Brave Malala Yousafzai 'Out of Danger': CMH Surgeons

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Wed, Oct. 10) - Reported by madn3wz

Brave Malala Yousafzai 'Out of Danger': CMH Surgeons

Surgeons at CMH (Combined Military Hospital) Peshawar say that bullet has successfully been removed from the campaigning teenage schoolgirl shot by Taliban gunmen yesterday in Swat, BBC reports.

According to details; medical team successfully operated on Malala and removed the bullet lodged in her neck, local media reported on Wednesday.

The 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai was shot on her school bus with two friends in the former Taliban stronghold of Swat on Tuesday, then flown to the main northwestern city of Peshawar to be admitted to a military hospital.

Malala spent Tuesday night in ICU of CMH Peshawar, where doctors described her condition as critical, but after successful surgery she is reported as 'stable'.

The cowardly attack, in which two other girls were injured, has been widely condemned and sparked a social media firestorm. Thousands of people around the world have sent the teenage campaigner messages of support via social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

A military officer told AFP that a team of top doctors had flown to Peshawar to assess her condition on Wednesday.

“They have a two-point agenda, to determine if Malala Yousafzai’s condition allows her to be shifted abroad for treatment or if she needs surgery here,” the officer said.

Malala won international recognition for highlighting Taliban atrocities in Swat with a blog for the BBC three years ago, when the Islamist militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah burned girls’ schools and terrorised the valley.

She was just 11 when she started her diary, two years after the Taliban took over the Swat Valley and ordered girls' schools to close. 

San Francisco Riots (Saturday): At least 22 arrested by police

SAN FRANCISCO (Sun, Oct 07) - Reported by madn3wz 

San Francisco Riots: At least 22 arrested by police (Image Credit: Flickr/Russia Today)

At least 22 protesters were detained after they blocked the traffic with an unpermitted march through San Francisco's downtown, said local authorities.

According to details; protestors were wearing black clothing and masks. And they started throwing rocks, paint and flares at police, when they were ordered to stop and disperse. One police officer was injured during protests. 

The trouble began just before 3 p.m. on Saturday when almost 100 marchers gathered at Justin Herman Plaza and started marching west down Market Street, blocking up traffic, said Gordon Shyy, a spokesperson from San Francisco police department.

The arrested demonstrators  are now facing charges of conspiracy, riot, refusing to obey a lawful order of police and resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer, and assault and battery on a police officer.

Some of the people held were carrying hammers, an ice pick, road flares and bags of paint and rocks, Shyy told further.

The motive of the marchers remains unclear; but it is assumed that the people arrested were part of the Occupy movement as the protests erupted around the first OWS anniversary mark.

FEMEN in France -- First Training Camp Outside Ukraine to Open in Paris

Women’s activists group FEMEN, based in Ukraine, is now planning to go beyond borders and want to open its first center outside Ukraine. 

FEMEN in France -- First Training Camp Outside Ukraine to Open in Paris

FEMEN are notorious for their topless protest against sex tourism, electoral fraud against politicians like Putin, Yanukovych and Berlusconi.

According to details; FEMEN has chosen Paris to open their first centre outside Ukraine. The centre will serve as training camp for new activists who would be interested in what they do and want to join.

Inna Shevchenko, co-founder of FEMEN, says:

"It is a kind of training camp for new activists and a focal point for women who are interested in what we do and want to join."

Femen is more than that clarifies the 21-year-old Inna Shevchenko. "The whole Internet is full of naked women. Who wants to see breasts, do not wait on us. Rather, the young Ukrainian women four years ago has become clear that the world was not ready to listen to women. "So they created facts where none can look away.”

Report Tags: FEMEN, Ukraine, Femen in France, Femen in Paris, Inna Shevchenko, Ukrainian Women, Sex Tourism, Femen centre in France, Activism, Femen Activists

Renowned and Award-winning French Reporter Gilles Jacquier Killed in Syria

PARIS, France (Jan. 10) – One of the French journalist, belonged to country’s TV channel ‘French 2’, has been killed in mysterious circumstances while covering violence in the restive Syrian city of Homs, the French Foreign Minister.

