Havana, Jan 29 (IANS/EFE) Cuban dissident Guillermo Farias, winner of the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Conscience in 2010, was briefly detained for a second time this week in the central city of Santa Clara.

WASHINGTON - As revolt swept key ally Egypt, US President Barack Obama asked Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to make good on his promises and avoid a violent response to the thousands of protesters in the streets. Obama spoke with Mubarak shortly after the latter addressed his country saying he was asking his government to make way for a new one and pledging to address the concerns of thousand of Egyptians protesting in Cairo's streets.