China Spends $1 billion to Tackle Drought

Following the United Nation's warning earlier this week about about the drought in China, the Chinese government is expected to invest about $1 billion to help alleviate the stresses of the issue. The government plans to spend around the billion to divert water to affected areas and irrigation facilities. The main affected provinces include Shandong, Jiangsu, Henan, Hebei and Shanxi, which together account for about 60% of the wheat planted this winter. As China is the world's largest producer of wheat, this serious issue affects the entire world, not just China. Some 2.57 million people and 2.79 million livestock are suffering from drinking water shortages as well. On Wednesday, Beijing got its first snowfall, the first form of precipitation in more than three months. The precipitation is unlikely going to end the drought however, or even have a significant impact on the drought areas.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/10/china.weather/index.html

-Kristine Zizis

Earthquake Hits Chile Again

Chile had another earthquake this morning which had a magnitude of 6.0 and Chile was hit by a earthquake this past Friday as well. The quake hit the coast of Chile and it was only 15 miles from the populous city of Concepcion ,but most of the people that lived in the cities around Concepcion had evacuated after the earthquake on Friday. There is no reported damage yet ,but Concepcion and Chile are still rebuilding from that devastating earthquake last year that was a 8.8 magnitude and killed hundreds of Chileans.

Brian Campbell

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/02/13/chile.earthquake/index.html

11 die in Stampede at a Nigeria rally

Eleven people have died in a stampede at an election rally in Nigeria. The rally in the southern city of Port Harcourt was part of President Goodluck Jonathan's election campaign ahead of a poll due in April. At least 29 others are said to have been injured at the rally, which was held in a crowded sports stadium. The crowd panicked after a policeman fired in the air to try to disperse crowds at the gates as people left the rally, according to witnesses.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12441928

Jamie Alt

Yemen protesters: 'First Mubarak, now Ali'

In Sanaa, Yemen, hundreds of anti-government protesters marched toward a presidential palace in Yemen on Sunday, calling for regime change in the Middle Eastern country. The current President, Ali Saleh has ruled Yemen for 32 years and has pledged not to stand for re-election when his current term, which started in 2006 and ends in 2013.

According to the article, the anti-government group first gathered at the gates of Sanaa University earlier Sunday, where another group of pro-government demonstrators carried pictures of Ali. The cities police tried to disperse the crowds and stepped in to prevent pro-government demonstrators from following when the anti-government group headed away from the university and toward the palace. The group of students consist of students and right activist. furthermore, the cities security forces put up barbed wire barricades and blocked the protesters' path about two miles from the palace. At that point, the situation intensified as protesters attempted to reach the palace through side streets.

In spite of this, Egypt's revolution resonated across the region, with anti-government protests in Yemen and Algeria. Brief clashes erupted Saturday in Yemen between hundreds of pro- and anti-government demonstrators who staged rival rallies in the capital. The clashes, which left a small number of people injured, followed an anti-government protest Friday night in which men armed with knives attacked more than a thousand demonstrators, according to human rights groups. In regards to these situations, 2011 is the year of the reveloution, because demonstrations are also planned in Libya and Iran on Monday.


BY Delaina Flagg

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/13/yemen.protests/index.html?npt=NP1

Yesterday Egypt, today Algeria

Following the success of Egypt's two week protests, Algerians have now taken a stand and are protesting against their own oppressive regime. The protesters risk arrest and beatings, and there have been groups, with the support of the police, going into the crowds and instigating incidents. One incredible moment was when a group of women gathered only to be stopped by a group of policewomen. The article goes on to say that society needs to band together more strongly if they hope to get their hopes and dream accomplished.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/12/algeria-egypt

Jim Michalik

Committed to Civilian Rule & Democracy (Egypt)

The military rulers of Egypt have agreed to go through with civilian rule and democracy. Pro-democracy activists have promised to remain in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, waiting for the Higher Military Council to approve of their agenda for democratic reform. Consequently, if the military does not address the issue, more demonstrations will take place. Autocratic rulers hypothesized the chances of keeping their positions after the removal of Mubarak. The new government would forever change Egypt. Pharmacist Elmasalmy said “half-revolutions kill nations.” It is questionable as to how willing the military is to make such a swift transition to parliamentary democracy. It seems Egypt is moving towards stability, but will they be able to maintain it??

