Friday morning.

It is not yet known why the sign was stolen, but police say that selling such a well known item would be very difficult. Avner Shalev, director of Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial has speculated that the crime had been committed by Neo-Nazis.

A replica of the sign has been erected while the search continues and a 5,000-zloty ($1,700; £1,050) reward has been offered for information which leads to the arrest of the thieves.

The phrase was also used outside other Nazi concentration camps including Dachau and Sachsenhausen, although the sign at Auschwitz is the most well known. Hundreds of thousands of prisoners passed under the sign on entering the camp, most of whom were killed or worked to death. Over a million inmates were murdered at the camp, 90% of whom were Jewish.

"A Disgrace to Humanity" - The paper's reaction

2009-10-23T18:59:00.017+01:00

Anti-facist protestors outside BBC TV Centre

2009-10-22T22:18:00.001+01:00

UN rights chief speaks out on Iranian juvenile exections

2009-10-13T23:22:00.002+01:00

The UN High Commisioner on Human Rights, Navi Pillay, criticised Iran, yesterday, for their execution of juveniles.

Her comments come after Behnoud Shojaie, a 17 year old Iranian, was executed on Sunday after being found guilty of murder. Expressing her dismay, Pillay said that Iran must "end execution of juvenile offenders once and for all."

Both the High Commissioner and UN Special Rapportuers had raised Behnoud Shojaie's case with Iranian authorities, reminding them of their international obligations not to execute minors. Iran is signed up to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which prohibit the death penalty for convicted youth offenders.

Pillay stressed that "Under international law, the death penalty can only be applied when very strict conditions are met, for example only in respect of the most serious crimes and only after scrupulously fair trials," She added that the UN human rights body believes the imposition of a death penalty where the crime did not result in loss of life goes against the ICCPR.

The High Commisioner also said she had "major concerns about the way the recent trials of opposition activists were conducted, and I hope these judgments will be reviewed carefully by the higher courts,"

Joe Stork of New York-bases rights Watchdog, Human Rights Watch, said that "The Iranian Judiciary's enthusiasm to execute juvenile offenders despite its international obligations and objections in Iran itself to such brutal acts is shocking...This is a callous affront to basic human dignity."

According to 2008 figures from Amnesty International, Iran has executed at least 37 juvenile offenders since 1990. Amnesty says that Iran was the only country to execute a juvenile in 2008 and carried out at least six executions.

Abbas 'dissapointed' with Obama administration

2009-10-13T23:01:00.005+01:00

A leaked memo from Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas accuses the Obama administration of buckling under Israeli pressure and said that any hope had "evaporated".

The document, which reflects a wider frustration with the White House's lack of action on Middle East peace, says that "All hopes placed in the new US administration and President Obama have evaporated,".

The memo continued to say that Obama "couldn't withstand the pressure of the Zionist lobby, which led to a retreat from his previous positions on halting settlement construction and defining an agenda for the negotiations and peace".

Palestinians have remained resolute that talks cannot begin until the construction of Israeli settlements ceases. They are also pushing for the pre-1967 war borders to be respected by Israel before they are willing to negotiate.

Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior aide to Abbas said "The Israelis need to acknowledge that the 1967 borders are the borders between the two states, and this is the foundation of any negotiations,".

Despite a meeting between Obama, Abbas and Netanyahu and the US president's Nobel Peace Prize there have been difficulties in starting negotiations. Notably, the White House has changed the language used on the Israeli settlements, no longer calling for an immediate cessation but for a toned down "restraint".

Tensions remain heightened between Israel and Palestine after the Gaza War early in the year and the subsequent calls for international prosecutions of both sides for war crimes.

Iranian blogger challenges Obama

2009-10-13T16:24:00.008+01:00

An Iranian blogger has asked US President Barack Obama how he would have reacted to electoral fraud in the US election.

The blogger, 'harfehesaaby'(meaning logical words), asked the president how he would have felt if, despite the movement for change in America and against the will of the people, McCain had been declared winner of last year's ballot. Harfehesaaby asks if people in America had been "killed, jailed, and raped...how would you have expected the world to react?"

“President Obama,

First allow me to congratulate you on winning the Nobel Peace prize. I hope that your future record will also make you and the Norwegian decision-makers proud.

Let me say a few words about the vote that brought you to power. I'm sure you remember the enthusiasm with which Americans voted for you and the excitement that your slogan of "change" created among voters who were upset with the policies of former President Bush. You know very well that the majority of the people in the world shared the feelings of the American people and pushed for your election even though they couldn't vote for you.

If you were to multiply all the excitement and enthusiasm that your election generated, you'd have a picture of what happened during the Iranian presidential vote. And if you multiplied Americans' dissatisfaction with Bush, you'd understand the degree of Iranians' dissatisfaction with Mahmud Ahmadinejad and his allies. The repressed people of Iran were determined to put an end to superstition, warmongering, and fecklessness by casting their ballots and trying to change it through a democratic vote. The 85 percent turnout is good evidence of the degree to which Iranians thirst for change.

But President Obama, a coup took place in Iran, the votes of the people were stolen, and a fake president was introduced to the world. The lie was so big that Iran's streets became the scene of demonstrations by millions of Iranians who wanted their stolen vote back.

But the coup leaders shot at the people following orders by Iran's supreme leader. Many were arrested, some were forced into making false confessions, a number of detainees were raped and tortured. Still, people stood firm to get back their votes and to call for justice.

Now I have one question for you, Mr. President: If the fraud and the above-mentioned events had happened in your country -- if they had announced John Mc Cain as the winner of the presidential vote, if they had have killed, jailed, and raped people -- how would you have expected the world to react?

With regards and respect,

An Iranian blogger

”

The bloggger's comments come four months after violence erupted following Iran's presidential election, which saw inucumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reelected. In the days and weeks following the vote large numbers of supporters of reform candidate, Mir Hossian Mousavi, turned out on the streets to protest against alleged voting rigging and to contest the official results.

Harfehesaaby's blog including the message to Obama in Persian/Farsi can be found at harfehesaaby.blogspot.com

Rio wins 2016 olympic bid

2009-10-02T17:47:00.008+01:00

After two rounds of voting IOC President declared Rio De Janerio winners of the 2016 olympic bid.

Rio won the vote fending off competition from Chicago and Tokya before going head to head with Madrid's 2016 bid in the final. Before today's vote Chicago and Rio were seen as the favourites, however, in a shock first round result Chicago was eliminated.

Despite a visit and speech to the IOC in Copenhagen by Barack and Michelle Obama, Chicago did not manage to secure enough support in the first round. Speculation has been made on the affect this could have on his domestic approval ratings. Crowds who had gathered in central Chicago were left open mouthed after Jacques Rogge announced the result.

Following the result Rio De Janerio's mayor, Sergio Cabral, said the decision was "unbelievable, overwhelming and spectacular," On Copacabana Beach celebrations are already well underway and the party is expected to continue long into the night.

In Madrid, crowds streamed from the square where many had gathered to here the result after Rio's win was announced. Speaking on Spanish television Queen Sofia said "We must congratulate Rio, and also the work that we Spaniards have done, it was excellent. It's a disappointment for us,".

2009-09-27T17:30:00.002+01:00

Senator Ted Kennedy - 1932-2009

2009-08-26T11:06:00.004+01:00

Senator Ted Kennedy has died aged 77, losing his battle with brain cancer.

The senator had served in the US senate for almost 47 years and won his 8th term in 2006. He became the Democratic senator for Massachusetts in 1946, replacing his brother, John Kennedy, when he resigned to become president.

In 2006, Teddy, as he was affectionatley known, was named by Time magazine as one of America's ten best Senators, as he had "amassed a titanic record of legislation affecting the lives of virtually every man, woman and child in the country".

Across his near half century in the senate, Ted Kennedy pushed reform in education and healthcare becoming a champion for the working class. He was known for forging cross party alliances, helping George W. Bush with education reforms and working with Senator John McCain on immigration legislation.

Despite this he was well-known as a liberal member of the Democratic party and heavily criticised the Bush administration on Iraq and the abuse of prisoners. He was also involved in the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, after earlier calling for British troops to leave the country.

Kennedy ran against incumbent president Jimmy Carter for the democratic nomination in the 1980 presidential race. However, the death of a young women in his car after he crashed into waters on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, halted his chances.

President Obama, who Kennedy had declared his support for during the 2008 presidential race, said he was "heartbroken" by the Senator's death. He said the death "An important chapter in our history has come to an end," and "Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."

Harry Reid, Senate majority leader said "The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die".

British Prime Minister said "Even facing illness and death, he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work. I am proud to have counted him as a friend." He added that Senator Kennedy's passing would be "mourned not just in America but in every continent".

A Kennedy family statement said "We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever."

Ted Kennedy was the only surviving brother of the Kennedy family, being the only one to live past middle age. His eldest brother Joseph died during a plane crash in WWII and his other brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated in 1963 and 1968.

Senator Kennedy remained a member of the Senate until his death and recently suggested a change in the law to allow a quick succession when his seat became vacant. It is thought he worried that a lengthy election would hamper President Obama's healthcare reform by denying a crucial vote.

Brown “repulsed” by reception of Lockerbie bomber

2009-08-25T22:32:00.004+01:00

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he was “repulsed” by the hero’s welcome given to the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi.

Brown has broken his silence to comment on the release of al-Megrahi and said his thoughts were with the families of the Lockerbie victims.

He also stressed that British government has played “no role” in deciding to release the convicted bomber.

He added that he “could not interfere and had no control over the final outcome.”

He concluded the Downing Street press conference by reaffirming his commitment to fighting international terrorism with the co-operation of nations such as Libya.

He said his “resolve to fight terrorism is absolute” and he was determined “to work with other countries to fight and root out terrorism”.

The Prime Minister had been subject to growing criticism, especially from opposition politicians, over his silence on the compassionate release of Megrahi.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg said “It is absurd and damaging that the British prime minister simply remains silent in the hope that someone else will take the flak .”

Kenny MacAskill defended his decision in the Scottish parliament yesterday. MPs were called in for an emergency meeting during their summer recess to discuss the release.

Mr MacAskill said “It was my decision and my decision alone. I stand by it and I'll live by the consequences.” Opposition politicians were very critical of Megrahi’s release.

Top Iranian opposition figures on trial

2009-08-25T22:30:00.002+01:00

Senior figures in Iran’s opposition movement have been put on trial in Tehran.

The defendants include many ministers from President Khatami’s government of 1997-2005.

Those on trial face charges of conspiring with foreign powers to incite unrest. The trials follow mass demonstrations after the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June.

Several thousand people were arrested during the protest, most of whom were released soon afterwards, however, 100 face charges.

Opposition leaders have condemned the court proceedings as “show trials” and described them as “laughable”.

The 20 people in court included former Deputy Interior minister Mostafa Tajzadesh, former Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Aminzadeh and economist Saeed Leylaz

Only Iranian state media have access to the courtrooms.

Karzai ahead in Afghan poll

2009-08-25T22:26:00.006+01:00

An initial count of the Afghan presidential votes shows incumbent president Hamid Karzai has a slight lead.

With 10% of the votes counted Karzai has marginally more votes than rival Dr Abdulllah Abdullah. The final result will not be known until mid-September, when all votes have been counted.

Currently Mr Karzai has 212,927 votes and Dr Abdullah 202, 889 but a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a second round run-off.

Afghanistan’s electoral commission says 544,444 valid votes have been counted with Karzai taking 40.6% and Abdullah on 38.7%.

Moments after the prelimary result was announced an explosion hit the Southern city of Kandahar killing 30 people and injuring many more. Reports say that several buildings collapsed in the blast in the city centre.

Earlier in the day, a bomb killed four US soldiers, making 2009 the deadliest year for foreign troops since the Taliban were overthrown.

“ Once again they've killed children, women, innocent Afghans. They are not human. They are animals.
”

The electoral commission said Ramazan Bashardost is currently third with 53,470 and Ashaf Ghani Ahmadzai fourth with 15,143.

Based on the figures released a second round run-off would most likely be between Karzai and Abdullah. However, only 2% of votes in Kandahar have been counted and none in Helmand, provinces where Karzai is expected to do well, so a run-off may not be needed.

Further counting will take place and the electoral commission says they will release more results in coming weeks.

The final result will not be released until the Electoral Complaints Commission has investigated the 800 complaints of electoral irregularities and fraud. 54 of these 800 are considered to be serious allegations and among the complainants is Dr Abdullah, who claims rigging in favour of Karzai.

Mirwais Yasini, another prominent presidential candidate, has also made claims 800 votes for him were discarded.

Iranian minister "wanted" by Interpol

2009-08-21T23:06:00.003+01:00

Iranian Defence Minister-Designate, Ahmad Vahidi, is on Interpol's "wanted" list for the bombing of a Jewish centre in Argentina.

Interpol has issued a "red notice" for Mr Vahidi over the bombing Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. A "red notice" is issued by Interpol to inform it's 187 member nations that an arrest warrant has been issued by a member's judiciary authority. Interpol was keen to stress that the notice was not an international arrest warrant.

Mr Vahidi has been on Interpol's wanted list since November 2007 along with five others who Argentine authorities believe were behind the bombing. The attack was the worst against Jews since World War II and is Argentina's worst terrorist atrocity.

