South Africa’s new cabinet hailed

Per AfricaNews: South Africans have generally welcomed new president Jacob Zuma’s cabinet. Veteran cabinet minister Trevor Manuel moved from his former finance ministry to the newly formed National planning portfolio. The changes have raised relative fear as to how the rich Africa nation’s economy would fair without Manuel directly at helm of affairs.

Per BBC: The entire cabinet is expected to be sworn into office later on Monday. The cabinet meets within the next week to map out its plan of action. Zuma hopes to deliver on his promises as expectations are high.

Twitterers in Johannesburg share their thoughts about the new cabinet:

1. 
   SmithInAfrica Zuma's cabinet: Trevor Manuel leaves finance. Barbara Hogan moved from health despite praise from Aids campaigners. No place for Winnie. 10 May 2009 from web
2. 
   Anish_Sana Zuma's new cabinet doesn't look too bad at all. let's hope they focus on what's the real priority of the country 10 May 2009 from web
3. 
   Mongezi RT @shapshak Zuma names new Cabinet. What does Siphiwe Nyanda know about telcoms? http://tinyurl.com/reazsv 10 May 2009 from mobile web
4. 
   simondingle Impressed with Mr. Zuma's new cabinet choices for the most part. I really hope this works out for South Africa. What changes would you make? 10 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
5. 
   danielborn Not too many complaints about Zuma's new cabinet http://tinyurl.com/timesnewcabinet , but what has become of Mashatile and Winnie? 11 May 2009 from web
6. 
   Tshegs is digesting President Jacob Zuma's new cabinet. It looks rather promising. I really hope they don't disappoint! 11 May 2009 from web

South Africa’s new cabinet hailed

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.

1. 
   AhmadFahmy (Egypt) Obama addressing Muslims from Egypt is a sign of support to the dictatorship of Mubarak and gives it undeserved credibility. Why Obama?? :(
2. 
   AhmadFahmy (Egypt) Obama to address the Muslim world from Egypt. Crap!!! we won't hear the end of it from Mubarak and his regime
3. 
   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.
4. 
   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.

1. 
   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
2. 
   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.
3. 
   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!

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Obama's choice of Egypt for Muslim speech under fire

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.

1. 
   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.
2. 
   carelj (Cape Town, South Africa) is praying for president #Zuma the Puma. May he exceed all our greatest expectations.
3. 
   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.
4. 
   EricEdmeades (Turks and Caicos Islands) Is it possible that in South Africa the swines are strolling? #Zuma
5. 
   jaysensharpe (Wellington, Somerset) just watched the video of jocob zuma getting sworn in as my president please please can the DA win in 4yrs
6. 
   AndreaAmory (Undisclosed) From Mandela to Mbeki to Zuma. I continue to pray for South Africa....
7. 
   JJINGHAM (Los Angeles) Zuma is not exactly a pillar of stability but we shall see what he is like now.

Nelson Mandela was also in attendance. Pictures of the inauguartion can be seen at BBC.

Jacob Zuma sworn in as South African President

Obama meets with Afghan, Pakistani leaders

Per Voice of America, President Obama says his meetings with Afghan president Hamid Karzai and Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari were "extremely productive" and is pleased with the "unprecedented cooperation" between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the leaders earlier and expressed that both these nations have a common enemy and the U.S. will aide both countries in minimizing civilian casualties.

Karzai acknowledged the fact that democracy in Afghanistan is young and needs special attention from the U.S.

CBS White House Correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted from the news conferences in Washington, D.C.

1. 
   markknoller Obama proclaims "extraordinarily productive day" in talks with Karzai
   and Zardari. 06 May 2009 from TwitterMail
2. 
   markknoller flanked by karzai and zardari, obama says we must work together with renewed sense of partnership ... and “take out our common enemy..." 06 May 2009 from web
3. 
   markknoller Obama said he, karzai and zardari are joined by "a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda its extremist allies.." 06 May 2009 from web
4. 
   markknoller @janieo actually more surprising that Karzai and Zardari didn't speak, much less take questions. WH wanted to control the message today. 06 May 2009 from web

Tweets from the rest of the country react to the sit-down meetings:

1. 
   boogman7 (Pennsylvania/Colorado) The Afghan and Pakistani President meeting with Hillary and Obama doesn't make me feel any better. Would rather see them meet w/Gen Petraeus 06 May 2009 from web
2. 
   jtotheCVS (McKees Rocks, Pa.) @ricksanchezcnn I feel meeting today with Obama will help solve the Taliban problem 06 May 2009 from TwitterFon
3. 
   benmcinnis (Seattle, Wash.) this Obama press conference on the new Afghanistan-Pakistan-US arrangement sounds EXACTLY like a corporate reorg "all-hands" meeting 06 May 2009 from web

Obama meets with Afghan, Pakistani leaders

Russia responds to NATO act by expelling Canadian diplomats

Per BBC, "Russia has expelled two Canadian diplomats working for NATO's Moscow office in response to an 'unfriendly act' by the military alliance."

The move followed two Russian envoys being expelled from NATO's headquarters in Brussels last week, allegedly as a result of spying.

