The Small Nations to be declared sovereign as early as next week if the numbers confirm the "democratic centralised paris regime" has lost

its iron fist grip on the Small Nations. Despite decades of humiliation over their languages and cultures, the Small Nations under "french admistration" remained strong on their demand to see their languages, cultures and rights to be fully respected. Last week results in a row of local elections showed a growing desire to see the end of the paris "iron fist" over the use of their national languages in every day's life and relations with the french administration. The paris centralised administration unable to modernise itself or its relations with the territories and their populations may see this sunday a powerful rejection of its outdated "soviet inspired" lack of ability to understand the sacred character of the Corsican, Euskal, Breizh and others Language, Culture and Land. The EU had provided a balanced set of guidelines and rights for these populations to avoid the situation in which the french regime may well find itself, the choice to ignore these guidelines and to provoke further with a contemptuous attitude towards these populations as well as renewed failures in every area of government may lead to a political turmoil a former french PM, M. Rocard recently described as a major risk for a civil war. The old political parties tried the old trick of the "far right" danger without any sign of success the results show at 0100 pm local time.

The Paris regime declared dead at the scene - The Small Nations deprived of the rights the EU granted had little choice to protest and chose

to ignore the polls. With a participation under 35%, "elected officials" will only represent themselves and despite several desperate attempts from candidates to hide from voters they belong to paris style political parties and the ongoing Sarko show of Lybia's liberation, voters stayed home refusing to participate any further to their own demise.

If the numbers are confirmed, Corsica, Euskadi and Breizh large autonomy or independance to start with may come much sooner than expected. The old jacobins political parties have been agonising for a long time and can now be declared dead on the spot.

The Contagion Today

Saudi expectations high before Friday's 'day of rage' protests Shia minority have defied ban on demonstrations for two days and are optimistic that change can be effected

Saudi Arabia unrest: a blogger's view How worried is the Saudi government about the unrest filtering through from surrounding states – and what happens next? “I have become very pessimistic about the prospects of reform for my country. The huge age gap between the young population and the ruling elite makes it nearly impossible for the ruled and the rulers to communicate and understand each other. We practically speak two different languages, and I don't see how the government can keep up with our aspirations.”

COMMENT: Saudi Arabia: the prized domino —Dr Mohammad Taqi It is unlikely that a protest or even a sustained movement can dislodge the Saudi regime, but it is equally unlikely that the $ 37 billion in bribes to the citizenry or half-hearted reforms can stop such campaigns forever. In fact, uneven economic development and partial political reform from above are the triggers for revolutions, not safety valves against them.

The Contagion Today

Tehran's Dilemma in Trying to Have It Both Ways

I guess not.

Kuwaitis take PM ouster call to streets Several hundred protesters have poured into the streets of Kuwait to demand the removal of the incumbent prime minister along with political reforms in the Persian Gulf state.

Bahrainis slam naturalization policy The protesters also called for unity between Sunnis and Shias in the country, emphasizing that the protest is against the government's naturalization policy and not against Bahrain's native minority Sunni population. (I admit I love it when things are made that clear – Can Secretary Clinton be wrong?)

Morocco's king announces constitutional changes aimed to consolidate democracy ... Morocco has so far avoided the persistent unrest that brought down regimes in fellow north African countries Tunisia and Egypt, but five people died in violence linked to protests across the country on Feb. 20.

'Five killed' as bomb hits vehicle in Algeria The lifting of martial law, which gave free rein to security forces that effectively served to repress political freedom, was a key demand of the unprecedented protests, which led to clashes that left five people dead.

Oman Air employees stage demonstration outside HQ The Oman Air demonstration follows days of protests elsewhere in Oman urging political reforms. The sultanate and the island nation of Bahrain have seen the biggest and most sustained outbursts in the Gulf as part of the Arab world's wave of unrest.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: A group of citizens sign a petition to allow a popularly elected parliament, signaling that demands for leadership overhauls raging across the Middle East have also reached the oil-rich Gulf federation.

Saudi Shi'ites hold new protest in oil province RIYADH, March 9 (Reuters) - Saudi Shi'ites staged another small protest in the kingdom's oil producing Eastern province on Wednesday, defying a ban on demonstrations, witnesses said. More than 17,000 have backed a call on Facebook to hold two demonstrations this month, the first one on March 11.