Renowned and Award-winning French Reporter Gilles Jacquier Killed in Syria

 French 2 Television confirmed the death of their reporter Gilles Jacquier on their Twitter account on Wednesday.

According to details; Gilles Jacquier was traveling with a group of reporters on a Syrian government-authorized reporting trip in Homs when the group was caught in a rocket explosion which resulted in the death of Jacquier, a well-known and award-winning foreign journalist, while another journalist was injured in the blast.

The incident was the first known instance of a Western journalist being killed in Syria since revolution against the government of President Bashar al Assad erupted in march last year. Authorities have denied many efforts by Western journalists to enter the country since then.

The United Nations estimates more than 5,000 people have been killed in the ongoing uprising.

PICTURES: Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40, more than 100 injured

DAMASCUS, Syria (Dec. 23) – At least 40 people were killed as a result of twin incidents of suicide bombing on two security service bases in Damascus today (Friday, Dec. 23).

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

According to details; the first of the two suicide bombers targeted the General Security Directorate when he smashed an explosive-packed vehicle into compound of Syria’s most important security service, in the Kfar Suseh vicinity of capital. The other bomber blew up a vehicle outside a nearby military intelligence building.

State television aired images of a vast dig at one of the bomb sites and pools of blood on nearby roadways. Passersby were seen carrying away burnt and muddled bodies wrapped in temporary covers.

Today’s suicide attacks, which officials blamed on Al-Qaeda, were the first attacks against Syria’s powerful security services in the heart of the capital since the uprising began and overshadowed new protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Faisal Meqdad, Deputy Foreign Minister, told media persons that there were more than 40 dead and more than 100 injured in the both attacks.

“On the first day after the arrival of the Arab observers, this is the gift we get from the terrorists and Al-Qaeda but we are going to do all we can to facilitate the Arab League mission,” he added.

See the images of destruction outside both sites targeted by suicide bombers:

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

Damascus (Syria) twin suicide blasts killed at least 40

VIDEO: Russian police's crackdown on Anti-Putin protest in Moscow over election rigging

MOSCOW, Russia (Dec. 06) - Police arrested more than 300 activists as several thousands of protesters took to the streets of Moscow on Monday night, accusing the ruling United Russia party of rigging Sunday's parliamentary elections in which Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s party won the largest number of seats.

Protest against alleged rigging by Putin's United Russia Party in Sunday's election  

A group of several hundred rallied through the city and tried to reach the Central Elections Commission near the Kremlin, but were halted by riot police and taken away in buses. It was possibly the biggest opposition rally in years that ended in more than 300 detentions.

An opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, co-leader Parnas Party, said “This is not election. This is fraud, just manipulation and special operation.”

Alexey Navalny, an anti-corruption activist, said, “We should collect the information about violation. We should continue to inform people of Russia about corruption, about fraud and other crimes committed personally by Putin and is surrounding.”

The result has energized the opposition and poses a overwhelming challenge to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in his move to come back as the president.

Al Jazeeera's Neave Barker reports from the Russian capital, Moscow. Watch video below:

Violence intensifies in Syria -- 25 killed on Saturday taking death toll to 4,600

DAMASCUS, Syria (Dec. 03) – At least 25 people were killed on Saturday as a new wave of violence spreading across Syria. Most of the killings were resulted by a battle between government troops and a emergent force of army defectors who have joined the movement to throw out the dictatorial ruler, President Bashar Assad, activists said.

Violence intensifies in Syria

Inspired by the popular Arab spring; the uprising against President Assad's rule started with peaceful demonstrations in mid-March this year, prompting a vicious onslaught. The conflict has gradually become bloodier as defectors and some civilians take up arms, forcing the United Nations' human rights chief to refer to it this week as a civil war and pushed the international community to protect Syrian civilians.

Arab League has actively been trying to ease out the mounting tensions between the pro and anti-Assad forces; but all the efforts have gone in vain, including the economic and diplomatic sanctions by the United States, the European Union, Turkey and the 22-member Arab League.

Sanctions announced last week by Arab League, including cutting off transactions with the Syrian central bank, stopping Arab government funding for projects in Syria and freezing government assets, were effective immediately

The northwestern city of Idlib,near the Turkish border, was the focal point of the worst violence and clashes on Saturday.

