politics | News Update.

NEW ZEALAND

Death toll stands at 166, missing list fluctuates

The confirmed death toll from the Christchurch earthquake remains at 166 and 41 victims have now been named .
The number of bodies recovered was unchanged over Sunday night.
Police said this morning that about 200 remain missing from the earthquake almost two weeks ago, but the occasional name is still being added to the list by overseas families worried about family members in New Zealand.MORE

New Zealand earthquake could cost 8 billion euros

GREECE

Illegal migrants risk death for right to stay in Greece I know, that blasted WORD.

• Doctors warn hunger strike could end in tragedy
• Ministers offer 12-month deal to stay if action stops

Doctors have warned that a mass hunger strike of illegal migrants could end in tragedy after dozens of protesters attempting to win legal status in Greece were taken to hospital after five weeks without food.
Three hundred mostly north African migrant workers have refused to eat until the Greek government issues them with residency permits. The stand-off has put the socialist administration of George Papandreou increasingly on the defensive as the hunger strikers vowed to continue their protest into a sixth week.
"For 41 days I have gone without food and since Wednesday noon I have refused water," said Morrocan Elktif Belaid, who walked through the Sahara before hiking and hustling his way into Greece.
"But what to do? Greece has treated us very badly. All we want is what we deserve, official documents and a bit of respect. To be an immigrant is not a crime. It is not forbidden. We will continue our strike until we are vindicated, or die."MORE

SPAIN

Immigrants in Spain give up on European dreams

MADRID, Spain ― “Liberty for the people!” shout Moroccans gathered in Plaza Puerta del Sol. The group of about 200 men and women have long hoped for change in their native land, and recent events in the Middle East and North Africa have given them cause to believe. Some are so hopeful, they are contemplating leaving their adopted country.

“The tide has changed,” said Elias, 29, an architect. “We have people who are prepared to create a good government. We won’t allow corruption and repression any longer. We’ll go back and bring about reform.”

Elias is part of a trend of reverse migration percolating among economic migrants seeking a better life in Europe. Spain, with one of the European Union’s most progressive immigration policies, is reputed to be one of Europe’s more welcoming destinations for migrants. Five million foreigners have settled there since 2000, more than in any other EU country, according to the National Statistics Institute in Madrid. So what went wrong?MORE

IRELAND
Opposition set to win Irish election 26th Feb.

DUBLIN (BNO NEWS) -- Early results from Ireland's general election suggests that opposition Fine Gael is set to lead the next government, causing an electoral meltdown for the ruling Fianna Fáil party, the Irish Times reported Saturday.

Latest indications suggest Fine Gael will win 76 seats, while the Labour party will take 36 and Fianna Fáil will get 25. The turnout was 68.8 per cent, higher than the 67 per cent recorded at the last poll in May 2007.

Fine Gael is on course for its strongest showing in more than 28 years, with Fianna Fáil suffering its worst since the foundation of the party, the newspaper reported.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who was elected on the first count in Mayo, said the people of Ireland had given his party a "massive endorsement" to form the next government.

"I intend to send out a clear message around the world that this country has given my party a massive endorsement to provide stable and strong government with a clear agenda," he said. MORE

Irish parties in coalition deal

My Dear old Ireland is Dead

My Ireland indeed died last weekend. As I write they are still counting or recounting in three or four constituencies ranging from Wicklow to Galway West.

It is near certain, however, that the once mighty Fianna Fail party, now with only 18 surviving deputies, will remain in the teens when all the totting is done.

Fine Gael has romped home as the biggest party, Labor will be the second largest grouping for the first time ever, and Sinn Fein's performance has been so dramatically good that they came within touching distance of overhauling Fianna Fail as the third largest party.

Fianna Fail has only one deputy left in Dublin -- ironically the outgoing Finance Minister Brian Lenihan. Enda Kenny will be the next taoiseach (prime minister) after Fine Gael inevitably coalesces with Labor.

That bit of carpentry will be finished inside days. Things are moving fast now.

I say that my Ireland died because Fianna Fail, a power in every parish, were far more than a mere political party down all the decades of their power. They were a social force, initially Republican and honorable and close to the people, especially in rural Ireland.

The TD (member of Parliament) was as powerful as the parish priest. The party was represented in every constituency, often holding two of the three seats in the many three-seater rural constituencies.MORE

From the Socialist POV:Elections see collapse of Fianna Fail, the traditional establishment party

The election was historic mainly because it saw the near collapse of Fianna Fail, the dominant party of the capitalist establishment in Ireland since the foundation of the state and one of the most successful capitalist parties in Europe over the last eighty years.

The election results are also extremely significant because it marked the emergence of the United Left Alliance, which won five seats.

The Socialist Party, who initiated the process that led to the formation of the United Left Alliance, got two TDs (members of the Dail - the Irish parliament) elected.

Clare Daly was elected for the first time to the Dail in the Dublin North constituency (with 7,513 first preference votes or 15.2%). Joe Higgins was returned to the Dail representing Dublin West (8,084 or 19%).

