The New Dark Age

22 February, 2011 — creative-i.info

The leaders of Tunisia and Egypt have resigned amid mass protests
CNN International
(CNN) — Two months ago, a Tunisian fruit vendor lit a match, starting a
fire that has spread throughout the Arab world. Muhammad Bouazizi’s
self-immolation prompted anti-government protests that toppled the regime
in Tunisia and then Egypt. …
edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/22/mideast.africa.unrest/?hpt=T2

The pot boils over: development lessons from Tunisia and Egypt
The Guardian (blog)
A recent initiative gauging progress on the millennium development goals
ranks Tunisia as joint first among 137 countries, while Egypt, Jordan,
Lebanon and Iran are ranked joint third. Similarly, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria
and Morocco score as top movers …
www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/feb/22/egypt-tunisia-development-lessons-middle-east

Arrests in Zimbabwe for Seeing Videos
New York Times
By CELIA W. DUGGER JOHANNESBURG — Dozens of students, trade unionists and
political activists who gathered to watch Al Jazeera and BBC news reports
on the uprisings that brought down autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt have been
arrested on suspicion of …
feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=13f36609bee82d66bde85330b40c4864

Lagarde Visit to Tunisia Shows French ‘Disarray’ in Region
BusinessWeek
22 (Bloomberg) — The first French ministers to visit Tunisia’s provisional
government arrive in Tunis today with one notable absence: Foreign Minister
Michele Alliot-Marie. The delegation will be led by Finance Minister
Christine Lagarde and European …
www.businessweek.com/news/2011-02-22/lagarde-visit-to-tunisia-shows-french-disarray-in-region.html

Bishop of Tunis fears murder of priest signifies growing Islamic extremism
Catholic News Agency
Tunis, Tunisia, Feb 22, 2011 / 03:20 am (CNA).- A Catholic bishop in
Tunisia expressed fear of growing Islamic extremism in the area after a 34
year-old Polish missionary priest was found brutally killed on Feb. 18. As
local protests took place in the …
www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishop-of-tunis-fears-murder-of-priest-signifies-growing-islamic-extremism/

TUNISIA: John McCain meets leaders, calls revolution ‘very successful’
Los Angeles Times
John McCain and Joseph Lieberman met with Tunisia’s Prime Minister Mohamed
Ghannouchi in Tunis on Monday. McCain told Reuters that US officials have
offered Tunisian counterparts help in shoring up security following its
“model” revolution. …
latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/02/tunisia-mccain-meets-leaders-calls-revolution-very-successful.html

The Middle East Channel: Why new electoral rules matter
Foreign Policy
As winter’s “days of rage” subside and turn into spring’s more “orderly”
transitions, the choice of new electoral rules in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen
will mark a crucial moment in their political trajectories. While changes
to the laws that govern …
mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/18/why_new_electoral_rules_matter

Turkish foreign minister in Tunisia
Turkish Press
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu expressed hope that Tunisia would
be stronger after overcoming the current situation. We are experiencing
historical days for our region, said Davutoglu, who is visiting Tunisia as
the Chairman of the Committee …
www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=364245

France Offers Tough Response to Illegal Tunisian Immigrants
Voice of America
Photo: AP Some of the thousands of illegal Tunisian immigrants who have
landed in Italy this month have headed on to France, where they have not
exactly received a warm welcome. France has not experienced the same
massive numbers of Tunisian immigrants …
www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/—France-Offers-Tough-Response-to-Illegal-Tunisian-Immigrants-116605878.html

Tunisian interim gov’t names new FM
Xinhua
21 (Xinhua) — Tunisia’s interim government named Mouldi Kefi as the
country’s new foreign minister, reported the official press agency TAP on
Monday. Following his appointment, the minister took the oath before the
country’s interim President Fouad …
news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-02/21/c_13742461.htm

EU Helps Italy Manage Tunisia Refugees
The Epoch Times
Over 5000 Tunisian immigrants have landed in Italy since a revolt ousted
Tunisia’s president in January. (Roberto Salomone/AFP/Getty Images)
European Union border experts are helping Italy deal with an unusually
large influx of migrants that have come …
www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/eu-helps-italy-manage-tunisia-refugees-51728.html

Bogdanovic in Davis Cup squad despite his rankings plunge
Independent
The good news for the British No 6 was a recall to his country’s Davis Cup
squad for next week’s Europe Africa Zone Group Two tie against Tunisia at
Bolton Arena. If the timing of the 26-year-old’s return to national duty
was unfortunate, …
www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/bogdanovic-in-davis-cup-squad-despite-his-rankings-plunge-2221739.html

