EGYPT: Egypt’s highest court has ordered the country’s Islamist-dominated parliament dissolved, saying its election about six months ago was unconstitutional.

As a result, it says in its explanation of the ruling, “the makeup of the entire chamber is illegal and, consequently, it does not legally stand”.

The explanation was confirmed by one of the court’s judges, Maher Sami Youssef. It means that new elections for the entire parliament will have to be held.

ARGENTINA: Argentina’s president is pressing her country’s claim to the Falkland Islands with a high-profile appearance today before a little-known UN committee on the 30th anniversary of Britain’s ousting of an Argentinian invasion force.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s attendance at the annual meeting of the world body’s Decolonisation Committee is the first by a head of state, and she is coming with dozens of supporters.

Argentina claims Britain has illegally occupied the islands they call the Islas Malvinas since 1833.

Britain disputes Argentina’s claim to the islands and said Argentina ignores the wishes of the island’s 3,000 residents who have expressed a desire to remain British.

BAHRAIN: A Bahrain appeals court has sentenced nine medics accused of aiding Bahrain’s anti-government uprising to jail terms while setting free another nine.

The court upheld 15-year sentences against two doctors who fled Bahrain.

The sentences ranging from five years to one month brought sharp complaints from international rights groups.