Argentine media law

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s senate on Saturday overwhelmingly backed a controversial law that supporters say will wrest media power from a select few oligarchs, but which has been criticised as an attack on press freedom. Legislators backed President Cristina Kirchner’s appeal to remake Argentina’s media laws by a resounding 44 votes to 24, after nearly 20 hours of debate. The bill according to Kirchner, enshrine a concentration of media ownership. — AFP

Nobel head in trouble

OSLO: Siv Jensen, head of the far-right Progress Party,Norway’s main opposition party called for resignation of Nobel Committee’s chairman, a newspaper reported. Jensen said, “It would be politically intelligent for committee head Thorbjoern Jaglan to announce his resignation to avoid trying to do two jobs at once.” Meanwhile,Bergens Tidende. Erna Solberg, leader of Conservative party

Hoejre, also criticised Jagland’s attempt to do two jobs and questioned his decision to hand President Obama the peace prize. — AFP

Rebel open to talks

SANAA: Malek al-Huthi, leader of Zaidi Shiite rebels, who have battled government troops in northern Yemen for the past two months, said on Saturday that he was ready for a “dialogue” proposed by opposition leaders. “We are ready for dialogue, to respond positively to all national initiatives and to stand alongside all honourable people wanting to save the country from corruption and injustice,” Huthi said in a statement. — AFP

Brown’s eye problem

LONDON: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has two minor tears on his retina “The speculations that Brown was going blind was baseless,” his office said citing reports on Saturday. Brown, 58, who lost the use of his left eye in a childhood sporting accident, had tests over the summer and a follow-up on Friday. However, no further deterioration,that needed operations has been reported. — AFP