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Thousands of protesters in Cairo and Alexandria defied a heavy deployment of riot police and other security forces and government warnings not to participate in demonstrations on January 28, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today. The government shut down access to the internet and most mobile phone networks and ordered the army onto the streets of Cairo ahead of a curfew.

Egyptians watch smoke billow from a shopping center in Cairo on Sunday that was looted, damaged and set on fire overnight.

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia

Aref "Scarface" Nagi, 46, former leader of the Detroit Highwaymen Motorcycle Club, was sentenced today to 37 years in federal prison after having been found guilty last year on a variety of charges, including conspiracy to violate federal racketeering laws and conspiracy to commit murder, along with controlled substance, stolen property, and firearm violations, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced.

Refugees agency chief António Guterres (left) visits displaced Iraqi families in Um Al-Baneen camp in Baghdad

The earthquake in Haiti on 12 January 2010 topped the list of disasters for last year

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received a legal notice in response to an application by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the Lahore High Court, seeking an early hearing of his appeal challenging a ban and fine imposed on him.

A shrine in Karbala, Iraq

The Pope began his address by referring to the current age, marked, he said, "by profound changes" which "sometimes generate feelings of insecurity, primarily due to the precarious social and economic situation, but sharpened also by a certain diminution in the perception of ethical principles, principles which are the foundation of law and of the individual moral behaviour which gives strength to that law".

Security Council meets to reinforce UN mission in Cote d’Ivoire