Jordan: Why It’s Not A Domino In The Middle East
Huffington Post
But as protesters hit the streets in country after country in the Middle
East, and with Tunisia and Egypt’s leaders toppled along the way, a tribal
petition sent to the Royal Hashemite Court in Jordan has sparked a
controversy—one that pits Jordan’s …
www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/jordan_n_825896.html

Rudd to visit Egypt and Tunisia
Sydney Morning Herald
Mr Rudd will also visit the Tunisian capital Tunis, where the popular
uprisings now sweeping the Middle Eastfirst began. “While the world looks
now primarily to Egypt and to Libya, what happens in Tunis in the months
ahead will also have a profound …
news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/rudd-to-visit-egypt-and-tunisia-20110222-1b3qk.html

After Tunisia and Egypt, it is now time for our own Kenyan-style revolution
Daily Nation
Next was the Jasmine revolution of Tunisia that toppled long-serving ruler
Zine al-Abadine Ben Ali after 23 years in power. Then the Egyptians decided
that the time was ripe to end Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade stranglehold on
power and took to the …
www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/1112158/-/neuslrz/-/

FEATURE-Tunisians hope for tourism revival after revolt
Reuters
By Richard Valdmanis HAMMAMET, Tunisia, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Inside the walls
of the medina market, a top draw in Tunisia’s Hammamet seaside resort,
Hafedh Alouini arranges his shop in hopes of a customer. “I haven’t made a
sale in nearly three weeks,” …
www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/21/tunisia-tourism-idUSLDE71J05420110221

Tunisian minister seeks to dissolve ruling party
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA AP TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia’s interior minister on
Monday sought to dissolve the political party of the country’s ousted
autocratic president, while the government asked Saudi Arabia to extradite
the widely reviled former first …
www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/tunisian-minister-seeks-to-847604.html

Social media, cellphone video fuel Arab protests
AFP
The extent to which social media contributed to the toppling of the leaders
of Egypt and Tunisia — and protests of varying size and intensity in
Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Morocco and Yemen — is a matter of
debate. …
www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gudZE43cbT0n7FKFrf95m7quvylQ?docId=CNG.fe8ee2026cbc31267697a46821cc7ecf.41

21/02/2011130 more Tunisian migrants arrive in Italy: agency
Expatica Switzerland
About 130 migrants from Tunisia arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa
on Monday, raising the total over the last three days to nearly 200, the
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said. The flow of migrants
fleeing turmoil in North …
www.expatica.com/ch/news/swiss-news/130-more-tunisian-migrants-arrive-in-italy-agency_131444.html

50 million ‘environmental refugees’ by 2020, experts say
PhysOrg.com
The flow recently grew to a flood after a month of protests in Tunisia, set
off by food shortages and widespread unemployment and poverty, brought down
the government of longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, said Michigan
State University professor …
www.physorg.com/news/2011-02-million-environmental-refugees-experts.html

King warns ‘aloof’ leaders
Independent Online
The king was commenting in the context of the uprisings in several Arab
states, including the toppling of the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt, and
a wave of pro-democracy protests in Libya, Yemen and Jordan. His comments
follow similar sentiments a …
www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/king-warns-aloof-leaders-1.1030156?showComments=true

Tunisia Requests Saudia Arabia To Extradite Wife Of Ousted President
Bernama
TUNIS, Feb 22 (BERNAMA-NNN- TAP) — The Tunisian authorities have made an
official request to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via diplomatic channels to
extradite Leila Ben Ali, wife of the former deposed president, an
authorised source in the Foreign …
www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=565500

‘100% Tunisian’ Olive Oil Comes to the International Housewares Show At Booth …
PR Web (press release)
The Tunisian Ministry of Industry proudly announces that ‘100% Tunisian’
olive oil will participate in the International Housewares Show in Chicago,
March 6-8, 2011 in Booth #S2086. Present at the booth during this year’s
show will be American Chef Roy …
www.prweb.com/releases/2011/02/prweb5089104.htm

Revolutions In North Africa And Mid East: What The US Wants
Black Star News
These demonstrations were allegedly and seemingly in solidarity with the
recent mass uprising in Egypt and Tunisia that topple Honsi Mubarak and
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia. At this point the protests—directed
against the Iranian government and …
blackstarnews.com/news/135/ARTICLE/7136/2011-02-21.html

Swiss Say Funds Tied to Tunisia’s Ben-Ali May Total $84 Million
Bloomberg
By Jennifer M. Freedman – Mon Feb 21 15:12:30 GMT 2011 Swiss assets linked
to former Tunisian President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali may total as much as
80 million francs ($84 million), the Federal Police Office said. Ben Ali,
74, who fled to Saudi Arabia …
www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-21/swiss-say-funds-tied-to-tunisia-s-ben-ali-may-total-84-million.html