Egypt VIDEO: Protest after deadly clash in Cairo 9 March 2011 Last updated at 19:33 GMT - Officials in Egypt say clashes between Muslims and Christians in Cairo have left at least 13 people dead and 140 wounded. Violence erupted on Tuesday night in the Cairo suburb of Mokattam when Christian Copts blocked a highway to protest at the burning of a church last week.

Egypt sectarian strife kills 13, army sees threat (By Dina Zayed and Yasmine Saleh) CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's military rulers urged national unity and warned of the dangers of anarchy on Wednesday after 13 people were killed in the worst Christian-Muslim violence since Hosni Mubarak was toppled from power.

An Egyptian man drives his motorcycle past burned vehicles in Cairo Egypt's new government warned Wednesday of a "counter-revolution", following a series of deadly political and religious clashes blamed on diehards of the former regime.

Libya rebels and army clash in east, oil tanks hit (By Mohammed Abbas)NEAR SIDRAH, Libya, March 9 (Reuters) - Muammar Gaddafi's forces bombarded an area of eastern Libya held by rebels who fired rockets back on Wednesday and a nearby oil storage tank exploded in a towering fireball.

Libya's main oil terminal ablaze after raid Libya's main oil terminal was in flames on Wednesday night after Muammer Gaddafi's air force bombed the complex, in an escalation that pushed the cost of the benchmark Brent above $115 a barrel.

Spent the day on softs. SokoGator was on coffee. Changed address for http://twitter.com/SokoGator the daBIP thing goin through the roof. Had fun? About to change too the address for trades. Lookin at grains now, are a bit late. Enjoy! When I looked last was still a 96% strong buy for both indexes.

He didn’t. I did but pulled the plug, gone wild on politics again. Very strange indeed. Will post later with new address for trades and blog the french politics for the hell of it.

Don’t know. Looks rather ridiculous to me that kind of assertion, QE funding speculation is ridiculous, try to guess what would be markets volatility with the kind of events going on since 2008 if there was no ease, how hot money would switch from a market to another leaving one after the other absolutely dry…. And should I mention it again I hate the daBIP stuff, I mean QE.

Talk to you later. Pay a visit to http://twitter.com/cornfedfarmer. He’s got great stuff. Sorry last one here RT @zerohedge: Limit up coming IVORY COAST'S GBAGBO TAKES CONTROL OF COFFEE, COCOA INDUSTRIES

Check that one for me? I mean now? And while you do that one as well Uncle Pap Wants You! Greece Reaches Peak Desperation As It Tries To Sell "Diaspora Bonds" To Delay Bankruptcy http://is.gd/wuFxcl 5End here)

Made some progress on Natural Gaz price ?

OIL Today

Saudi Arabia's `Day of Rage' Lures Record Bets on $200 Oil: Chart of Day

Futures WTI up/ Futures Prices - Crude Oil WTI

The Contagion Today

ANALYSIS-Moroccan king can't ignore pressure to reform RABAT, March 4 (Reuters) - Morocco's monarch is not under direct threat from protesters seeking constitutional reform, but a failure to address political concerns or to tackle social and economic woes could spell trouble for the 47-year-old king.

Communal guards in Algeria hold unauthorized protest accusing parliament of ... ALGIERS, Algeria — Hundreds of communal guards have pushed aside police barriers and held a protest in Algeria's capital.

Angola on standby for protests Since last month, rumours have been circulating on the Internet of north Africa-style protests scheduled to begin on March 7.

East Libya at risk of running out of petrol-report DUBAI, March 8 (Reuters) - Rebel-controlled eastern Libya is at risk of running out of petrol within a week after refineries in the region halted operations, Gulf News reported on Tuesday.

Libya protests: as it happened March 7 18.01 South African president Jacob Zuma, in a conversation with Col Gaddafi, has called on the African Union to "take decisive action and uncover the conspiracy that Libyan is facing," according to BBC Monitoring.

'Egypt video' Zimbabweans freed Thirty-eight Zimbabweans arrested last month for discussing an Egypt-style uprising have been freed but eight remain in custody, their lawyer says. They were arrested on 19 February after attending a lecture and watching videos of the unrest in Egypt.

The Contagion Today

MPs, activists reiterate calls for street protests to pressurize govt KUWAIT CITY, March 7: Several lawmakers and activists have reiterated calls for street protests to put pressure on the government, clarifying that they will do everything to push for the formation of a new Cabinet and appointment of a new prime minister.

Kuwaiti protests on Tuesday aim to remove PM KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwaiti youth groups will take to the streets on Tuesday to demand the removal of the prime minister and for more political freedom in the Gulf Arab state, the world's fourth largest oil exporter.

