afrol News, 1 February - Protesters in Cairo and Alexandria broke out in rage after President Mubarak announced he will not step down before in September. "Leave now!" the people chanted unanimously.
Cairo's Tahrir Square exploded in anger as the long-expected television speech did not live up to expectations. Protesters had made it clear they would accept no other thing than Mr Mubarak stepping down no later than on Friday.
The President however only offered not to stand candidate in the September elections, and see to a "peaceful and orderly" power transition period. Mr Mubarak even ordered police to keep on detaining protesters, causing extra rage among the hundreds of thousands still out in Egyptian cities and towns, defying the curfew.
The massive and intuitive answer to President Mubarak's "offer" was rejection and an even stronger demand for the President to step down right away. The crowds seemed more determined than ever to oust the unpopular President.
Currently, there are plans to storm the presidential palace, located in Heliopolis some kilometres from central Cairo, after the Friday prayers. Mr Mubarak's speech however may have triggered protesters to take action against their defiant leader even sooner.
A massive march towards the presidential palace this evening - it is soon midnight in Egypt - however may seem unlikely, as there is a quite a distance to Heliopolis. A massive march to Heloppolis tomorrow however seems more and more likely as protesters have started to discuss new strategies after the Mubarak speech.
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afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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