Portal:Current events/2011 March 30

March 30, 2011 (Wednesday)

2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests:
- 2011 Syrian protests
  - Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, addresses the nation amid unrest. (Al Jazeera) (AFP via Google News)
  - Syrian Army troops open fire on protesters in front of the mayor's office in Latakia. (USA Today)
- 2011 Libyan uprising
  - Muammar Gaddafi's forces capture the town of Ras Lanuf. (AFP via Google News)
  - After rebels retreat outside Ras Lanuf, the coalition has begun launching air-strikes at Gaddafi's forces again. (Al Jazeera)
  - The British government confirms that the Libyan Foreign Minister, Mussa Kussa, has resigned and defected to Britain. (Al Jazeera) (BBC)
  - Reuters reports that the President of the United States Barack Obama has signed an order authorising covert help for the rebels. (Reuters)
- 2011 Bahraini protests
  - Prominent Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al-Yousif is arrested as the 2011 Bahraini protests continue. (Global Voices Online)
  - UN Human Rights Watch announces that Bahrain authorities are harassing and isolating hospital patients wounded in anti-government protests. (The Independent) (UN Human Rights Watch)
2010–2011 Ivorian crisis
- Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara enter Yamoussoukro, the capital of the Ivory Coast. (Al Jazeera) (AP via Houston Chronicle)

45,000 Inca artefacts taken by Yale University from Machu Pichu almost a century ago, and described by the president as "the dignity and pride of Peru", arrive in Lima after a long campaign by Peruvians to have them returned. (BBC)
The finalists for the Man Booker International Prize are announced, including Wang Anyi, Juan Goytisolo, James Kelman, John le Carré, Amin Maalouf, David Malouf, Dacia Maraini, Rohinton Mistry, Phillip Pullman, Marilynne Robinson, Philip Roth, Su Tong and Anne Tyler. (Man Booker Prize)
The oldest copy of Codex Holmiensis, dating from 1280, is returned to Denmark after 300 years in Sweden. [1] (Danish)
The orca Tilikum resumes performing shows at Seaworld Orlando 13 months after being involved in the death of trainer Dawn Blancheau. (ABC News America)
The former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger returns to acting in an animated television series. (AP via MSNBC)

The Australian dollar reaches a 29 year high against the US dollar due to high demand for commodities. (BBC) (Market Watch)
Google announces plans to make the U.S. city of Kansas City, Kansas the first site in its ultra-high speed broadband network. (Google)
Obama Administration endorses Pickens plan for natural gas vehicles. (Dallas News)

Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant
- The Tokyo Electric Power Co. says that it will scrap at least four units at the Fukushima I Power Plant and warns that fixing the problem will be a drawn out process. (Kyodo)
- The United States and France announce plans to help Japan as Fukushima I nuclear accidents continue. (Reuters)
Flooding across southern Thailand results in eleven deaths with thousands of people stranded. (AFP via Channel News Asia)
The U.S. state of Washington issues flood warnings. (Komo News)
19 people are trapped after a tunnel under construction collapses in southwest China. (The Straits Times)

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter ends a three-day visit to Cuba, saying that the American trade embargo and travel ban has damaged the people and disrupted progress. (BBC)
Kuwait recalls its ambassador to Iran after it convicted three people on charges of spying for Iran. (Al Arabiya)
The South Korean military holds a live-fire drill on Yeonpyeong Island which was shelled by North Korea last year. (Yonhap)
The Yonhap news agency in South Korea reports that the People's Republic of China has reinforced fences and increased patrols along its border with North Korea in order to stop a flow of refugees. (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Three Filipinos are executed on drug charges in the People's Republic of China. (Yahoo! News Philippines)
A man suspected of being Umar Patek wanted for his alleged role in the 2002 Bali bombings is arrested in Pakistan. (The Australian)
Diamonds worth millions are stolen from the BaselWorld Watch and Jewellery Fair in Basel, Switzerland. (The Telegraph)

The State Peace and Development Council military government is officially dissolved in Burma. (BBC)
Egypt's transitional government promises to hold the Egyptian presidential election by November. (Al Masry Al Youm)

The first virophage virus found in a natural environment is discovered in Organic Lake in East Antarctica. (Nature) (PhysOrg)

2011 Cricket World Cup:
- The World Cup semi-final in Mohali between India and Pakistan is watched by over 1 billion people as both countries come to a standstill and both prime ministers attend. (BBC News)
Michael Clarke is announced as the captain of the Australia national cricket team in both test cricket and One Day Internationals replacing Ricky Ponting. (The Daily Telegraph)