“The position of trade unions has deteriorated significantly in Iraq. Unions in the electricity sector have been banned in a move that echoes Saddam Hussein’s old ways. The Iraqi police raided and shut down trade union offices following a draconian ministerial decree.The order, issued on 20 July, “prohibits all trade union activities at the [electricity] ministry and its departments and sites”. It orders the police “to close all trade union offices and bases and to take control of the union’s assets, properties and documents, furniture and computers”. It also instructs the ministry to take legal action against trade union officials under anti-terrorism laws.” (thanks Shawna)
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Egypt is generally considered a very safe place, and Cairo is perhaps the safest megapolis in the world — consider that in Rio you might be killed for your Nikes and in Mexico City gunned down in a gang war. That’s why when something happens, it feels all the more surprising, especially for foreigners who think (usually rightly) that they have extra protection from the seedier side of the city. Check out the experience of this American blogger in Egypt first getting beaten up by some kind of protection racket, and then being arrested by police and forced to apologize to his attacker.
Muggings take place everywhere. But the way the police acts, as Egyptians know all too well, is a much more depressing and serious problem. When you think of some of the things that can happen in detention, the khawaga factor may have saved him from a worse fate than humiliation.
Conclusion: Egypt is a very safe place — until you have problem.
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U.S. official urges transparency over police torture probe, says those responsible should be held accountable.
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AP – Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters scuffled with police Saturday near a hall where an Israeli volleyball team played in a game closed to the public because of security concerns.
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Israeli police arrest a Jewish man on suspicion of stabbing to death two Palestinians in 1998 and attempting to kill others.
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Violent scenes on Northern Irish streets as nationalists turn their anger on police escorting planned march.
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UPDATE 4: Militant strikes in once-calm Kunduz province kill policemen and govt official, authorities say.
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AP – A Palestinian politician slated for expulsion from Jerusalem because of his ties to Hamas was arrested by Israeli police Wednesday and now faces a court hearing over whether he will be forced to leave the city.
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“The Israeli police on Monday announced the April arrests of seven young Arab men who, they said, had militant Islamic sympathies and had planned attacks on Jews and Christians.” Israeli police added that they planned to revive the Third Reich.
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Eight people die including four police and a general, in a series of attacks around Iraq, officials say.
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