Sultan of Oman removes 10 ministers and office that runs economy MUSCAT // Oman's ruler yesterday dissolved the office overseeing economic affairs and removed 10 cabinet ministers, including some who held those jobs for decades.

Sultan fires ministers amid Oman unrest Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said has responded to pressure generated by unprecedented demonstrations in Oman by conducting a radical cabinet reshuffle and sacking his long-serving economy minister. Last night the sultan fired a total of 12 ministers.

Protesters draw Bahrain closer to a reckoning Outside the Bahrain Financial Harbour, the island's financial centre and home to the local stock exchange, demonstrators hold up placards calling for the downfall of their government.

Bahrain prince warns against protest escalation DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain's crown prince warned all sides against escalating a standoff with disgruntled majority Shi'ites seeking an elected government in the Gulf Arab kingdom, asking for patience ahead of a national dialogue.

Saleh pits Yemenis against each other in bid to stay on SANAA, March 7 (Reuters) - Raed Qassem clamours among hundreds of unkempt Yemenis at a stadium gate for a free lunch, which he says is enough incentive to support President Ali Abdullah Saleh against mass demands to end to his 32-year rule.

Saudi Arabia focusing on potential domestic unrest Analyst Kamran Bokhari examines the measures being taken by Saudi Arabia to ensure that it does not fall victim to the spreading regional unrest.

Thousands back call to hold protests in Saudi Arabia (Tehran Times)RIYADH (Agencies) – Tens of thousands of Saudis have backed the call to hold demonstrations in the kingdom on Friday, according to media reports published on Monday.

Saudi 'Day of Rage' protests postponed UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 7 (UPI) -- Protesters in Saudi Arabia rescheduled planned "Day of Rage" protests.

The Contagion Today

Saudi Arabia : Protests Reach Eastern Province The flame of protests raging across the Arab world, from the Ocean to the Gulf, has reached the Saudi Arabian cities Al Qatif and Al Hafouf. More than 100 people gathered in each of the two cities for the release of Shiite cleric Tawfiq Al Amir, who was arrested on Friday, March 4, after calling for a constitutional monarchy and a war against corruption.

ALGERIA: OPPOSITION LEADER WOUNDED IN ALGIERS CLASHES (AGI) Algiers - The leader of the main opposition party has been wounded during anti-government protests in Algiers. Tension is rising in Algeria, where a new attempt by anti-government protesters to march in the country's capital was foiled by the police and pro-government activists.

Calls for new Morocco protests on Sunday The official version of "looting criminals" causing trouble on 20 February and of a subsequent end to the protest movement has been accepted by most international media as the Moroccan protest movement is doing a poor communications job.

'Cairo Protesters Attacked With Swords' (SKY)Pro-democracy protesters in Cairo have been attacked with swords and petrol bombs by a mob of plainclothed men, according to reports.

Knives, petrol bombs return to Cairo streets (Reuters) It appeared to be the first time armed men in plain clothes had deployed in force against reform activists in central Cairo since Mubarak was forced to step down and hand power to the military, which has charted a course to democratic elections.

Protesters Storm Egypt Security Offices (Wall Street Journal) Egyptian protesters confront soldiers in front of the state security headquarters in Cairo on Monday, demanding entry to gather documents.

Egypt protesters seize “confidential” security files After protestors stormed several branches of Egypt's State Security across the country, several classified documents appeared in the  media unraveling surprising details about the investigations of Egypt's most feared security apparatus.

Gaddafi forces advance east to rebel oil port RAS LANUF, March 7 (Reuters) - Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi advanced on the rebel-held oil port of Ras Lanuf on Monday in a counter-attack that forced residents to flee and rebels to hide their weapons in the desert.

Fierce Fighting As Libya Edges To Civil War Opponents of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi are braced for more fierce fighting after forces loyal to the Libyan leader launched counter-offensives against rebel-held areas.

Libya protests: as it happened March 4 Sky News reporter Alex Crawford says: 17.19 Egypt's state news agency Mena now says all Egyptians who crossed from Libya into Tunisia have returned home to Egypt. The total number of Egyptians repatriated had reached 130000 Mena said.

The Contagion Today

Tense Saudi Arabia bans protesting (By Emma Cowing) SAUDI Arabia has banned protests, sending a strong signal that the small demonstrations in the east of the country will no longer be tolerated "The kingdom's regulations totally ban all sorts of demonstrations, marches, sit-ins," the interior ministry said. It added that security forces would stop all attempts to disrupt public order.

