Why are reporters being attacked?

(CNN) -- Attacks against journalists send a message. "It clearly conveys that the government is not in favor of democratic reforms because journalists represent free speech, and free speech is crucial to democracy," said Kelly McBride, a media ethics teacher at the Poynter Institute, a U.S.-based professional journalism training center and think tank. "The point of silencing a journalist is to pull the curtain over what's happening," she said. "The...

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Protesters hit Yemeni streets, despite concession from president

Sanaa,Yemen (CNN) -- What seemed like thousands of anti-government protesters gathered near Sanaa University in Yemen's capital early Thursday morning, a clear indication that many in the country were not satisfied with President Ali Abdullah Saleh's recent announcement that he would not seek re-election. Protesters of all ages chanted and held signs with messages against poverty and the government. Some proclaimed that Saleh needed to step down. As...

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The Danger Safari - ???

Wouldn't it be scary, if a lion jumped on the bonnet of your car, just several centimeters away of you? These folks don't seem frightened. This is the Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria, Australia and only the bonnet of the car is inside the glass cage with lions.The rest of the car is on the outside. Very interesting way of interacting with the lions. Interesting ?...

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Jordan's king fires Cabinet amid protests

By JAMAL HALABY, Associated Press AMMAN, Jordan – Jordan's King Abdullah II fired his government Tuesday in the wake of street protests and asked an ex-prime minister to form a new Cabinet, ordering him to launch immediate political reforms. The dismissal follows several large protests across Jordan_ inspired by similar demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt — calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who is blamed for a rise in fuel...

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Machetes, meat cleavers, axes: Cairo's new neighborhood watches

Unrest in Cairo, Egypt, has forced neighborhoods to provide for their own security. Editor's note: CNN's Arwa Damon has reported from the front lines of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here, she describes the street scenes of Cairo. Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- As curfew kicks in, young men carry sticks, swords, machetes, meat cleavers, axes -- anything they can find to arm themselves.They come out en masse, set up makeshift checkpoints and guard access...

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Charter flights to carry thousands of Americans out of Egypt

Washington (CNN) -- Charter flights that begin Monday will ferry the first of thousands of Americans away from the escalating crisis in Egypt, the State Department said. "We will keep running the charter flights until we get [all] people out," said Assistant Secretary of State Janice L. Jacobs. Relatives back home in the United States are relaying needed information to those trying to get out of Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and other cities, she said....

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Mubarak refuses to step down as Egyptian protests swirl

CAIRO — Facing the gravest challenge to his 30-year rule, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused to step down on Saturday after mobs set fire to his ruling party's headquarters and state security buildings, stormed police stations and confronted armored military vehicles in defiance of a nationwide curfew. After a fourth straight day of protests calling for Mubarak's ouster exploded into running battles with police forces, who failed to impose...

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