Blog Archive

From Alex Ortiz in Cairo

January 26, 2011 By Alex Ortiz

[The Egyptian government has apparently block Twitter, Facebook (as of Wed. morn U.S. ET) and other internet tools, though apparently some people are able to get around such restrictions. Email from 8:45 a.m. ET:]

Downtown Cairo today remains in a state of high alert. There are many security forces and plainsclothed policemen visible on every street in the center of the city. There have been minor clashes with protesters in various parts of Cairo, as well as in Assiyut – a city to the south.

At the moment, security forces are cordoning off Tahrir Square. Private security guards in the immediate area claimed that they have heard through Central Security that clashes are expected later in the day.

More to come.

Also see: http://tweetchat.com/room/jan25

Ortiz studies at American University in Cairo; he graduated from Brown University in Arabic literary translation and Middle Eastern studies in 2009. Yesterday he succeeded in having a video stream of protests with thousands watching online.

Filed Under: Resources on Trade, World Bank & IMF, War: Info, Analysis, Policy Options Tagged With: Egypt

Video from Cairo

January 25, 2011 By sam

Phone lines are intermittent and Twitter has reportedly been blocked in Egypt. Here is a live video feed: ustream.tv/channel/cairodowntown [update: ustream has been blocked, streaming now intermittently at livestream.com/cairowitness -- further update, now at: www.justin.tv/cairowitness]

Here is a YouTube video from earlier today:

Filed Under: Resources on Trade, World Bank & IMF, War: Info, Analysis, Policy Options Tagged With: Egypt

Bush in Africa: “A Cruel Hoax”?

July 16, 2003 By editor

President Bush’s recent tour of Africa to tout his $15 billion pledge to fight the continent’s AIDS epidemic and promote trade was met with skepticism by critics who charged that his administration is attempting to mask regressive policies with staged public relations events.

Bush’s trip to Africa appears to represent, more than anything else, an opportunity to present a photo-op for the upcoming November 2004 elections,” said Bill Fletcher, president of TransAfrica Forum.

Salih Booker, executive director of Africa Action, called Bush’s commitment to fighting AIDS in Africa “a cruel hoax,” adding that Bush “has virtually sidestepped the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, thus undermining the most important vehicle in the war on AIDS.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Resources on Trade, World Bank & IMF

Responses to Bush’s 2003 State of the Union Address

January 30, 2003 By editor

Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished citizens and fellow citizens, every year, by law and by custom, we meet here to consider the state of the union. This year, we gather in this chamber deeply aware of decisive days that lie ahead.

You and I serve our country in a time of great consequence. During this session of Congress, we have the duty to reform domestic programs vital to our country, we have the opportunity to save millions of lives abroad from a terrible disease. We will work for a prosperity that is broadly shared, and we will answer every danger and every enemy that threatens the American people. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Electoral Issues, Resources on Trade, World Bank & IMF, The U.S. Economy, War: Info, Analysis, Policy Options