<![CDATA[AJELive · Storify]]>http://storify.com/ajeliveNodeJS RSS ModuleSun, 19 May 2013 14:35:15 GMT<![CDATA[Canada closes its embassy in Iran]]>

Relations severed and Iranian diplomats ordered to leave after Tehran is accused of being a threat to world peace.

Storified by AJELive · Sat, Sep 08 2012 05:26:55

Here are a collection of some of the replies we received. To see them all, follow the #IranCanada hashtag on Twitter.
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/canada-closes-its-embassy-in-iranhttp://storify.com/ajelive/canada-closes-its-embassy-in-iranSat, 08 Sep 2012 12:26:32 GMT<![CDATA[Online reaction Julian Castro's DNC keynote]]>

San Antonio Mayor, Julian Castro, became the first Latino to give the keynote address at a Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. According to the Twitter Government account, at its peak, Castro's speech drove in over 11,000 tweets per minute, a number that saw him surpass many RNC speakers.

Storified by AJELive · Wed, Sep 05 2012 00:03:15

"As you can imagine, this is a very special moment for our family. For each of us,    the places that we call home shape our character, inform how we see the world and inspire our imagination" -Joaquin Castro introducing his brother, Julian.
Joaquin is the identical twin brother of Julian. Joaquin, a minute younger than Julian, is a Texas state representative.

Watching my fellow Stanford alum, Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio on Nightline. Felicidades, Julian...making us proud but also representing our Hispanic community proudly at the DNC! Great keynote speech...

— Delia L Lopez · Tue, Sep 04 2012 23:51:24

This why I'm proud to be a Latino!!!

— Jose Reyes · Tue, Sep 04 2012 23:54:26

Al Gore proclaims Julian Castro's DNC speech a 'grand slam home run'

— Oscar J. Molinar · Tue, Sep 04 2012 23:55:01
Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles mayor and chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, had criticised Republican efforts to woo Latino voters saying the GOP: "can't just trot out a brown face or a Spanish surname" and expect Latinos to vote Republican.
Castro highlighted his mother Rosie during his speech in Charlotte, but some had feared that Rosie's role as a leading figure of Texas' La Raza Unida party, a nationalist Mexican-American movement that seeks equal rights for Latinos, could have become a point of contention.
Old rivalries, it seems, die hard.
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/twitter-reacts-to-julian-castrohttp://storify.com/ajelive/twitter-reacts-to-julian-castroWed, 05 Sep 2012 07:03:15 GMT<![CDATA[Sufi shrines attacked in Libya]]>

Witnesses have said an armed group, claming to be Salafi's, carried out the destruction at many sites.

Storified by AJELive · Sun, Aug 26 2012 02:54:17

The first picture was taken on Saturday morning, before the demolition took place."A large number of armed militias carrying medium and heavy weapons arrived at the al-Sha'ab mosque with the intention to destroy the mosque because of their belief graves are anti-Islamic," a government official said.
Mosque in front of @Radissonlibya today 6AM #Tripoli #Libya http://pic.twitter.com/WXu5vSLp · David Bachmann
The authorities said they tried to stop them but, after a small clash, they decided to seal off the area while the demolition took place to prevent any violence spreading.
...same mosque today 6PM #Tripoli #Libya http://pic.twitter.com/JCRz2tjD · David Bachmann
Photo of Sidi Shaab demolition in Tripoli.There were 2 bulldozers. #libya http://pic.twitter.com/OVGSp6QM · THANKU4THEANGER
Another photo of demolition of Sidi Shaab by the extremist Govt forces SSC & Anti crime unit in Tripoli #libya http://pic.twitter.com/0gGDTnyU · THANKU4THEANGER
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/sufi-shrines-attacked-in-libyahttp://storify.com/ajelive/sufi-shrines-attacked-in-libyaSun, 26 Aug 2012 09:53:27 GMT<![CDATA[Celebrating #MandelaDay]]>

In 2009, the United Nations agreed to commemorate Mandela's birthday every year to recognise the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's contribution to resolving conflicts and promoting race relations, human rights and reconciliation.

