Tunisia imposes curfew in capital

Troops outside TV station in Tunis, Tunisia (12 Jan 2010)Troops and riot police have been deployed on the streets of the capital
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The Tunisian government has imposed a night-time curfew in the capital, Tunis, and surrounding regions.

It comes after violent protests in several districts of the capital, with riot police firing tear gas at demonstrators.

Officials say at least 23 people have died across the country since the unrest began late last year.

The protesters say they are angry about rising food and fuel prices, high unemployment and corruption.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali dismissed his interior minister in an attempt to stem the unrest.

Rafik Belhaj Kacem had been responsible for the police force, which many people say has used excessive force against protesters.

Human rights and trade union activists believe the number of dead to be at least 50.

The interior ministry said the nightly Tunis curfew would begin on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1900 GMT) and end each day at 0600.

It said the action was being taken because of “disturbances, pillaging and attacks against people and property which have occurred in some districts of the city”.

The BBC’s Adam Mynott, who is in Tunis, says the past 48 hours have seen gangs of youths involved in skirmishes and street battles with police.

More violence broke out on Wednesday afternoon, as protesters threw stones and police responded with volleys of tear gas.

It is the first time in the weeks of unrest that the violence has reached the capital.

As well as sacking Mr Belhaj Kacem, President Ben Ali has ordered the release of some of those already arrested at protests.

But while those moves will be welcome, says our correspondent, many in the country say the fundamental cause of resentment remains: high levels of unemployment, soaring food and fuel inflation and corruption in Tunisia’s ruling class.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Mortars found at ‘bomb factory’

Garda vanThe find was made by Irish police officers

Irish police investigating dissident republican activity have discovered what they have described as a bomb factory on a farm in County Kildare.

Nine mortars were found on the property in Quinnsboro on Wednesday. The area has been cordoned off and the army bomb disposal team called in.

Two men – one aged in his 20s, the other in his 50s – have been arrested.

They are being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act and can be questioned for up to three days.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Palin attacks media ‘blood libel’

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Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has attacked as a “blood libel” suggestions that political rhetoric contributed to the fatal shootings in Arizona.

Ms Palin, tipped as a possible 2012 presidential runner, hit out at “irresponsible statements” apportioning “blame for this terrible event”.

Her remarks came as new details emerged about the attack, in which six were killed and a congresswoman wounded.

Jared Loughner, 22, has been jailed pending trial in the attack.

The video statement from the 2008 vice-presidential candidate came on the same day President Barack Obama is to fly to Arizona to attend a service honouring victims of the attack.

Ms Palin has been criticised for using an online graphic containing cross hairs symbols that marked Democratic districts she targeted for defeat in the recent US mid term elections.

Among the districts targeted was that of Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, who was gravely injured on Saturday in the attack at a constituency outreach meeting at a Tucson shopping centre.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.