104-year-old woman tweeting in Britain

Per United Press International, a 104-year-old British woman, Ivy Bean, joined Twitter yesterday and she is tweeting at @ivybean104, according to the manager of an elderly care home in Bradford, England.

She's already amassed more than 3,000 followers, and this story has hit media outlets from Brazil to Belgium.

Here's a sample of some of her first tweets:

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   IvyBean104 Hello had a nod just having a cuppa and biscuit im excited to be on twitter 14 May 2009 from web


2. 
   
   
   
   
   IvyBean104 just had breakfast now chatting to my friend mabel 15 May 2009 from web


3. 
   
   
   
   
   IvyBean104 Deal or no deal in 4hrs 15 May 2009 from web


4. 
   
   
   
   
   IvyBean104 im having a rest now had a busy morning thankyou everybody 15 May 2009 from web

She's also been sending @ replies and interacting with users.

Here's some of the initial buzz about one of Twitter's newest members:

1. 
   
   
   
   
   Pretty313 (Michigan, USA) @IVYBEAN104 hello & its an honor to follow you *hugzs* 15 May 2009 from web


2. 
   
   
   
   
   geekgirl444 (Kent, England) Just so sweet that @IvyBean104 follows @GeekSquadUK. 15 May 2009 from web


3. 
   
   
   
   
   jaime_ldn (Undisclosed) Is it too late to #followfriday? @IvyBean104 She IS 104. God bless her. Thanks to @bruxedo, follow him too. 15 May 2009 from web


4. 
   
   
   
   
   weeelady (Scotland) This marvelous lady is 104 years young and a keen twitterer. Please follow @IvyBean104 15 May 2009 from TweetDeck

104-year-old woman tweeting in Britain

Featured TwitPic: Machu Picchu, Peru

"machupicchu..maravilla del Perú y del mundo." (Machupicchu .. wonder of Peru and of the world.) (Posted by @janemari, of Lima City, Peru, May 14, 2009)

Featured TwitPic: Machu Picchu, Peru

Swine flu resurgent in parts of United States

Per the New York Times, an assistant principal at a middle school in Queens has been hospitalized and is on a ventilator in "the first serious case of swine flu in New York City." The incident has led to the school closing through next week, and two other schools nearby have also closed.

On the other side of the country, a woman in her late 40's has died of swine flu in Maricopa County, Arizona, per KPHO-5 in Phoenix. The county has more than 100 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, per EmaxHealth.

Twitterers in Queens and around New York City are interpreting their local case differently.

1. 
   MissMillions (Queens, N.Y.) Oh GEEZ! 3 schools in NY are being shut down due to H1N1 aka Swine Flu. Schools are: Susan B Anthony I.S. 238, Walter Crowley I.S 5, P.S 16 14 May 2009 from web
2. 
   ShawnzSoLoso (Queens, N.Y.) Swine Flu is all over Queens. Reports in Corona, Elmhurst & Jamaica. Lawd hammercy!!! 14 May 2009 from UberTwitter
3. 
   Marshall34 (New York, N.Y.) Here we go again. Swine flu rears it's ugly face again. The strain has mutated again and has become more deadly. 14 May 2009 from Twitterrific
4. 
   Kirb94 (New York, N.Y.) Because of swine flu I just got a call from my school that we have Monday off. Wooooo. 14 May 2009 from twhirl
5. 
   SexyRubie (Queens, N.Y.) Swine flu outbreak 3 schools shut down one by house so wearing a mask now Queens is dangerous right now 14 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
6. 
   NewYorkology (New York, N.Y.) Four students have H1N1 plus one staff member "who is critically ill" - Mayor Bloomberg says of IS 238 ... 50 stdnts sent home w/flu symptms 14 May 2009 from web

Arizona Twitterers are discussing the spread of the virus in their backyard.

1. 
   crisch (Phoenix, Ariz.) Uuuggh. So its 1st az swine flu "death"!? Woman had underlying lung disease. When will this dumb story die!? 14 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   cgosney (Scottsdale, Ariz.) another co-worker has H1N1...it's closing in on us 14 May 2009 from web
3. 
   author1701 (Phoenix, Ariz.) Arizona's first - RT: @Maricopahealth: Maricopa County annouces 1st swine flu death http://www.wearepublichealth.org/ *H1N1 14 May 2009 from TwitterFox

Swine flu resurgent in parts of United States

Relentless rain continues on New Zealand's South Island

Per the New Zealand Herald, local officials are calling for no unnecessary travel and residents of New Zealand's South Island are being warned to watch for flooding, as more heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit the area today and tomorrow morning. The South Island has already experienced many consecutive days of rain.