Ahmad Vahidi has been nominated for defence minister in President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's new cabinet after serving as deputy defence minister during Ahmadinejad's first term. Tehran has been quick to dismiss the criticisms and claimed it was part of a "zionist plot".

A spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign ministry said "This is yet another of Ahmadinejad's actions that prove he is a person you cannot deal with,"

Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman commented that "Iran has always protected terrorists, giving them government posts, but I think never one as high as this one,"

Speaking about the case, Prosecutor Nisman said "It has been demonstrated that Vahidi participated in and approved of the decision to attack AMIA during the meeting in Iraq on 14 August 1993"

Anger over "hero's welcome"

2009-08-21T19:00:00.004+01:00

The welcome given to freed Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has sparked anger from both sides of the Atlantic.

The 57 year old was met with scenes of celebration and jubilation on arrival in Libya's capital, Tripoli. Crowds had gathered to meet Mr Meghrai as he left the plane and waved both Libyan and Scottish flag from the airport's tarmac.

Britan's Foreign secretary, David Milliband, commented that "Obviously the sight of a mass murderer getting a hero's welcome in Tripoli is deeply upsetting, deeply distressing." He added "that how the Libyan government handles itself in the next few days will be very significant in the way the world views Libya's re-entry into the civilised community of nations,"

White House spokesperson, Bill Burton, said "It is disturbing to see images suggesting that Megrahi was accorded a hero's welcome instead of being treated as a convicted murderer," He also said that the US government had made it clear to Libyan authorities that "such a welcome sends the wrong message and is deeply offensive to the families of the hundreds of people who lost their lives in the Lockerbie bombing".

Downing Street also said that the British Prime Minister had contacted the Libyan government about al-Megrahi's reception and had asked them to "act with sensitivity".

Families of the victims of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland have begun to discuss ways to protest at Megrahi's release. 270 people were killed when the plane was bombed in December 1988 including 11 who were killed when debris rained upon the Scottish town.

Afghans defy "bombs and intimidations" to vote

2009-08-20T19:22:00.007+01:00

President Hamid Karzai has praised the Afghan people for braving Taliban "rockets, bombs and intimidations," and described the election as a success.

Speaking to reporters after the polls closed, following a one hour extension, Mr Karzai said "We'll see what the turnout was. But they came out to vote. That's great."

His praise has been echoed by Nato and the US, White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs said "Lots of people have defied threats of violence and terror to express their thoughts about the next government for the people of Afghanistan."

Afghanistan's interior ministry has reported that 73 attacks have taken place today across 15 provinces.

In Baghlan, Northern Afghanistan, eight died when police clashed with Taliban militia who were storming the town to prevent polling stations from opening. Also in Baghlan province a police chief was shot dead when a police post was attacked.

In Ghazni province, Taliban militants set-alight a bus on the Kabul-Kandahar highway, allegedly as punishment for breaking a Taliban imposed ban on using the road.

In Khost and Kandahar provinces two women and several children were killed when rockets hit their homes. More than 20 rockets hit Lashkar Gar, Helmand province's capital, an area known as a Taliban stronghold.

Overall it is thought around 26 people were killed in election day violence despite the presence of 300,000 Afghan and Nato troops, who were on patrol across Afghanistan to prevent attacks on polling stations.

Kai Eide, the head of the UN mission in Kabul said that overall the levels of violence had been "better than we feared" and that the security situation had been such that it "allowed people to take part in the elections".

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen praised the success of today's poll as "a testimony to the determination of the Afghan people to build democracy".

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement congratulating the people of Afghanistan on the presidential and provincial ballots.

The poll was the second presidential election in the country's history and was the first to be organised primarily by Afghans. he director of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission, Azizullah Loudin said that voter turnout had been "high" when speaking on state-tv.

Voter numbers were believed to be very low in Southern and Eastern areas of Afghanistan, where the Taliban are dominant. Where as in Northern areas, such as Herat, experienced a higher turnout. In Kabul, some polling stations saw Afghans queue outside for the polls to open where as in others few votes were cast.

Some rural areas have reported that no votes were cast in some areas but officials hope that overall turnout will be around 50%.

Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Brian Katulis, said that in a women's voting centre he visited in Kabul "there were long lines,[the] mood was festive". However, he said "Checkpoints and restrictions on traffic made Kabul like a ghost town."

2009-08-20T16:30:00.001+01:00

“This might sound crude or blunt, but I want him returned from Scotland the same way my wife Lorraine was and that would be in a box.

Paul Halsch, whose 31-year-old wife was killed in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing
”

Lockerbie bomber released

2009-08-20T15:40:00.002+01:00

Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has been released on compassionate grounds by Scottish authorities.

Al-Megrahi is the only person to be convicted in relation to the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 which killed 270 people. Mr Megrahi is suffering from terminal prostate cancer and experts say that he would be dead within a few months.

Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, announced his decision at a press conference in which he said Scottish people "pride ourselves on our humanity" and that "the perpertration of an atrocity, an outrage, can not and should not be a bassis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live."

He continued to say "Our justice system demands that judgement be imposed, but compassion be available."

The decision has sparked condemnation in the US, a White House statement said it "deeply regretted" the decision to release Megrahi and several victims' families have expressed their anger and outrage. However, in the UK, opinion is divided on whether al-Megrahi should have been freed.

Kara Weitz of New Jersey, whose 20 year old brother was killed in the bombing, described the release as "utterly disgusting". Paul Halsch of New York, whose 31-year-old wife was killed, said "This might sound crude or blunt, but I want him returned from Scotland the same way my wife Lorraine was and that would be in a box."

2009-08-20T13:28:00.003+01:00

“We want the next president to stop the killing of innocent people and to find jobs for the people, and bring peace.

A female Afghan voter
”

Afghans vote amid sporadic violence

2009-08-20T12:48:00.005+01:00

Millions of Afghans have voted in the country's second presidential election amid Taliban threats and sporadic violence.

The Taliban and other militia have threaten to disrupt the polls and have wages a campaign of violence.

In the less stable South voter numbers have been low and nationwide turnout appears to be patchy. In the Herat and some other more secure areas in the North have had higher turnout.

There have been a number of violence incidents across the country including the deaths of a women and three children when a house in the Southern province of Khost was hit by rockets. Also in Khost province a roadside bomb hit a civillian car killing one person and injuring three others.

Police in Gardez, Paktia province have said two suicide bombers on motorbikes were killed before reaching their target. In the Northern Baghlan province a police chief was killed when Taliban attacked a police post.

In Kabul, two suicide bombers were killed in a gun battle with police in a residential district of the city, however, it is unclear whether the militia were shot by police or killed by their own explosives. Despite this incident at some polling stations in the capital have been busy with voters queuing since the early morning, whilst, others have remained quite.

There have been no other reported incidents of violence in Kabul, however, reports indicate there have been a number of rocket attacks across the country.

The UN has said the majority of polling stations were able to open despite security conerns.

One female voter set out her hopes for the future of the country and what she expects from the next Afhgan president. "We want the next president to stop the killing of innocent people and to find jobs for the people, and bring peace."

However, other voters were less positive about the poll. "Its not an election but a comedy. In my neighborhood I saw a few guys who easily washed their fingers and went for second time to vote, if all these things are happening in capital what do you think how is the condition in remote areas?" said one man in Kabul.

Fresh pre-poll violence in Afghanistan

2009-08-19T19:17:00.012+01:00

Fresh violence has erupted in Afghanistan on the day before the country's presidential and provincial elections.

Security forces clashed with gunmen in a bank close to the presidential compound in Kabul. Three of the raiders were killed in the bank and explosions and gunfire were heard as the troops battled against the attackers.

The Afghan interior ministry said the attack had been carried out by "terrorists" after earlier describing the men as "thieves".

The Taliban had promised to disrupt tomorrow's poll and has waged a campaign of violence and terror to deter voters. There have been several attacks across the country over the past weeks and many have been killed and injured. Reports say the Taliban have threaten to cut off voter's fingers if they are marked with the electoral commission's indelible ink.

Meanwhile in Ghazni province, central Afghanistan, foreign troops mistakenly killed four Afghan police men, local officials say. The troops had been targeting a group of insurgents, who had been launching rockets at the town of Ghazni, when the men were killed and some of their colleagues injured.

Additionaly, in the northern Kunduz province, two police men were killed by the Taliban and another eight were taken. However, local officials have said that some of the eight may already have been working with the Taliban.

The Afghan government has asked both the foreign and national media to refrain from reporting election day violence as they fear it will keep voters away from the polls. The move has been criticised by many who see it as a restriction on the freedom of the press and it it is thought most journalist will ignore it.

Rahimullah Samander, president of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists' Association, said "this type of ban does not sit well with democratic principles".

A statement from the Afghanistan's foreign ministry said "All domestic and international media agencies are requested to refrain from broadcasting any incident of violence during the election process from 6am to 8pm on 20 August,".

Siamak Herawi, a spokesman for President Hamad Karzai, said that the media blackout would "prevent them from exaggerating it, so that people will not be frightened to come out and vote." However, Human Rights Watch has condemned the move as an "unreasonable violation of press freedoms" and Reporters Without Borders said the blackout "runs counter to the principal of electoral transparency."

2009-08-19T19:10:00.004+01:00

“I hope that tomorrow our countrymen, millions of them will come and vote for country's stability, for the country's peace, for the country's progress...Enemies will do their best, but it won't help.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaking about tomorrow's elections.
”

Deadliest day in Iraq for 18 months

2009-08-19T18:11:00.002+01:00

Dozens of people have been killed and more than 500 hundred injured when a series of blasts hit the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

As many as 95 are thought to have been killed in the attacks making it the deadliest day in the country for 18 months. Truck bombs were detonated outside the foreign and finance ministries on the perimeter of the heavily fortified 'Green Zone'.

There were also several other bomb attacks in other districts of Baghdad and a barrage of mortars hit targets within the hitherto safe 'Green Zone'. It is rare for attacks such as these to hit such prominent targets in areas normally considered safe.

The truck bomb which exploded outside the foreign ministry created a 3m deep and 10m wide crater and sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky. A ministry employee said "The windows of the foreign ministry shattered, slaughtering the people inside,". She added "I could see ministry workers, journalists and security guards among the dead,"

Mustapha Muhie, who works close to the 'Green Zone' said ""Everybody on the street was going crazy...Everybody was just trying to get to their cars, just trying to get home - and that's what I did."

The Iraqi President Jalal Talabani released a statement saying "The terrorists are trying to rekindle the cycle of violence of previous years by creating an atmosphere of tension among the Iraqi people,"

The wave of attacks marks the sixth anniversary of the first attack after the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime, where 22 were killed in a suicide truck bombing at the UN headquarters in Baghdad. Following the first attack the UN declared 19th August World Humanitarian Day, to increase support for aid workers.

Pre-election violence increases in Afghanistan

2009-08-18T17:45:00.002+01:00

A number of violent attacks by militia have injured and killed across Afghanistan ahead of Thursday's presidential and provincial elections.

Militia including the Taliban have promised to disrupt Thursday's poll and have increased the frequency of their attacks.

In Kabul, seven people were killed and more than 50 injured when a suicide car bomber attacked a convoy of Western troops. Reports indicate that some of the troops from the Nato-led force were among the injured and killed. The UN also said that two of it's employees were killed in the attack.

There have also been other violent incidents across the country including a rocket attack on the presidential compound in Kabul, no injuries were reported. In the East of the country two US soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb and two civilians along with three Afghan soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing in the Southern Afghan province of Uruzgan. Whilst, in Jowzjan province, in the normally peaceful North, one election candidate was shot dead and three poll workers were killed when their car hit a bomb.

There are fears that the increased number of violent attacks will result in a lower turnout in Thursday's poll and there is some evidence that there has been corruption in the electoral process.

Ahmadinejad appoints three female ministers

2009-08-18T15:40:00.002+01:00

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad has included three women in his cabinet selections in an attempt to soften his hardline image and appease many reformists.

Fatemeh Ajorlou as been appointed as Social Welfare minister and Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi has been made health minister, the third female's name and position are yet to be announced.

President Ahmadinejad said in a state-tv appearance that his cabinet reflected " a new era" and that he had made "major changes" in the make-up of his government.

Despite Mr Ahmadinejad's intentions to recognise the increased political clout of women in Iran and appease supporters of reformist candidates, his plan is unlikely to be successful. Both women are considered to be hardliners and are generally disliked by reformists. The two women are in support of repressive restrictions on women's rights, including making it more difficult for women to get divorced, have custody of their children and have an abortion.

Fatemeh Ajorlou, Social Welfare minister, is an outspoken advocate of chador, the head-to-toe Islamic cover, and is strongly in favour of strict punishment for women who fail to observe Iran's strict dress code. Ajorlou is well-known for her involvement with the Revolutionary Guard and Basij milita and says that Western societies have lost their morality due to women focusing on careers rather than family. She is also a keen supporter of a draft law proposing positive discrimination for men in attending universities.

Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi is seen by many as a suitable candidate for health minister, spending most of her career in the medical profession and specialising in women's infertility. However, as an MP, she opposed the adoption of a bill facilitating Iran to join the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

New Afghan law removes women's rights

2009-08-15T21:22:00.005+01:00

A new law passed in Afghanistan has removed women's rights, effectively legalising rape within marriage and preventing women leaving their homes without permission.

