Britain, US & Beyond Feature: Occupy Seeks A Creative "Global Spring"

Occupy London protesters in Liverpool Street underground station (Photo: HeardInLondon/Demotix/Corbis)

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Last week electors in Europe signalled their dissatisfaction with the politics of austerity, and the elites who are trying to implement them. Barring a miracle of an economic recovery, politics for the near future will revolve around that austerity --- or thrift as the British government are now trying to call it.

This week the success or failure of Occupy, and their affiliated groups, to draw attention to growing income inequality will help determine their relevance to these coming political struggles over the world's economic future. Can they deliver on their promise of a Global Spring?

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Iran 1st-Hand: "The Regime is Really Worried. They're Caught in a Bind" (Secor)

This week's Tehran Book FairThey’re bracing to be hit. And I think that they’re really worried, and I think they’re caught in a bind over how to spin the situation. When I was there, the policy was obfuscation. They hadn’t issued figures on household goods in over a year. About two weeks ago, the Central Bank started to release numbers. They seem to have made a decision. Is that to say, ‘We’re going to do something about it?’ Is it to blame the international community?

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Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers

Our recurring feature in which EA readers use the Comments section to bring in the latest news and thoughts from social media....

Bahrain Analysis: "Washington's Knight" --- The Crown Prince Gets US Weapons

Crown Prince Salman and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

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This was not the King receiving the US gesture of the arms sale; this was not the Minister of Defence, who had publicly declared that the Obama Administration is trying to undermine the regime.

This was the Crown Prince, the man repeatedly framed as the "moderate" among hard-liners, being anointed with the weapons. This is Washington's knight to bring stability and "reform", whatever that word means.

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Syria Snap Analysis: Who Is Behind Thursday's Damascus Bombs?

Smoke rises from a highway in Damascus after two car bombs exploded on Thursday, killing at least 55.

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Another car bombing, more contrasting claims of who's responsible. What does the evidence tell us about who conducted these attacks, and what does that mean for the conflict ahead?

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The Latest from Iran (11 May): The Battle Within

"Naqi", the song that led to an Ayatollah's call for the death of rapper Shahin Najafi (see 0620 and 1200 GMT)

See also Iran Snap Analysis: Isolating Ahmadinejad
The Latest from Iran (10 May): Supreme Leader Comments on Detained Mousavi and Karroubi

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2035 GMT: At the Book Fair. The next level of censorship at the 25th Tehran International Book Fair....

After at least 11 publishers were banned from the exhibition, another six booths have been shut down for inappropriate displays. Two reportedly had posters of Nashr Cheshmeh, one of the banned publishers. Another had a posted of the famous Persian king Cyrus.

1720 GMT: Ahmadinejad Watch. Nothing distinctive in the President's speech during his promotional tour in northeastern Iran (see 1400 GMT)....

Speaking in Rashtkhvar, Ahmadinejad says the West should drop its “bullying” stance: “If the Iranian nation makes up its mind to do something, all devils and ill-wishers of the world cannot make them backtrack on their resolve."

The President continued that worship of the Devil, wealth, power, or worldly whims instead of God was the root cause of all human problems: “If the world powers worship the Almighty God, they will not make stockpiles of nuclear and chemical arsenals and will not try to occupy other territories.

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Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: Uncertainties After the Damascus Bombs

2013 GMT: Syria. Protests have lasted well into the night. This impressive video was reportedly taken in Douma, a key Damascus suburb:

However, a quick check of the LCCS suggests that the evening protest may have been disrupted by violence:

Reports of the fall of tank shells on Misraba and Hijarieh neighborhoods along with powerful explosions shake the Great Mosque's yard. In addition to heavy gunfire reported in Shuhada (Martyrs) Square and Shefonieh roundabout and the deployment of snipers in multiple places.

2007 GMT: Syria. Activist Rami Al Jarrah shares this video reportedly showing violence in Saqba, Damascus, earlier today:

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Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers

Our recurring feature in which EA readers use the Comments section to bring in the latest news and thoughts from social media....

Bahrain Live Coverage: Recognising an Independent Journalist

Flashback to Wednesday when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke of "human rights" during the visit by Crown Prince Salman --- Today, Washington followed up further meetings with Salman by renewing arms sales to the Kingdom

See also Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: Uncertainties After the Damascus Bombs
Thursday's Bahrain Live Coverage: "Almost Broken, But Not Entirely So"

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2019 GMT: Amid clashes including tear gas to disperse marchers, police approach youth in Karzakan:

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China Video Snapshot: Fishermen Clash with South Korean Coast Guard

Background to this month's incident: an Al Jazeera report on conflict between Chinese fishermen and South Korean authorities in 2010

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On 30 April, a Chinese fishing boat was intercepted by the South Korean coast guard. During the subsequent clash, three Koreans were injured, one fell overboard, and three more hid in the water. Eventually, the Chinese crew was subdued, and nine crew were arrested.

Christina Wang and Iris Gao write their first article for EA WorldView:

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