Small blood clots when menstruating?

Iranian dissidents arrested at Tehran protest
Dozens of Iranian opposition supporters were arrested in Tehran after protesting in support of the recent uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. Thousands of people marched to the city’s Azadi Square where they clashed with security forces. Officers fired tear gas to try and disperse the crowds. One person was killed and several were wounded, according to the official Fars news agency. Iranian state television only ran footage of a pro-government demonstration. It accused opponents of working for the West. Demonstrators from the two camps clashed later on Monday as tensions ran high. The march is the first time the Iranian opposition has taken to the streets since December 2009. Khamenei described the revolts in Egypt and Tunisia as an “Islamic awakening” but his regime has always cracked down on such dissent at home. British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged Iran to allow people the right to demonstrate. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the “courage” and “aspirations” of the protesters. Here is a selection of amateur footage: In Tehran. People are chanting: “I will kill those who kill my brother”, they usually chant this when people are shot. Tear gas is shot. At the end, people are chanting “down with dictator”. More amateur footage

Pressure mounts on Gaddafi as unrest spirals
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s 40-year grip on power is under increasing pressure as unrest in Libya reaches Tripoli. There are reports of bloodshed in the capital as anti-government protesters clash with security forces. The country’s justice minister has reportedly resigned in protest over the excessive use of force against demonstrators. He joins Gaddafi’s Arab League envoy and the country’s ambassador to India to quit as senior diplomats question the level of violence unleashed against the population. In a further blow to Gaddafi, a coalition of Libyan Muslim leaders have told all Muslims to rebel against the regime for its “bloody crimes against humanity.” It appears that army units, in the second city Benghazi, are defecting and the city is in control of the protesters, along with nine other towns in the east. Human rights organisations claim between 200 and 400 people have been killed since the unrest began.

Hindu Festival of Colours in Trinidad and Tobago
A man smeared with coloured powder celebrates Phagwa or Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours, which marks the beginning of spring, in Trinidad and Tobago. REUTERS/Andrea De Silva

Leaders meet to decide Libya military action
France says military action against Libya could begin within hours of a special international summit in Paris today. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join the British and French leaders, and others from Arab countries. To read : Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy The US says Libya has already violated the UN resolution imposing a no-fly zone and endorsing force to protect civilians. Numerous bases around the Mediterranean could be involved in air strikes. Attempting to head them off, Colonel Gaddafi’s government has declared a ceasefire and invited international observers. The French foreign minister, Alain Jupp?�, said: “We have to analyse the conditions of this ceasefire, it must be a ceasefire on the whole territory of Libya and not only on Benghazi, and we think that Libya must also comply with the whole resolution of the Security Council.” The UN resolution means attacks could be launched not only against Libya’s air bases and air force, but against ground forces and other military targets too if civilians continue being threatened. Those behind the moves at the UN are keen to get Arab nations involved. The French ambassador said the United Arab Emirates and Qatar had agreed to send planes and pilots. It is an international not a western operation, he added.

Happy Persian New Year
Up to 200 million people are celebrating the Persian New Year’s Day, or Norouz, which starts at midnight on the 21st of March. It is widely celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan and central Asian republics. Gatherings of friends and family are important, and also the food which is symbolic. For example the food known as the the Haft Sin, is made up of seven different elements starting with the letter “S”. Each one of them represents something. For example, apple represents the Goddess of Femininity.

Libyan air strikes prompt migrant exodus
The number of foreign workers trying to cross the Libyan-Tunisian border since coalition air strikes began has increased significantly, the UN says. The crisis in Libya had already prompted a mass exodus, but the latest migratory wave suggests many people feel they have no immediate future in the country. READ – Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy – International forces in operations in Libya UNHCR spokesman, Firas Kayal said: “Yesterday’s numbers were around 2,200 persons. The majority of them were persons from Sudan. And of course we have many other nationalities as well trying to cross into this side.” For the moment, it remains unclear how many people are still trying to escape the violence. Of the tens of thousands who have left Libya, many of those refugees have been repatriated. Others, however, still find themselves stuck in makeshift camps just inside Tunisia.

Kubrick traveling exhibit hits Paris
Stanley Kubrick fans will get to take an intimate look inside the legendary film director’s life and career at a traveling exhibition which has just hit Paris. It includes movie props, costumes and film clips, as well as recreated film sets from classics such as “2001: a Space Odyssey” and “The Shining”.

Across Australia with a wind powered car
The Wind-Explorer, a wind powered electric-car, crossed Australia from Perth to Sydney, more than 5,000km in three weeks. Every evening the lithium-ion batteries were charged by a wind turbine. REUTERS/Buckle Up Productions

Coalition forces launch attack on Libyan targets
British and American ships and submarines have fired more than 110 cruise missiles at over 20 targets in Libya, targetting air defence systems and fuel depots near Tripoli. British aircraft have also entered Libyan airspace in what has been baptised Operation Odyessy Dawn. Earlier in the day the French said one of their planes had knocked out four tanks near Benghazi. Thousands of Libyans have formed a “human shield” around Colonel Gaddafi’s compound in the capital to protect it from air attack. To read – Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy The French carried out wide ranging aerial reconnaissance missions across Libya all afternoon ahead of the evening bombardment. They also patrolled the skies above Benghazi in an attempt to halt operations by Gaddafi loyalists. The city was under heavy bombardment all day. Coalition navies, including Canadian vessels, are now in position to blockade Libya, enforcing a ban on arms sales to the Libyan government.