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04 Feb 2011 01:00

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World: Otter-skin hat implies change in North Korean leadership

  • It’s an unwritten rule that nobody else can wear such a hat, so if Kim Jong-Un is also wearing one, it means he has now reached almost the same status as his father.
  • A “senior South Korean government official” • On the significance of headwear in totalitarian dictatorships. Bear with us here: apparently, Kim Jong-Un was spotted wearing an otter-skin hat similar to one worn by his father, Kim Jong-il, and since nobody but the Dear Leader is allowed to wear that hat, this implies that the elder Kim will soon be passing the throne on to his son. Whatever you say, unnamed South Korean official.  source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 21:49

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World: Dueling rallies set stage for conflict in Yemen today

See this shot here? It’s from the anti-government rally held today in Yemen. There was also a pro-government rally across town. We’re guessing less duct tape was involved. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 21:33

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World: Obama administration eyeing exit strategy for Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak

  • last week The Obama administration, despite protests, was showing that it continued to favor Hosni Mubarak as Egyptian leader.
  • this week After huge protests, shows of violence and growing discontent, the Obama administration is now trying to push him out. source
  • » But he doesn’t wanna go: In his interview with Christiane Amanpour today, he said this key phrase to Obama regarding his possible exit: “You don’t understand the Egyptian culture and what would happen if I step down now.” Does it matter that this his how he feels? If Mubarak were to leave, his newly-appointed vice president, Omar Suleiman, would likely take over.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 14:27

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World: Egyptian pro-government forces try to intimidate foreign press

  • The Egyptian strategy is employing a strategy of eliminating witnesses to their actions.
  • Middle East Director for the Committee to Protect Journalists, Mohamed Abdel Dayem • Speaking on the increasingly apparent targeting of journalists by pro-government forces (CNN’s Andersen Cooper reports being attacked for the second time in two days), the director suggests a broad strategy by the Mubarak regime to minimize the media’s ability to bear witness to what’s happening in Cairo. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 13:38

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World: Egypt’s economy hit hard by internet shutdown

  • six
    days     amount of time the internet was offline during Egypt’s huge protests
  • $90
    million     in losses the forced lock-down cost Egypt’s economy source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 11:18

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World: United Nations: We’re moving staffers from Egypt temporarily

  • yeah … “Essential staff will remain in Egypt to serve their functions,” according to a statement by the UN.
  • … but Nonessential UN staffers are being shuttled out of Egypt to Cyprus on a temporary basis. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 11:08

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World: Gabrielle Giffords’ husband talks fate, his wife’s recovery

  • Maybe it was fate. I hadn’t been a big believer in fate until recently.
  • Gabrielle Giffords’ husband, Mark Kelly • Offering up an explanation at today’s National Prayer Breakfast for why Gabrielle Giffords survived her assassination attempt last month. According to Kelly, while this “has been the hardest time of my life, and the hardest time of my family’s life,” Giffords “gets a little better every day.” Obama praised Kelly and offered this sentiment to rally around: “We are with them for the long haul. God is with them for the long haul.” Warm feelings abound. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

03 Feb 2011 10:58

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World: Ugh: Starving Egyptians presented with offer to sell souls

  • problem Many people in Egypt aren’t working, aren’t making money, are starving because they can’t work, and don’t have access to money in banks because they’ve been closed due to the protests.
  • solution? Some have been approached with an offer of food and money to turn on the protesters. “I’m hungry, but I won’t sell my soul to eat,” said one angry Egyptian. But others have taken the money. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 10:47

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World: New Egyptian Prime Minister: Sorry about yesterday’s “catastrophe”

  • It has great meaning not to hurt each other, hurt our reputation. Do they want what happened in Tunisia to happen here?
  • Newly-appointed Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq • Talking about yesterday’s “catastrophe” in Cairo on Egyptian television. To answer your question, Ahmed: Yeah, we’re pretty sure that’s the idea. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Feb 2011 10:39

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World: Gamal Mubarak no longer playing heir apparent to his father

  • NO Hosni Mubarak’s son will not run for president source
  • » A long fall in a few days: With just a few days, Gamal Mubarak went from Egypt’s leader-in-waiting to reportedly leaving to the United Kingdom with 100 pieces of luggage to a $14.3 million mansion. We’re pretty sure that it’s the longest fall from grace involving a mansion, ever.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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