The law permits Shia men to deny their wives food and sustenance if they refuse to meet their husbands' sexual requests. The new legislation also grants guardianship of children exclusively to the father and grandfathers and means that a woman requires her husbands permission to work.

Human Rights Watch says the law "also effectively allows a rapist to avoid prosecution by paying 'blood money' to a girl who was injured when he raped her,". The watchdog's Asia director, Brad Adams, described the legislation as "barbaric" and said that such repressive laws "were supposed to have been relegated to the past with the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, yet Karzai has revived them and given them his stamp of approval."

The legislation says that a woman must be in "readiness...to submit to her husband's reasonable sexual enjoyment," and outlaws a wife "from going out of the house, except in extreme circumstances, without her husband's permission."

The original law was proposed several months ago and was met with international condemnation including criticism from Barack Obama and Gordon Brown. The earlier version legalised rape within marriage but the modified law still contains many repressive measure.

The introduction of this law comes in the run up to the presidential election and it is speculated that Hamid Karzai approved the law in an attempt to gain Shia votes. The election next Thursday is expected to be close and the incumbent president has been appeasing minority leaders in an attempt to gain votes. Hardline Shia cleric, Ayatollah Mohseni, is thought to have influence over many Shia voters and is strongly in favour of the measures set forth in the new law.

"Medieval torture" in Iran's prisons, says opposition leader

2009-08-15T15:01:00.004+01:00

Defeated opposition candidate in Iran's disputed presidential elections, Mehdi Karroubi, has accused authorities of torturing arrested protestors.

Mr Karroubi claims that both male and female detainees were raped by prison staff and that some were tortured to death. He also alleged that prisoners were "forced to go naked, crawl on their hands and knees like animals, with prison guards riding on their backs." The statement also said that inmates were forced to lie "naked on top of one another."

His allegations of abuse, and the graphic details he uses, have led many hardline Iranian conservatives to call for Karroubi's arrest.

During Friday prayer's in Tehran, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami denounced the reformist leader's claims of rape and called for him to be prosecuted. Khatami described Mr Karroubi's remarks as "slander" and "full of libel" and said the ellegations would only help their enemies in the West.

However, international human rights organisations say that Mehdi Karroubi's claims may be true. Independent investigator for the UN human rights council, Manfred Nowak, said "I truly believe that these complaints will stand up to scrutiny." and the US group, Humans Rights Watch, also, made claims of harsh interrogations, sleep deprivation and beatings in Iranian prisons.

Whilst authorities have admitted to abuses in some prisons, allegations of rape have been denied. Mr Karroubi says he rejects that it would be possible for a thorough investiagtion to have been conducted in such a short space of time.

On his website Karroubi insisted that he would not be silenced in defending humans rights, saying the government could not "stop my tongue, hand and pen."

UK backlash at NHS criticism

2009-08-12T20:07:00.006+01:00

Criticism of the British public healthcare system, the National Health Service, by anti-reform campaigners in the US has triggered a backlash from British citizens.

Twitter users from Britain have posted their comments of support for the NHS to the hashtag '#welovetheNHS' and have added a "we love the NHS" 'twibbon' to their profile pictures. The hashtag has become a trending topic on twitter, one of the most talked about issues.

Several campaigners opposed to President Obama's healthcare reforms have cited the public health systems in the UK, as well as Cannada, France and Germany, as examples of how disastrous changes could be. However, it was an editorial article in Investors Business Daily that triggered the most criticism.

The editorial warns of the problems that would be caused if the US adopted a similar model for public healthcare and says the NHS' record reads "like a horror movie script." The article says "The controlling of medical costs in countries such as Britain through rationing, and the health consequences thereof are legendary,"

The article's author also claimed that the scientist, Stephen Hawking, "wouldn't have a chance in the UK, where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless."

Jay Bookman of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was quick to say that Stephen Hawking was, in fact, British and had lived in the country his entire life. Bookman said "Hawking is, you might say, living, breathing proof that these people are first-class fools."

Erza Klien of the Washington Post said that the IBD article shows how conservatives will lie about healthcare. On her blog she said "It's not just that they didn't know that Stephen Hawking was born in England. It's that the underlying point was wrong, as you'll note from the continued existence of Stephen Hawking. They didn't choose an unfortunate example for an accurate point. They simply lied."

The article from Investment Business Daily not only sparked criticism in the US but also angered many in the UK.

The NHS has been in operation since 1948 and is one of the world's largest employers, with aproximaltely 1.33 million employees. Only 8% of Britons have private healthcare insurance and most use this along side NHS care.

One twitter user, posting to #welovetheNHS, said "It's not perfect, has a lot of things that make it annoying, but it's still better than the alternative!". Many other twitter users and British citizens were outraged by the criticism from the US and remain proud of the healthcare system despite its shortcomings. Another 'tweeter described the NHS as "one of this country's best achievements of the past century,".

Despite what the article in the IBD suggests, supporters of Obama's healthcare reform insist that the changes in the US will not create an American NHS. "It's worth emphasizing, for those who remain confused and misled, that Democratic reform proposals would not create a British system." said Steve Benen of Washington Monthly.

US healthcare debate - Have your say

2009-08-12T00:33:00.004+01:00

In the US, the debate on healthcare reform has intensified, as members of congress returning home for their summer recess have been met by angry constituents at town hall meetings. Whether inside or outside the US tell us your opinion on Obama's plans for healthcare reform. Are the proposals a scandalous waste of money in tough financial times or a long term cost cutting plan helping America's poorest? Please leave us your comments!

Aung San Suu Kyi found guilty

2009-08-11T18:22:00.003+01:00

Burmese pro-democracy campaigner, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been found guilty of breaking the terms of her house arrest and sentenced to a further 18 months of confinement to her home.

Originally the court had ordered that Suu Kyi spend three years in prison completing hard labour, however, after a five minute recess Burma's home minister announced on behalf of the country's military ruler, Than Shwe, that the Nobel peace laureate's sentence would be commuted to 18 months under house arrest.

Ms Suu Kyi faced charges of violating the terms of her house arrest by allowing American, John Yettaw, to stay with her after swimming to her lakeside home in Rangoon. Mr Yettaw, who sufferes from diabetes, epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder, was sentenced to seven years in jail including three years of hard labour.

The imprisonment will mean Aung San Suu Kyi will not be able to campaign for next year's election and will still be confined when the poll takes place.

The international community has condemned the verdict as politically motivated and called for Ms Suu Kyi's immediate release.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was calling for the European Union to impose tough sanctions on Burma and the EU presidency announced that "additional targeted measures against those responsible for the verdict".

British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said he was "saddened and angry" by the court's decision and described the trial as a "sham". He added that he believed the decision to be "purely political" in nature.

US secretary of state, Hilary Clinton, said that Aung San Suu Kyi should not have been convicted and expressed concern for John Yettaw considering "the harsh sentence imposed on him, especially in light of his medical condition," and called of his release.

Myint Myint Aye, of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, said the party refused to accept the court's ruling and commented to reporters that "we demand her immediate unconditional release and we will keep on pressing.". The NLD is Burma's main opposition party and won the national elections in 1990 but was prevent from ever coming to power.

The new period of house arrest means that Aung San Suu Kyi will still be in detention when elections take place in May next year and many say that the military governmnent has deliberately plotted to exclude Suu Kyi from the polls.

My name is URL

2009-08-07T16:10:00.012+01:00

My name is URL is our new feature here on Boozhooz News providing you with our pick of the top sties we found this week. This week we've selected the best Twitter-related sites online for all you Twitterholics to enjoy!

Twitterfall enables you to view tweets as they happen without having to refresh the page. You can also choose which topics you'd like to tweets for and customise how thay are displayed. Twitterfall.com

Wefeelfine.com shows how twitter users are feeling by searching tweets for key words. The site gives you a number of interactive ways to view the stats it has collected. wefeelfine.org

What the hashtag?! is a user-editable directory of twitter's hashtags, you can search for hashtags on topics you want to see and define new hashtags for other users. wthashtag.com

Twivial is a quiz site which uses twitter, the questions are asked on the site and by twivia_bot and answers are sent via twitter. Users compete to get the most points by answering the question correctly in the least amount of time. twivial.com

Tweetdare is a fun site where users enter their twitter details and a message, then they're tweet appears on another user's twitterstream and you automatically post someone else's message on your stream . The idea being to test your bravery and nerve as, literally, anything could be posted to all your followers. tweetdare.com

#twitterfail - DDoS attack hits Twitter

2009-08-06T23:23:00.003+01:00

Social media site, Twitter, has been the subject of a distributed denial-of-service attack, causing it's servers to overload.

Twitter users found that they could not access the site and were not even presented with the site's 'fail whale', which normally greets visitors when there is a problem with twitter. Twitter described the event as a "single, massively coordinated attack".

A distributed denial-of-service attack works by making thousands infected computers attempt to access a site's server. This causes the server to overload and means that legitimate users cannot view the site.

Twitter's official blog said "This activity is about saturating a service with so many requests that it cannot respond to legitimate requests thereby denying service to intended customers or users."

Twitter says "Attacks such as this are malicious efforts orchestrated to disrupt and make unavailable services" but stressed "no user data was compromised in this attack."

The site's blog says "We've worked hard to achieve technical stability" but "today's massive, globally distributed attack was a reminder that there's still lots of work ahead."

"A 'Silent Wave' travelling around the world"

2009-08-06T20:46:00.011+01:00

One week on, Twitter user, Lissnup, writes this exclusive guest article about organising last week's 'silent wave':

“In memory of Neda and all victims of post-election violence

I've been following the #IranElection hashtag on Twitter since early June, and have seen it grow in strength as the Iranian Regime responded to peaceful protests with violence and arrests.

The global day of solidarity with Iran on Saturday 25th July was an inspiring event. It must have taken thousands of hours of planning, organising and preparing. Especially striking were the green fabric scrolls sent to Paris from Iranian communities all over the world, each one bearing signatures attesting that 'Ahmedinejad is NOT my president'.

The following day everyone began to look ahead and there were tweets about the upcoming 40th day anniversary of the death of Neda Agha Soltan, the young woman whose death became a symbol for the Iranian people's struggle for freedom and democracy when she was shot dead in the street on June 20th, a day of heavy protests in Tehran. Muslims observe mourning 3, 7 and 40 days after the passing of a loved one so Thursday 30th July was to be a significant event for many people.

It was just 5 days away, but I hoped we might be able to capitalise on the tremendous support for the previous day's events and do something simple but meaningful to mark this important day. Mindful that there are no funds available, I thought that observing two minute's silence would be an accessible and respectful way to mark the occasion.

I sent messages to some of the more prominent users on Twitter hoping to rally support for the idea but when I got no immediate response I decided to go ahead and try to gather support for the idea myself as there was so little time.

I have no real experience in this kind of thing but the entire short history of the 'Sea of Green' movement has been one of spontaneity and everyone banding together with great displays of unity and mutual support.

To begin with there were some conversations back and forth about what to call it, when to hold it etc. I had noticed that the Global Day of Action had considerable advantage from events in different timezones following each other.

That is why I thought that a 'Silent Wave' travelling around the world through each timezone would give everyone the greatest opportunity to take part and create some longevity. The majority of supporters are US based and on a very different clock to Iran, but there are people in every country following these events and one thing we all have in common is our desire to 'do something' and make our presence known to people in Iran.

The times were set at 11:00am which is a time traditionally selected to pay tribute to fallen heroes, and 6:30pm which is the approximate time Neda Agha Soltan was shot. Using two times also doubled the opportunities for participation, which I thought was important for a spontaneous event put together at such short notice.

Fortunately, fellow twitter user @greenthumbnails, the brains behind the massively successful http://www.greenthumbnails.com site people use to change their avatar to green or add a green ribbon, quickly got on board. With the help of a few others we soon had a load of tweets going around and a website carrying details of events: http://www.silentwave.org. A friend created a group on Facebook with an event for the Thursday. By Tuesday all these efforts seemed to come together and we sensed support growing for the Silent Wave idea.

On the day itself I received messages of support almost every hour, starting with Japan and continuing around the clock and I just kept re-tweeting them. With a little persistence, the event also drew some media attention. When organisers from Disneyland, Vienna, London, New York, San Francisco, etc started posting photos it was immensely gratifying. On the whole Silent Wave was a very effective and positive way to connect with others via Twitter and Facebook.

I would definitely help organise another event, although I would prefer a lot more notice and a little more help! Fortunately, http://silentwave.org is still there, an ideal venue for event information and a head start for any upcoming activity.

”

Japan remembers Hiroshima attack

2009-08-06T12:56:00.011+01:00

Japan marks the 64 year anniversary of the Hiroshima nuclear attack with remembrance ceremonies.

It is estimated that the blast in 1945 initially killed 70,000 people and that the after-effects of the explosion had caused the deaths of a further 70,000 by the end of the year.

At a remembrance service Japanese Prime Minister, Taro Aso, reaffirmed the country's commitment to it's ban on nuclear weapons. Japan says that as the only country to suffer a nuclear attack they are in the best position to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

"I promise again that Japan will continue to adhere to its three non-nuclear principles and take the lead within the international community to abolish nuclear weapons and bring about lasting peace," said Mr Aso to elderly survivors and dignitaries at a memorial service.

