05/10/09 | Breaking Tweets

May 10, 2009

Featured TwitPic: Clouds in France

"Clouds in France." (Posted by @redta on May 10, 2009.)

Pakistan on offense against Taliban

Per CNN, the Pakistani Army claimed Sunday that it had killed 200 Taliban militants in the last 24 hours. The situation in the Swat Valley of Pakistan has led to a flood of refugees, as civilians try to leave the area.

Twitterers from Pakistan to the United States are discussing the news:

mamur (Lahore, Pakistan) I hear that #Pakistan #Army is gearing up for a major operation against #Taliban. About time too. Would be great service to #Islam. *smile* 10 May 2009 from TwitterBerry

ScottHeidler (Islamabad, Pakistan) Pakistan does not believe in doing things halfway. Talk now that the #s fleeing Swat is one of the largest current humanitarian crises. 10 May 2009 from web

sophiaahmed (Dubai, U.A.E.) This was a paradise once...Swat, Pakistan. Let not the the Taliban ruin yet another country. http://bit.ly/jpPyV 10 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Saadparacha (Undisclosed) People leaving their homes in the wake of operation against Taliban in Pakistan need all the support they can get.. 10 May 2009 from mobile web

SmithWill (Boulder, Col.) Pakistan says 200 Taliban fighters (people) "killed" in a day. Sans all the political labels it is human life. 200 Taliban aborted more PC? 10 May 2009 from web

sethjohnson78 (Portland, Ore.) Too bad the World can't take a break on Mothers day RT @magdastefan: Pakistani civilians flee anti-Taliban http://ow.ly/64V9 10 May 2009 from HootSuite

luispinol (Miami, Fla.) Pakistan kills 200 Taliban... Didn't we defeat and wipeout the Talibans after 911? I'm confused... 10 May 2009 from TwitterFon

Obama's choice of Egypt for Muslim speech under fire

The White House announced on June 4 President Obama will deliver a speech in Egypt on U.S. relations to the Muslim world as he seeks to repair damaged ties between America and Islamic countries the Associated Press reports.

Per ynetnews.com, Deputy leader Mohamed Habib said overtures by the United States to countries like Syria and Iran, and recent visits by US officials to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, indicated the speech would be used to further the superpower's pro-Israeli agenda.

Twiterers in Egpyt share their opinion about Obama's forthcoming visit.

AhmadFahmy (Egypt) Obama addressing Muslims from Egypt is a sign of support to the dictatorship of Mubarak and gives it undeserved credibility. Why Obama?? :(

AhmadFahmy (Egypt) Obama to address the Muslim world from Egypt. Crap!!! we won't hear the end of it from Mubarak and his regime

jsimonsays (Cairo, Egypt)shocked that Obama will give his "speech to the Muslim world" from Egypt on June 4. Egypt? Really? Not a good place to talk about change.

avantcaire (Cairo) one in four arabs is egyptian. or why obama chose egypt in a tweet.

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Other international Twitterers share their opinions on the news.

ambrosinShitrit (London) Obama is going to speak in Egypt and yet again bore us about his Muslim background would not stop the Muslim world hating America and Israel

amanda_belle (Indonesia) President Barack Obama's plan to deliver a speech to the Muslim world from Egypt as part of a plan to keep Arab and Muslim states divided.

somemuslim (undisclosed) I'm doubtful that Obama's speech in Egypt will tell us anything new, but am interested in hearing what will be said. Power Twitter

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Twitterers from the states react to the visit as well.

tanyabachand @attyboi (Connecticut) If Obama wants to beg Muslims for forgiveness, Egypt would not be the place to go.

arthurnyc1 (New York City) great choice Obama going to Egypt to give your Muslim speech ruled by lifetime dictator a country of oppression without any real elections

banafshehgh @whitehouse (Washington DC) am very puzzled by choice of egypt-led by a brutal dictator-as president obama's outreach podium to muslim world. bad message!

Jacob Zuma sworn in as South African President

Jacob Zuma was inaugurated as President of South Africa on May 9, 2009, according to reports from allAfrica.com.

"Crowds erupted in celebration on the southern lawns of the Union Buildings as newly-inaugurated President Jacob Zuma took the podium to address the crowd" according to allAfrica.

Zuma's presidential run has been shrouded in much controversy. Per the LA Times, "Zuma had to overcome rape charges (he was acquitted) and corruption charges (dropped by prosecutors last month on a technicality) to make his date with destiny."

Twitterers weighed in on the newly elected president.

BergenLarsen (Randburg, South Africa) Is it bad that I couldn't care less about the #inauguration of #Zuma ? He's a turd & should have been tried based on all evidence.

carelj (Cape Town, South Africa) is praying for president #Zuma the Puma. May he exceed all our greatest expectations.

wildwasser (Koblenz, Germany) Since Mandela South Africa dropped so low, its sad, now with scum bags like #Zuma S.A. will just be another african fiasco.

EricEdmeades (Turks and Caicos Islands) Is it possible that in South Africa the swines are strolling? #Zuma

jaysensharpe (Wellington, Somerset) just watched the video of jocob zuma getting sworn in as my president please please can the DA win in 4yrs

AndreaAmory (Undisclosed) From Mandela to Mbeki to Zuma. I continue to pray for South Africa....

JJINGHAM (Los Angeles) Zuma is not exactly a pillar of stability but we shall see what he is like now.