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110212/wl_nm/us_egypt;_ylt=ApUX2.g1lHJgCv1eW9eyB5NvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTI5NDVnbnJsBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTEwMjEyL3VzX2VneXB0BGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNlZ3lwdDM5c2FybXk-

-Taryn Vaughan

China: West has no right to punish Zimbabwe

On a recent trip to Zimbabwe, China's Foreign Minister called for an end to sanctions put on Zimbabwe by Western nations.  Since 2002, the US and EU imposed sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled the country for 30 years, and his senior party members due to alleged human right violations, suppression of political opposition, and targeting of white farmers in land policies.  China claims that no country has the right to dictate the internal affairs of another country and that Africans are the masters of the African continent, with the right to develop in their own ways.  In addition, China gave Zimbabwe US$7.5 million in aid, as Zimbabwe has 90% unemployment and a 231,000,000% inflation rate.  Mugabe blames the West for Zimbabwe's problems, claiming they have not transferred their investments back over the the Zimbabweans fast enough.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/12/zimbabwe.china/index.html

Mark Zajac

Egypt moves to reassure allies

In the after math of President Hosni Mubarak's resignation on Friday, after 18 days of protest, the military has stated they will uphold all international treaties, including the ones with Israel. The announcement was made on television by a senior officer where he also stated that the military will oversee peaceful transition into civilian rule. This announcement came to the great relief of not only the Egyptian people but also the United State and Israel. The military has also asked the remaining members of the government to stay on until elections can be held and all upper levels of Mubarak's government as not allowed to leave the country. There is still a lot of celebration going on and the stock market in Egypt is set to reopen on Wednesday. However the opposition forces stay vigilant until they receive clear evidence that the government is headed in a new direction. It is evident that the fight for democracy is not over in Egypt but progress in still being made.

Nicole LeDonne

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12440138

The Egypt people are ready for democracy

Obama is staying hesitant towards Egypt’s hopeful move into democracy. Mubarak has finally resigned from presidency, but the revolution has only just begun. Now that the past regime in Egypt has dissolved, President Obama warns of, “ Difficult days ahead” . As the power has temporarily been given to the military, this will be a defining moment for the unified people. Recently, the United States has called for the new government to uphold the 1979 peace treaty with Israel. It will be interesting to see how Egypt's relationship with the United States will change especially since the U.S. government had been on good terms with Mubarak while he was in office. Obama has asked the military to rewrite the legal code to allow democracy and organize fair elections. It seem the entire country is going to hold our breaths in anticipation for Egypt’s reform.

To read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12437116

-Kathleen Fultz

Mubarek Steps Down

After nearly 30 years in office, Egypt's President Mubarek stepped down today, and handed the power over to military. Crowds of people were seen cheering and celebrating the fact that Egypt is now free. Mohamed ElBaradei, an opposition leader states that "For the first time, Egypt has a chance to be democratic, to be free, to have a sense of dignity, of freedom. So it's amazing. It's just like something we never experienced in our lifetime". This is great news for the country and its citizens who have been protesting all along. It will be interesting to follow this story in the future and see how everything actually works out.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/11/egypt.protests/index.html#

By: Jasmina Vukovic

Mubarak Stepping Down?

Protesting crowds in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt are celebrating the news that Mubarak may be stepping down very soon after the meeting of the Egyptian Military Council. It seems that the protests, which have been going on since January 25th, may actually achieve their goal. The biggest question that emerges now is which direction Egyptian government will take from here. The crowds are divided; some want a 'civil' change with no military involvement, while others chant "People and the army, we are one!". The interesting thing is that a great deal of citizens place more faith in the military than any government leaders, even the Vice President, who has supposedly been trying to negotiate with public demands. Although the atmosphere is festive( including music, dancing, and vendors), many have sworn not to leave the square until a new regime is established.

