At least 23 people have been killed and scores injured in the worst violence since Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.

Clashes broke out after a protest in Cairo against an attack on a church in Aswan province last week which Coptic Christians blame on Muslim radicals.

Egyptian TV showed protesters clashing with security forces as army vehicles burned outside the state TV building.

The Copts - who make up about 10% of the population - accuse Egypt's governing military council of being too lenient on the perpetrators of a string of anti-Christian attacks.

 

 

Yemen protesters voice skepticism over Saleh's pledge to step down

Protesters in Yemen have taken to the streets, voicing skepticism about President Ali Abdullah Saleh's latest vow to step down.

In his first major speech since returning Yemen, Saleh has proclaimed that he is willing to leave power in the coming days.

There is a high level of distrust among the opposition and protesters, given that Saleh has made similar promises three times in the course of this year, only to back away from the deal at the last minute.

"We say yes to this latest pledge but we are now used to his speeches. I think that he said he will step down in days in his speech so he can re-organize himself."

A Gulf Cooperation Council-sponsored agreement would see Saleh step down in return for immunity from prosecution.

 

 

NTC fighters say Gaddafi town close to fall

Libya's interim government forces say they have made significant gains in the battle for Muammar Gaddafi' hometown of Sirte.

They have reportedly captured the city's main hospital, the university and a main conference centre.

Heavy street fighting is still continuing however around Sirte's city centre.

NTC fighters are struggling to deal with the Gaddafi loyalists, who are hiding in buildings and on rooftops as snipers.

The interim government is on record as saying it will declare national liberation once Sirte falls, even if Gaddafi remains at large.

 

 

Syrian leaders warn countries not to recognize the opposition

Syria's government is now warning of retaliation against any country that recognizes the opposition National Council.

The foreign minister has made the comments following meetings with Latin American ministers, who have been visiting Syria to show support for President Bashar al-Assad.

Seven Syrian opposition factions formed the coalition last week in exile.

The US and France have welcomed the move, but do not recognize it diplomatically.

The UN reports that nearly 3,000 people have been killed during the six-month uprising against President Assad.

 

 

China's consulate general in Thailand says investigation under way for raids on Chinese ships

China's consulate general in the Thai city of Chiang Mai says the local police have launched an investigation, and are hunting for people who attacked two Chinese cargo ships on the Mekong River that left 11 dead and 2 missing.

The two cargo ships were attacked in the so-called golden triangle area of the Mekong River on Wednesday.

A report in the Bangkok Post is pointing the finger at drug traffickers, who wanted the ships to smuggle their product into Thailand from Myanmar.

 

 

Over 100 mln farmers will move to urban areas in China next decade: report

A new government report is suggesting that more than 100 million Chinese farmers are expected to migrate into urban areas in the next decade.

The study says the country's urban population is going to exceed 800 million by 2020.

The report says China's economically developed areas, with Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou as the centers, are among the most attractive locations for farmers to migrate to.

The urban population here in China is expected to reach 52-percent in the next 4-years, and 65-percent by 2030.

 

 

Sarkozy meets with Merkel over EU's debt crisis

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has held a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, discussing new measures to deal with the European Union's debt crisis.

The two have been talking about ways of strengthen Europe's shaky banking sector.

Sarkozy says that France and Germany will present proposals on a new comprehensive package for stabilising the euro zone by the end of the month.

The leaders are suggesting that their proposals may include a plan for recapitalising European banks, accelerating economic coordination in the euro zone and dealing with Greece's debt problems.

 

 

Israeli prison service mulls force-feeding prisoners on hunger strike

Israeli prison officials are now pondering the idea of force-feeding over 200 prisoners who have been on a hunger strike for the last few weeks.

Over 230 Palestinian prisoners have been on a hunger strike in Israeli prisons since late September.

They've been protesting changes to their living conditions.

Restrictions on some of the Palestinian prisoners have been cranked-up since June on an order by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is trying to put pressure on Hamas to release an Israeli solider who has been held captive for the last 5-years.