Storified by AJELive · Wed, Jul 18 2012 02:29:24

The first kids in the Blikkiesdorp container library #MandelaDay @designindaba @tsaidesign http://instagr.am/p/NN3Y6oir_i/ · Sarah Jayne Fell
Indy Oil doing their bit for #MandelaDay, 150 lunch bags for 150 special little kids #LeadSA http://yfrog.com/oekmbhmj · Tammy Le Sar
Sing For Madiba- The SA Cricket Team Sing Happy Birthday to Mandela · leadsouthafrica
Local students @BushmansKloof learning the importance of conservation #MandelaDay #FootprintsOfTheFuture http://pic.twitter.com/fWlEFKkN · Bushmans Kloof
Let's Make Every Day A #MandelaDay. Giving #67minutes of your time to help make our world a better place for all http://twitpic.com/a4h2ch · NelsonMandela
Yes yes I do some work after all...me washing windows at an old age home on #MandelaDay http://pic.twitter.com/rLbth2IX · Avishkar Singh
Busy doing my part for #MandelaDay at the Vulindlela Edu-Care Centre in Ashton #67minutes http://yfrog.com/obsf5auj · Willy-John
Kids having an awesome day with @702David at the Johannesburg School of Autism #MandelaDay #LeadSA67 http://pic.twitter.com/9ZJy18M6 · Aki Anastasiou
Sing For Madiba · leadsouthafrica
Painting playground equipment at Alberts Farm @JoburgParksRegB #MandelaDay http://pic.twitter.com/yzmR149A · JoburgParks
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/celebrating-mandeladayhttp://storify.com/ajelive/celebrating-mandeladayWed, 18 Jul 2012 09:28:51 GMT<![CDATA[Online reaction to verdict in Mubarak trial]]>

The Twitterverse reacts to the life sentence handed to Hosni Mubarak, the ex-president of Egypt, along with his interior minister, Habib al-Adly, for complicity in the killing of hundreds of protesters during the uprising that ousted the former president last year.

Storified by AJELive · Sat, Jun 02 2012 05:08:34

#Egypt court sentences ousted president #Mubarak to life in jail for role in protesters killings. Details to follow. http://pic.twitter.com/IMlvumrQ · AJELive
Egypt's Hosni Mubarak trial: verdicts and sentences · aljazeeraenglish
Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo announces the verdict in Portuguese 
#Mubarak gets life term for protester murders: http://aje.me/L3PbTZ | Scuffles broke out in court after the verdict http://pic.twitter.com/4KfvVwcp · AJELive
"He has dyed his hair black as we normally see him. He is in a bed of course, but I think it will come as somewhat of a surprise to everyone - especially given the reports of his deteriorating and ailing health - that he does look so well and alert at this trial", Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reported from outside the court in the Egyptian capital.
Inside the court room, Mubarak's supporters chanted "the people want the judiciary cleansed" following the reading of the verdict.
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/online-reaction-to-verdict-in-mubarak-verdicthttp://storify.com/ajelive/online-reaction-to-verdict-in-mubarak-verdictSat, 02 Jun 2012 12:08:34 GMT<![CDATA[Zuma in court to ban controversial art]]>

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma and his ruling ANC party have taken legal action against an art gallery for a controversial painting that shows the president's genitals. Ahead of Thurday's hearing, dozens of Zuma supporters gathered outside the court in Johannesburg.

Storified by AJELive · Thu, May 24 2012 01:43:55

ANC has its posters out, the mobile stage up, and is pumping the struggle tunes. #Spear street party. http://twitpic.com/9olom7 · Phillip de Wet
Bit of a church vibe at the #Spear street party. http://twitpic.com/9olum7 · Phillip de Wet
Een van die plakate buite die #Zuma #TheSpear-verhoor. @Beeld_Nuus http://yfrog.com/nxo18owj · Debree
Crowd told to gather in front of the big screen now to watch the court proceedings #zumaspear http://yfrog.com/g0504saj · Barry McCallum
#ZumaSpear The music, the posters and the people are here again. GN http://twitpic.com/9oloma · Gia Nicolaides
Zuma's family were among those that were allowed in the court. The court had ruled that the hearing would be broadcast live on television.
Journalists also packed out the gallery for a case that has been stealing headlines both locally and across the world.
Hof 6E by die JHB-hooggeregshof is volgepak. Baie joernaliste staan of sit op die trappe #thespear #zuma @Beeld_Nuus http://pic.twitter.com/evjx9oht · Janice Keogh
However, many South Africans were unhappy with the amount of attention the painting had attracted.
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/zuma-in-court-to-ban-controversial-arthttp://storify.com/ajelive/zuma-in-court-to-ban-controversial-artThu, 24 May 2012 08:43:55 GMT<![CDATA[Vandals deface controversial Zuma painting]]>

Social media websites are buzzing with reports that a controversial painting showing South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has been vandalised in a Johannesburg art gallery. The painting, which displays Zuma's genitals, has been described as "sadistic" by some of his supporters.