Claire Van der Vort

Six dead in Ireland plane crash

Today, a small plane crashed at a small southern Ireland airport, killing six and injuring six. The injured were taken to a local hospital and four are said to be in serious condition, while the other two are resting comfortably. The plane, which went up and flames, attempted twice before to land in low visibility, and finally landed for the third time at this airport while surrounding roads and airports were closed because of the weather. Government officials were shocked to learn of the deaths from the crash and expressed sympathy to the families of the victims. They also wished those injured a speedy recovery. The crews that were also involved in the rescue were commended for their excellent work. The aircraft was on lease from Flightline BCN in Spain, and both Irish and British experts will be involved in the investigation of the crash.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/02/10/ireland.crash/index.html

By: Brianne Thomas

U.N. Issues Warning about China Drought

The U.N. issued a warning that the severe drought in China is threatening the wheat crop. China is the world's largest wheat producer and has remained self-sufficient in it's production. According to the state run news, the drought is said to be the worst China has experienced in 600 years. If China resorts to importing grain to feed it's people, the effect on the international price of grain may be devastating, as prices will soar even higher than they are currently.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/business/global/09food.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=world

By:
Kaitlyn Gordon

Hitler Card Game

The game is called "dictators quartet" and features 32 of the worlds most "evil" dictators. It also divides these leaders into categories such as fascists, military rulers and U.S. puppets, with each card listing their age on succession to power, length of time in power, number of victims and private income. In Germany the game is being confiscated, and is no longer being sold because of Hitler's card which also has a swastika, which is an illegal display in Germany.


http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/02/08/germany.hitler.cards/index.html

Assange Trial

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's trial in London gets heated as both sides exchange remarks on recent arrest warrant issued by the Swedish government over question about acusations of rape and sexual molestation of 2 women. Assange was unreachable for questioning on the matter even by his own lawyer which makes the situtation even more interesting. Assange tries avoid being extradited to Sweden for the flaws in the Swedish courts. His defense makes the case that the area of confidentiality will not be up to par in Sweden..

Brandon Borkovec

Pirates seize Italian oil tanker

Pirates have recently taken control of an Italian oil tanker carrying crude oil in the Indian Ocean. Shots were fired by five pirates who then boarded the tanker roughly 500 miles off the coast of India and 800 miles off the coast of Somalia. They were able to take over with only a small boat. The crew of the tanker consisted of 17 Indians and 5 Italians. None have been reported to be injured. An Italian naval ship is currently on its way to the scene and expected to arrive in several days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12390068
Meghan Steinbeiss

Cambodia Calls For UN Buffer Zone At Thai Border

Cambodia's Prime Minister has called for a UN buffer zone to be instated around the area containing the Preah Vihear temple which has been at the center of a century-old border dispute. The 11th century Hindu temple has been the focus for many Thai nationalists for centuries. The dispute began over the border territory in which the temple stands. For many centuries, French colonial maps showed the temple as belonging to Cambodia, but in later decades Thailand said the maps were not official and therefore invalid. In 1962, the International Court of Justice granted the temple to Cambodia. Thailand accepts Cambodia's sovereignty of Preah Vihear, however the land surrounding the temple is still disputed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12381052

Dennie Whitlow

Doubts in Taliban's Ties with Al Qaeda

People think that the Taliban and Al Qaeda are very close in their ideological beliefs. But in an New York University report issued Monday, there is much hostility between the group. Before September 11, 2001, there was already hostility and after the attacks happened, there was even more hostility. The report was written by two individuals, Alex Strick van Linschoten and Felix Kuehn. There are many ideas from a Taliban diplomat's autobiography, read by the two authors who lived in Afghanistan. The American officials are saying that they share the same ideological views and that the only way to get them to negotiate is to use the military surge to weaken the Taliban. The authors think the complete opposite, that the military surge will make it even harder to negotiate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/world/asia/07afghan.html?ref=world
Jessica Connor

Neo-Nazis dominate tiny German village

In a small town in eastern Germany, Neo-Nazis are taking over. The unemployment rating is 12.7% in the state where the town lies, which is the highest percentage outside of Berlin. It is one of two states where the National Democratic Party, or NDP, a extreme right political group, holds a seat in parliament. The Neo-Nazis are careful to not break any laws, as the use of the swastika, and SS lighting bolts are prohibited. The German government is wanting to ban the NDP from participating in the parliament, because they feel that it is not what Germany needs at a time like this.

