North Africa – Egypt parliament fire fuels scorn of government (AP via Yahoo! News)

Egypt parliament fire fuels scorn of government (AP via Yahoo! News)
A fire that gutted the upper house of parliament this week has fueled Egyptians’ scorn for their authoritarian government, with critics saying it is unable to protect its own buildings and maintain basic infrastructure.

Slow pace of reform frustrates Gaddafi’s son
Veteran Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s son and heir, Seif al-Islam, has announced his withdrawal from politics.

Switzerland continues efforts to normalize ties with Libya (People’s Daily)
The Swiss government is continuing its efforts to solve the problems besetting bilateral relations with Libya, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said on Friday. The two countries consider that it is necessary to continue the discussions at the bilateral level and through diplomatic channels, the ministry said in a statement. But at the moment it is not possible to say when the bilateral discussions …

Egyptian archaeologoist to speak for Sierra Nevada College program (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Sierra Nevada College will host a lecture by famed Egyptian archaeologist and author Zahi Hawass Saturday at the Hyatt Ballroom.

Bombings: al-Qaeda claims responsibility
Al-Qaeda has reportedly claimed responsibility for a spate of deadly attacks that rocked Algeria killing at least 50 people.

Padilla’s Egyptian connection facing prison or trial (AP via Yahoo! News)
Mohamed Hesham Youssef figures he’ll rot in an Egyptian desert prison, a dual citizen detained without charge, unless he agrees to stand trial in the United States on charges of supporting al-Qaida.

Danish cartoonist breathe sigh of relief?
A Tunisian man, suspected of plotting to kill a cartoonist, has voluntarily left Denmark.

Italy puts Moroccan MP under house arrest pending appeal (People’s Daily)
An Italian court decided on Friday to put Moroccan senator Yahya Yahya under house arrest pending his appeal trial, Morroco’s official MAP news agency reported. Yahya, member of the House of Advisors (upper house), was arrested on Aug. 4 in Rome for allegedly disturbing public order, and sentenced in a summary judgement to a prison term of two and a half years. He was forbidden from contacting …

Tunisian held over Danish cartoon ‘plot’ leaves Denmark: police (AFP via Yahoo! News)
One of two Tunisians held in Denmark pending expulsion for his role in an alleged plot to kill a cartoonist who satirised the Prophet Mohammed has left Denmark of his own will, Danish police said Friday.

Libya: Qaddafi Son Says He?s Out of Politics (New York Times)
Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, a son of the Libyan leader, Muammar el-Qaddafi, called for political changes and denied that he would succeed his father.

Shedding What s Shabby at a Moroccan Port (New York Times)
Asilah had become rundown, but an annual arts festival has helped revive and clean up the town.

Tunisian held over plot to kill cartoonist quits Denmark (The Daily Star Lebannon)
One of two Tunisians held in Denmark pending expulsion for his role in an alleged plot to kill a cartoonist who satirized the Prophet Mohammad has left Denmark of his own will, Danish police said Friday. “I can confirm that he has left Denmark and he did it voluntarily,” deputy national police commissioner Hans-Viggo Jensen told AFP.

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