Saudi Arabia bans all marches as mass protest is planned for Friday Extra troops are sent to north-east to quash any Shia protest as King Abdullah's regime gets jittery and oil prices soar in response to the region's continued unrest (By David Randall)

Youth to petition King for women's right to drive JEDDAH: Some Saudi youths have started a group on Facebook to petition King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to allow women to drive.

Pakistanis rally in support of Arab uprisings (Press TV) These demonstrators are angry at what they witnessed on their TV screens, the horrifying images of the brutal government crackdown on the pro-democracy protestors, on the streets of Libya, Yemen and Bahrain and they are supporting the regime change in Arab world.

'Al-Qaeda' attack raises tensions in Yemen (AFP) SANAA — Suspected Al-Qaeda gunmen killed four soldiers in Yemen on Sunday, a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to yield to protesters demanding his immediate resignation.

U.S. says citizens in Yemen should consider leaving SANAA (Reuters) - The United States told its citizens on Sunday to avoid traveling to Yemen and said those already there should consider leaving due to deteriorating security.

90 Dutch in Yemen urged to leave Over 90 Dutch nationals who are still in Yemen should leave the country as a precaution until the political and security situation stabilises, says the Dutch ambassador in Sana'a, Harry Buikema.

No Deal in Yemen: The President Says He Won't Go (TIME) The contest in Yemen became clearer on Saturday as the dusty confusion of street protests gives way to a political rivalry that is likely to leave democracy in the lurch. On Saturday, after days of equivocation, Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh officially rejected a last-ditch proposal by the political opposition to step down before the end of this year.

Suspected al-Qaida gunmen kill 4 soldiers (AP) SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Suspected al-Qaida gunmen killed four Republican Guard soldiers on Sunday in the mountainous central province of Marib, security officials said.

Thousands protest at Bahrain govt HQ MANAMA — Thousands of demonstrators massed Sunday at Manama's Al-Qudaibiya Palace, where Bahrain's cabinet meets, chanting slogans against the tiny Gulf state's government and King Hamad.

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

Oman's ruler replaces two top ministers after protests (By Saleh al-Shaibany) MUSCAT (Reuters) - Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said replaced two key ministers Saturday in response to protests across the Gulf Arab nation calling for political reforms and jobs.

Protesters stage oil-field sit-in in Oman Protests demanding economic reforms by Oman's ruler have reached a key oil region in Oman, Government officials said.

Unrest in the Middle East and Africa -- country by country  (CNN Round UP)

The Contagion Today

Yemen Separatists see hope in unrest ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) – Revolts in southern Yemen, inspired by popular uprisings that toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, are taking on a different tone, raising hopes in the south that an independence lost two decades ago can be regained.

Iran trying to influence Mideast uprisings: Clinton US secretary of state Hillary Clinton says Iran is communicating with opposition groups in Egypt, Bahrain and Yemen in a bid to shape events in the strife-torn Middle East.

Friday protests set to jolt Arab world (Press TV) Demonstrations are to take place in Tunisia and Egypt, where popular revolutions have already toppled the decades-long autocratic rule of their Western-backed dictators, setting off a whole host of anti-government protest movements in a number of other Arab countries.

Don't Fret Lost Libyan Oil But Worry Plenty About Algeria Algeria has been through two months of strikes, sit-ins and attempted protest marches. The government just lifted a state of emergency after 19 years. It’s anyone’s guess whether measures like those mean Algeria goes the way of Egypt or Libya.

Libya lurches towards civil war Rebel Libyan forces moved further west into government-held territory on Thursday, amid attacks by Muammer Gaddafi’s jets and a warning from President Barack Obama that the conflict could become a bloody stalemate.

Bahraini opposition demands government resignation before dialogue Manama, Bahrain - Opposition groups called Thursday for the government to resign and all political detainees to be freed before they can sit down to a national dialogue aimed at ending weeks of political tension in the Gulf kingdom.

Oman: The sultanate suddenly stirs An outburst of anger expressed mainly by jobless or ill-paid youths in the port of Sohar left at least one person dead; some reports put the toll as high as six. Few Omanis think Sultan Qaboos, who recently celebrated 40 years on the throne, is wobbling. Still, even he will have to heed the more disgruntled of his subjects. And calls for giving more power to his majlis al-shura, a partially elected advisory council, may well grow louder.