Twitterers on the island are commenting on the storm:

1. 
   five15design (Dunedin, New Zealand) Seriously there's flooding everywhere slips on the hill roads. What a mess. Hmm San Diego right now v jealous! 12 May 2009 from Tweetie
2. 
   garyniemi (Dunedin, New Zealand) more rain - yikes 12 May 2009 from TwitterFox
3. 
   blondeklz (Te Anau, New Zealand) sitting at home watching the rain fall and fall. winter gotta love it, bring on summer haha 13 May 2009 from web
4. 
   jockh (Invercargill, New Zealand) out running in the wind, rain and cold, people are beginning to question my sanity. Only one more training run to before the 1/2 marathon 13 May 2009 from web
5. 
   Charis_75 (Queensland, New Zealand) This is the longest spell of bad weather we've had since moving to QT. 8 days of rain now. 13 May 2009 from twhirl
6. 
   Pork49 (Moonlight, New Zealand) I didn't see the rainbow today just lots of heavy rain and hail after work.Some parts of the sky had bright blue sky. 14 May 2009 from web

@five15design of Dunedin also posted this TwitPic of students in the pouring rain:


"#Selwyn College student in 8C pouring rain off to do more drinking, as you do at Uni! Yeah I'm jealous?"

Relentless rain continues on New Zealand's South Island

Obama changes mind: Opposes POW abuse photos

Per USA Today, United States President Barack Obama has decided that he is now against the release of photos detailing alleged abuse of prisoners of war in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell, some military commanders have raised concerns that releasing said images could aid al-Qaeda in their propaganda efforts.

The 44 images in question were part of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and are slated to be released to the public on May 28th.  

Early Twitterverse reaction appears to be in favor of President Obama's switched view on the issue:

1. 
   BeaconOfLight (Unlisted location) Obama finally realized release of pictures would put US soldiers in danger. Da, 4 as smart as he is supposed 2 B, it took him long enough. 
2. 
   Jamey_F (Unlisted location) Wow Obama... You actually are thinking and not releasing pictures.. Finally good job 
3. 
   MoBrain (Unlisted location ) Just heard Obama is blocking the pictures of "torture" under Bush Admin. I'm suspicious. Maybe Cheney hit a nerve! 
4. 
   ehlersd (Texas) RT @texaszman: LOL! Obama Reverses Course, NOW opposes release of Prison Pictures! Wait! Which way is the Wind Blowing?? 
5. 
   MSGTAM (Woodland, WA) Sitting here thinking that President Obama made a great decision in not releasing the interrogation pictures. 

Obama changes mind: Opposes POW abuse photos

Pope supports Palestinian state

Per BBC, Pope Benedict XVI shows his approval and support for the Palestinians' right to a homeland, as he continues a Middle East tour in the West Bank.

In Bethlehem the Pope called for a "just and lasting" peace in the region and encouraged the citizens of Palestine to denounce acts of violence and terrorism.

Twitter users in the region speak about the Pope's visit:

1. 
   Pnina (Jerusalem) G'morning from Jerusalem, where the Pope is currently a 5 min walk from my house. Think he'd like to try a hafooch? 11 May 2009 from web
2. 
   JerusalemBureau (Jerusalem) I think the #Pope's walkout reflects politics, not integrity 11 May 2009 from Tweetie in reply to miguelg1964
3. 
   fatherjonathan (Rome, Italy) Doing radio tour today on Pope's visit to Jordan and Israel. One host expressed shock the Pope would call for a two-state solution. What?! 13 May 2009 from web

Some citizens are inconvenienced by the Pope:

1. 
   ASoldiersMother (Jerusalem, Israel) Tell that to the pope! Wanted to get across town yesterday...but driving there wasn't an option :-) At least 2day is better. 13 May 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to SusanZelinski
2. 
   sarijos (Jerusalem) no traffic snarls today :-) The pope is still visiting somewhere else 13 May 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   carolw (Israel) Spent the day in Jerusalem. Only inconvenienced by the Pope once. 13 May 2009 from web
4. 
   jerrib247 (Jerusalem, Israel) The Pope being in Jerusalem is a traffic nightmare! Whole sections of the city are closed down. What a pain. 13 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Pope supports Palestinian state

Nigeria: Thousands protest high fuel prices

Per BBC: Nigerian police are on high alert in the city of Lagos as an anti-government march takes place on Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians hit the streets in protest of rising fuel prices, low minimum wages and the slow process of electoral reform.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has served notice to the Federal Government that more protests around the country would follow if the government does not meet its demands.

