According to an article by the Telegraph, “The group of activists had been given three verbal warnings not to cross a police line as they gathered outside the embassy. Others at the prostest included Martin Luther King III. They blame the government of Sudan for attacks that have killed civilians there.”

Fox News further explained that the protesters “accuse Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, of provoking a humanitarian crisis and blocking food and aid from entering the Nuba Mountains in the county’s border region with South Sudan.

Clooney reportedly said: ”I’m just trying to raise attention. Let your Congress know, let your president know. It’s actually a humiliating thing to be arrested no matter what you do, but I’m glad to be standing here with my father.”

TMZ reported that Clooney’s publicist Stan Rosenfield said, ”They were protesting the violence committed by the government of Sudan on its own innocent men, women and children. They were demanding they allow humanitarian aid into the country before it becomes the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.”

The article continued, “Sources connected with George tell us he feels good about the arrest because it puts the spotlight on the crisis.”

For its effects on the Twitter community, check out the Huffington Post’s Twitter round-up of the incident here. Quite notably, Alec Baldwin tweeted the following: “We need more civil disobedience #OWShaditrightbutwerenotcameraready.”

Clooney testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 14 “about the Sudanese government’s bombing and violence against civilians near its border with South Sudan,” according to Yahoo. He also released a documentary on Sudan via Youtube on March 13, which can be found here.

It’s admirable that he’s sticking up for what he believes in and doing anything it takes to get his voice heard. Being imprisoned for it, however, might be another story. Do you think it was a good move on his part? Is getting the message across worth the risk?

Note: This post contains spoilers.

It’s been quite the season for the Downton Abbey cast with compelling stories surrounding the war coming to a close by the year’s final episodes. The recently aired Christmas special wrapped it up with an elegance and dramatic flair that’s sure to keep fans waiting with bated breath.

Will Bates be free for Anna’s happiness to be complete, or will she walk the halls of Downton a ghost? Will Thomas learn to live with love in his life, or remain the cold, calculating brute that’s served as the catalyst for so much of the plot already? How about Daisy’s freedom, or Edith’s loneliness? Sybil seems to be taken care of with Branson, but what about Ethel and her young child Charlie? Then there’s O’Brien, who killed Lady Grantham’s child and only seemed to feel true remorse when Cora seemed to be on her deathbed with the Spanish flu. Will she grow a heart and confess, or remain silent on the subject?

These are all a matter of time, but the intricacy of each serves as a backdrop for the even larger and more compelling story: the love life of Matthew, the heir apparent, and Mary, the ruined eldest child.

With Lavinia out of the picture, and the two kissing passionately after Matthew’s wintry proposal (yes, he can walk again!), what’s to be next for the familial lovers, who’ve kept their passions a secret through war, death, scandal, and more?

This episode ended on a high note, but don’t we expect more from the brilliant work of Julian Fellowes? Certainly more than a gift perfectly wrapped up, all ends tied up neatly. That, I believe, is just what we’ll get as season three premieres in 2012.

Well, it’s recently come to my attention — for the zillionth time — how much Michele Bachmann needs to simply just shut up about the topic of gay marriage. Seriously, Michele, you do not make sense, and it’s time to take a tip from Herman Cain. Drop out, please.

She recently made comments at an Iowa town hall meeting on the topic, getting bombarded with questions from kids, who know their stuff. She said to one girl: “They can get married, but they abide by the same law as everyone else. They can marry a man if they’re a woman. Or they can marry a woman if they’re a man.”

Michele, this doesn’t make sense.

Gay marriage doesn’t work that way, nor should anyone only have the option to marry or not marry another person based on their sex.

Furthermore, calling Iowa to repeal the passage the ’09 declaration that same-sex marriage in the state would be allowed is none of your business. It’s constitutional, and that’s that.

On the subject, she said: “Marriage, historically, for all human history has been between a man and a woman. It hasn’t been the same-sex marriage And remember that in Iowa, it was judges that made the decision — not the legislature, which are the people’s representatives, and certainly, not the people.”

Well, Michele, maybe you need to hear the heartfelt words of Zach Wahls. He knows a little bit more about the benefits of being the son of gay parents. Just a little.

Anyway, I needed to get this off my chest. The woman is crazy, and she shouldn’t be espousing these ill-informed beliefs. Hell, even other Republicans think she — and all the other presidential candidates — are crazy.

