Mubarak Fails to Quell Unrest

Despite moves by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to appoint new senior cabinet members including the country's first vice president since the leader took office, protests continued and the situation remained tense in Egypt on Saturday. Meanwhile, the death count could be as high as 100. Read More

The Egyptian Army and the Uprising

Mohammed Ezzeldin: The Egyptian people trust the army over the police, but Mubarak is still commander-in-chief

Unrest in Egypt and the Birth of a New Political Age

As I wrote in a Huffington Post essay, "Obama, No Realist He," it is impossible to understand what is happening in North Africa and the Middle East right now without taking a step back and recognizing how fundamentally things are changing throughout the world today. We are seeing so many streams of change flowing into the river of history: technological change, advances in communications and media, evolving economies and the creative/destructive power of globalization, the post-WWII global order, "the rise of the rest," the election to the presidency of the most powerful country in the world a man with non-European lineage. But taken together what we know is that we are in a transitional global period now, and with these events of the last few weeks it feels more like we are entering the beginning of a new age rather than experiencing the end of the last. Read More

Hosni Mubarak: Made in the USA

As the world looks to the American response, we must decide what kind of strategy we plan on carrying into the future. Will we continue an outdated policy of supporting despots in farce elections, or will we practice what we so often like to preach. Unfounded fears over who may or may not fill a potential vacuum mustn't be an excuse to sustain the status quo. While it's true that revolution doesn't always bring democracy or a better life, like what came out of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, it's up to the Egyptian people to decide their country's course. At a time of upheaval, the only guarantee is that our current strategy of supporting similar regimes in the region will breed the very radicalism that we hope to avoid.

Read more from the Roosevelt Institute

Euro: The “opportunity within the crisis”

Germany's Foreign Minister Westerwelle has stressed the need “to direct our efforts towards a strategic and forward-looking development of the euro’s future”. Long-term structural reforms are needed, he says, to avoid another debt crisis arising in the near future. What he does not see as necessary is an increase in the euro rescue package.

The crux of the matter according to Westerwelle is that “we are in this situation because too much debt was taken on in too short a time; and it now cannot be refinanced on the markets”. The Minister therefore considers it essential to tackle the causes. The pressure created by the immediate problem must be used, he feels, to push through structural changes.

Is it rational for Israel to believe that it can embrace the Arab minority economically, but assault it in all other ways?

What is the message that is being sent to Israel’s Arab citizens? That the civil service wants them, but their loyalty is suspect; that the high-tech industry is open to them, but they are a security threat ‏(we demonstrate this to them well at Ben-Gurion airport‏); that it’s important that they attend university, but they should play down their identity there; that they may be “colleagues” of Jews, but they will never be just “friends”; that their money is welcome in the malls, but they shouldn’t even dream of living in the adjacent neighborhoods; that they can establish businesses in an industrial zone, but will never be accepted as members of the neighboring village; that they may be leaders in their professions, but their language and culture are alien and repulsive. An Arab citizen can be the top surgeon in a hospital, but if he needs to pray, he should excuse himself and go outside to do it.

Read the article by Amnon Be’eri Sulitzeanu

Why Egypt matters

by Roger Hardy

Egypt matters, in a way that tiny Tunisia - key catalyst that it has been in the current wave of protest - does not.

Egypt, the most populous Arab state, can help determine the thrust of Arab policies - whether towards Israel or Iran or in the perennial quest for Arab consensus on issues that matter.

And - the wild card that troubles Western policy-makers most - could the Muslim Brotherhood, the country's Islamist opposition movement, somehow exploit the protests to come to power?

Read more...

Egypt facing revolution as Mubarak outlaws protests

VISA requirements with the EU abolished for Serbia and F.Y.R.O.M.

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov congratulated his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski and President of Serbia Boris Tadic of the abolition of the visa requirements with the EU for citizens of both countries on 19 December this year.

In telephone conversations with both leaders, the Prime Minister discussed issues of bilateral relations of Bulgaria with Macedonia and Serbia. He wished success to the two countries on their path towards integration with the European structures and welcomed the formal request of Serbia for EU membership.

The Prime Minister greeted the two leaders for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year holidays and through them sent a message of health and welfare of the Macedonian and Serbian nations.

Find out more: http://www.government.bg/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0234&n=16&g=

What Sparked Tunisian Revolution?

The Tunisian ex-president remains in Saudi Arabia. After 23 years in power, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted by thousands of people in the streets of Tunisia in what--at least for people observing from the West--was a somewhat unexpected development.