Storified by AJELive · Tue, May 22 2012 04:10:25

This picture of the defaced painting, which was hanging in the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, was uploaded onto Twitter.
This is what the painting currently looks like. http://pic.twitter.com/mTpADKL1 · I Wrote This For You
Apparently people at the gallery tried to intervene when two men tried to smear the painting.
Zuma Spear vandalism · 2oceansvibe
Meanwhile hundreds of people carrying posters gathered outside the High Court in Johannesburg.
Hundred-odd ANC supporters protest outside Johannesburg High Court against #zumaspear painting. #AFP http://pic.twitter.com/spRF4utL · Johannes Myburgh
Zuma's ruling ANC went to the High Court to have the painting removed from the Goodman Gallery. The court ruled that the hearing will be broadcast live on television on Thursday.
BusinessDay - Disgust vs dignity: Zuma painting courts controversyBusinessDay - Disgust vs dignity: Zuma painting courts controversy
A PAINTING of President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed violated his rights, the Presidency said on Friday. "The Presidency is shock...
"The Presidency is shocked and disgusted at the grotesque painting by Brett Murray depicting President Zuma in an offensive manner," Businessday newspaper quoted spokesman Mac Maharaj as saying.
More #Anc supporters outside the South Gauteng high court. #ZumaSpear http://pic.twitter.com/boXIUDgt · Mail & Guardian
Many supporters of the ANC and Zuma have been upset with the painting, calling it an abuse of artistic expression. The artist who did the painting, Brett Murray, said he never intended to cause hurt or to harm the dignity of another.
"I never intended the artwork to cause any hurt or to harm the dignity of any person," he said in statement to the court.
It was reportedly already sold to a German collector for around $14,000.
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/controversial-zuma-painting-defacedhttp://storify.com/ajelive/controversial-zuma-painting-defacedTue, 22 May 2012 11:10:25 GMT<![CDATA[Charles Taylor Verdict]]>

Social media reactions to the conviction of Charles Taylor, the former Liberian leader, for aiding and abetting war crimes during Sierra Leone's civil war. The historic decision is the first ruling against a former head of state by an international judicial body since WWII.

Storified by AJELive · Thu, Apr 26 2012 06:29:18

Charles Taylor has being found guilty by the world court in Hague of 11 count charges which includes Rape,Murder, violent to life and health, enslavement,recruiting child soldiers etc.Has till May 10 to appeal against the verdict,and will be sentenced at a later date.

— Olugbade Bukola Lydia · Thu, Apr 26 2012 04:32:40
Earlier in the day, social media users speculated and offered their opinions as the world awaited the verdict.

Judgment Day for Charles Taylor, will there be a a judgment based on facts and evidences in the light of the crime he was accused for? Or what?

— Clarence L. Benson · Thu, Apr 26 2012 01:26:50
Pic from inside the special courtroom in #Freetown where victims are watching a live feed of #CharlesTaylor verdict. http://pic.twitter.com/0bmk3ZyB · Kelvin Brown

ICC has muscle- it will strangle #ICC has teeth - it will bite #ICC has shelter - it can house you w/o paying rent #CharlesTaylor #Ocampo4

— Kephazo Onyango · Thu, Apr 26 2012 02:57:45
Charles Taylor at International Criminal Court April 26, 2102 #ICC #CharlesTaylor ##SierraLeone #Liberia http://twitpic.com/9dx9tv · Charlotte

International judges begin giving a verdict in the war crimes case against former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, after a historic five-year trial.

— Timothy Oguntade · Thu, Apr 26 2012 02:22:28
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/charles-taylor-verdicthttp://storify.com/ajelive/charles-taylor-verdictThu, 26 Apr 2012 13:29:18 GMT<![CDATA[Palestinians commemorate Land Day]]>

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza and in Israel are demonstrating in memory of six Palestinian-Israelis killed by Israeli security forces in 1976 during protests over the confiscation of their land.