A Tunisia/Libya border crossing abandoned several hours by Libyans
Ennahar
RAS Jdir (Tunisia) – The Libyan customs and police have deserted for a few
hours in the main border crossing between Libya and Tunisia in Ras Jdir,
told AFP Tunisian military sources, customs and witnesses from the Libyan
territory. …
www.ennaharonline.com/en/international/5842.html

Tunisian ambassador thanks Britain
TTG live
The ambassador of Tunisia has formally thanked Britain for being the first
country to alter its travel advice after the demonstrations which rocked
the country last month. Speaking at a dinner held by the Tunisian National
Tourist Office last week, …
www.ttglive.com/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=3208370&CMPI_SHARED_articleId=4603204&CMPI_SHARED_ImageArticleId=4603204&CMPI_SHARED_articleIdRelated=4603204&CMPI_SHARED_ToolsArticleId=4603204&CMPI_SHARED_CommentArticleId=4603204&articleTitle=Tunisian%20ambassador%20thanks%20Britain

Long live royals!
Gulf Daily News
You must understand, Egypt and Tunisia have been ruled by dictators. Hosni
Mobarak was president for 30 years. It is proper for citizens of Egypt and
Tunisia to topple their presidents. They have been in power for too long!
The Bahrain government must …
www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=300178

German holidaymakers avoid Egypt and Tunisia
Bizcommunity.com
According to GfK Retail and Technology, the majority of German
holidaymakers have postponed any planned trips to Egypt and Tunisia and
demand for the summer months also noticeably declined in the first few
weeks of the year. …
www.bizcommunity.com/Article/82/445/56994.html

North Africa: The ‘Jasmine Revolution’ And the Nigerian Nightmare
AllAfrica.com
Some call it the “January 14th revolution”, others would rather identify
with it as “the peoples revolution”; yet, not a few would agree that the
recent socio-political tsunami that swept through Tunisia ought to be named
after the brave lad whose …
allafrica.com/stories/201102210983.html

JURIST – Paper Chase: Tunisia seeks extradition of ousted president
By Ann Riley
Also, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon [official website] urged government
leaders in Tunisia to initiate dialogue between all sides in an attempt to
restore the rule of law [JURIST report]. The Tunisian Constitutional
Council declared …
jurist.org/paperchase/2011/02/tunisia-calls-for-saudi-arabia-to-extradite-ousted-president.php

N. Africa, Mideast protests – Gadhafi: I’m still here – This Just …
By report3
Across the Middle East and North Africa, CNN’s reporters and iReporters are
covering protests, many of them inspired by revolts in Tunisia and Egypt
that toppled those countries’ longtime rulers. Check out our story
explaining the roots …
news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/21/live-blogging-north-africa-middle-east-protests/

Sexy Photo, Undiplomatic Comments Trip France’s Tunisia Ambassador …
By Eric Pape
Boris Boillon has stirred up plenty of controversy in post-revolutionary
Tunisia with his undiplomatic remarks and hunky swimsuit Web photo—and
he’s only just arrived, writes Eric Pape.
www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-21/sexy-photo-undiplomatic-comments-trip-frances-tunisia-ambassador/

Pajamas Media “ Egypt and Tunisia: Triumphs for the American …
By Brian Fairchild
Egypt and Tunisia: Triumphs for the American Muslim Brotherhood. Few have
mentioned that what is happening throughout the Middle East is a huge boon
and triumph for the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States. …
pajamasmedia.com/blog/egypt-and-tunisia-triumphs-for-the-american-muslim-brotherhood/

Lebanon news – NOW Lebanon -Tunisia asks Saudi Arabia to extradite …
Tunisia on Monday formally asked Saudi Arabia to extradite Leila Trabelsi,
the wife of ousted strongman Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, TAP news agency
reported, quoting a Tunisia Foreign Ministry official. “The Tunisian
authorities have made …
www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=242966

Tunisia asks Saudi Arabia to extradite Ben Ali | Pakistan News Blog
By admin
TUNIS: Tunisia”s interim government on Sunday asked Saudi Arabia to
extradite deposed strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as it faced a second
day of protests demanding its resignation.Prime Minister Mohamed
Ghannouchi”s government made …
pakistannewsblog.com/2011/02/22/133492/tunisia-asks-saudi-arabia-to-extradite-ben-ali/

Religion Clause: Tunisia Now Faces Question of Role of Islam In …
By Howard Friedman
Today’s New York Times reports that Tunisia, in the wake of its successful
revolution, now faces questions of the role of Islam in politics. Many in
the traditionally secular and socially liberal country fear that
conservative forces …
religionclause.blogspot.com/2011/02/tunisia-now-faces-question-of-role-of.html