Canadian Twitterers were baffled by the news:

1. 
   rickster_CA (Toronto, Canada) Russia expels 2 Canadian diplomats??? What did we ever do to them? http://tinyurl.com/d7rvyx 05 May 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   tommydoubleu (Toronto, Canada) That's it. We're going to war with Russia. How do you expell a Canadian diplomat? Ask them nicely? Insult their hockey team of choice? 06 May 2009 from web
3. 
   markmackinnon (Canada/Asia) I know one of those tossed. If he's a spy, I'm a point guard for the LA Lakers. 06 May 2009 from web
4. 
   danjl (Montreal, Canada) Russia expels Canadian diplomats; Makes Canadians feel bad-ass. http://tinyurl.com/dyenln 06 May 2009 from web
5. 
   lifeonqueen (Toronto, Canada) The diplomatic equivalent of kicking the dog after fight with spouse RT@nytimesworld Russia to Expel CDNs http://bit.ly/47sTC #nato #canada 06 May 2009 from web

No Russian tweets about the incident could be immediately found.

Russia responds to NATO act by expelling Canadian diplomats

Feud between Italy PM Berlusconi and his wife continues

Per The Independent, Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has demanded a public apology from his wife, Veronica Lario, a day after she told the Italian press that she would file for divorce from the flamboyant 72-year-old.

Telling his side to the Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's prominent newspapers, Silvio explained that there was no harm in hiring women who happened to be of statuesque beauty for his cabinet and that political enemies influenced Veronica to file for divorce just weeks before European elections, per The Independent.

Reaction to the news from Italy is streaming in today via tweets:

1. 
   affaritaliani (Milano, Italy) Berlusconi a Porta a Porta: "Veronia ammetta l'errore. Ho rispetto per le donne" (Berlusconi a Porta a Porta: "Verona admit the error. I have respect for women") 05 May 2009 from web
2. 
   andrejmrevlje (Italy) Is Berlusconi married to Veronica Lario or to 75% of Italians. Sorry but this so far comes only in Italian. http://tinyurl.com/ 05 May 2009 from web
3. 
   maxcontri (Rome, Italy) si chiede dove siano i 3 italiani su 4 che amano berlusconi... (wonders where the 3 Italians out of 4 who love berlusconi ...) 05 May 2009 from twhirl
4. 
   VecchiaCasa (Umbria, Italy) The Vatican has now joined in the fight between Berlusconi & his soon to be ex-wife Veronica, imagine having to tell the PM how to behave!!! 05 May 2009 from web
5. 
   xantar76 (Padova, Italy) #Berlusconi: "Tutte calunnie della sinistra e non è vero che frequento minorenni" (#Berlusconi: "All of the left and slander is not true that minors attend") 05 May 2009 from web

Others in the Twitterverse are also buzzing about this political power couple.

1. 
   DivorceNews (U.S.A.) ITALY: Who will take custody of Silvio Berlusconi and Veronica Lario’s 3 kids? http://ow.ly/4VAZ 03 May 2009 from HootSuite
2. 
   NewsBell (Connecticut) >Wife of Italian Prime Minister and media baron/billionaire, Silvio Berlusconi just said she wants a divorce because of his wandering eye 03 May 2009 from web
3. 
   RichJava (Undisclosed) Italian Prime Minister is a pervert! Cavorting with young women & asking his wife to apologize to him (via @bevysmith) Ever Visited Italy? 04 May 2009 from Tweetie
4. 
   zitokarenblake (Boston, Mass.) 72 year Italian Prime Minister in war of words with 52 year old wife over 18 year birthday girl. Yeesh! 05 May 2009 from web
5. 
   TRUEdatBlog (New York, N.Y.) Blogging 'Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Hot Water with his Wife, Veronica Lario' http://tinyurl.com/dlezve 05 May 2009 from TypePad
6. 
   GWeitz (New York, N.Y.) the Italian Prime Minister makes 17 year old girls call him "papi"? That lucky bastardo Berlusconi 05 May 2009 from web

Feud between Italy PM Berlusconi and his wife continues

Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda resigns

Per Thaindian News, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has resigned, just hours after sacking the nation's army chief Rookmangud Katawal. Prachanda was the nation's first Maoist PM and made the announcement on national television.

@bopsource was the first to report the news, and she followed up her initial tweet with more context from Nepal:

1. 
   bopsource (Kathmandu, Nepal) Breaking news: Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda just announced resignation 04 May 2009 from web
2. 
   bopsource (Kathmandu, Nepal) #nepalcrisis Prachanda has resigned. Shouting in the streets 04 May 2009 from web

Other Twitterers in Nepal were quick to tweet about the news:

1. 
   saradthapa (Patan, Nepal) Nepal PM just quits the government. Prachanda is no more PM. New coalition government is forming up. hope for the best. 04 May 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   RajSudip (Nepal) PRACHANDA QUITS- ego Problem in Nepal's Politics 04 May 2009 from web
3. 
   freddie_b (Kathmandu, Nepal) Damn right! that was ego. RT @RajSudip: PRACHANDA QUITS- ego Problem in Nepal's Politics #nepalcrisis 04 May 2009 from Twitterfall
4. 
   nepalsites (Kathmandu, Nepal) Prachanda steps down as prime minister of Nepal. ok. who's next on the hot seat? 04 May 2009 from web

Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda resigns