Storified by AJELive · Fri, Mar 30 2012 06:23:19

The 1976 protests were in response to the Israeli government's announcement of a plan to expropriate thousands of acres of land for "security and settlement purposes".
Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian organiser, said that activists from 82 countries were expected to participate in Land Day activities.
The very first #LandDay poster published in 1976 designed by the amazing Ismail Shamout http://pic.twitter.com/FCAfr86Z · Maath Musleh
Israeli soldiers imposed an age limit on worshippers attending the weekly Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's old city. 
@RZabaneh hundreds of police para military and riot police along w border police around bab el amud and babelzahra http://pic.twitter.com/QRGAPlTO · Miko Peled
Ready w riot gear http://pic.twitter.com/qUq38FUY · Miko Peled
Saat ini, para peserta aksi #LandDay sdg berada di Gerbang Damaskus.. (15 menit yg lalu waktu setempat) http://pic.twitter.com/Qd3Acu57 · herriy cahyadi ®
Clashes took place at the Qalandiya checkpoint between Occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Tear gas and skunk water in #Qalandia #LandDay http://pic.twitter.com/4ip3pwSp · Leehee Rothschild
Tyre's being sent on fire at Qalandiya checkpoint #LandDay http://pic.twitter.com/MtWejnSR · Emily Wither
Activists reported at least one person injured after being shot with rubber coated metal bullets. In Bethlehem, the situation was peaceful as Palestinian security formed shield around the protesters.
Supporters in neighbouring countries also planned marches near the Israeli borders in a solidarity event dubbed a "Global March to Jerusalem".
PIC: all quiet on the #lebanon front #gm2j #gmj #gmtj #israel #palestine #jpost #landday http://twitpic.com/9364x5 · Ben Hartman
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/palestinians-commemorate-land-dayhttp://storify.com/ajelive/palestinians-commemorate-land-dayFri, 30 Mar 2012 13:23:19 GMT<![CDATA[Marking one year of Syria protests]]>

A coalition of human rights groups organised a campaign to mark the March 15 anniversary of the start of anti-government protests in Syria. The coalition includes 200 NGOs from 27 countries and campaigners from around the world.

Storified by AJELive · Thu, Mar 15 2012 09:30:34

Called Unite For Syria, the campaign is enlisting celebrities and other activists to press the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution calling on the Syrian government to immediately end attacks on peaceful protesters.
UNITE FOR SYRIA: STOP ONE YEAR OF BLOODSHED - FIDH - Worldwide Human Rights MovementUNITE FOR SYRIA: STOP ONE YEAR OF BLOODSHED - FIDH - Worldwide Human Rights Movement
Join the campaign! Upload your photo on Facebook and UNITE FOR SYRIA Campaigners across the world today (Thursday 15th March) mark one ye...
The organisers also want the Syrian government and "other armed actors" to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas of the country.
The online effort will be linked to rallies in major world cities, including Cairo and Paris. Many celebrities sent tweets in support of the campaign.
Politicians also joined the campaign, with some tweeting their pictures with a show of support, using the #UniteForSyria hashtag on Twitter.
I’m adding my photo to thousands of others – upload yours now: http://bit.ly/xI9wwW #UniteForSyria http://pic.twitter.com/DcnXJ4lq · David Miliband
People from from Indonesia to Egypt, UK to South Africa, Turkey to Brazil are expected to join in through the day.
#SyriaMarch15 «more one sign to the Syrian Regime...» Todos Unidos pela Síria - Unite for Syria http://pic.twitter.com/7tnyBH5J · André von Hafe Leite

“For a full year, the death toll in Syria has escalated to the horrifying total of more than 8,000 dead, including hundreds of children.  Isn’t it time for the world to unite behind effective steps to stop this now?” Ziad Abdel Tawab, Deputy Director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights, said.

Protests following similar Arab uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt began in earnest in Syria on March 15, 2011, after youths who spray painted anti-government graffiti in Deraa were arrested and severely beaten.
Meanwhile, huge crowds reportedly rallied in cities across the country in support of Assad "to make the world hear our voice".
State television showed tens of thousands of people waving Syrian flags and Assad's portrait in squares in Damascus, the northern city of Aleppo, Latakia on the Mediterranean coast, Suweida to the south and Hasaka in the northeast.
Photo: Iran TV shows live pro-Assad rally in Damascus:flags of #Syria #Iran, #Palestine, #Russia, #China, #Hizbollah http://pic.twitter.com/bLn6kqcZ · kurdish blogger
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]]>http://storify.com/ajelive/marking-one-year-of-syria-protests-5http://storify.com/ajelive/marking-one-year-of-syria-protests-5Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:30:34 GMT