According to figures provided by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - British-based group of Syrian activists; the wee hour clashes between regime forces and defectors killed seven soldiers and policemen, as well as five defectors and three civilians were also killed in the clashes.

Elsewhere, security forces killed one civilian in the southern province of Daraa, six in the central region of Homs and three others in areas near Idlib, the observatory said. The recent killings pushed the death toll close to 4,600, according to a leading activist group.

Seven Palestinian 'Freedom Rider' Activists Detained by Israeli Police Outside Jerusalem

RAMALLAH, Palestine (Nov. 16) – Seven Palestinian activist were detained Tuesday afternoon by Israeli police outskirts of holy city of Jerusalem as they’re trying to enter the city via Israeli pubic bus service.

Palestinian 'Freedom Rider' Activists on the Bus

Palestinian activists are running a campaign “Freedom Riders”, inspired by African Americans’ quest for civil rights in 1960. The Organizers arranged a press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah and after the press conference they tried to board the buses from the bus-stands near Jewish settlements in the city; but only seven of them succeeded to catch bus that were later arrested by Israeli police on the border.

It was an attempt to challenge the ‘discrimination’, activists said. Other foreign activist accompanied the Palestinians in the same bus protested over the arrest of their companions; but police took them away immediately.

According to a police spokesperson; Palestinians without permission were found on a bus, trying to enter Israel, were arrested.

Police Removed Occupy Encampment in Oakland -- More Than 20 Arrested: Mayor Jean Quan

OAKLAND, Calif. – Riot police arrested more than 20 Occupy protesters in a bid to clear out out Oakland's weeks-old anti-Wall Street encampment just before dawn on Monday, Mayor Jean Quan said.

Police Removed Occupy Encampment in Oakland

Police initiated the operation against anti-Wall Street protesters in the wee hours after issuing several warnings over the weekend. In this operation police not only arrested the OWS demonstrators but also removed their tents from downtown plaza.

Oakland’s police operation against Occupy protesters was a replay of the action taken by Portland’s authorities against the demonstrators, just 24 hours ago, arresting more than 50 protesters.

Protesters seemed to put up modest confrontation and policemen could be witnessed evenly leading some demonstrators away in plastic handcuffs. Warnings from authorities had been alike to those issued before officers used tear gas and bean bag projectiles to clear the encampment on Oct. 25.

Some of the retreating demonstrators showed their intentions to get back soon.

Oakland officials issued warnings to end the city's encampment after a man was shot and killed Thursday near the Frank Ogawa Plaza. Police issued a fourth stop and discontinue order Sunday night asking demonstrators they couldn't camp there.

Video: Hacker Group 'Anonymous' Threatens Toronto -- Mayor Rob Ford Firm to Remove Occupy Protesters

TORONTO – Toronto's Occupy movement might get an “Anonymous” support from city if officials interfere with the month-long demonstration.

In a video released on YouTube, the the hacker group Anonymous warns to begin a cyber attack on the city if officials hinder with the month-long demonstration.

The video says Toronto will be “removed from the Internet” unless the officials assure to leave the protesters alone.

“You have said that by next week the occupiers shall be removed. And we say by next week if you do not change your mind, you shall be removed from the Internet,” proclaims the video’s computer-generated voice, distinctive of messages from the hacker group.

Despite an ultimatum from “Anonymous”; Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford still wants the Occupy Toronto protesters out of St. James and has asked the occupiers to dismantle their tent city in the Park.

The mayor’s office issued a statement confirming its situation: “The mayor and city manager have been very clear over the past week. It's time this came to a peaceful conclusion.”

VIDEO: Thousands Protested in London against Cut in University Funding and Hike in Tuition Fees

LONDON — Thousands of students rallied through London today (Wednesday, Nov. 09) against slash in university funding and a big increase in university tuition fees; facing off against police armed with rubber bullets amid fears of a repeat of aggressive protests last year.

Thousands Protested in London against Cut in University Funding and Hike in Tuition Fees

At Trafalgar Square, a group of students, part of the protest, set up more than 20 tents close to Nelson's Column in the latest spin-off of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protest camp movement. The tents were quickly removed by police but sticks and bottles were thrown at police in the financial district, media reports highlighted.