Both excellent results also represent the outlook of many working class people throughout the country, who see Socialist Party TDs as representatives of the working class generally not just for their particular constituencies.MORE

SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, KENYA, MOZAMBIQUE, NIGERIA, UGANDA, ZIMBABWE

Sex Workers march in Africa

Did you know that today [March 3]is International Sex Workers’ Rights Day?
Sex workers calling for the decriminalization of prostitution marched in Cape Town to the offices of Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, according to South Africa's Eyewitness News.
Police led the small group down the busy Keizersgracht Street in central Cape Town.
Many of the shouting participants wore colorful masks to obscure their faces, while others wore bright red clothing to show their support for efforts to legalize prostitution. One woman said it is unfair for sex workers to be labelled as criminals, since many are forced into the profession to put food on the table. She said the municipal vice squad is largely to blame for the sense of oppression suffered by sex workers.
Sex workers also demonstrated in nine African cities in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The event marks the day in 2009 when sex workers from Southern, Western and Eastern Africa came together to form the African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA) to lead the fight for sex workers’ rights in Africa. So far the group has members in seven African countries: Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.MORE

HONG KONG, CHINA
Hong Kong's revolutionary spirit

As Chinese authorities launch a severe crackdown on any potential pro-democracy protests on the mainland - with state security police dramatically outnumbering protesters - small weekly demonstrations in Hong Kong aim to gradually build momentum.

Al Jazeera's Rob McBride reports from the territory - one of China's two special administrative region - on efforts by local activists to exploit online social media - to which they have full access, unlike their compatriots on the mainland - to create a "slow-burning" revolutionary spirit.MORE

EGYPT
Egyptian prime minister resigns; demonstrations for reform still planned (three days ago)

Reporting from Cairo — The beleaguered prime minister appointed by ousted President Hosni Mubarak resigned Thursday as Egypt's revolutionary movement prepared for mass demonstrations against him.

The resignation of Ahmed Shafik, a former air force general and one of the most potent holdover symbols of the Mubarak regime, was announced on the ruling military council's website. He had been criticized for his condescending manner toward young protesters, a lack of vision and for recognizing too late the passion for change that drove the revolution.MORE

Egypt PM appoints new key ministers

Egypt's [new] prime minister has appointed new ministers for the foreign-affairs and interior portfolios in a further sign that ousted president Hosni Mubarak's old guard are being removed from the cabinet.

Essam Sharaf named Nabil Elaraby, a former judge with the Hague-based International Court of Justice, and Mansour el-Essawy for the crucial positions on Sunday, according to a post on the Facebook page of the prime minister's office.

Elaraby's appointment came hours after El-Essawy's, but Sharaf's cabinet list has yet to be confirmed.

Elaraby would replace Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, who has held the post since 2004.
...

Pro-democracy activists had demanded a purge of cabinet in which the key portfolios of defence, justice, interior
and foreign affairs were being run by appointees of Mubarak, who was swept from power on February 11, after 18 days of mass protests.

Commenting on Sunday's cabinet reshuffle, Abdullah al-Ashal, a professor of international law at the American University in Cairo, told Al Jazeera: "Elaraby is a career diplomat; he is very respected ... and very nationalistic. I think during this period he is the best choice in the government."

But al-Ashal said the "revolution" in Egypt was continuing "because we didn't get everything that we have been calling for".

"We have a list of demands. Of course we have achieved something, but the most [important thing] we didn't achieve, I think, is security," he said.MORE

BAHRAIN

Notes from the Bahraini Field Update 3

Bahrain - Thursday March 3, 2011

A lot has been happening in a short space of time, and it is difficult to summarize the subtle shifts, dips and changes on the ground - for a nuanced view of events, please see this article on the “now-famous roundabout in the heart of Manama”.

Today six opposition societies (registered as such because political parties are illegal) in Bahrain presented their demands at a press conference, including calls for a 3-week period of dialogue to discuss:
- the abolition of the 2002 constitution;
- the formation of an interim government;
- the release of all political prisoners;
- an investigation into the killing of seven protesters since the beginning of the uprising on February 14.MORE

See Update 1 and 2 to catch up

Thousands protest in Bahrain
Demonstrators gather outside PM's office in capital, Manama, demanding premier step down and monarchy be overthrown.

Thousands of protesters have gathered outside the prime minister's office in Bahrain to demand that he step down, as their campaign for reform in the tiny Gulf nation enters its fourth week.

The demonstrators massed on Sunday at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace in the capital, Manama, chanting slogans against the government and King Hamad, but failed to disrupt a government meeting in progress there.

Demonstrators shouted "Topple Hamad! Topple Hamad!" and "Hey Khalifa, get out! Get out!", referring to the country's long-time prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa.MORe

SAUDI ARABIA

Demands of Saudi Youth for the Future of the Nation

We are young men and women from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As other young Arabs are bringing about the grand political and cultural change that the Arab world is witnessing today, we find that we share with them their visions and aspirations for a more dignified life. However, we first affirm our patriotism, support of our leaders, and commitment to the tolerant principles of Islamic Shari’a. Second, we declare our aspirations and willingness to work toward achieving our reform goals.