Jacob McCarty

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/06/neo-nazis-dominate-tiny-german-village-2108123018/

Serbia continues string of Protests

As the protests in Egypt continue, the rest of the world is catching wind of this and making waves of there own. In the U.S. not as much, but in Serbia, definitely. On Saturday an estimated 55,000 to 70,000 people gathered in front of the parliament building in Serbia's capital of Belgrade. The protests were over the call for new elections within the next two months. The next elections weren't scheduled unitl 2012. The protest was a peaceful protest, and it was called by the Serbian Progressive Party and it's leader Tomislav Nikolic. Serbia is in the midst of an inflation and economic crisis, and the Progressive Party is suggesting that the ruling party as of now is too focused on becoming integrated into the European Union to do anything about it. Clearly the effects of the Egyptian and Tunisian protests are being felt, the government and police in Serbia accomadated for the protests, and no violence occured. Mr. Nikolic even used some "propaganda" from the situation in North Africa saying "Elsewhere in the world people are telling governments to listen to the people". Others held signs saying "Democratic Party, time to go" and "We are hungry". The progressive party is threatening sit-in's if elections aren't called in the next two months.
Video and more info at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12373901
By: Zach Howell

Karzai announces transfer of power

The president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, announced today that he plans to start transferring the power from international forces to domestic forces in march. This transfer marks the beginning of a transfer that will occur over the next few years and the NATO security general Fogh Rasmussen said that he is hopeful that Afghanistan will be completely independent of outside military help by sometime in 2014. Karzai credits outside forces with restoring the stability of afghanistan over the past few years.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/06/afghanistan.security/index.html?npt=NP1

Courtney Darnell

Indian navy seizes pirates' Indian Ocean mothership

Saturday night the Indian navy received word that a Greek ship had been attacked by pirates. The next morning they were found by the navy who followed the two high speed boats to a hijacked Thai fishing trawler, the Prantalay 11. The pirates had been using the fishing trawler as a launching point for many of their raids. After several shots were fired the pirates were captured as well as the original crew of the trawler. The pirates are being sent to Mumbai where they will be handed to authorities. This is the second successful capture of pirates this month by the Indian authorities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12376695

Nicole LeDonne

Egyptian VP vows changes to appease protestors

The Egyptian Vice President, Omar Suleiman, held meetings with rival groups recently and offered some changes that could potentially change the entire country. A major offer was to end military law on Egypt! A representative government was being discussed with potentially free media. One of the groups called the January 25 group met with Suleiman, although many of the protesters had never heard of them and were calling it into question. Others were saying that these talks could possibly be ploys to end the protests for Mubarak.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/06/egypt.protests/index.html?hpt=T1

Jim Michalik

Japan Looking to Trade with Australia

Japan has set up meetings with Australia to arrange Japan's free-trade agreement with a major agricultural exporter. The slumping Japanese economy has pressured its government to open trading which would be worth $60bn annually. Though Japan is still acting conservative at the negotiation table to protect their domestic market this is the first time they have been prompted to compromise. Hopefully by Japan creating better global access and appeal for their trade it will boost their economy.

To read more:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/12362815

-Kathleen Fultz

Police evict Rapa Nui clan from Easter Island hotel

Police on Easter Island have evicted a group of indigenous people who had been occupying the grounds of a luxury hotel since last year.

The group of Rapa Nui say the land on which the hotel was built had been illegally taken from their ancestors generations ago.
They have been protesting for months over what they say are plans to develop Easter Island.
The island, annexed by Chile in 1888, is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Members of the Hitorangi clan have been occupying the Hangaroa Eco Village and Spa since last August.
The hotel was bought from the Chilean government by the Scheiss family, a powerful investment group, in the 1990s, but the Rapa Nui say their ancestors had been cheated into giving up the land years before.
Rodrigo Gomez, a lawyer for the group, said up to 50 armed police had broken into the hotel to remove the final five occupiers. They were arrested and released pending court hearings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12378736

By Annie Hung

Afghanistan's President Karzai says security will transfer to from American forces to Afghanistan's