Twitterers in Nigeria and elsewhere covered the event:

1. 
   dennisude (Abuja, Nigeria) Crude oil theft in Nigeria's niger delta bears economic, environmental, socio-political and security problems. http://bwbx.io/6GIg 12 May 2009 from Business Exchange
2. 
   234next (Nigeria) Lagos/Nigeria - Police in Ikeja cheer on workers in peaceful protest march. 13 May 2009 from web
3. 
   WorldPolitics (India) Nigeria: Labour Protest - FG Raises Security Alert - AllAfrica.com http://cli.gs/PePpjz #LinkTweet 12 May 2009 from WP to Twitter
4. 
   francjournalist (Bangalore, India) Security heavy at Nigeria march: Thousands of protesters take to the streets of a Nigerian city for an anti-gove.. http://tinyurl.com/paxugv 13 May 2009 from DestroyTwitter

Nigeria: Thousands protest high fuel prices

Featured TwitPic: Refugees in Pakistan

"IMSciences students in Jalozai SWABI refugee camp" #swat #idp
(Posted by @bilish, 35 kilometers southwest of Peshawar, Pakistan May 13, 2009)

Featured TwitPic: Refugees in Pakistan

Featured TwitPic: Beach in Sydney

"At the beach it looks so pretty but im sure it's ice cold!!" (Posted by @lilbabygirlloz, Sydney, Australia, May 12, 2009)

Featured TwitPic: Beach in Sydney

Facebook caught up in Holocaust controversy

Per ABC News, Facebook is under pressure to ban conversation over Holocaust Denial. The article features one particular student Abbas Hodroj, who upon discovering the news, joined a Holocaust denial group to prove a point.

Facebook so far has banned two Holocaust denial groups, but has left three open. Facebook spokesperson Brian Schnitt released a statement to ABC saying, "the mere statement of denying the Holocaust is not a violation of our terms."

The Twitterverse is buzzing about the issue, with many criticizing Facebook:

1. 
   Jnobianchi (New York, N.Y.) Via @scrapsflippy : breast feeding = bad; denying the holocaust happened = good. Stay classy, Facebook http://tinyurl.com/qpg5rt
2. 
   israfran (Tel Aviv, Israel) What a shame!! Facebook Remains Stubbornly Proud Of Position On Holocaust Denial http://tcrn.ch/1jD by @arrington
3. 
   SamGliksman (Los Angeles, Calif.) Let Facebook know you expect them to remove anti-semitic Holocaust denial pages. Here is how: http://tinyurl.com/qbshvf
4. 
   adschwartz (Scottsdale, Ariz.) Seems this is a good start but there is still more to be done. RT @jtanews Facebook removes two Holocaust denial sites http://bit.ly/aDKsD
5. 
   frugalfreebies (Ontario, Canada) My baby pic was considered objectional & removed, but Denying the Holocaust groups OK with Facebook? http://bit.ly/4Qe8R
6. 
   DavidSpinks (New York, N.Y.) Interesting debate RT @jacobm: looks like facebook doesn't want to talk about any more holocaust issues for now, sad, http://snurl.com/hvnbz

Facebook caught up in Holocaust controversy

U.S. soldier fires on fellow troops in Iraq

Per BBC, Army Sgt. John Russell, will be charged with five counts of murder for firing on fellow troops in Iraq at a stress clinic at Camp Liberty.

Some Twitterers express concern for stress on U.S. soldiers.

granolajoe (Denver, Co.) The Dangers of Soldier Stress: U.S. Soldier Kills Fellow Troops in Iraq [via Miranda622] http://www.razoo.com/articles/Soldier-Violence



While other Twitterers criticize the unruly assault.


jayninedee (Philadelphia, Pa.) WTF? Anybody else hear about this? US soldier kills 5 fellow soldiers in a random attack in Iraq http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/05/12/iraq.soldiers.killed/inde...

Additional criticism for U.S. forces continues to prevail.


Klearchos (Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria) "Suspected U.S. drone attack kills 9 in Pakistan", "U.S. soldier kills 5 comrades in Iraq".. Isn't there any TAMIFLU against US Forces?



josephchez (Undisclosed) US soldier on his 3rd tour in Iraq turns on his own side and kills. Battle fatigue or decrepit Middle East policy? Pakistan/india next.

U.S. soldier fires on fellow troops in Iraq