We refuse to continue to be a wasted resource surrounded by neglect, unemployment, financial and administrative corruption, forgery and silence. We also refuse to be forced away from our roles in contributing to the development of society, and to be sidelined into passive receivers of ready-made, magical solutions that we neither participate in or execute.

We therefore announce our following demands: MORE

Saudi Gov't forbids Media from Reporting on yesterdays [march 4} Protest, gives warning

The Saudi Ministry of Interior Issued the Following Statement Today: [march 5]

Based on recent attempts to circumvent rules, regulations, and procedures for illegal purposes, and confirming its December 30, 2008 declaration, the security spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior clarified that Saudi laws and regulations strictly prohibit all kinds of demonstrations, marches, protests, or calling for them, as they contradict with Islamic Shari’a principles and the values and customs of Saudi society. They also breach public order, harm public and private interest, infringe upon other people’s rights, and may lead to chaos, bloodshed, robbery, and put public and private property at risk. MORE

YEMEN

Yemen's popular uprising in photos

Yemen's turn: An Overview

There have been street protests throughout Yemen, and especially in the south, since 2007. While the southern protesters are now demanding secession, their initial demands included grievances similar to those articulated in Egypt and Tunisia, including complaints of unemployment, increasing economic destitution, as well as political repression and underrepresentation. It was unsurprising that the grievances articulated by the southern protesters became anti-northern and secessionist in nature. A majority of Yemen’s resources flow from oil fields, fisheries, and ports in the south into the coffers of the national government that largely favors infrastructure projects and government patrons based in Sana’a. Eager to isolate southern grievances from similar rumblings in the north, the government framed the southern protests as a regional nationalistic agitation held over from 1994, when the former north and south Yemen states fought a post-unification civil war. The government’s efforts were successful as southern grievances slowly evolved into calls for secession and popular northern reaction was anger and defensiveness against the southerners who came to be perceived as people who sought to destroy national unity and who “have wanted to secede since 1990.”MORE

LIBYA

Libya Live Blog Al Jazeera and The Guardian

LSE head quits over Gaddafi scandal
LSE director Howard Davies resigns after fresh allegations over links to Libyan regime as PR firm admits errors over lobbying

A deepening row over the London School of Economics and its dealings with the Gaddafi regime has claimed the career of the university's director.
Sir Howard Davies resigned after fresh revelations that the institution had been involved in a deal worth £2.2m to train hundreds of young Libyans to become part of the country's future elite.
An independent inquiry headed by Lord Woolf, a former lord chief justice, will examine the LSE's relationship with Libya and with Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam. It will also establish guidelines for international donations to the university.
Davies said: "I have concluded that it would be right for me to step down even though I know that this will cause difficulty for the institution I have come to love. The short point is that I am responsible for the school's reputation, and that has suffered."MORE

Rebels raise questions

How the rebels took Ras Lanuf – whether Gaddafi’s troops retreated or made a tactical withdrawal, and how many there were in the first place – remains unclear.

Ruairidh Villar, a freelance journalist who rode with rebels during the initial attack on Friday afternoon, said the fighters he was with seemed nearly completely unprepared for combat.

Villar said that as their truck approached Ras Lanuf, they came under machine gun and mortar fire. The driver halted in a panic, and the man operating the mounted machine gun began to cry. Another man jumped out and attempted to fire his AK-47 assault rifle, but it jammed. Villar and other journalists abandoned the car and sprinted back through the desert as mortars fired by Gaddafi troops landed around them.

A van carrying other rebel troops had been shot and immobilised on the road. One fighter fired a rocket-propelled grenade without aiming.

There was “zero organisation,” Villar said. One of the men in the car with him told him before they arrived at the front that he had never fired a weapon before the uprising.MORE

Gaddafi's men launch counterattack

Muammar Gaddafi's forces are waging counterattacks on anti-government rebels along the central Libyan coast, with air raids and ground battles reported in Bin Jawad, Ras Lanuf, Az-Zawiyah and Misurata.

Gaddafi is facing an uprising since February 17 that poses the biggest challenge ever to his four-decade rule over the oil-rich north African nation.

Bin Jawad was reclaimed by government forces on Sunday, but opposition rebels continued to advance on the area amid conflicting claims about the capture and recapture of several strategic Libyan cities and towns.

...

Earlier on Sunday, rebels said they had come under sniper fire and air attack on the frontline. Al Jazeera's Birtley said rebels were coming under "quite a sizeable force" of heavy resistance from pro-Gaddafi forces.

He described the rebel groups as being "driven by enthusiasm and not really experience".

While the rebels have a strong presence in Ras Lanuf, they told Al Jazeera's Rowland that the town was still held by Gaddafi loyalists.

"What we're seeing is a lot of movement, for the first time in days," she said, adding that the rebel forces are completely disorganised, constantly swinging between euphoria and panic.

Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reports from Libya's capital Tripoli on 'victory celebrations' by Gaddafi supporters

"I think that their biggest strength, as far as the rebels are concerned, is the sheers numbers of volunteer fighters. People with no previous military experience came to the call, learning pretty quickly how to operate ... an anti-aircraft carrier."MORE

News Update.

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