Hiroshima's mayor, Tadatoshi Akiba, said "we call on the rest of the world to join forces with us to eliminate all nuclear weapons by 2020." at a ceremony in front of a bombed building preserved as Hiroshima's Peace Memorial. Approximatley 50,000 people attended the service including officials from around the World, however, the US had no official representation. Hundreds of white doves were released when the mayor's speech ended.

Ahmadinejad sworn-in as Iranian president

2009-08-05T12:17:00.009+01:00

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been inaugurated as the Iranian president in a ceremony at the country's parliament.

The new president was sworn-in after seven weeks of unrest following the disputed presidential election. The inauguration took place in parliament, where, reports say, many officials were absent. Other reports say that some people walked out of the chamber when Ahmadinejad began to speak.

Press TV, Iran's English state-sponsored news channel, reports that almost all officials attend the ceremony, even those from minority factions. The channel says that the Iranian security forces sealed off the area surrounding parliament hours before the ceremony began.

Meanwhile, outside the parliament building in Baharestan Square there have been sporadic gatherings of opposition supporters. Some clashes between government militia and opposition supporters. One eyewitness tweeting from Iran said that he saw security forces dragging women by their hair into white cars.

International campaign for rights restoration in Iran

2009-08-05T01:07:00.002+01:00

The global campaign in support of Iranian opposition supporters and for the restoration of human rights in the country countinues.

The international pressure on Iran has largely come from the people rather than politicians, who have been reserved in their criticism of Iran. Many world leaders fear that comments could inflame the Iranian government and lead to further allegations of a Western-led plot, damaging the opposition campaign.

Along with several demonsrations, candlelit vigils, minutes of silence and 'freeze flashmobs', several Nobel laureates declared their support to the Iranian people in an open letter.

News in brief

2009-08-04T22:40:00.006+01:00

Three dead in Chinese plague outbreak. 3 people have been killed and 10,000 quarantined in an outbreak of pnuemonic plague in North-West China. WHO says the disease extremely dangerous and can kill within 24 hours.

US journalists pardoned on North Korea after Bill Clinton's visit. The former US President made a surprise visit to the isolated dictatorship, where he negotiated the release of two US journalists and talked about the country's nuclear ambitions.

Tensions heightened in South Ossetia. As the first anniversary of the Georgia/Russia war approaches, Russian troops have been placed on high alert. The Russian foreign ministry says there have been a series of "provocations" and says it's prepared to use force.

Protests against 'indecent clothing' trial in Sudan. Supporters of a female journalist, who is being in tried in Sudan for wearing trousers, demonstrated on the streets of Khartoum. Reports say that police fired teargas at the protestors. Lubna Ahmed Hussein faces 40 lashes but says "Flogging is not pain, flogging is an insult to humans, women and religions."

Nobel Laureates send letter to Iranian people

2009-08-04T19:56:00.004+01:00

An open letter, published in The New York Times, from 45 Nobel laureates calls for an end to human rights abuses in Iran.

The letter, addressed to Shirin Ebadi and "the brave men and women of Iran", says that the 12 June presidential election had been "shamelessly tampered with" and all rights "disregarded". The letter urges Iranian citizens to continue to fight regime, saying "Do not feel abandoned. Do not lose hope.".

The letter condemns the "blatant violations of the democratic principles" and the "violent and oppressive tactics" used by the Iranian government to "dissuade protestors from expressing their right to free speech.".

The document is signed by 45 Nobel laureates including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. The laureates urged Obama and World leaders to use "all means at their disposal" to help the Iranian people.

AN OPEN LETTER
To Shirin Ebadi
and to All the dissidents –
the brave men and women of Iran:
Do not feel abandoned.
Do not lose hope.
The world knows that its physical and spiritual survival is linked to yours.
We, the undersigned Nobel Laureates, strongly condemn the flagrant human rights violations in the wake of the recent presidential election in Iran.
We deplore the violent and oppressive tactics the current regime is using to dissuade protestors from expressing their right to free speech. Your election was shamelessly tampered with and your human rights disregarded. We are outraged by your government’s denial of basic liberties to its people, such as detaining large groups of professors, students and innocent civilians, and denying proper funeral services to victims of its violence. These events, and the decision to ban all international media from covering these events, are blatant violations of the democratic principles your government claims to uphold.

We are well aware that throughout the long and glorious history of the Iranian civilization, your ancestors have often stood firmly against both interference from without and repression from within. Today, once again, you are fighting for a just cause.

We urge President Obama and the world’s political leadership to support, with all means at their disposal, the people of Iran, who deserve to have their votes counted, their voices heard, and their dignity respected.

Richard Axel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2004)
Baruj Benacerraf, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1980)
Paul Berg, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1980)
Günter Blobel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1999)
Mario R. Capecchi, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2007)
Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2004)
Stanley Cohen, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1986)
ClaudeCohen-Tannoudji, Nobel Prize, Physics (1997)
Elias James Corey, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1990)
Robert F. Curl Jr., Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1996)
John B. Fenn, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2002)
Edmond H. Fischer, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1992)
Jerome I. Friedman, Nobel Prize, Physics (1990)
Donald A. Glaser, Nobel Prize, Physics (1960)
Sheldon Glashow, Nobel Prize, Physics (1979)
David J. Gross, Nobel Prize, Physics (2004)
Roger Guillemin, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1977)
Leland H. Hartwell, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2001)
Dudley R. Herschbach, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1986)
Avram Hershko, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2004)
Roald Hoffman, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1981)
Tim Hunt, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2001)
Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize, Economics (2002)
Eric R. Kandel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2000)
William S. Knowles, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2001)
Roger D. Kornberg, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2006)
Harold W. Kroto, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1996)
Finn E. Kydland, Nobel Prize, Economics (2004)
Eric S. Maskin, Nobel Prize, Economics (2007)
John Mather, Nobel Prize, Physics (2006)
Craig C. Mello, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2006)
Marshall W. Nirenberg, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1968)
George A. Olah, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1994)
John C. Polanyi, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1986)
Stanley Prusiner, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1997)
Robert C. Richardson, Nobel Prize, Physics (1996)
Richard J. Roberts, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1993)
Heinrich Rohrer, Nobel Prize, Physics (1986)
Jens C.Skou, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1997)
Hamilton O. Smith, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1978)
Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize, Literature (1986)
Joseph H. Taylor Jr., Nobel Prize, Physics (1993)
Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Prize, Peace (1984)
Betty Williams, Nobel Prize, Peace (1976)
Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize, Peace ( 1986)

Venezuelan TV Station attacked

2009-08-04T00:06:00.002+01:00

Video in Spanish/video en español

The opposition TV station, Globovisión, was attacked on Monday by supporters of President Hugo Chave.

The group of around 35, wearing the colours of the president's party, intimidated Globovisión's employees with guns and teargas. Reports say that two people were injured in the attack.

En español:
La oposición estación de televisión, Globovisión, fue atacado el lunes por los partidarios del presidente Hugo Chavez .

El grupo intimidados los empleados de Globovisión con armas de fuego y gases lacrimógenos. Los informes dicen que dos personas resultaron heridas en el ataque.

Venezuelan media crackdown

2009-08-03T23:10:00.004+01:00

The Venezuelan government has ordered the closure of 34 radio stations for administrative problems.

The authorities say that the radio stations in question failed to complete registrations forms by a set deadline. However, critics of the regime say that it is the government's attempt to gag the media.

Staff at the radio stations said the move was to make space for media more favourable to President Chavez. A further 200 radio stations are expected to be closed in coming weeks.

Opposition politicians have said that the current government has "turned into a mutilator of rights" because it is "scared of freedom of expression".

Reporters Without Borders said that “This massive closure of mainly opposition media is a dangerous for the future of democratic debate in Venezuela and is motivated by the government’s desire to silence dissent,".

Carlos Correa, head of Espacio Público, a free speech group, said “This is the most important curb on freedom of expression ever seen in Venezuela,"

Diosdado Cabello, head of the national regulator and public works minister, said "When we - the national government, the revolutionary government - took the decision to democratise the radio-electrical spectrum... we were speaking seriously,"

A new law proposed in the country will mean journalists publishing 'harmful' material can be prosecuted and imprisoned. Attoryney general Luisa Ortega Diaz showcased the bill in the national assembly saying that the government "must regulate freedom of expression", adding "I demand that a limit be placed on this right."

A group of Chavez supporters reportedly attacked the headquarters of opposition TV station, Globovisión, on Monday. Reports say that 35 people threatend Globovisión's employees with guns and teargas. Two people are thought to have been injured in the attack.

Iran opposition absent at cermony

2009-08-03T19:35:00.004+01:00

Leaders of Iran's opposition movement were absent from today's official endorsement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejab by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The prominent former Presidents Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami were absent from the formal endorsement as were former presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.

In the ceremony, broadcast on state media, Ayatollah Khamenei endorsed Mr Ahmadinejad for presidency before Wednesday's presidential inauguration. The Ayatollah said Ahmadinejad had received over 60% of the votes in the 12 June election and declared the incumbent president as the poll's winner.

Ayatollah Khamenei said "The nation voted for the dignified and blessed discourse of the Islamic Revolution, courageous resistance against international colonialists and for a fight against arrogance,". He added "The nation voted for a fight against poverty, corruption, discrimination and aristocracy, modest life, proximity to people, sympathizing with the poor and indefatigable work."

Reports say that several hundred were in attendance at the ceremony including some foreign diplomats.

Meanwhile, opposition supporters took to the streets of Tehran, continuing the seven week long protests. Reports from the city say that 1000 demonstrators marched on Valiasr Street, South of Vanak. Protestors carried signs, chanted 'Allah-o-ahkbar' and honked horns. Reports also say that there were some clashes between security forces and demonstrators and some say teargas was used. The turnout today was "bigger than expected" with large numbers on the streets.

Twitter users report intermittent internet connections making uploading videos extremely difficult. One user said that the connection in Tehran was disrupted every 10 minutes.

Reformists dismiss 'sham' trials

2009-08-02T13:38:00.003+01:00

Picture by Hossein Salehi via Fars News agency

Reformists in Iran have dismissed the trials of post-election protests as a "laughable show trial".

100 defendants appeared in court charged with rioting, vandalism and "acting against national security" along with "having ties with counter-revolutionary groups."

However, the country's reformist party, Mosharekat, and former President Mohammad Khatami comdemned the trials saying that any confessions would have been forced. Masharekat said that "even a cooked chicken" would laugh at the court proceedings.

Mir Hossein Mousavi, meanwhile, denied allegations that the protests were fuel by Western powers, on his website.

Hundreds of protestors were arrested during the anti-government demonstrations, 144 of which have now been released. Ayatollah Khamenei ordered the closure of one detention centre after allegations of human rights abuses.

Along with the hundred political prisoners currently on trial another 200 are charged with minor offences.

Two killed in Israeli gay centre attack

2009-08-02T12:39:00.003+01:00

Photo by AP/Ariel Schalit

A gunman has killed two and injured ten more at a gay support centre in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The gunman, dressed in black and wearing a mask, opened fire inside the headquarters of the local gay and lesbian association, witnesses saying shooting in all directions.

The attack is suspected to be of homophobic in nature rather than politcal. A police spokesperson said that the shooting was "criminal rather than nationalistic".

Gay leaders have said that it is the worst hate crime against the gay comminuty, which is accepted openly in Tel Aviv. Yaron Arad, a nearby hotel worker, said that "That's actually the surprising issue, there is not at all any homophobic activity in Tel Aviv." He added that ""Jerusalem does not naturally accept the gay community but here in Tel Aviv it's different, totally different story. A lot of parties, a lot of gay people having fun here. That's why it's so shocking what's happened here tonight."

Yaniv Weizman, head of Israel's youth Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association claimed that the gunmen "knew exactly where is the place, got in, and just shot everyone there" because "it's not a place you can see outside".

Mr Weizman went on to say that the attack was "a horrible, horrible shock for the gay community."

Following the gunattack hundreds of gay and lesbian Israelis held rallies and lit candles in protests at the shootings.

Ultra-orthodox Jews often protest at gay pride events in Jerusalem, however, Tel Aviv residents say that the gay communtiy is part of the city. one women said "it was so unexpected" because of the general lack of homophobia in Tel Aviv.

Speaking about the perpetrator, Yaniv Weizman said "There is a big anger and if we will know that behind this action it's a religious movement, we will punish the people behind it,". Police have begun a manhunt for the gunmen and are conducting a door-to-door search of houses. The temporary closure of gay bars and clubs has been ordered in the city by police.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, comdemned the "horrific killing" and said that Israel is "a tolerant, democratic country governed by the rule of law and we must respect each and every person." The country's Deputy Prime Minister described the event as a "massacre".

Iran protests - A week in pictures

2009-08-01T10:26:00.010+01:00

30/7/2009 Tehran
Reports from Tehran that "there was a very palpable lack of fear among people" during the memorial rallies on Thursday.

Picture via oxfordgirl

30/7/2009 Behesht Zahra, Tehran Opposition supporters and mourners met at the grave of Neda Agha-Soltan to mark the 40 day anniversary. Reports say that 40,000 attended the memorial and there were some clashes between pro-reformists and police.

Picture by Farhad Rajabali via news.gooya.com

30/7/2009 Trafalgar Square, London Susan Macaulay held a lone protest and two minute silence in London's Trafalgar Square. However, her protest was cut short when she was moved on by police after failing to apply for a permit.