And so, sure, I’m a proponent of free speech — I am a journalist after all. But this stuff? No, it doesn’t make sense.

Thanks, Michele, for sharing. But, yeah…shut up.

Photo: Benjamin Snyder

Time at Oxford is no doubt precious. When not scrambling to have that tutorial essay — or two — handed in, moments do indeed exist for hobbies and self-reflection.

When not working, or penning stories for The Oxford Student, I’ve recently taken up the task of screenwriting, inspired in large part to the Woody Allen course I’m currently taking.

It’s been refreshing working on this screenplay to say the least. It’s one I will do my best to see come to fruition in the coming years. It’s a story that needs to be told: one of childhood, family, faith and more. It’s a project I’ve been working on for years, albeit in my mind, and to finally get it on paper truly is an exciting experience. I would go in-depth further, but I’m a bit superstitious about talking in length about something I’m penning before it’s finished. I will, however, keep y’all posted!

I’ve also continued my foray into photography, which stemmed from my time with Tennis Magazine and WTT this summer. It’s quite different, focusing more on the artistic than the purely sports-centric. That being said, I’ve enjoyed it immensely. For more of my work, see here.

That’s just a little update I’ve felt compelled to post about.

Photo: Benjamin Snyder

Put down the margarita next time, Maria. It seemed like your time to shine and reclaim the World No. 1 ranking at the WTA Championships in Istanbul, which began on October 25. That, however, was not to be with Petra Kvitova claiming the title over Victoria Azarenka. After dropping her first two matches in round robin play, the Russian withdrew from the event citing a left ankle injury she sustained in Japan weeks before.

To read this post in its entirety, click here.

Look at that wicked forehand and those Murray-esque features! Photo: Daniel Csete.

It’s not any tennis fan who can say that he’s traveled from working the site of the greatest tournament in North America, the US Open, to the courts used by the Oxford University Blues within the span of, oh, about a month. Needless to say, I can. (Hooray, me, right?) Okay, so maybe it isn’t  the most ground-breaking of accomplishments in one’s life, but I’m certainly going to get as much out of the experience. That is, of course, why I’m selecting to write about it when I probably should be reading “Reinventing Film Studies,” or even “The Merchant of Venice” for an upcoming tutorial. Relax, I have a week until my next!

To read this post in its entirety, click here.

Billie Weiss and I (left) posing in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium before the start of the 2011 men's final on September 12, 2011.

Australia’s Sam Stosur and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic might have claimed the US Open titles this year, but I feel as though I’m the true winner at the conclusion of 2011′s spectacular event held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.

Working as a Production Assistant for USOpen.org’s video crew, I had the chance to put together three of my passions: tennis, writing and research, and get paid for it! With a credential around my neck and hundreds of tennis matches to watch and to jot down notes about, I knew I’d be in for a treat as soon as I made my first trip to the tennis center. Sure, it may have taken a while to realize just how to get there (the 3 / 7 from Brooklyn or the R / 7 from Queens in case you’re wondering), but I was lucky enough to have my friend Billie Weiss along for the ride (both figuratively and literally).

To read this post in its entirety, click here.

It was so strange, I was sitting in my living room in Long Island, New York using my computer when I suddenly felt tremors. I didn’t think much of them for the first second. Was I just imagining it? Yeah, probably.

But, no, it continued.  I reasoned it must’ve been a car pulling into the garage right behind me, the walls are pretty thin after all.

I turn to Twitter almost immediately and my eyes scanned my stream of Tweet, mostly from tennis reporters and journalists. Almost instantly among the messages centered on US Open results and the news about Libya — all in 140 characters or less — people were describing the same exact thing I was feeling!

Yup, it was an earthquake. Apparently, even though the 5.9 quake struck near Charlottesville, Virginia, I felt it, too, all the way here in New York. In fact, the Pentagon was evacuated as were other building along the East Coast.

Thankfully, no one has yet reported any injuries or building damage. What a relief!

Here’s what the Wall Street Journal tweeted:

To begin, I think it’s fascinating how I didn’t turn to the news on television for information. Rather, my mind immediately raced to Twitter.  It’s interesting how the quickness of the platform works so well in these types of situations.

Your experiences?