Around 10,000 protesters, as the organizers claimed, were chanting "No ifs, no buts, no education cuts," while the police said only 2,000 protesters were taking part in the rally. Police also made number of arrests for public order offences.

Scotland Yard said it had deployed 4,000 officers for the protest to prevent any repeat of the violent scenes last year during similar marches against cuts to higher education funding and a hike in tuition fees.

Watch video below and judge who gave the correct number of protesters, police or organizers.

Search Term/Keyword "Occupy" Banned by China in Sina Weibo.com

The increasing popularity and acceptance of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) Movement across the globe is certainly haunting the nations which believe on strict censorship of media. The OWS started with just few hundreds from lower Manhattan has spread Manhattan to cities around the globe, including London, Auckland, Toronto, and Rome, among many others.

Sina Weibo: China's hyper-popular microblogging site

Many in the world, especially anti-communism think tanks, believe strictly that if the Chinese government is against it, you're probably doing something right. Reportedly, China has taken strict measures to stop prospective “Occupy Shanghai” movement and tried to cut the basic means which helped transform to a global movement started with a very few numbers of activists in U.S.

According to UC Berkeley publication China Digital Times, Sina Weibo, China's hyper-popular microblogging site, is now restricting any and all search keywords that could tentatively be related with OWS movement.

"A long list of banned keywords on Sina Weibo’s search function has been uncovered and tested by the CDT team yesterday," writes Sandra Hernandez. "All the listed phrases stick to one simple rule: a combination of 'occupy' (占领) and a place name—provincial capitals, economically developed regions, and few symbolic local areas."

In short hundreds of millions of Sina Weibo users are no longer allowed to search for "Ocupy Beijing," for instance.

Miss Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, Crowned Miss World 2011 Amidst the Protests by Feminist Activists

LONDON – Miss Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, has been crowned the 2011 winner of the Miss World beauty pageant at a sparkling final ceremony in London.

Miss Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, Crowned Miss World 2011

"Still here, still angry", more than 200 female activists of Million Women Rise chanted outside Earl's Court in west London yesterday; exactly at the same time when inside the hall  Ivian Sarcos was being crowned as 61^st Miss World.

Sabrina Qureshi, the founder of Million Women Rise, said that, far from harmless fun, beauty pageants were a symbol of a society that belittle women in a way that leads to aggression such as the murder of Joanna Yeates.

"We have read that the murderer of Joanna Yeates was using pornography which contained images very similar to how he murdered Joanna," said Ms Qureshi.

More than 40 years back, in 1970, members of a feminist activist group burn their under-garments in protest outside Albert Hall where the beauty pageant was going on.

The Miss World contest has not been broadcast on a major channel in Britain for a decade. But it is watched by more than a billion people worldwide and tickets to the event fetch up to £100m.

Last night; Miss Philippines Gwendoline Ruais became the 1^st runner up and Miss Puerto Rico, Amanda Perez, the 2^nd runner up. Miss Venezuela looked gorgeous in a large pink feathery gown open in the front as she was being crowned by last year’s Miss World, Alexandria Mills of USA.

Watch VIDEO: Tibetan Monks and Nuns on Self-immolation Bid for Freedom and against Dalai Lama Exile

TIBET, China (Nov. 06) – According to human rights group; 11 Tibetan Buddhist clergy have set themselves on fire since March fire in China's western Sichuan province.

Indian police stop Tibetan’s self-immolation bid

The 35-year-old Buddhist nun, Palden Choetso, shouted, "Long live the Dalai Lama!" and "Let the Dalai Lama return to Tibet!" before setting herself on fire on Thursday in predominantly Tibetan Ganzi prefecture in Sichuan province. She was the 11th Tibetan monk, nun or former monk to self-immolate in western China in recent months.

While a Tibetan man has set himself ablaze outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi to demand independence for Tibet. After this case there have now been 12 similar cases of self-immolation this year as part of protests against Chinese rule in Tibet.

The reports suggest that at least five have died in such fiery protests of Tibetan complaint about restrictions on their culture and religion and the continued exile of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.


Watch video below: