Politics
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Egypt: Another Day of Chaos
The Huffington Post reports on today’s dramatic and disturbing developments in Egypt: Protesters and government supporters fought in a second day of rock-throwing battles at a central Cairo square while more lawlessness spread around the city. New looting and arson erupted, and gangs of thugs supporting President Hosni Mubarak attacked reporters, foreigners and rights workers…
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VIDEO: Is That the President on a Fried-Chicken Commercial?
AOL News reports that KFC China ran an Obama-themed commercial in advance of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s January visit to the United States. “Change, not only for your mom, but for you, your stomach, for a better taste!” the sorta look-alike proclaims in the commercial, before being crushed by a giant sandwich. The company has…
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Cairo Is Burning: 5 People Killed Overnight
MSNBC is reporting that the protests in Egypt have turned violent. Overnight, pro-Mubarak supporters open-fired on an anti-Mubarak protest camp in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Thursday, killing at least five, as violence surged over an unprecedented challenge to his 30-year-old rule. Hundreds have reportedly been injured. The opposition responded by renewing demands that the 82-year-old…
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Obama 'Very Concerned' About Delays in Mubarak's Transfer of Power
ABC News reports that in the face of Mubarak supporters’ attacks on protesters in Cairo, the Obama administration is worried that President Hosni Mubarak won’t begin the transfer of power quickly enough. If he doesn’t, the administration fears the crisis will “turn even uglier.” One official described the administration’s public stance on the issue as…
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Limbaugh's Egypt-Themed Nickname for Obama: 'The Pharaoh' (VIDEO)
Rush Limbaugh really outdid himself in a recent comments about the situation in Egypt. Not surprising: He calls the president a name that implies he’s a cultural outsider, finds a way to connect criticism him to every piece of breaking news, and contributes in the least productive way possible to the public dialogue on the…
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Egypt Protests Turn Violent: Mubarak Supporters Attack Opponents
The Associated Press is reporting that the uprisings in Egypt have turned violent. Several thousand supporters of President Hosni Mubarak, including some riding horses and camels and wielding whips, attacked anti-government protesters Wednesday as Egypt’s upheaval took a dangerous new turn. In chaotic scenes, the two sides pelted each other with stones, and protesters dragged…
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White House Announces Race to the Top Competition
USA Today is reporting that the White House has announced the 2011 Race to the Top Commencement Challenge. Students from public high schools across the country are invited to demonstrate how their school prepares them for college and a career. “The winning school will host President Obama as their 2011 commencement speaker,” said a White…
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Mubarak: 'I Won't Run Again'
Earlier this afternoon, the New York Times reported that President Obama told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak he shouldn’t run again at the end of his term. Mubarak is on board with this plan. He just assured protesters that he won’t seek re-election (not to mention, he prays to God to guide him to a successful…
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'March of a Million' Calls for Mubarak's Ouster; Will He Listen?
MSNBC is reporting that the largest protest since the anti-government protests began in Egypt last week is happening in Cairo. The Egyptian government has cut train service, closed roads and blocked the Internet but is “allowing” crowds to protest throughout the day. Portesters are chanting that they want President Mubarak to leave the country, although…
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Egypt Offline: Internet Is Down; Mobile Phone Networks Are Next
CNN is reporting that the Noor Group, an Egyptian Internet service provider, has been shut down. The information ministry says that mobile networks will be the next to go, ahead of demonstrators’ planned “march of millions.” While cutting off communications will surely make organizing more difficult, we’re pretty sure this won’t be enough to deter…