LankaWeb – Tunisia, Egypt, and Sri Lanka – Part II: The Usual …
By .
But from Libya to Bahrain, from Jordan to Egypt, from Tunisia to Yemen,
amidst all the clamour of revolution something is amiss. The loud noise we
hear today is from the voices of the peaceful protesters, and from the
ringing of …
www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2011/02/21/tunisia-egypt-and-sri-lanka-%E2%80%93-part-ii-the-usual-suspects-unusually-silent/

Tunisia: The revolution must continue until it achieves is …
By The Marxist-Leninist
While the Tunisian masses continue their sit-in at the Governmental Square
at Qasbah (in the capital city), and tens of thousands of Tunisians have
marched in Sfax, Tunis, Sidi Bouzid, Jendouba, Nabeul and other parts of
the country, …
marxistleninist.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/tunisia-the-revolution-must-continue-until-it-achieves-is-objectives/

Wisconsin ain’t Egypt or Tunisia – Orange Punch – The Orange …
By John Seiler
Tweet Share Some Democrats and their hangers-on are saying that the
protests by the Wisconsin government workers against Gov. Walker are the
same as the protests that toppled tyrannies in Egypt…
orangepunch.ocregister.com/2011/02/21/wisconsin-aint-egypt-or-tunisia/41405/

Tunisia Daily “ To all my fellow citizen of Tunisia
By admin
To those nations who ignored the suffering of the Tunisian people for
decades, we pledge our friendship and we ask from you to support our path
to build a nation, democratic and free, our country will be open to
investment from other …
www.tunisiadaily.com/2011/02/21/to-all-my-fellow-citizen-of-tunisia.html

Events in Tunisia, Egypt will have huge impact: Mussa Spanish …
Popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt will have “enormous influence” on
the Arab world, Arab League chief Am… Spanish news | Expatica Spain.
www.expatica.com/es/news/spanish-news/events-in-tunisia-egypt-will-have-huge-impact-mussa_131434.html

C L O S E R “ Blog Archive “ Tunisia: from paradise to hell and back?
By martijn
Tunisia is one of my two homelands. Even though born and raised in the
Netherlands, I have been feeling more and more Tunisian lately. My father
is a Tunisian from M’Saken, a town in the Sahel, near Sousse. Ever since I
was a young girl …
religionresearch.org/martijn/2011/02/21/tunisia-from-paradise-to-hell-and-back/

Tunisia officially asks Saudis to extradite Ben Ali’s wife | Islam …
By AFP
Tunisia on Monday formally asked Saudi Arabia to extradite Leila Trabelsi,
the wife of ousted strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, TAP news agency
reported, quoting a foreign ministry official.
www.islamtribune.com/2011/02/21/tunisia-officially-asks-saudis-to-extradite-ben-alis-wife.html

Berhane Tewolde’s Development Blog “ Blog Archive “ Tunisia seeks …
By heidi
Ben Ali fled Tunisia to Jeddah on January 14, after weeks of protests ended
his 23-year-old rule. The interim government, which is preparing the
country for national elections, has asked Saudi Arabia to provide “as
soon as possible” …
news.world-citizenship.org/wp-archive/3205

Tunisia’s Islamist movement | PRI’s The World
Reporter Sabri Ben Achour takes a look at the Islamists in Tunisia after
the country’s revolution. Download MP3.
www.theworld.org/2011/02/18/tunisia-islamist-movement/

Tunisia: Some Portents – By Andrew Stuttaford – The Corner …
Andrew Stuttaford writes on NRO: This demonstration in Tunis (report from
AFP; extract follows) obviously reflects growing unease: TUNIS — Hundreds
of …
www.nationalreview.com/corner/260177/tunisia-some-portents-andrew-stuttaford

Tunisia wants Ben Ali’s extradition – World – CBC News
Tunisia’s government asked Saudi Arabia on Sunday whether its exiled former
president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is dead, and demanded his extradition if
he is …
www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/02/20/tunisia-ben-ali-extradition-saudi.html?ref=rss

Anti-Jewish Demo Raises Fears for Tunisian Jews – Jewish World …
Islamists in Tunisia hold an anti-Jewish rally outside the main synagogue.
Country’s Jews raise security fears.
www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/142405

French foreign minister lost in Tunisia fable | Mediapart
The minister spent nine days in the Tunisian seaside resort of Tabarka
between December 25th and January 2nd, accompanied by her partner and
French minister …
www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/160211/french-foreign-minister-lost-tunisia-fable