President Karzai annouced at the Munich Security Conference that their security forces will start making a shift from international forces to domestic forces. This shift is planned to start on March 21st and will last for another 3 years as the forces gradually shift to domestic. Karzai said that the influx of 70,000 international troops last year greatly helped the security of his country. Although it was the deadliest year for the U.S. in Afghanistan since the war started, General David Petraeus stated that it has greatly reduced the amount of insurgence, especially in Kabul, and put the terror groups on the defensive. Although the shift is occurring, Karzai does not want to completely cut ties with international forces giving them aid and U.S. and NATO troops will probably still be a presence there long after the shift has stopped.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/06/afghanistan.security/index.html?npt=NP1
Alex Damske

Colombia averts jail troubles

BBC posted an extremely bizarre article about how an 11 year old tried to smuggle in 74 cell phones into a jail. It's sad to think that someone so young could be put in the middle of trying to smuggle contraband (she also had a .38-calibre gun). While these stories rarely if ever make the top news story they can often cause major problems for prison officials. The problem of using young innocent children as smugglers is a shame. In the U.S. the problem is rampant as inmates consistently try come up with new ways of getting things in. A cell phone can't kill anyone, but it can spread the word out to have someone else killed. Cell phones can be used to intimidate another inmate's family who is being extorted. Bottom line is that cell phone smuggling and using small children as the means to do it is a problem. It's a problem that deserves more attention so that the kids of today will remember what it is to be a kid.

James Lambert
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12378390

Jordanian tribal figures criticize queen, demand reform

Jordanian Tribes criticizing the Royal family in Jordan. Criticizing Queen Rania on how she is dividing Jordanians up and stealing from the country and the people. It appeared on ammonnews.net who later complained that they have been hacked. The statement has been removed. The tribal figures were basically sending a message to King Abdullah II. They're stating the fact that whats going on in Tunisia and Egypt it could occur in Jordan too. That's if the corruptions have not been prosecuted. Criticism in Jordan towards the monarchy is very rare. There has been recent protests that was towards the government to have King Abdullah II step down.

Read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/06/jordan.monarchy/index.html?npt=NP1

Yasmeen Kiswani

Official: Restoration work begins on damaged Egyptian Artifacts

Feb 6. 2011

During the protests against the Egyptian government, damage has been done to the world renown King Tuts tomb. The main artifact that was damaged was to a statue that stood beside King Tut's tomb. Looters were said to have broken into the Egyptian Museum and then damaged multiple artifacts. A team of 11 members will work to get the artifacts back to their original state and the repairs should take 3-4 days. Zahi Hawass thinks this has come from the governmental problems in Egypt and also from the lack of money people have. She said people these days are scavenging for anything and took advantage of the museum for its low security.

-John McWard

www.cnn.com

Protests Force Bush to Cancel Speech for Geneva

Former U. S. President George W. Bush should have been spending the end of this week in Geneva after giving a speech on behalf of the United Israel Appeal. However the Swiss public was not exactly happy about Bush visiting their country. United Israel Appeal was forced to cancel Bush's speaking engagement Saturday after news had spread about potential unrest and concerns for the former president's safety were raised.

The reason behind the threats of large-scale protests stem from comments made by Bush in his memoir "Decision Points" in which he states he had authorized waterboarding. These admissions triggered anger by various groups such as Amnesty International. These groups started a campaign to petition the Swiss government to open an investigation of Bush during his stay in Geneva. Their plan was to have him arrested and prosecuted while in Switzerland because of a international convention signed by the Swiss banning torture. The Swiss government stated they had no interest in investigating Bush, so threats of large protests at his speech were made. While it is unclear what made Bush cancel his trip, the threat of an investigation or the protests, it's a smart idea he decided to stay away.

Spencer Darrow

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/world/europe/06bush.html?ref=world

Cheney calls Mubarak a good friend, U.S. ally

While speaking at a ceremony honoring former President Ronald Reagan in Santa Barbara, California on February 6th, former Vice President Dick Cheney stated that Egyptian President Hosni Munarak is a good friend and US ally.

Although Mubarak is facing protests, the three decade leader will not relinquish power until September. Nevertheless, Cheney believes that the Egyptian President should be treated with respect and refuses to predict if his "friend" would step down because he does not know. However, Cheney does point out the fact that "there comes a time for everybody when it's time to hang it up and move on." Eventually the fate of Egypt will be decided by its people.