30/7/2009 Union Square Park, New York Members of the New York chapter of 'United4Iran' held a silent candlelit vigil in memory of Neda Agha-Soltan, marking the 40 day anniversary of her death. Organisers say that over 400 people participated in the event from 7.30-9.30pm.

Picture by Jehangir Irani

30/7/2009 San Francisco A similar event, to that in New York, was held in San Francisco. The vigil was in memorial of Neda Agha-Soltan and the other dead of post-election protests in Iran. Participants held placards with images of those who had been killed.

Pictures by Daniela Kantorova

30/7/2009 Vienna, Austria A group of around 25 people took place in a flashmob outside the Parliament building in Vienna as part of the 'silent wave' in memorial of Iran's protest dead. Participants, wearing green and black, dropped to the floor at 6.30pm and stayed still and silent for two minutes.

Pictures by nex via soup.kyrah.net

Iran protestors on trial

2009-08-01T09:13:00.005+01:00

The trials of Iranian protestors involved in post-election demonstrations has begun.

Around 300 demonstrators were arrested, according to official figures, 144 of which have been released. However, those still held will face charges of "acting against national security", including rioting and vandalism along with "having ties with counter-revolutionary groups."

Fars news agency reports that 100 protestors will face trial including former vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former deputy foreign minister Mohsen Aminzadeh, former government spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh, former industry minister Behzad Nabavi and several aides of former reformist president Mohammad Khatami.

At least 30 people were killed in the protests, the largest demonstrations since the 1979 revolution which saw the brought about the formation of Islamic Republic. Many opposition supporters claim that the number killed and arrested are much higher than the official figures, with one pro-reform website posting the names of over 100 dead.

The official IRNA news agency reported that President Ahmadinejad, today, said that "the enemies that wish to see differences arise between the supreme guide of the revolution and the president of the Islamic Republic, will take this wish with them in their graves." Mr Ahmadinejad's inauguration will take place on 3rd August.

My name is URL

2009-08-01T01:31:00.001+01:00

My name is URL is our new feature here on Boozhooz News providing you with our pick of the top sties we found this week. Our choices this week are:

Oneriot provides a realtime websearch, allowing you to search through the hot topics on social networking sites including twitter, facebook, Digg and Myspace from one site.
oneriot.com

Seesmic is a download that allows you to combine your twitter and facebook accounts into one screen, from which you can post updates and view other users posts amongst other features.
seesmic.com

Spotify is another download that gives you access to any song from their extensive library on your desktop. The service is free to the user but contains advertising to support the music artists. Unfortunatley, Spotify is currently only available in the UK.
spotify.com

MyHandle provides you with a 'single point' contact that allows users to have one email address for all their accounts; work, home, friends. It lets the user decide which emails to send to which account and deletes those you don't which to receive.

myhandle.com

Votetheday.com is a fun site that allows users to vote on a number of issues from Michelle Obama's New Haircut to the Honduras crisis, then see what all the other users thought.
votetheday.com

'Silent wave' - Vigil in San Francisco

2009-07-31T19:24:00.002+01:00

Pictures by Daniela Kantorova

News in brief

2009-07-31T16:19:00.008+01:00

Suu Kyi trial verdict delayed. A Burmese court has delayed it's decision in the trial of Aung San suu Kyi until 11th August. The pro-democracy leader is accused of breaching the terms of her house arrest by allowing a US man to stay in her home. Judges in the case say they need more time to reach their decision but a guilty verdict is widely expected.

New Zealanders vote on smacking law. A postal referendum is being held in New Zealand on the country's anti-smacking laws. The law introduced in 2007 has divided opinion in the country. Voters are asked "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?". The law was seen as a step in lowering high child abuse rates.

Car bombs hit Baghdad mosques. A series of car bombs have hit five Shia mosques in the Iraqi capital killing at least 27 and injuring 60 others. The explosives were detonated as worshipers were leaving Friday prayers. The attack is the most deadly in recent weeks and comes one month after US troops withdrew from Iraqi cities.

Gaza war was 'necessary, says Israel. An Israeli government report into the war said it was bot 'necessary and proportionate'. According to the report 100 inquries were launched into the conduct of soldiers in the conflict. The war has been widely criticised with both sides accused of war crimes.

'Silent wave' - Silent vigil in Union Square Park, New York

2009-07-31T13:08:00.004+01:00

Pictures by Jehangir Irani

A silent vigil has taken place in Union Square Park, New York city in memory of Neda Agha-Soltan and other Iranian protestors killed in recent demonstrations.

The vigil was held from 7:30-9:30pm in New York's Union Square Park and was attended by several hundred people. Participants held placards with a picture of Neda Agha-Soltan's face in front of there own. Some protestors brought roses and lit candles at the vigil. The event was held largely in silence, which was finally broken at 9.30pm by a saxophonist.

The silent vigil was part of a series of memorial events helf yesterday, including flashmobs in Vienna, Austria and Disneyland Plaza, California. Organisers of the 'silent wave' also planned a two minute silence along with vigils in other cities and in London a lone protestor observed a silence in Trafalgar Square.

'Silent wave' - Freeze flashmob in Disneyland Plaza, California

2009-07-31T03:34:00.004+01:00

A flashmob froze for two minutes in memorial of those killed in post-election protest in Iran.

The flashmob was part of a series of events taking place around the globe in memorial of dead Iranian protestors. Other events took place in Vienna and New York as well as a lone protestor in London's Trafalgar Square.

Organiser of the event, Twitter user 'Greenthumbnails, said the event was "was a successful endeavor". At least 30 people took part in the freeze lasting two minutes outside California's Disneyland theme park. A supporter of the event said "we have so much freedom we take it for granted. That’s why Disneyland is the ideal place. It’s an iconic location."

Greentumbnails said he had organised the freeze because "I recently realized that we take our freedom for granted, and owe the people of iran a debt that i can never repay for enlightening me." He added that "by participating in this event, we hope to show the people that are ‘actually doing something’ that we are willing to take time from our day to gather and think about them.

News in brief

2009-07-30T23:07:00.006+01:00

Car bomb in Majorca kills two. The bomb, blamed on separatist group ETA, killed two members of the Civil Guard. The islands ports and airports have been closed in an attempt to apprehend the perpetrators.

At least 600 killed in Nigerian violence. Fighting between an Islamic sect and government forces in the North West of the country has killed more than 600 people over the last five days. Eyewitnesses now report that most of the fighting in the area has ceased.

H1N1 vaccine for 130 million Americans. A US government advisory body has said that half of all US citizens fall into the high priority category and will require the vaccine. The vaccine, currently undergoing tests in Australia, should be ready for a 'vaccine campaign' to begin in mid-October. In the event of insufficient supplies of the jabs, tighter criteria will be assigned to high risk.

Aung San Suu Kyi verdict to be announced Friday. Despite calls for the release of Suu Kyi, a guilty verdict is expected. Her supporters were warned against any protests by state media, who said "we have to ward off subversive elements and disruptions".

Iran 40 day anniversary - Tehran at a standstill

2009-07-30T22:14:00.005+01:00

This video is thought to show events in Tehran today, however this is impossible to verify as foreign media are banned from reporting on opposition demonstrations and many international journalists have been expelled. The video shows how protestors stopped in the streets causing the roads to come to a standstill. Demonstrators left their cars, some standing on their roofs, and shouted ant-government slogans. Even the voice of a young child, close to the camera, can be heard chanting "death to the dictator".

Elsewhere in Tehran, 40,000 opposition supporters attending the memorial ceremony at the grave of Neda Agha-Soltan have clashed with police. Other small clashes have been reported across the city and sources claim that the police have used batons and teargas against protestors. Some reports say that shots have been fired by the governtment Basij militia.

'Silent wave' - Still and silent flashmob in Vienna

2009-07-30T19:53:00.007+01:00

A flashmob in Vienna has become one of the first events in memorial of those killed in Iran's post-election protests.

The event was part of a series planned to mark the 40 day anniversary of the deaths of many protestors including Neda Agha-Soltan. Organisers of the 'silent wave' have also arranged a 2 minute silence to be observed internationally.

The flash mob in Vienna had 25 participants, after being organised at fairly short notice. Those involved wore black and carried roses and at 6.30pm they dropped to the floor, lieing on the still and silent for 2 minutes.

In Iran, opposition supporters clashed with police when they tried to visit the grave of Neda Agha-Soltan and hold a memorial service. Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi had applied for a permit for the event but the request was declined by Iran's interioir ministry.

Susan Macaulay held a lone protest earlier today in London's Trafalgar square, however, police moved her on as demonstrations in the square require a permit. A candlelit vigil is also planned in New York's Union Square Park at 6.30pm as well as a 'freeze flash mob' in Disneyland Plaza, California also at 6.30pm. Other events are planned in the UN Plaza, San Francisco and outside the Federal Building, Los Angeles.

More information on the 'silent wave' can be found at silentwave.info

Iran 40 day anniversary - Latest videos from Tehran

2009-07-30T16:52:00.007+01:00

These videos are believed to show events today but as foreign media are heavily restricted from reporting on the demontrations this is impossible to verify. The first video apparently shows oppostition supporters participating in a mourning rally for the protests who have been killed. Today is the 40 day anniversary, significant in Islamic tradition, of the death of Neda Agha-Soltan along with many other protestors.

The second video appears to show other opposition supporters, elsewhere in Tehran, being beaten by police, gunshots or teargas can be heard.

This video shows more protestors on the streets of Tehran.

More reports of rights abuses in Iranian prisons

2009-07-29T19:38:00.006+01:00

More accusations of human rights abuses have emerged by those who were detained during the recent unrest in Iran.

Political prisoners have alleged several abuses which has lead Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, to order the closure of Kahrizak Detention Centre located, South of Tehran after it failed to "preserve the rights of detainees".

Former inmates at the Kahrizak Detention Centre claim that they were forced to strip and were then whipped with electrical cables. One detainee reportedly went blind and died, after suffering extensive trauma to the head whilst held in the prison. Many inmates say that they were crammed into small cells with no access to sanitation. Reports say that Tehran’s Police Chief, Ibrahim Reza Radan, had personally tortured prisoners using a plastic hose.

In other prisons, reports say a female detainee was forced to confess after being beaten, tortured and touched inappropiatley by male interrogators. Another prisoner claimed that he had been forced to lick the commode of a toilet and had been beaten repeatedly.

Sources say that prison guards who refuse to beat and torture the political prisoners are reprimanded.

Multiple websites claim that the number of people killed in detention has reached 78 and one site has published a list of 171 dead, who it says were killed during the protests. Most sources have confirmed around 20 deaths with some reporting 30 whilst opposition supporters have alleged the number is nearer 100.

News in brief

2009-07-29T16:56:00.007+01:00

Heavy rain hits the UK, causing some localised flooding. Campers in the Lake District found their tents submerged and many were evacuated from the campsites. The Met Office says that their prediction of a 'barbecue summer' is now unlikely.

Tweeter in libel lawsuit. A twitter user is being sued for defamation by Horizon Group Management after she used the site to complain about mould in her rented Chicago apartment. Her tweet said "Who said sleeping in a mouldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon really thinks it's okay."

Yahoo! and Microsoft have joined together to take on rival search engine, Google. Microsoft will power Yahoo!'s search engine and in return Yahoo! will become advertisers for Microsoft's online services.

China is to cut the number of executions to "an extremely small number". A senior court official said that the country would impose more suspended death sentences. China carries out more executions than any other country but has already begun to take steps to reduce this number. However, the court offical said "it is impossible...to abolish capital punishment".

'Silent wave' planned for Iran protest dead

2009-07-29T13:37:00.006+01:00

A worldwide 'silent wave' has been planned for protestors who were killed in post-election unrest.

Twitter users began organising the 2 minute silence, which will take place on Thursday 30th July at 11am or 6.30pm local time, on Sunday. Since then the event has spread across the internet spawning facebook pages and its own website.

The 2 minute silence will mark the 40 day anniversary, a significant date in Islamic tradition, since the deaths of many opposition supporters in the demonstrations. This two minute silence comes six weeks after protests first began following the country's disputed presidential elections, which drew hundreds of thousands to the streets of Tehran. The number of people killed in the protests is unknown, most reports suggest the number is around 20. However, some reformists claim the number is nearer 100 whilst one websites lists 171 dead.

Other events have been organised in memorial of those killed in demonstrations including a silent vigil in Union Square Park, New York at 7:30-9:30pm. Also a two minute 'freeze' is organised for Disneyland Plaza, California, where a 'flash mob' will stop moving for two minutes at 6.30pm. Silentwave.info says that those wishing to take part in the 'freeze' in Disneyland Plaza should "not bring flyers, signs, or anything that would make you stand out from anyone else spending their day at the happiest place on earth.".

Iran opposition leaders, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, had planned to hold a memorial ceremony in Tehran's Grand Mosalla Prayer Halls, however, their permit request to the Interior Ministry was denied. A spokesperson for the ministry told the Fars news agency that "Memorial ceremonies are considered to be private issues of citizens and any request for such ceremonies from the interior ministry has obvious political overtones".

Sunbeds definitely "carcinogenic to humans"

2009-07-29T13:16:00.004+01:00

An international cancer research agency has said there is no doubt that sunbeds or lamps cause skin cancer.

The report published in the Lancet Oncology says that sunbeds are definitely "carcinogenic to humans" and are now assessed as being equally as dangerous as smoking and exposure to asbestos.