This summer has been pretty fantastic, especially from the point-of-view of my budding media career in journalism and, especially, tennis journalism. The best part: it’s hardly halfway over! I think the photo above captures this excitement, while showcasing a look of pure joy from tennis legend Chris Evert.

I’ve had the opportunity to write and blog for two amazing sites, www.TENNIS.com and WTT.com, as well as do work with content management for both. By working with a set of really talented editors and co-workers, my knowledge of the industry is drastically

improving. Moreover,  I’ve covered events, gone to matches, met various athletes and others in the tennis world, and it’s simply awesome! I wake up each morning and feel energized by the work I do, and that’s pretty special.

Added to the opportunities that I get through working at the office, from writing and working on the websites is my photography. Experiencing these events is one thing, but to then have the ability to capture each not only through the written word, but also through

snapping moments in time adds a more holistic meaning to the memory and to the event looking back. Therefore, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have such an awesome camera and the guidance of people who are so committed to helping me improve my skills.

To highlight some of my experiences and share it with you, my readers, check out my photos, click here. Enjoy!

The receipt signed by Selena Gomez. Photo: Bridger Maxwell

Okay, so before, you tell me that this story is made up, check out the receipt with Selena Gomez’s autograph above. Yes, it’s hers.

Anyway, back to the story.

After having just tried — and failed — to win tickets to see Wicked, I go to a nearby Thai Restaurant, the Siam Inn, with the awesome, Bridger Maxwell. By the way, I totally take credit for selecting the restaurant. Sorry, man!

We step inside and are led to the back. I accidentally take the wrong seat — meaning not sitting all the way against the wall –, which turns out to be that much closer to two of the biggest celebrities currently tugging at the heartstrings of pre-teens and teens (and adults) world-wide. Go figure.

Minutes pass, and we attempt to figure out what to eat — I end up selecting a delicious salmon and mango salad — when a large party gets seated to my left. I don’t notice who it is, or pay them any attention. Suddenly, I receive a text from Bridger: “We are sitting next to Bieber.” I look up and scoff. What? You must mean some impersonator, right? But, no. I look over shyly, and instantly recognize the hair. The voice. The diamond stud earrings.

That’s him alright.

A few minutes in stunned silence, combined with a ridiculous amount of giddy texting to friends and family, go by. Then, the realization: Wow, he’s sitting next to Selena Gomez. How cute, right?

It’s even more difficult to concentrate on holding a conversation. My journalistic brain turns on instead, prompting ideas about how to capture this scene in writing and what questions to ask. No, that’s not socially acceptable at all. Oops.

I force myself to stop focusing on these thoughts and start listening to what they’re saying. For some reason, everything the young couple says suddenly becomes the most important thing in the world.

Here’s what I learn: Justin has his heart set on Orange Chicken. Sorry, Biebs, this isn’t a Chinese Restaurant. But who can blame him? It’s good from what I can recall (I’ve been a vegetarian for four years now), but not at all Thai, or Chinese for that matter.

Speaking of vegetarianism, Justin doesn’t seem too keen about the whole idea when a man sitting at the table — a bodyguard presumably — brings up the topic. At the same time, Justin assures the table that he has, in fact, tried being one for about a month. Who knew? Justin’s point, why not get the protein from the real stuff? The kid’s a carnivore. Okay, I can dig it.

The food arrives, eating commences at both tables, along with the eavesdropping, etc., etc. Bridger wants very badly to ask for a photograph of Selena for his cousins. I leave for a minute to use the restroom, he asks, and gets turned down. “We’re eating dinner,” Justin allegedly says. It’s understandable.

Upon my return, it’s time to pick up the check. We’re patiently waiting for it, taking in the scene, when one of the women sitting at the celebrity table — not sure who she was, sorry! — leaves the table. She soon comes back with a receipt in hand.

The woman stops by Selena, who signs it. Not thinking much of it, we decide it’s probably getting autographed for a starstruck waiter. Instead, the woman places the receipt on our table, thanks us for being fans, and lets us know the check has been paid. (See above for the signed receipt).

Yup, Selena Gomez just bought us dinner.

Thanking them profusely, we begin to leave when Justin stops us momentarily. “Have a good one,” he says.

And that, my newfound Twitter followers, is the story of how Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber paid for my dinner.