By Aleksandra Ruseva

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/06/egypt.cheney/index.html?npt=NP1

US Hikers held in Iran go on trial

Three hikers, who are accused of trespassing and spying in Iran final go on trial after they were detained in July of 2009. The trial is closed to the press and the public, which is likely with revolutionary court proceedings. It has been postponed for a later date, but it will be sooner than later according to the Swiss ambassador. Most importantly, many believe that the line they trespassed is unmarked and that they should not be charged.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/06/iran.hiker.trial/index.html

By: Jasmina Vukovic

Official: 7 dead, almost 1 million displaced from Sri Lanka flooding

Sri Lanka has experienced heavy rains that have caused sever flooding that has displaced over 1 million people. Many are being housed in 505 welfare centers. Disaster Management Officials have stated that 7 are dead, but 5 navy personnel that were deployed on relief work are also missing. Furthermore, almost 1,000 houses have been destroyed already, and towns like Medirigirya were completely submerged in water. Some rescue attempts have also lead to fatalities because the flood waters are capable of lifting and smashing rescue boats. Relief efforts are accelerating, as stated by Sri Lanka's ministry of disaster management.

By Peter Zafiropoulos

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/05/sri.lanka.flooding/index.html

Egypt Makes New Concessions to Opposition Groups

CAIRO -- Egypt's vice president met a wide representation of major opposition groups for the first time Sunday and agreed to allow freedom of the press, to release those detained since anti-government protests began nearly two weeks and ago and to lift the country's hated emergency laws when security permits.

Vice President Omar Suleiman endorsed a plan with the opposition to set up a committee of judiciary and political figures to study proposed constitutional amendments that would allow more candidates to run for president and impose term limits on the presidency, the state news agency reported. The committee was given until the first week of March to finish the tasks.

The regime also pledged not to harass those participating in the anti-government protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands at the biggest rallies. The government also agreed not to hamper freedom of press and not to interfere with text messaging and Internet.

Sunday's meeting was the broadest representation of Egypt's fragmented opposition to meet with the new vice president since the protests demanding the immediate ouster of longtime President Hosni Mubarak began on Jan. 25.

The opposition groups represented included the youthful supporters of leading democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei, who are one of the main forces behind the protests.

The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest opposition group, and a number of smaller leftist, liberal groups also attended the meeting, according to footage shown on state television.

Mubarak, Egypt's ruler of nearly 30 years, has rejected calls to step down immediately and instead promised a package of unspecified political reforms -- part of a series of concessions the regime has made in an unsuccessful bid to quell the protests.

The two sides also agreed at the meeting that the government would open an office that would field complaints about political prisoners, according to the state news agency.

The government also pledged to commission judicial authorities to fight corruption and prosecute those behind it. It agreed to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the yet unexplained disappearance of police from Cairo's streets more than a week ago, which unleashed a wave of lawless looting and arson.

Egypt's emergency laws were imposed by Mubarak when he took office in 1981 and they have been in force ever since. The laws give police far-reaching powers for detention and suppression of civil and human rights. Lifting the laws has been a longtime demand by the opposition.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/06/egypts-brotherhood-hold-talks-government/

William B. Robinson

Fighting In South Sudan

Crossfires between north and south Sudan are claiming more lives.Fighting between Melut and Paloich (which is said to be an oil-rich area) has killed 30 people. Conflict that has now spread to the upper Nile state, started between Melut and Paloich when soldiers refused to redeploy their weapons to the north. Even when Provisional results say 99% of voters want to secede from north Sudan and south Sudan is set to becoming the newest nation, its seems fighting will rage-on until they are officially separated. Years of conflict over the religious and ethnic difference between the south and the north may end by July 9 2011.
Posted by. Ana Rivera
URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12375876

Crisis Talks in Egypt

The pressure on Egypt for political reform and the removal of President Mubarak continues. On Sunday talks with Egypt’s Vice-President occurred that might instigate political reform in Egypt. The Government urged people to resume working on Sunday, which is when banks opened after being closed for a week.