Previously the International Agency for Research on Cancer said that sunbeds and sunlamps were "probably carcinogenic to humans". However, campaigners hope that the new assessment of sunbed dangers will encourage tighter regulation of the industry.

Research says that the risk of a melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, increases by 75% in those who begin using tanning beds before the age of 30.

Cancer Research UK blames sunbeds for quadrupling of skin cancer cases in 30 years and the number of patients with melanomas topping 10,000 last year. However the UK's Sunbed Association said that there was no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer.

Bomb explodes outside Spanish police barracks

2009-07-29T12:09:00.007+01:00

A car bomb has exploded outside a police barracks in the Northern Spanish city of Burgos.

The attack, blamed on Basque separatist group ETA, slightly injured 46 people and caused the barrack's facade to collapse.

The bomb detonated at around 4:30am local time outside a barracks of the paramilitary Guardia Civil, where the families of officers were staying. The majority of the injuries were caused by flying glass and 38 people required hospital treatment. Most of the 48 injured suffered only minor cuts and bruises, said emergency services.

"All the windows are broken. It's very damaged so it's almost a miracle no one was hurt more seriously," said an emergency services spokesman.

ETA has been held responsible for the bombing despite the lack of the group's trademark phone call before detonating explosives. The separatist group is thought to be responsible for the deaths of around 800 people across Spain in a long campaign of attacks. The organisation, typically attacking police and army targets, aims to achieve an independent Basque homeland in Northern Spain and Southern France.

ETA was most recently blamed for the death of police inspector in Bilbao when his car was booby-trapped. In April, Spanish police arrested Jurdan Martitegi, a suspected top commander of ETA, along with 18 other members in June and July.

Iran releases 140 political prisoners

2009-07-28T20:48:00.003+01:00

Iranian officials have announced that 140 prisoners, arrested during recent demonstrations, have been released from jail.

Sources say that the surprising announcement demonstrates the pressure that Ayatollah Khamenei and Iran's other leaders are under.

Their release comes amid allegations of abuses and torture by several former detainees as well as the deaths of two held in Evin prison. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently closed one detention centre as it failed to "preserve the rights of detainees".

An Iranian official, speaking to Iranian news agencies, said that "Those who were released had committed lighter offences.", while 200 other prisoners accused of more serious crimes are being still held.

Mr Jalali, quoted by the Fars news agency, said that those who remained in detention were susupected of were suspected of carrying weapons and bombs and vandalising property during the demonstrations. Judical officials alledged that 50 currently held were "agents of the unrest and some of them were members of anti-revolutionary groups,".

Opposition supporters claim that the true number being held far exceeds the official figures and that the number of dead is closer to 100 than the confirmed 20 deaths.

Iran refuses permit for memorial rally

2009-07-28T20:09:00.007+01:00

Iranian authorities have refused to issue a permit to Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi for a memorial rally planned for Thursday 30 July.

Iran's Interior Minister, Abbaszadeh-Meshkini, told the Fars News Agency "Memorial ceremonies are considered to be private issues of citizens and any request for such ceremonies from the interior ministry has obvious political overtones".

This Thursday marks the 40 day anniversary of the death of at least 20 demonstrators including 'angel of the protests', Neda Agha-Soltan. In Islamic tradition the dead are remembered 3, 7 and 40 days after their death and opposition politicians had planned a memorial ceremony at Tehran's Grand Mosalla Prayer Halls.

Speaking about his plans for Thursday, he said "we don’t want to do anything. We will not have speeches. We just want to use this Mosalla for mourning… so allow us to gather only to recite the Koran,”.

An official at Iran's Interior Ministry said "We have received a request signed... by two presidential election candidates who were not popular amongst the majority of voters asking, as two individuals, for a permit to hold a memorial service for those who were killed in the post-election incidents.". He continued to say that the request had be declined.

On Sunday, twitter users began planning a 2 minute silence in memory of those that had been killed in the protests . The event is planned for Thursday 30 July at 11am and 6.30pm (local time) and has been planned to achieve maximum global participation. The protest has spread rapidly online, becoming the subject of numerous tweets and spawning its own website (http://silentwave.info/) and facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129068429275).

"With Peace Comes Freedom-With Freedom Comes Peace" by Mehdi Saharkhiz

2009-07-28T13:19:00.012+01:00

An article by Mehdi Saharkhiz, son of Iranian journalist and political activist Isa Saharkhiz.

"I am Mehdi Saharkhiz, Proud son of the journalist and political activist Isa Saharkhiz. He is in jail for speaking his mind in opposition to the dictators that hijacked the elections in Iran. He was kidnapped in a way that his ribs were broken, he is kept in solitary confinement in an undisclosed location. My dad dedicated his life in order to depose the Shah and help with the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran—a republic that was supposed to be free and respect peoples’ votes, voices, and opinions. My father spent years fighting Saddam whom had illegally entered Iran’s sovereign land and imposed a war against the Iranian people. He fought alongside his brother, my uncle, Saeed who was eventually killed in the war, and millions of other brave Iranians. He fought for my rights. He fought for the rights of Iranians. They rewarded him by putting him behind bars in solitary confinement.

In his post-election press-conference, Ahmadinejad said “We have close to absolute freedom in Iran” and he called upon Western powers to learn from the democracy in Iran. He forgot to explain, however, how his democracy manifests itself. He did not explain how his great vision of democracy includes breaking into an opposition publishing house, taking books and other materials and vandalizing the place. Nowhere in his speech did he explain the freedom and democracy involved when four huge men walk up to a home and threatened to break in when the occupant, a terrified 19-year-old girl, says she is home alone. Mr. Ahamdinejad, is this your democracy that destroyed my father’s publishing house? Is this your freedom that terrorized my sister? For them, I must not and cannot be silent.

Perhaps your so called “freedom” is clearly shown when a general warrant is only shown to a few of those arrested? Or is it shown clearer still when they are arrested without warrant, without cause? When their only crime is standing up and speaking up in the name of true freedom and true democracy. In the name of freedom and democracy, we must not be silent.

Ahmadinejad, the price paid for your “absolute freedom” has been extremely high, and it keeps getting higher. The list of people killed keeps getting longer. Were they all killed by foreigners? Aren’t you the one responsible for protecting our country from invaders, for keeping our borders safe? How is it, then, that these foreigners can walk around our country holding guns? No one in the world believes your lies anymore. We all know Iranians are being beaten and murdered under your orders and those that support you.

Tell me, has one of your children ever been hit with a baton? Have they been arrested? Tortured? Have you felt the pain of a mother crying over her son’s body, or the tears of a father who will never see his daughter in a wedding gown? For the tears, for the pain, for our fathers, mothers, and even YOUR children, we will never be silent.

I only feel your so-called freedom when I open a government-backed newspaper or watch the state TV. Much like your government, they accuse anyone of absolutely anything based upon lies and fabrications, mostly in the name of religion.
This absolute freedom only extends to your supporters. Any publications or media that has even the faintest scent of opposition will have their every line scrutinized by your censors, their pages torn or printed white. If only these blank pages could be filled with the truth, with the tweets, emails and facebook posts from our people, the Iranian people could finally read the truth of what is going on in their own country.

Your puppet media can only come from someone with nothing better to do than to blame other countries for any and all of Iran’s ills. The mark of a true dictator, trying to deflect criticism by blaming outside influences. You have inflicted these atrocities on your own people, on your own religion.

Ahmadinejad, your claims of freedom are hollow. Just like your claim of the halo of light that was around you during your speech at the UN. Iranians and the world sees you for what you are—a dictator—and you cannot lead a democracy as a dictator. For any democracy, you need the people. When you torture and kill the people, they will not be with you but will stand up and oppose you, and the only outcome is your downfall. You and those who support you must step aside … like all the dictators before you, you WILL be swept away like “dirt and dust”.
Today millions of people all across the world stand by us. They stand with Iran and its people against murder, against oppression, and against dictatorship. Until my father is free, until my sister is no longer afraid, until all Iranians are FREE and can stand up with us in freedom and without fear, we will never be silent. We are all together, and the 'world is watching'"

Iran protests enter new phase

2009-07-28T11:42:00.007+01:00

Following Iran's presidential election on 12th June, millions of Iranians took to the streets of the country in protest at the polls result, claiming widespread vote rigging.

Six weeks later the pro-reform movement has changed its approach to protesting in light of the government's tough crackdown on street rallies. After several deaths and numerous arrests the 'green' movement has changed its tactics to increaslingly imaginative methods of disobedience.

Protestors have began boycotting goods which are advertised on state-controlled media. An Iranian human rights activist says that the whispered phrase "Don't buy that. It's from an advertiser." is now commonly heard in shops.

Reports also say that anti-government activists are encouraging others to switch on all electrical appliances before the evening news, in order to overload Tehran's power grid. Dissidents have also published guides online of ways to down Iran's telephone network by leaving phones of the hook.

Whilst the large gatherings have now become almost impossible, so-called 'blitz' demonstrations have been reported on the streets of Iran's cities. The protests last just a few minutes and quickly disband before government militia have chance to react.

At Friday prayers in Tehran,when a prayer official said "We are all your soldiers, Khamenei! We await your orders!" his audience replied "We are all your soldiers, Mousavi! We await your orders!". Former president Rafsanjani addressed prayers at Tehran's university and when refferring to those who had recently been imprisoned, many in the crowd chanted "Political prisoners must be freed!".

Reformist activists have also used subversive artwork, which have been graffitied around the country, to spread their campaign.

The disobedience is predominantly leaderless and unorganised with most actions arranged by email or on twitter and facebook.

Mousavi steps up criticism of Ahmadinejad

2009-07-27T22:16:00.003+01:00

Former Iranian presidential candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, has increased his criticism of President Ahmadinejad.

In an unusually hostile speech, posted on his website, Mousavi accused the government of a series of abuses. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 'erratic behaviour' has drawn criticism from fellow hardliners.

Mousavi said that a crucial test of Ahmadinejad's commitment would be whether they permit a mourning ceremony at Tehran's Grand Mosalla prayer halls on Thursday.

Mr Mousavi said in his speech that “We don’t want to do anything. We will not have speeches. We just want to use this Mosalla for mourning… so allow us to gather only to recite the Koran,”.

However, the authorities fear that any large gathering may escalate into an opposition demonstration. Mousavi warned that the Iranian people would not allow a regime that did not abide by the country's constitution to continue their rule.

This Thursday is the 40 day anniversary of the deaths of many of the anti-government protestors including 'Angel of the protestors', Neda Agha-Soltan. Twitter users have organised a 2 minute silence to be observed this Thursday at either 11am or 6.30pm (local time) in memory of the 'martyrs' of the protests.

Deaths and abuse in Iranian prisons

2009-07-27T14:36:00.004+01:00

Two political prisoners have died from meningitis in Evin prison, Iran, after being arrested during the recent demonstrations. The announcement of their death coincided with allegations of abuse from several former inmates.

Mohsen Rouholamini and Amir Javadifar died of meningitis, which is believed to have been complicated by several injuries being left untreated. It is feared that there could be meningitis outbreaks in Evin as well as in other prisons, overcrowded with opposition demonstrators.

Former inmates have also alleged abusive treatment whilst they were detained. One prisoner claimed he had been "harrassed, insulted and abused". Isa Saharkhiz, a pro-reform journalist, has alleged that his ribs were broken and he was tortured during interrogation. Other detainees have claimed that they endured numerous beatings and were crammed into small cells, in temperatures topping 40C.

One prisoner said "I was beaten by batons and slapped thousands of times," and added that "they were forcing me to confess whatever they wanted,". Another said that ""I still have the screams and shouts of the prisoners in my ears, the prisoners whose legs and arms were broken,".

Rights campaigners are concerned that prisoners are being put under pressure to confess to involvement in a Western conspiracy to orchestrate the protests. It is believed that Kian Tajbakhsh, an American-Iranian scholar, is one of those being forced to make admissions.

Worldwide silence planned for Iran protest dead

2009-07-26T23:47:00.009+01:00

Users of the social media site, twitter, have organised a two minute silence for protectors who were killed during the post-election demonstrations.

Twitter users have planned the silence to be observed at 11am or 6:30pm (local time) on Thursday 30th July. The organisers say that the silence is in memory of the 'martyrs' of the protests that have taken place across Iran. The silence has peen planned to coincide with the 40 day anniversary of the deaths of many of the protestors.

Organisers have chosen two periods of silence to maximise participation and have urged fellow twitter users to 'retweet' the event details.

This two minute silence comes over a month after protests first began following the country's disputed presidential elections. The demonstrations drew hundreds of thousands to the streets of Tehran and it is believe that 19 people were killed by government millitia.

Despite continued warnings from the Iranian authorities to end the 'illegal rallies', pro-reform demonstrators have retain a smaller presence on the streets of Tehran and other cities. The government has imposed heavy restrictions on foreign media; restricting their movement, banning them from covering demonstrations and expelling some international journalists. As a result, protestors used social media sites, including twitter, youtube and others, to send information out of Iran.

(More information about the silence can be found at http://silentwave.info/ )

41 journalists imprisoned in Iran, says RWB

2009-07-26T21:14:00.003+01:00

Press freedom organisation, Reporters Without Borders, says that a month after Iran's disputed presidential election, 41 journalists are still being held in prisons.