Tunisia protesters demand change, prisoners freed

Khaleej Times Online - 

Street protesters in Tunisia kept up pressure for a government free of ties with the old guard while a prominent dissident said he would run for president to sweep the former leadership from power.

The country’s interim leaders said they had freed the last of its political prisoners and promised a “complete break with the past” on Wednesday to appease the protesters who forced the strongman of 23 years, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, to flee to Saudi Arabia last week with some of his wealthy entourage.

State television said 33 of Ben Ali’s clan had been arrested for crimes against the nation. It showed what it said was seized gold and jewellery. Switzerland froze Ben Ali’s family assets.

Demonstrators, though less numerous than during the days of rage which unseated Ben Ali, continued to insist on the removal of all ministers from his once feared RCD party.

 Read More

Taking Sides in the Tunisian Crisis 

Hoover Institution - Kori Schake

Tuniais’s “President” has been overthrown. Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali controlled Tunisia and its people for twenty three years, creating “stability” by developing a repressive police state. He was forced from power by protesters in the streets and the refusal of his military chief to shoot his countrymen and women. General Ammar refused his presidents order to fire on protesters, and individual soldiers stepped in to prevent security forces from doing so, precipitating Mr. Ben Ali’s departure from power.

Read More

France Makes Awkward U-Turn on Tunisia Policy

Spiegel Online -  Stefan Simons
The overthrow of Tunisian President Ben Ali has presented the French government with a dilemma. Paris's previous support for the dictator is now proving embarrassing for President Sarkozy, who has been forced to distance himself from his old ally. Voices calling for a complete change in France's Maghreb policy are growing louder. She felt misunderstood, she said, explaining that her words had been "distorted." Addressing the French parliament on Tuesday, Michèle Alliot-Marie, the recently appointed French foreign minister, played the role of the innocent victim. She was responding to opposition members of parliament, who had questioned the minister regarding her controversial comments on the situation in Tunisia, where President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was toppled last Friday.

Read More

Blackberry agrees to filter porn in Indonesia

With cell phone maker Blackberry agreeing to block pornography in its Indonesian phones, the country's communication ministry said the company has until Friday to finalize the mechanism, local media reported on Monday.

Indonesian Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring said Canadian-based tech company Research in Motion (RIM) will not be able to extend or modify the deadline, warning that if it is not able to create a pornography website filter in its smartphones, its permits would be revoked, the Jakarta Globe reported.

Prostitution accusations against PM Berlusconi widen

Milan prosecutors on Monday said that the evidence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in regards to the prostitution allegations against him have widened.

According to the ANSA news agency, prosecutors have sent a formal request to the Italian parliament, asking for permission to search the office of Berlusconi's accountant in relation to the allegations.

Berlusconi, 74, was placed under investigation last week for allegedly exploiting underage prostitution. The Italian leader is accused of having sex with a teenage runaway Moroccan belly dancer, identified as 'Ruby Rubacuore.'

"A significant number of young women prostituted themselves with Silvio Berlusconi at his residences in exchange for sums of money," the prosecutors' request read. The document also informs that in addition to sums of money, the girls received free housing in the sumptuous villa owned by Berlusconi in a plush Milan district. The girl was 17 years old when the alleged acts took place.

Tunisia forms new government amidst protests

Tunisian interim leadership on Monday announced the formation of a new government as protests continued in the capital Tunis, France24 news reported.

The new government of national unity includes members of the opposition as announced by Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi. In addition, established political figures were included too in a desperate attempt to bring back political stability in the North African country.

The crisis in Tunisia escalated after the ouster of former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. The Prime Minister remarked that foreign, interior and defense ministers under Ben Ali will continue in their posts.

Nineteen die in Pakistan minibus blast

At least 19 people were killed on Monday after a bomb struck a minibus transport vehicle in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, local media reported on Tuesday.

Eighteen people were killed instantly after a Peshawar-bound passenger van on the Hangu-Kohat Road exploded near Jawzara village, about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the town of Hangu. One of the 14 injured later died at the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Geo TV reported.

In addition, another transport vehicle heading to Rawalpindi was damaged by the explosion, causing several passengers to sustain critical injuries.

EU says successful Euro changeover in Estonia

The European Commission on Monday announced that Estonia underwent a successful Euro changeover as the dual circulation period ended last Friday.

The Commission set a deadline for a dual currency circulation period in which both the Estonian kroon and the Euro were used as citizens of the Balkan country got used to the new currency.

