Briefly World

Vodafone forced to send pro-govt texts

LONDON: Vodafone says Egyptian authorities forced it to broadcast pro-government messages during the protests that have rocked the North African nation. Vodafone Group PLC said in a statement Thursday that Egyptian authorities have been using the countrys emergency laws to script text messages to its customers.

UN to evacuate staff from Egypt

CAIRO: The United Nations began evacuating its staff in Egypt on Thursday,while more than 4,000 passengers made their escape through Cairo airport. The UN was sending in two chartered aircraft to take 350 staff and their families to Cyprus,said Rolando Gomez,a spokesperson.

Egypt govt site shut down by hackers

NEW YORK: Anonymous,the online group of hackers from all over the world,said Wednesday that it had paralysed the websites of Egypts Ministry of Information and Mubaraks National Democratic Party in support of the anti-government protests in the country.

US welcomes Yemen Presidents decision

WASHINGTON: The US has welcomed the decision by Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh not to seek re-election after the expiry of his term in 2013. We welcome any decisions by Saleh that advance Yemens political development through non-violent and democratic means, P J Crowley said.