Egypt police break up protest against new law
CAIRO – Egyptian security forces firing tear gas and water cannons on Friday broke up anti-government demonstrations by Islamists defying a draconian new law restricting protests.
Authorities are seeking to put down unrest by both Islamists and secular activists as a government-appointed assembly tries to finish a final draft on an amended constitution by early next week. The draft has raised criticism from democracy advocates for increasing powers of the military and president.
Since a popularly backed military coup ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July, his supporters have been staging near-daily protests calling for his reinstatement. The rallies have often descended into street clashes with security forces or civilians.
The military-backed government issued the law Sunday banning protests without a police permit.
Thousands demand Ukraine leader resign
KIEV, Ukraine – Around 10,000 protesters crowded into the center of Ukraine’s capital Friday night to demand the president’s resignation after he shelved a landmark agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.
An estimated 2,000 police in helmets and riot gear surrounded the demonstrators on Independence Square. There were several small scuffles with police, but no major clashes into the evening.
However, it was unclear how long the protest would be allowed to continue. The square has symbolic weight as the iconic epicenter of the 2004 mass protests known as the Orange Revolution, which forced the rerun of a fraud-tainted presidential election.
Palestinian negotiator: Peace deal possible
JERUSALEM – The chief Palestinian negotiator in peace talks with Israel says the world needs to get tough with Israel over its continued settlement building to ensure the remaining five months of talks won’t be wasted.
Saeb Erekat spoke Friday in Jerusalem to diplomats from more than three dozen countries.
U.S.-mediated talks on the terms of a Palestinian state began in late July and are to last until April. Since the start of talks, Israel has announced plans for thousands of settlement apartments on lands sought for that state.
Erekat says a deal can still be reached but that the talks “need to be protected against a government that is acting for the settlers, by the settlers, from the settlers.”
Associated Press