Reporters without borders have expressed "great concern" about the growing repression and restrictions being placed on journalists and cyber-dissidents. They also announced the recent detention of five more journalists in the country and said that "Four of the latest five detained have been imprisoned in a secret place and like all the others their families have had no news of their condition,".

The organisation claim that Iran is "the world’s biggest prison for journalists" and that the country "is on the way to becoming the world’s most dangerous place for them to operate,".

Reporters without borders say that the recent arrests include photographer Majid Saidi, who has for several international news agencies and has reported from Afghanistan for TIME magazine. Also arrested were Tohid Bighi, a photographer for the website Mashroteh; blogger, Henghameh Shahidi; newspaper editor, Somaieh Nosrati and Said Matinpour, of the Azeri-language weekly Yarpagh.

Latest video from Iran

2009-07-26T01:15:00.004+01:00

Reports say that further protests have taken place in Tehran on Saturday. This video is believed to show events today but as foreign media are heavily restricted from reporting on the demontrations this is impossible to verify.

In pictures - Global 'day of action' for Iran

2009-07-25T22:17:00.001+01:00

Global protests to restore rights in Iran

2009-07-25T19:46:00.011+01:00

Protests have taken place in more than 110 cities across the world in objection to recent human rights abuses in Iran.

The demonstrators say that Iranian authorities have committed several rights abuses in response to anti-government rallies. The protests are supported by human rights groups and international figures, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sean Penn.

Events have taken place across the globe with demonstrations in Paris, London, Washington DC and Beirut among others. Candle lit vigils have taken place in several cities, while in others demonstrators unraveled long green banners.

Reports say that demonstrations have also taken place in Tehran but riot police dispersed the crowds. Sources say that several hundred people gathered in Tehran's Azadi square and many people stood on their balconies shouting "death to the dictator" and messages of thanks to international supporters.

Protests began after last month's presidential elections in Iran saw the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mir Hossien Mousavi, a pro-reform presidential candidate, and his supporters along with other reformist politicians claim widespread vote rigging.

Shanghai in push for two-child families

2009-07-24T14:09:00.004+01:00

After 30 years of strictly imposing a 'one-child policy', the Chinese city of Shanghai is encouraging couples to have two children.

Through exemptions in the policy, couples who are both only children are exempt from the policy and are allowed two children.

Shanghai has seen a huge growth in their over 60 population, while the number of working-age residents dwindled. The US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies says that by 2050 the country will have 1.6 working adults for every retired resident, compared with 7.7 in 1979.

Official figures show that Shanghai has an over 60 population exceeding three million, amounting to 21.6% of all residents. The city, China's most populous, expects over a third of it's population to be retired by 2020.

Zhang Meixin, a spokesman from Shanghai's Municipal Population and Family Planning Commission said that, currently, on average each Chinese women has less than one child and added that "If all couples have children according to the policy, it would definitely help relieve pressure in the long term,".

Family planning officials are organising volunteers to deliver leaflets and make home visits to encourage only-children couples to have two children.

The Chinese government has enforced it's 'one-child poilcy' since 1979 to control the country's rapidly growing population. Families with more than one-child are denied access to healthcare and education and have benefits cut. They may also have to pay fines and can face discrimination in the workplace.

The policy has a number of exceptions which allow couples to have more than one child. Rural families and those belonging to certain ethnic minorities are exempt from the policy as are only-child couples. Some exceptions are also made where the first born is a girl or has disabilities.

China has been widely criticised for its harsh implementation of the policy which often uses forced abortions and sterilisations to prevent further births. The policy has also created a generation of 'Little Emperors', so-named because they have been spoilt with lavish gifts.

Global swine flu death toll tops 700

2009-07-22T23:15:00.006+01:00

The H1N1 swine flu virus has killed more than 700 people across the world,the World Health Organisation has said.

Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, announced an increase in deaths of two-thirds from the previous figure of 429 and said that the swine flu pandemic will be the worst ever seen.

Despite the increase in deaths, most people experience only mild symptoms after contracting the virus. The majority of patients will recover within a week and don't require medical treatment.

Experts say that H1N1 has spread as widely in six weeks as previous pandemics have in over six months. An increase in international travel is thought to be the cause for this and the EU says that they expect to see a spike in cases as summer holiday travel begins.
EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vasiliou warned that "the anticipated arrival of seasonal flu in October, November, December, when added to the pandemic, is going to have an important effect on the acceleration of the spread of the virus, and a rise in the numbers of deaths,"

The WHO has said that as the virus is now so widespread it is unnecessary and pointless to document each case. However, they have warned that governments should monitor unusual patterns of disease spread. There have been 125,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 internationally but the true number of infected people is thought to be much higher.

A spokeswoman for WHO said that a range of measures to slow the virus' spread were being considered with advice from a team of experts in the spread of disease. Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, of WHO, said that school measures may be recommended but ultimately each country's government would determine their own precautions.

Meanwhile in Australia, medical trails have begun on the H1N1 vaccine on volunteers in Adelaide. The full tests will take seven months to complete, however, preliminary results could allow the vaccine to be available for use by October. It is hoped that supplies of the jab will be produced in time for the flu season, when autumn arrives in the Northern Hemisphere.

'Day of action' planned for Iran

2009-07-22T19:04:00.010+01:00

A international 'day of action' has been planned by a group of human and civil rights organisations for restoration of human rights in Iran.

United4Iran aims to bring an end to the human rights violations seen in Iran in response to post-election protests. The group is planning rallies in over 55 cities with the aim to "to condemn the widespread and systematic violations of the Iranian people’s human rights and to call for full restoration of their human and civil rights."

The actions, to be held on Saturday 25 July, are supported by religious leaders, Nobel Peace Laureates and global stars including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Sean Penn and Shirin Ebadi. Archbishop Tutu said "We deplore the violence and crackdown on peaceful protesters, the increasing restrictions on civil liberties, and the imprisonment of a growing number of civil leaders in Iran."

Nobel Peace Laureate and human rights activist, Shirin Ebadi, commented that "If one country sincerely wants to support democracy in another country that is under dictatorial rule, the only thing to do is to support the freedom fighters who stand for the democratic institutions of that country. Done this way, the sapling of democracy will bear the flower of freedom."

Twenty-seven Iranian political activists, human rights advocates and academics have also called for a hunger strike in front of the UN headquarters in New York from 22-24 July. They have Iranians living in the United States to join them in their display of solidarity with the struggle of the Iranian people.

Following last month's presidential election in Iran, millions of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran and other cities in protest at Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election. The government responded with a tough, violent crackdown on demonstrators and banned foreign news media from reporting from 'illegal' rallies. Many Iranian protestors used internet sites such as twitter and youtube to plan rallies and spread information, pictures and videos.

Post-election protests continue in Iran

2009-07-10T00:59:00.005+01:00

Demonstrations have continued across Iran after weeks of unrest in the country following the controversial re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president.

The Iranian authorities have maintained their severe restrictions on the foreign media by limiting their movements and banning them from reporting from 'illegal rallies'. As a result, social media sites, such as twitter and youtube, have been used by Iranian protestors to get information, pictures and videos out of the country. Recent reports suggest that their have been many protests across Iran's major cities. Some internet users have also commented on continuing violent clashes between demonstrators and Basji militia.

Despite continued threats from the government that protests will be "smashed", Iranians, angered by what they say was a rigged election, are defiantly taking to the streets. Now, almost a month after the ballot, one internet user posted ""we know that Freedom is not free, we pay with our life", another says "It is not just democracy that is illegal in Iran".

In response to the oppostion rallies in the days following the election Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the guardian council announced a 10% recount of the vote. After this had been conducted the council concluded that Ahmadinejad was the clear winner and that no voting irregularities had occurred. This attempt to appease angry demonstrators was unsuccessful and the Iranian government has since adopted a hardline approach to protestors.

The Iranian government has also accused foreign governments of starting the protests, with attacks centred on the UK. The two countries have been involved in a diplomatic row which has seen the expulsion of both Iranian and British embassy workers and the arrest of British embassy employees in Tehran. In several speeches Iran's top clerics have condemned British 'imperialism' and accused Britain of inspiring the anti-government demonstrations. In a speech at Friday prayer's in Tehran's university, Ayatollah Khamenei described the UK as "evil", after several years of nick-naming the country 'the little satan'. The US, having no diplomatic representation in Iran, has generally escaped criticism and many say this has intensified the attacks on Britain.

Police to investigate phone tap allegations

2009-07-09T12:47:00.010+01:00

Police are to investigate allegations published in The Guardian that The News of the World has hacked into the phones of "thousands" of public figures.

The paper is accused of tapping the phones of politicians, including Former Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and government minister Tessa Jowell, as well as celebrity publicist Max Cliford and actress and model Elle Macpherson.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has ordered an investigation into the claims that the paper had paid private investigators to hack into "two or three thousand" people's phones. Sir Paul said that he wished to "establish the facts" and has said that Assistant Commissioner John Yates would look into the detail of the claims.

In a statement to the commons Home Office Minister David Hanson said that "serious allegations" had been made and that the Home Secretary had spoken to the Met Commissioner. He added that the claims "deserve an examination. The Metropolitan Police this afternoon will be examining those allegations. I will report back to the House in due course.".

The guardian says that the details of the 'widespread' phone tapping emerged during a court case involving Professional Footballers' Association head, Gordon Taylor, and The News of the World. But the paper says that the police and the High Court suppressed the release of information on further phone tapping by The News of the World.

There have also been claims that newspapers belonging to Rupert Murdoch's News Group, part of News Corporation, have paid out more than £1 million to settle claims of it's journalist using criminal methods.

North Koreans remember death of president

2009-07-09T00:42:00.006+01:00

North Koreans have commemorated the 15th anniversary of the death of Kim Il-Sung, the country's founder and eternal president.

State TV showed people laying flowers at and bowing to the huge statue of Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang. The country's 'great leader' died of a heart failure on July 8th 1994, aged 82 and scenes of mass, hysterical mourning followed. The founder of the isolated nation is still the centre of an intense personality cult and is a greatly revered figure. Resident of Pyongyang, Hwang In San said "The Great Leader, President Kim Il Sung, is always alive, not only in the hearts of our people, but also in the minds of people all over the world,". When Kim Il-Sung died 15 years ago North Koreans were seen weeping in the streets of Pyongyang and other cities across the country and news readers cried openly as they delivered the news of their leader's death.

The nation's current leader, Kim Jong-Il, made a rare public appearance at his father's memorial ceremony, held in Kumsusan Memorial Palace, Pyongyang, where Kim Il Sung's embalmed body lies. Kim Jong-Il is the de facto leader after his father's death and is referred to as the 'dear leader'. Whilst he assumed power after his death, he never adopted the title of president and this position has been officially dissolved.

Reports say that 67 year old Kim Jong-Il suffered a stroke last year, intensifying the interest in who will succeed him as the next leader of the isolated dictatorship. The country has recently received international condemnation for its nuclear and missile tests and has been accused for attempting destabilising the region.

Sink migrant boats says BNP leader

2009-07-09T00:02:00.002+01:00

BNP leader, Nick Griffin, has said that boats carrying migrants from Africa to Europe should be sunk.

Griffin, who was elected to the European parliament last month, said that his party would support an ocean-going force to patrol the Mediterranean sea and called for measures to be "very tough with those coming over". In an interview to BBC parliament, Mr Griffin proposed new measures to deal with the 37,000 immigrants who enter Europe from Africa every year and said that "Frankly, they need to sink several of those boats,".

Nick Griffin was clear to point out that he was not supporting the murder of immigrants at sea, adding that "they can throw them a life raft". Leader of the far-right party said that the only way to stop Europe being "swamped by the Third World" was to "sooner or later to close its borders".

After being elected as an MEP for North West England in June's Europe-wide elections, Griffin was forced to admit that he was unable to find enough extremist allies in the European parliment to form a 'group'. Mr Griffin, along with fellow BNP member Andrew Brons, will take their seat in Brussels next week.

Chinese city under curfew

2009-07-07T21:45:00.004+01:00

In the Western Chinese city of Urumqi, Xinjiang province, autorites have imposed a curfew after ethnic riots killed 153 people on Sunday.

Han Chinese, heavily armed, took to the streets of Urumqi in response to violence by the minority Muslim Uighurs. Police fired tear gas at the protestors and over 1,400 arrests were made.

Many Uighur men were arrested in what protestors described as abitary arrests in a massive sweep of the city's Uighur populated districts. After Uighur women had rallied in the streets, Han Chinese smashed shops and other properties owned by Uighurs. Police attempted to prevent the Han demonstrators from accessing the Muslim Uighur areas and fired tear gas at the armed protestors. The Han chinese are angry at the security forces failure in dealing with protestors and have been chanting "down with the Uighurs" during their demonstrations.

As night fell in the city reports say that there is a high security presence in the city centre, as well as at major road junctions across Urumqi.

"He made the whole world dance"

2009-06-26T10:24:00.006+01:00

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has died aged 50 at Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Centre, Los Angeles. The star was rushed to hospital by paramedics who were called to his Beverly Hills home in the early afternoon, local time. Doctors attempted to revive Jackson, who had stopped breathing when paramedics arrived, for over an hour. Reports say that he may have suffered a heart attack but a post mortem, to be conducted later today, will reveal the cause of death.