Nobel Peace laureate, Mohamed ElBaradei, claims the source of the problem derives from the fact that all those that have control, the leaders of Egypt, are all “military men.” He claims because everything is being controlled by the military, the people of Egypt are unaware of what is going on.

Demonstrators stated they would continue to fight to remove the President until September elections arrive. Commander Hassan al-Roweny believes all the Islamists and opposition groups fighting for political reform should return to their normal lives working at their jobs and getting paid.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110206/wl_nm/us_egypt;_ylt=AnP4IF4sq1KVRbEuBysHyTZvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTI5N2EzZjkzBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTEwMjA2L3VzX2VneXB0BGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNlZ3lwdGdvdmVybm0-

Taryn Vaughan

Indian Navy seizes pirate ship

More than 20 pirates have been captured and some two dozen hostages rescued from a hijacked Thai fishing trawler in the Indian Ocean, the Indian defense ministry has said. The capture followed an operation launched by the navy and coast-guard off India's south-western coast. It is the second such success for the Indian navy in a week. Pirates, mainly from Somalia, are active in the Indian Ocean, launching a number of attacks in recent years. The Thai boat had apparently been used by the pirates as a mothership from which they launched raids. The Indian navy says after an exchange of fire, the pirates surrendered and were captured along with the original crew of the Thai boat. They are now being taken to Mumbai (Bombay) where they will be handed over to the authorities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12376695

Jamie Alt

Thai, Cambodian forces exchange gunfire near ancient temple

Saturday morning, Fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops flared again. This all situation all started over an ancient temple claimed by both countries erupted along the border on Friday. FThe clash between the two counties took place on near the Preah Vihear temple, an 11th century structure which straddles the boundary between Cambodia and Thailand. The building itself sits on a cliff in Cambodian territory, but the most accessible entrance to the site is on the Thai side. According to a Thai Army spokesman said one soldier was killed in the latest round of gunfire, and four others were injured. the conflict over the Preah Vihear site has taken place periodically for years. Back in 1962, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that the site was in Cambodia, adding that the structure was "an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture. In addition, July 2008, the United Nations approved Cambodia's application to have the temple listed as a World Heritage Site. However, Thailand says that the 1.8 square mile area around Preah Vihear was never fully demarcated, and blames a map drawn at the beginning of the 20th century during the French occupation of Cambodia. Will this battle ever end?


By Delaina Flagg

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/04/thailand.cambodia.clash/index.html?npt=NP1

Somali Lawmakers criticized for extending parliament term by 3 years

According to a U.S. official, the transitional Somali parliament has extended their terms for 3 years without public consultation. The government is amidst battle with Islamist insurgents over control of territories with Somalia. The nation has not had an effective government in over two decades.

This past week, their terms were extended because of the upcoming expiration of their terms in August. Although many nations urged Somalia to consult with other nations, they did not and extended their terms without knowledge of the international community. Nations were expecting a new constitution to be written and a general election to be held before the deadline in August. Nations are now asking the government to reconsider the choice that they have made, saying the decision was made out of haste. Unfortunately for Somalia, but fortunately for other nations, the UN has condemned the actions that were taken this past week.

Meetings are scheduled for the upcoming weeks to talk with officials concerning the state of Somalia's government and the safety of the people. Many expect peace to come out of the upcoming meetings.


http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/05/somalia.lawmakers.extension/index.html

By: Brianne Thomas

West Backs Gradual Egyptian Transition

The United States and leading European nations on Saturday threw their weight behind a gradual transition in Egypt, backing attempts by the country’s vice president, Omar Suleiman, to negotiate with opposition groups without immediately removing President Hosni Mubarak from power.By emphasizing the need for a gradual transition, only days after emphasizing that change there must begin immediately, the Obama administration was viewed as shifting away from protesters in the streets and toward stronger backing for Mr. Mubarak’s hand-picked elite.Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, appears to reflect worries that rapid change in Egypt could destabilize the country and the region.American officials have said that they are seeking privately to nudge Mr. Mubarak out of his executive role ahead of September elections, though they have also said that they do not view his departure as an essential first step toward a transition to a new democratic system in the country.

KazuyaUsui
International Herald Tribune
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/world/middleeast/06egypt.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=global-home