A demonstration on Saturday at King Khalid University, protesting conditions and the arrest of female students
The reality for most Saudis is far-removed from the Kingdom’s reputation for extravagance. Official unemployment stands at 10 percent, but unofficial estimates place it as high as 20 percent. The latest official figures reveal that 670,000 families—approximately 3 million out of a total population of 18 million—live in poverty. Nor is hardship restricted to rural areas: a recent documentary on poverty in Riyadh, Maloub Alayna (The Joke’s on Us) recorded testimonies of families living on one meal a day, with as many as twenty people living in the same home.
An image after Friday's March 4 Democracy in Bahrain (Photo: Reuters)
An EA correspondent in Bahrain sends us this feature:
On Friday, the Bahraini opposition scored a symbolic victory with its March 4 Democracy. The numbers on the roads are still up for debate --- some activists claimed 400,000 while regime supporters insisted there were "only" 100,000 in Bahrain's 1.2 million population who turned out --- but the impact was beyond question.
Nabeel Rajab, the head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, summarised: "A historic protestwith hundred of thousands of protesters participating from all sectors of society --- all expressed their demands freely. The march was a clear message to the regime and the international community that, despite all the brutality, this nation has returned stronger and more determined than before."
The medics, who treated protesters in Salmaniya Medical Center in the early days of last year's demonstrations, were convicted in September by a military court of incitement to overthrow the government and attempting to occupy a hospital. After international criticism, the case was transferred to a civilian court for new hearings.
"The Public Prosecutor...has stated he will only be presenting evidence for a small number of accused involved in the most serious criminal violations," the office announced. "Of the criminal cases involving medical professionals, only five have been accused of serious criminal charges."
The statement said the 15 others would face disciplinary hearings for acts including breaching patient confidentiality by allowing cameras into a hospital, leading political protests inside the hospital, and discriminating against patients based on their sect.
2130 GMT: It's been another bloody day in Syria. The LCCS now reports that 82 have died at the hands of security forces, "33 martyrs in Idlib including 25 martyrs who were killed in Ain Larouz massacre , 26 martyrs in Homs,7 martyrs in Yabroud in Damascus Suburbs 6 martyrs in Daraa, 4 martyrs in Hama, two martyrs in Damascus 2 martyrs in Lattakia and one martyr in each of Bokamal and Aleppo/"
However, there are reports that the gunfire in Hama and the shelling in Al Rastan, north of Homs, have continued into the night. After another day of defiant protests in the face of violence, there will be yet another bloody night in Syria.
We'll end the day where we started. Kofi Annan said that a political solution was the only viable way to end this conflict. I made the assessment that such a solution was not possible because the opposition leaders refuse to consider it, the opposition in the street refuses to consider it, and too much blood has already been spilled.
82 dead Syrians seems like a lot, but it's now a fairly typical day. That's 82 people who had families, friends, and maybe coworkers, 82 people who have lost a loved one at the hands of the regime. And this story has had a constant narrative from the start - every life lossed is just strengthening the resolve of the opposition, and the chants in the street aren't getting any quieter.
"The people want the fall of the regime. The people want the execution of the President. We bow to no one but Allah."
2156 GMT: A contact in Bahrain forwards us this poster, a planned opposition strike on March 15 to commemorate the anniversary of one of the bloodiest days of the revolution last year in Sitra village:
2145 GMT: We've been hearing rumors of clashes, possibly between the Free Syrian Army and Assad military, in and around Saqba. Earlier this hour (update 2100 GMT), the LCCS posted video which they said showed the gunfire. Now, the activist network ANA reports a large explosion and heavy gunfire in the Hamoraya district, north of Saqba (map).
2055 GMT: This may look like fireworks on a black screen, but it was posted by the LCCS who say that it was taken tonight in Qorieh, Deir Ez Zor. According to multiple sources, there is heavy fighting in the area, and we've been hearing unconfirmed reports that the battles between the Free Syrian Army and the Assad forces stretch as far north as Deir Ez Zor.
2227 GMT: While we continue to look for more details on the explosion in Barzeh, it is worth noting how important the Barzeh district is. While we only know the general area of the explosion, it is only a little over a mile away from Tishreen Palace, the home of the President, and is within short distance of many other important buildings in Damascus.
2150 GMT: The explosion appears to have happened somewhere in the Barzeh district of Damascus, but as you can see from the reports below, the area where the explosion occurred is extremely large:
Dozens of troops were also reportedly wounded. A local offical said 12 insurgents were slain.
2035 GMT: The head of a Libyan militia has said that two British journalists working for Iran's Press TV, detained on 22 February in Misurata, are being held on suspicion of espionage.
Faraj al-Swelhi, commander of the Swelhi Brigade, said that, among the possessions of Nicholas Davies and Gareth Montgomery-Johnson, there was footage of them firing weapons and equipment used by the Israeli military.
Ebtisam Khalifa Bahar of Bahrain's Information Affairs Authority --- ostensibly in an "independent" youth delegation, organised by American PR firm Qorvis and sent to Washingon --- challenges activist Maryam Al-Khawaja
Earlier this month, a group of three young Bahrainis arrived in Washington to talk about reform in the small Persian Gulf nation, which has been rocked by Arab Spring protests for the last year. The delegation, including an NGO worker and a tech entrepreneur, both Western-educated, represented "the leading voice for change and reform" in Bahrain, as an email message from one of the group's representatives put it.
But these weren't leaders of the protest movement that has challenged the country's ruling Sunni monarchy. They were members of a "youth delegation" put together by a top American public relations firm, Qorvis, which has been working with Bahrain to shore up the country's image in the United States.
The youth delegation's modestly pro-reform message was mixed with sharp criticism of the opposition in Bahrain and complaints about negative media coverage in the U.S.
Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 19:09
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