Egyptian protests enter second day, citizens defy public gathering ban
CAIRO (AP) — Thousands of Egyptians vented their rage against President Hosni Mubarak’s autocratic government in a second day of protests Wednesday that defied a ban on public gatherings. Baton-wielding police responded with tear gas and beatings in a crackdown that showed zero tolerance for dissent.
Egypt’s largest anti-government protests in years echoed the uprising in Tunisia, threatening to destabilize the leadership of the most important U.S. ally in the Arab world. The ability of the protesters to sustain the momentum for two days in the face of such a heavy-handed police response was a rare feat in this country.
One protester and a policeman were killed Wednesday, bringing the two-day death toll to six. Some 860 people have been rounded up, and Facebook, Twitter and cell phones — key to organizing protests — have been disrupted.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called on Egypt to adopt reforms and not crack down on the anti-government crowds. She urged the Mubarak regime to “take this opportunity to implement political, economic and social reforms that will answer the legitimate interests of the Egyptian people.”
Afghan president reluctantly swears in parliament officials Wednesday
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — President Hamid Karzai criticized the international community Wednesday for meddling in Afghanistan’s elections as he reluctantly swore in a new parliament.
Karzai’s stance threatens parliament credibility as the assembly works to pass laws and budgets.
Strengthening the Afghan government is seen as key to the fight against insurgency. A strong government will ideally better be able to take over responsibility for security.
Mosque to be built in Calif. after attempts to halt construction fail
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Opponents of a proposed mosque in the Southern California city of Temecula collected hundreds of signatures, bombarded city planners with angry letters and e-mails, and staged protests with bullhorns and dogs.
None of it worked.
Plans were approved Wednesday after a nine-hour meeting that included rants against Islam as well as debates about traffic concerns.
The Islamic Center of Temecula Valley is one of several across the U.S. that has seized the nation’s attention in recent months as controversy raged over plans for a $100 million mosque and educational center two blocks from the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Plane hit by lightning, pilot makes emergency landing with no injuries
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — An airplane with 16 people aboard made an emergency landing in Virginia after being struck by lightning.
Airline spokeswoman Valerie Wunder says flight 4376 was struck by lightning Wednesday. She says the pilot declared an emergency and landed at the Lynchburg airport without incident. Nobody was harmed.
Superdome gets $85M renovation, new concession stands and seats
NEW ORELANS (AP) — Metal risers that had supported seating inside the Louisiana Superdome since the stadium’s opening in 1975 were torn out Wednesday, marking the last phase of an $85 million renovation to add more concession stands and thousands of new seats.
“There is definitely going to be a wow-factor,” said Doug Thornton, vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Superdome. “When you come in the door, you are going to see a completely different Dome.”
Minden to celebrate Mardi Gras with German celebration ‘Fasching”
MINDEN (AP) — Mardi Gras will be taking a German turn.
Downtown Development director Pattie Odom says Minden plans to celebrate the town’s German heritage with a Fasching celebration.
The Minden Press-Herald reports that the Minden Germantown Festival Commission has received a $410,000 grant for the Minden Fasching Karneval and Parade planned for Feb. 19.
Odom says according to German tradition, Fasching begins at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, and runs until Ash Wednesday.
 
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