"This successful and smooth changeover is no coincidence. It is the result of careful preparations, in close contacts with the Commission and the ECB," said Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Russian President Medvedev urges ratification of new START treaty

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday urged a swift ratification for the U.S.-Russia START treaty, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Medvedev called on the Russian Parliament to ratify as quickly as possible the treaty which consists in the new nuclear arms reduction pact with the United States and signed last April in Prague, Czech Republic.

"The Americans have done what they have promised to do. They have ratified the treaty with several amendments," Medvedev said. "Now it is the turn of our parliament. You have all possibility to do the same. I hope that decision will be made."

American service member killed in northern Iraq

An American service member was killed in northern Iraq on Monday morning, the U.S. military confirmed, but few details were immediately released.


A statement from U.S. Forces - Iraq said a U.S. service member was killed as a result of a non-hostile incident in northern Iraq, but provided no other information. "The name of the deceased and details of the incident are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense," the statement said.

Apple CEO Jobs to take medical leave

Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs on Monday announced that he will take a medical leave from the technology company.

Jobs, 55, informed that he is taking another medical leave due to his latest health struggle for the head of the world-known company. The announcement provoked uncertainty over Apple's future direction.

Apple's CEO is a pancreatic cancer survivor who received a liver transplant in 2009. He informed his decision via an email sent to his staff on Monday morning. Jobs said that he intends to focus on his health in the near future.

Afghan official blames Iran's blockade for fuel shortage

Afghanistan's commerce minister has blamed Iran for the country's fuel shortage, the DPA news agency reported on Monday.

"Afghanistan is suffering. The stoppage of fuel tankers has created great problems and a crisis for us in terms of fuel supply," Anwarul Haq Ahadi told journalists.

Iran cut its fuel supply route to Afghanistan for more than a month without providing a convincing reason in early December. It has been allowing only small numbers of trucks, 40 tankers a day, to cross the border. There were still about 1,800 to 1,900 tankers on the other side, Ahadi said.

Man sets himself on fire near Egyptian parliament

An apparent protester set himself on fire near the Egyptian parliament in Cairo on Monday, police and local media said.

The Al-Ahram newspaper said 49-year-old Abdo Abdel Hameed, a restaurant owner, had poured a container of petrol on himself before lightning a match to his clothes, engulfing him in flames. It was not immediately clear if he did it in protest or in a failed suicide attempt.

After Abdel put himself on fire, witnesses attempted to contain the flames before a cab driver used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Abdel was transported to a serious hospital, where he is said to be in a stable condition. 

Chinese President Hu proposes four points to improve US relations

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday proposed four points to improve U.S. relations, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The Chinese leader spoke about his proposal for improving China-U.S. ties ahead of his scheduled visit to Washington D.C. from Tuesday to Friday. He remarked that both nations will benefit from a improved relationship.

Iran 'confirms' shooting down drones in the Persian Gulf

Iran on Monday confirmed that it shot down several Israeli, American and British unmanned drones in the Persian Gulf, claims which the Pentagon has denied.

The announcement was made by a senior Iranian military official who spoke under the condition of anonymity, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. The official added that Iran has eliminated several drones during the last 7 years. 

12 inmates escape from prison in northern Mexico

Mexican authorities on Monday informed that 12 inmates escaped from a prison facility in northern Mexico.

The twelve criminals broke out from the Aquiles Serdan prison in Chihuahua State located approximately four kilometers (two miles) from the state's capital of Chihuahua. The prison break took place at about 5.00 a.m. local time.

Local officials said that a loud blast was heard and initially it was thought that a grenade had exploded. However, it was later determined that the explosion was only a distraction while a vehicle demolished a wire fence.

The vehicle left a hole with one meter and a half of diameter through which the twelve inmates fled. At about 8.20 a.m., police forces managed to capture one of the twelve criminals who escaped through the west side hole.

U.S. air traffic increases 5.6 percent in October

U.S. air traffic in October experienced a 5.6 percent increase compared to the previous year's rate, according to a recently released U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) report.

According to the report, U.S. airlines carried 62.1 million scheduled domestic and international passengers last October with a passenger total 4 percent above that of two years ago in October 2008. However, it still remained 3.3 percent below the pre-recession level of October 2007.

Strong quake hits off Southern Sumatra

A strong earthquake struck off Southern Sumatra in Indonesia on early Tuesday morning, seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake at 2.20 a.m. local time (1920 GMT Monday) was centered about 155 kilometers (95 miles) south-southeast of Bengkula on the west coast of Sumatra. It struck about 34.4 kilometers (21.4 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the country's seismological agency.