Iran Continued Disappearance of Opposition Figures Raises Concerns of Torture (3 March 2011) Iranian officials should immediately end the illegal, incommunicado detention of four leading opposition figures: Mehdi Karroubi; Mir Hossein Mousavi; Fatemeh Karroubi; and Zahra Rahnavard, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

Middle East unrest: All quiet in Saudi Arabia? Saudi officials insist that the kingdom will not fall prey to the wave of popular unrest sweeping the Middle East - despite some early warning signs.

Shi'ites stage small protest in Saudi oil province (Reuters) AWWAMIYA (Reuters) - Around 100 Saudi Shi'ites staged a protest in Saudi Arabia's oil-producing Eastern Province on Thursday, demanding the release of prisoners they say are being held without trial, witnesses said.

I have guessed that the Islamic Republic of Iran president is asking the Saudi Arabia King to treat the Shia’s protesters of the Kingdom with the same attention and care he treats himself the Shia’s protesters of the Republic?

Am I guessing right? Well if I do, it must be Republican Persian humor, or may be just Persian humor as I am asking myself, is it Republican to caliber the nature of critics of the Shia’s protesters treatment according to who performs it the Islamic Republic of Iran or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?

What do you say?

The Contagion Today

Nigeria: Central bank chief Sanusi cautions leaders after North African unrest Abuja (Nigeria) - The Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, warned Saturday that the current civil unrest in some countries in North Africa could be experienced in Nigeria if the nation's leadership failed to take full advantage of the enormous potentials that abound in the country.

Iran: 200 protesters 'arrested' Another 40 people were said to have been detained in the city of Isfahan. Opposition groups had called for rallies over the reported imprisonment of their leaders - Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.

Iran for first time warns Saudis not to crack down on Shi'ite population NICOSIA — Iran, escalating its rhetoric against its Sunni neighbor, has warned Saudi Arabia of any crackdown on the kingdom's Shi'ite minority. For the first time in years, the mullah regime in Teheran has begun issuing threats against the Saudi…

Bahrain king fears split, seeks dialogue GENEVA (Reuters) - Bahrain's King Hamad Ben Isa Al Khalifa fears the current unrest could destroy harmony between different sectors of the population, a government minister from the Gulf state said on Tuesday.

Tribesmen split over political reforms amid ‘transformation’ of tribe’s social role AMMAN - Prospects of “genuine and swift political reforms” are being received with mixed views among major tribes in Jordan.

Foreign ministry secures release of four Jordanians detained in Libya AMMAN - Authorities on Monday secured the release of four Jordanians who were arrested by the Libyan authorities.

Protesters Rally Outside Bahrain's Interior Ministry (VOA) Thousands of anti-government protesters in Bahrain gathered outside the country's interior ministry Wednesday, the latest in a series of daily protests demanding the resignation of the government.

Unrest in the Middle East and Africa -- country by country (CNN)

Rival rallies demand reforms, back sultan in Oman MUSCAT (Reuters) - Rival groups demonstrated in the Omani capital Muscat Wednesday, with protesters demanding jobs and political reforms for a fifth successive day and government supporters taking part in a long parade of cars.

Vale halts work at Oman iron plant over protests "As a preventative measure, Vale has temporarily interrupted the commissioning at (the) pellet plant until the situation normalizes," the company said in an e-mailed statement. "The workers, most of them Omani, were told to stay at home."

Arab monarchs nervously watch Morocco Protests in the sultanate of Oman and in the kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Morocco have shown that monarchies are not immune to the winds of change, even if their rulers are ostensibly not as despised by their subjects as the current and former authoritarian rulers of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt.

Can Morocco and Algeria long remain exceptions? (Daily Star Lebanon) With Libya set to join Tunisia and Egypt on the checklist of Arab revolutions, just two countries in North Africa remain relatively untouched. They are Algeria and Morocco. But can they long remain exceptions to the new rule of scorned youth trumping rigid old regimes?

Arab ministers say they are considering imposing a no-fly zone on Libya (Canadian Press) While no final decision has been made on an air embargo, the ministers said in a statement after talks in Cairo that "Arab countries cannot watch with their hands tied in the face of the bloodshed that the Libyan people are facing." And the fact that Arab nations are publicly discussing the option ups the pressure on Libya's embattled regime.

Tragedy in Libyan desert as poor migrants flee (Reuters) RAS JDIR, Tunisia, March 2 (Reuters) - Nigerian Ike Emanuel buried his 6-month-old baby girl in the desert last week after she died of exposure on a desperate trek to escape Libya as it lurched closer to all-out civil war.