Fans across the world have begun to mourn the international superstar. Crowds have gathered outside UCLA hospital, as well as in Times Square, New York and Harlem, to pay tribute to him. Reports say that groups have joined together in spontaneous sing and dance-a-longs to Jackson hits, celebrating the life of a musical genius.

The star's life has recently been marred by controversy, most notably the child sex allegations. However, many have said that it is Jackson's music that should be remembered. Friend of Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, said that he hoped that history would be kinder to Michael than the contemporary media had been. Jackson is seen as a revolutionary in the world of pop music, he kick-started the music video and became the first black star of the 'MTV generation'. Some fans of Jackson have commented that his music was a soundtrack to his videos, which were "mini-movies with Jackson as the star". His 'Thriller' album is the greatest selling of all time and it's accompanying video is an international icon.

Jackson had planned a comeback tour of 50 shows starting next month, after a 12 year hiatus from live touring. Despite guarantees of the star's health from his management, concerns had been raised whether the 50 year old could cope with such a demanding schedule. Reports say that he had been rehearsing for his comeback performances the night before his death. Some have speculated that the stress of rehearing and performing for such a highly publicised comeback may have contributed to his early death.

The pop legend, whose physical appearance has changed so dramatically since he began his career with the Jackson Five, has received tributes from fans and fellow celebrities. Madonna has said she couldn't "stop crying over the sad news." Former wife, Lisa Marie Presley commented that Jackson's death was "sad on so many levels". The overwhelming nature of comments, however, is that this music legend should be remembered for his artistic genius and not his tragic and controversy-stricken personal affairs.

Butchery in Tehran's Baharestan square

2009-06-24T20:53:00.006+01:00

Further violence has erupted on the streets of Tehran as the Iranian authorities crackdown on demonstrations.

For over a week protestors have taken to the streets in response to the results of the recent presedential election. The Iranian government and the revolutionary guard told demonstrators that they would be dealt with harshly. Despite these threats many people continue to fill the streets and squares of Iran's cities on a daily basis.

Today our sources in Iran have reported scenes of butchery in Tehran. "In Baharestan square we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher." They also described the scenes elsewhere in Tehran. "Lalezar Square is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - people murdered everywhere...they catch people with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us.". Our source went on to say "they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us". Their recent posts suggests the level of terror within Iran, our source said "we must go...they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast...thank you ppls 4 supporting Sea of Green - pls remember always our martyrs - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar...you are the creator of all and all must return to you". Yesterday they sent several reports of what they had seen on the streets across Tehran. "Travelling through Tehran now is worse than Bagdad - any moment you can be beaten or arrested...We saw a 10 years old child die from teargas in his face...could not film because militia everywhere". They added that"some embassys provided protection before but now they are all surrounded by militia..,if you are injured then they arrest you"

The Iranian government has accused the West of supporting the protestors and the UK has be singled out as 'Evil' by Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran has also expelled two British diplomats from Iran leading to the British governments expulsion of two Iranian ebassy staff. British Prime Minister said that the allegations which had been made against staff at the British ebassy in Tehran were "without foundation". This event has seen an escalation in tensions between the two countries with Iran discussing the idea of downgrading relations with the UK. It is thought that as the US has no diplomatic representation in Iran that the UK, seen as America's 'puppet', is being targeted. In a statement President Obama said he was "apalled & outraged" by the use of violence against protestors in Iran but insisted that the US was not interfering with Iran's internal affairs.

The Iranian authorites are maintaining their severe restrictions on the foreign media, who are limited in their movements and are banned from reporting from 'illegal' rallies. Due to this social media and citizen journalism online has become the main source of information out of the country. Iranian protestors have been using sites such as twitter, youtube and flickr, among others, to give updates on the current situation and upload pictures and videos. Iranian authorites are using the internet to track down dissedent and fellow internet users are being advised not to post user names. Our source in Tehran said "rumour they are tracking high use of phone lines to find internet users - must move from here now" They added "dont know when we can get internet".

Reports from Tehran - The latest from our sources

2009-06-23T16:59:00.010+01:00

Despite warnings from the Iranian government and the powerful Revolutionary Guard of a tough crackdown, demonstrations have continued today in Iran in response to the result of the recent presidential election.

Iranian authorities have maintained reporting restrictions on foreign media, limiting their ability to move freely and banning them from reporting from 'illegal rallies'. The government has already expelled many foreign journalists including the BBC's permanent Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne. As a result the internet and social media sites are the main sources of information from Iran. Twitter has seen the 'hashtag' #iranelection 'trending' for over a week and the topic receives around 200,000 tweets per hour.

Several twitter users have been regularly posting from Iran at great personal risk, reports say that the Iranian authorites are using the internet to track down 'cyber-dissents'. As a result the sources in our reports are kept anoynmous.

One source using twitter has recently 'tweeted' these reports. "We are having difficulty getting updates to you as so many of our contacts been arrested - life here is very very dangerous now...also one of us is badly injured and we cannot take to hospital - treating with trusted doctor contacts but needs hospital". Speaking of events yesterday our source said "yesterday we saw a 10 years old child die from
teargas in his face...could not film because militia everywhere". Our source also commented on the current situation in Tehran, "travelling through Tehran now is worse than Bagdad - any moment you can be beaten or arrested" and they added "some embassys provided protection before but now they are all surrounded by militia - also if you are injured then they arrest you".

The source also report that a protest was planned in Tehran's Baharestan Square at 4pm on Wednesday. They also said that "Mousavi will attend too" and cited Mousavi's own facebook page as their source. The also added that "tomorrow Mousavi will annouce start of a new type of protests - peaceful and silent - soon there will be strikes". Another source in Tehran last posted "I'm going to sleep a little before joining with the others, please pray for all people of Iran & wish us peace & freedom" at 5.55am (GMT) 20th June after over a week of regular posting, many other twitter users have raised councerns of the whereabouts of the user.

In other developments tensions have escalated between the UK and Iran after Iran expelled two British diplomats. The British government responded, this afternoon, by also expelling two Iranian diplomats from London. British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, commented that allegations made against embassy staff were "without foundation". This comes just days after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the UK as "evil" in his speech at Friday prayers in Tehran University. His remarks sparked condemnation from the British foreign office and led to them calling in the Iranian ambassador to discuss the comments. The UK's foreign office has also told British nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran in light of the recent protests but has said that they do not yet advise that Britsh nationals leave Iran.

BOOZHOOZ NEWS WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE BRAVE INTERNET USERS WHO HAVE HELPED MAKE OUR REPORTS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION IN IRAN POSSIBLE.

Neda - A call for freedom

2009-06-22T23:29:00.005+01:00

The video showing the death of this women, Neda Agha-Soltan, after she was shot in Iran on Saturday has been seen around the world.

The footage, posted on YouTube, has circulated on the Internet and has appeared on some mainstream media. The woman's name, Neda, means call or voice in Persian and many view her as a martyr. She has become a symbol of the protestors and many hold candles or pictures of her whilst demonstating.

Neda has been nicknamed online 'the angel of the protestors' and a website has been established for people to leave tributes to her. The site, weareallneda.com, already has several hundred messages in memory of Neda. One person simply posted "why?why?why?why?why?why?" and another said "RIP Neda, such a tragic waste."

Today saw smaller scale demonstrations in Tehran amid threats of a severe crackdown by the powerful Revolutionary Guard. Mir Hossein Mousavi, former presidential candidate, has called for the protests to continue and has announced that he us prepared for martrydom. Reports from Tehran say that a national strike is planned for Tuesday. One twitter user posted "Sorry no business today - we're on strike". Other reports say that on Monday night protestors again gathered in rooftops and balconies shouting Allah o Ahkbar and death to the dictator.

Heavy restrictions are still in place on foreign media preventing them from reporting on demonstrations. As a result, social media sites, such as twitter, YouTube and flickr, retain their importance as the main source of information from Iran.

NEW VIDEO FROM IRAN ---------------------------- NEW VIDEO FROM IRAN

2009-06-22T19:46:00.007+01:00

This latest video posted on Youtube from Iran shows several young people injured, apparently by government militia. Due to restrictions on reporting from Iran the video is impossible to verify and the date on which it was filmed is unknown.

Underground newspaper, "The Street", circulates amongst protestors

2009-06-21T12:54:00.003+01:00

An underground newspaper which has been circulating amongst protesters has been published online. The paper entitled "Khiaban" or "The Street" gives details of the protests of past days from the perspective of those on the streets of Iran. The copy seen (left) was published on 19th June and tells of how people were enraged by the election out come, leading to the demonstrations over the past week. "Yet since the results were announced, the situation changed and people became angry, and sought the crest of the wave to propel them beyond the ignorance, repression and hundreds of lies. During recent days and nights, the tide has again turned."

The newspaper also says that whilst the youth are on the street, they are advised by older relatives who remember the 1979 revolution. It also says that many people are leaving their doors open for injured protesters to take refuge in their homes. The paper goes on to explain how the deaths and statements from government have only acted to further anger the demonstrators. "Killing us and calls for calm have only made the situation more acute. Now we have more questions; more than just issues with vote counting. We want a different voice."

The paper goes on to say "We do not want to be sacrificed to corruption and graft again, for the nth time, so that our interests are ignored. We do not want a slaughterhouse that would set society back thirty years. We do not want a repeat of the fraud of 1979. We do not have any media but the world has gotten smaller so we no longer experience one thing on the streets yet read something different in world media. We do not want the next generation to be ignorant about what happened on the streets of Tehran, Esfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Mashhad, Ahvaz, Kermanshah, and the rest of the cities, large and small. We will represent a new voice in this power play: the voice of the people crying out in the streets. The people who have no delusions about colors and who demand change."

It's publication online comes on the day which saw protests on the streets turn increasingly violent and the deaths of as many as 19 people. Hospitals have been inundated with many injured and are calling on people to donate blood because of a nationwide shortage. In yesterday's violent scenes, all European and many other embassies in Tehran opened their doors to the injured. A source in Tehran said "Tehran is burning with the blood of our Martyrs - The streets are full of dead".

Mir Hossein Mousavi also announced, yesterday, that he was prepared for martyrdom in the fight for freedom and called for an indefinite strike if he was to be arrested. Latest reports say that daughter of Rafsanjani, Faezeh, has been arrested for her own 'protection' by the Iranian authorities. This comes after she appeared on the streets of Tehran speaking for Mr Mousavi and encouraging the crowds to continue to defy government bans on protests.

The Iranian government has maintained it's ban on foreign media reporting from 'illegal' rallies, meaning that social media sites such as twitter have continued as the way for protesters to get information out of the country. Not only have regular updates of events in Iran been posted, but videos have been posted to sites such as youtube and CNN's Ireport along with hundreds of thousands of pictures to flickr, twitpic and other similar sites. Yesterday, saw the upload of the extremely distressing footage of a young women, who twitter users have named Neda (voice or call in Persian), dying after being severely wounded in protests.

("The Street" can be viewed in its entirety at http://moniroravanipor.com/images/stories//xyaban1.pdf If anyone can translate the entire paper or parts of it into English this would be greatly appreciated. Please send any translations to boozhooz@yahoo.co.uk.)

BOOZHOOZ WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE IN IRAN WHO HAVE POSTED VIDEOS, PICTURES AND INFORMATION ONLINE. YOUR'E BRAVERY HAS MADE THIS REPORT POSSIBLE.

Latest from Tehran

2009-06-21T00:27:00.003+01:00

This video shows a young women dying at today's protests after being severly wounded. As the video is EXTREMELY DISTRESSING we have not uploaded it but it can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbdEf0QRsLM

2009-06-20T15:18:00.004+01:00

VIOLENT SCENES ON THE STREETS OF TEHRAN, POLICE USING BATONS, TEAR GAS AND WATER CANNONS ---------------------------- PROTESTS BEGIN ON THE STREETS OF TEHRAN IN THE 7th DAY OF DEMONSTRATIONS ---------------------------- IRANIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS THERE WILL BE A TOUGH RESPONSE TO TODAY'S PROTESTS ------------------------ BREAKING NEWS: Witnesses say riot police are preventing people approaching main squares in Tehran ---------------------------- -------- BREAKING NEWS: Reports from Iran - One person shot dead in Valiasr at Enghelab crossing ---------------------------- Reports: Gunshots continuously heard from Ghasr-ol-dasht street ---------------------------- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks out against the "arrogant" Western countries and calls the UK "evil" ---------------------------- PROTESTS BEGIN ON THE STREETS OF TEHRAN IN THE 7th DAY OF DEMONSTRATIONS ---------------------------- VIOLENT SCENES ON THE STREETS OF TEHRAN, POLICE USING BATONS, TEAR GAS AND WATER CANNONS

LATEST FROM TEHRAN

2009-06-20T14:57:00.003+01:00

LATEST PICTURES - Riot police line the streets of Tehran

2009-06-20T13:24:00.005+01:00

Thousands of riot police are said to be lining the streets of Iran as further protests begin in Tehran. Defying Ayatollah Khamenei's calls for an end to the demonstrations and his warnings of a tough response to them, hundreds of thousands of Iranians are expected to congregate on the streets of the capital. Today will be the 7th day of protests across the country which were sparked by last Friday's election. So far 8 protestors have been killed and many fear that today's protests will turn violent.

LATEST VIDEO FROM TEHRAN

2009-06-20T00:53:00.000+01:00

NEW VIDEO FROM TEHRAN

2009-06-19T23:32:00.001+01:00