Saturday, December 17, 2011

Russia - Opposition rallies again in Moscow albiet in smaller numbers than last weekend

Published on Dec 17, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ Russians have been back on the streets of Moscow, although in far smaller numbers than last weekend's mass demonstrations over electoral fraud.

The liberal Yabloko party rally drew a crowd of up to 3,000.

Their leader, Grigory Yavlinsky, is expected to be nominated as a presidential candidate on Sunday.

The Communist party was also meeting on Saturday. It unanimously picked Gennardy Zyuganov to run for president in what will be the veteran leader's fourth stab at the Kremlin.

USA - Britney Spears announces engagement to marry boyfriend Jason Trawick. (Dec. 16)

Published on Dec 16, 2011 by

Tunisia - one year on: Sidi Bouazizi's legacy

Published on Dec 17, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ It was exactly one year ago today when a 26-year-old Tunisian street vendor in the town of Sidi Bouzid set himself on fire after police confiscated his unlicensed fruit and vegetable cart.

Mohamed Bouazizi, an unemployed university graduate, died in hospital over two weeks later.

His death unleashed angry protests against President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali - anger that had built up during his 23-year authoritarian rule.

The protests spread across the country

Russell Grant's Daily Horoscopes for Sunday 18th December 2011

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Aries (Mar21/Apr20) You'll be thrust into the public eye, which will be a very unpleasant experience. Normally, you don't hesitate to put your talent on display. Now you're intent on keeping a low profile. A jealous business or romantic partner resents all the attention you've been getting. You're trying your best to throw light on your friend's accomplishments. Ultimately you are not responsible for their success. Don't apologise for the acclaim you receive, either; it is well deserved.
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Taurus (Apr21/May21) A long distance journey will be more difficult than you expected. There may be problems with paperwork or it will be difficult to work in a strange space. Try not to dwell on your discomfort. The sooner you dispatch this job, the faster you will get home. Pay careful attention to flying regulations before you leave. That way, you won't get stuck stopped by security because you've unknowingly violated some new travel regulation. These days, the rules change so quickly it's hard to know what's expected.
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Gemini (May22/Jun21) Don't count on money that is owed to you by a client or friend. You'll have to find another source of income to make ends meet. It's even possible you'll have to cancel a fun outing because money is tight. Let this be a lesson to you. Extending a line of credit to someone with a sob story is probably not a good idea. There's a reason why people like this are always down on their luck. Chalk this up to a learning experience.
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Cancer (Jun22/Jul23) If you're going to work with a powerful figure, you will have to accept terms that are less than favourable. It's the price you have to pay for being a beginner. Although you'll resent being treated like a glorified servant, you will gain some valuable experience. Try keeping a balanced view throughout this partnership, or resentment will eat away at you. You're better off signing a short term deal. Having an end in sight will give you the strength to endure difficult working conditions.
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Leo (Jul24/Aug23) Weighing down your system with a lot of rich food is a mistake. It's hard to resist temptation at Christmas when there are so many delicacies about. Still, you don't want to undermine the progress you've made this year. If you're going to fit into your most attractive outfits, you'll have to exercise some discipline. Not only that, but eating well will allow you to party long into the night. You don't want to fade just when things start to get interesting.
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Virgo (Aug24/Sep23) Resist the urge to buy a loved one's affection. Money is tight right now, and you can't afford the lavish gifts displayed in an expensive shop. If you really want to capture someone's heart, make a gift with your own capable hands. This gesture will mean more than plunking down a lot of money on a bauble that will lose its charm minutes after it is opened. If you're single, it may be because you are undervaluing your true worth. Stop being so self deprecating.
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Libra (Sep24/Oct23) The prospect of spending time with family doesn't thrill you. You're tired of being mocked for your ambitions. Part of the problem is the need to draw a clearer line between your personal and professional lives. Your relatives simply don't understand why you're interested in a particular field. Nothing you do or say will make them sympathetic to your cause. Therefore, you're better off keeping your plans to yourself, and discussing only the few things you have in common, like shared memories.
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Scorpio (Oct24/Nov22) Neighbours and relatives don't appreciate your contributions. In fact, they find fault with everything you do. Take this opportunity to return any property you borrowed. You don't want to be obligated to these critics any longer. Your love life is experiencing a lull. Sadly, your lover isn't responding to any enticements. Find a healthy outlet for your frustrations. If this situation continues, you run the risk of going astray. That would be a tragedy for both you and your partner.
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Sagittarius (Nov23/Dec21) Financial endeavours involving foreign companies and overseas clients aren't favoured. You're better off doing business close to home. It's possible you will have to cancel a trip for the sake of work. Although it pains you to do so, you can't afford to disappoint your boss at such a critical moment. Fortunately, you'll be able to reschedule this journey at a more favourable time. By focusing on the positive and eliminating the negative, you'll make the best of a frustrating situation.
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Capricorn (Dec22/Jan20) Try not to rain on anyone's parade. You're always preoccupied with duty, but there is a time to work and a time to play. If your nearest and dearest are intent on having a good time, don't stand in their way. Holding yourself to an impossible standard is making you miserable. Yes, it's important to create work of long lasting value. What is even more critical is to enjoy life. Make time for amusements that have nothing to do with duty, like sports and travel.
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Aquarius (Jan21/Feb19) Someone is trying to flatter you into giving away valuable resources. You've got to stand firm in the face of this seduction. People have entrusted you with their valuables, and you can't just give them away to the first attractive person you meet. It's a little disheartening to realise why certain people have been so nice to you. With friends like this, you don't need enemies. Fortunately, you won't hold this position much longer.
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Pisces (Feb20/Mar20) A large gathering becomes chaotic. It seems like everybody is intent on doing their own thing, even if it means wasting valuable resources. Nothing you do or say will make the participants listen to reason. Maybe this is the rationale as to why you prefer working in solitude. Unless you're willing to exercise some authority, this project will fall by the wayside. That may not matter much to you, but it will concern the members of the community you were trying to help.

