Monday, April 07, 2008





Egypt - Clashes between police and residents of Mahalla el-Kobra, including many textile workers angry over high prices and low wages, continued for a second day, with reports of looting, arson and the destruction of a billboard featuring the Egyptian president. Solidarity protests also occurred in Cairo, the capital. Nearly 40 percent Egypt's 76 million-strong population live below or near the poverty line of $2 a day. The prices of staples such as cooking oil and rice have nearly doubled in recent months, amid widespread shortages of government-subsidized bread.

Wariyapola, Sri Lanka - Five prisoners remain at large after a jailbreak in the northwestern part of Sri Lanka, two having already been recaptured.