EU Aid Commissioner Heads To Libyan Border To Evaluate Refugee Crisis BRUSSELS -- The EU commissioner for humanitarian aid, Kristalina Georgieva, is on her way to the Libyan-Tunisian border to oversee UN efforts to help the thousands of refugees fleeing the violence in Libya.

UK and France offer to rescue workers (Financial Times) Britain said on Wednesday that it would send three commercial aircraft to Tunisia to fly 6,000 people back to Egypt in the next three days. France said it would dispatch military aircraft and naval landing ships over the next week to evacuate a further 5,000 refugees stranded in Tunisia.

The Contagion Today 2

Saudi King's $15 Billion Housing Grant Won't Eliminate Shortage Saudi King Abdullah’s pledge to increase spending on housing by 55 billion riyals ($15 billion) probably will do little to relieve the country’s home shortage unless it’s coupled with long-delayed changes in mortgage financing laws. “We have a significant structural issue that can never be solved through government spending alone.”

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.
Thomas Jefferson

Algeria worried by Libya unrest ALGIERS — Algeria is extremely concerned about the situation in neighbouring Libya including the violence and disappearance of its institutions during the ongoing uprising, the foreign minister said. "Algeria is extremely worried and not satisfied with just simply repatriating those who, among its citizens, want to return to their country," Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci was quoted as saying by the Algerian media.

Clashes between security forces and protesters reported in Iran Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Tehran residents reported pockets of protests and clashes with security forces Tuesday on the streets of the Iranian capital. But protesters appeared, by all accounts, to be heavily outmuscled by police, who showed in force in Tehran's squares and major thoroughfares in anticipation of demonstrations called by supporters of two key opposition leaders.

Iran forces fire teargas at protesters: pro-reform websites TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian security forces fired teargas and clashed with anti-government protesters demonstrating against the treatment of opposition leaders, pro-reform websites reported on Tuesday.

Police break up Iran demonstrators (Radio New Zealand) A BBC correspondent in Tehran has reported that large numbers of riot police and militia on motorcycles in the city centre broke up any crowds that formed. The opposition Kaleme website said security forces and "people in civilian clothes" tried to disperse the crowd.

Round Up Tunisia, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya (AP)

"Day of Rage" shakes Yemen, Saleh sacks governors Veteran leader Saleh lashed out at President Barack Obama over demands that leaders show restraint in tackling unrest as protests, galvanized by successful uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, rage across Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Oman.

The Contagion Today 1

Kuwait opposition ups pressure on premier Kuwaiti opposition groups on Tuesday intensified their demands for the sacking of the prime minister, blamed for stalling development in the oil-rich Gulf state. A day after the Popular Action Bloc, a key opposition group, demanded the ouster of Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah, two more groups warned Tuesday that the political crisis will worsen if the premier stays.

Jordanians demand release of Islamist prisoners Around 400 relatives of 84 Islamist prisoners in Jordan demonstrated in Amman on Tuesday to demand their release as 27 of the inmates launched a hunger strike. "If the country respected itself and had justice, a probe into the violation of the prisoners' human rights would have been opened," Saad Hneiti, a sharia (Islamic law) professor, told the protesters outside Al-Husseini mosque in the city centre.

Bahrain freed Shia activist warns of violence A leading Shia activist jailed for six months and released last week warned of more bloodshed in the Gulf state ruled by a Sunni dynasty if popular demands for greater democracy were not met. "My anticipation is that the situation will lead to more bloodshed if they [the regime] continue to turn a blind eye on the protesters in the street," said Abduljalil Singace, a leader of the hardcore opposition Haq movement and one of 25 Shias who were granted royal pardon last week.

Oman army tries to disperse protests, wounds 1 Omani army troops patrol the streets of the key industrial area of Sohar, northwest of the capital Muscat, on March 1, 2011 following clashes between Omani police and protesters.

Oman deploys military fearing more unrest An Omani government official says the military has deployed troops north of the capital, Muscat, near the border with the United Arab Emirates after unrest spread to this Gulf nation. The official says the army also deployed light equipment on Tuesday, anticipating more anti-government protests that have included deadly clashes in the port town of Sohar.

Massive anti-regime protest in Yemeni capital Vast numbers of protesters poured into the centre of Yemen's capital Sanaa on Tuesday for a massive anti-regime rally called by the opposition, an AFP correspondent said.

Yemen: A revolution in waiting? In a country torn by internal divisions, the risks posed by a power vacuum must not be underestimated. Inspired by the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions, thousands of Yemeni youth are continuing to call for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.