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Egypt - Troops clash with protesters in Cairo a day after eight people died there in similar violence.

Published on Dec 17, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ Troops and protesters clashed in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Saturday -- a day after eight people died there in similar violence.

The violence happened outside the country's parliament. It follows the second round of voting in Egypt's three-stage parliamentary elections.

Riot police fired water cannons and used batons in a bid to disperse the crowd.

An estimated three hundred people have been injured in the latest unrest.

Violence that surrounded last month's mass protests left nearly 40 people dead.

North Korea - North Korea has agreed to suspend its enrichment of uranium for nuclear weapons (unconfirmed South Korean news reports)

Published on Dec 17, 2011 by
http://www.euronews.net/ North Korea has agreed to suspend its enrichment of uranium for nuclear weapons, according to unconfirmed South Korean news reports.

Two reports quote diplomats as saying Pyongyang will shortly suspend the programme without giving further details.

The US has long insisted enrichment must stop before disarmament talks can resume.

North Korea quit the talks over two years ago.

Washington will reportedly give North Korea 240,000 tonnes of food aid in return.

France - Cargo ship "TK Bremen 2 crew rescued off Brittany coast 130 kph winds

Uploaded by on Dec 17, 2011
A rescue operation has been taking place off the French coast after a cargo ship ran aground in heavy storms.

The 19 crew members on board the TK Bremen were airlifted to safety by helicopter.

The authorities are trying to contain an oil spill which threatened a nearby beach.

The BBC's Russell Trott reports.

French Guiana - Russian Soyuz rocket has launched putting 6 satellites into orbit

Uploaded by on Dec 17, 2011
A Russian Soyuz rocket has launched from French Guiana - only the second such vehicle to fly out of the territory's new Sinnamary spaceport.

The Soyuz has put six satellites in orbit, including France's new Pleiades-1 high-resolution imaging spacecraft.

Lift-off occurred on schedule at 23:03 local time, Friday (02:03 GMT, Saturday), with Pleiades-1 being dropped off in its 700km-high polar orbit some 55 minutes later.