Around the World in 8 Links: Feb 10, 2012

Catch up on news from around the globe as we take you around the world in eight links. This week: Pleas for help from Syria, police strike in Brazil and Haiti's slow recovery.

Calls for help from Syria

Violence continues in Syria, with neighborhoods under seige and pleas for help appearing online. More voices are beginning to call for humanitarian aid for the country.

Muslim Brotherhood demands Egyptian military cede power
The Muslim Brotherhood, which now dominates Egypt's parliament, is demanding that the military cede power. The demand for an immediate transfer of power comes after a series of domestic and foreign crises that overwhelmed the government.

Police strike in Rio de Janeiro
Brazilian police in Rio de Janeiro are on strike as part of a demand for higher wages. The strike could disrupt carnival festivities and is raising questions about security for the 2014 World Cup. The government is prepared to send troops, if needed, to ensure that carnival festivities continue.

Haiti's slow recover is destabilizing
Prime Minister Garry Conille has said that the slow pace of Haiti's recovery is demoralizing and could destabalize the country. Nearly half a million are still homeless in tent cities two years after the devastating earthquake. The U.S. and other donors say aid efforts are slow due to the corruption in Haiti's government.

Malaysia detains fleeing Saudi writer
The Malaysian government has detained Saudi Arabian writer Hamza Kashgari and are likely to deport him. Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia after posting tweets that were deemed to be insulting to the Prophet Muhammed. Saudi Arabia is calling for his arrest and execution; human rights groups have urged Malaysia not to deport Kashgari.

Guinea minister charged in 2009 massacre
Col. Moussa Tiegboro Camara is the highest ranking person to be charged in a 2009 massacre of protesters in Guinea. During the massacre more than 150 were killed and 100 women raped. Col. Tiegboro Camara is accused of being in command of the soldiers who descended upon the protesters.

Transgender rights victory in Pakistan
Transgendered citizens in Pakistan, known as "hijras," are gaining new protections and civil rights. Traditionally seen as blessed, the rise of fundamentalism has led to oppression and harassment of transgendered indiviuals. Last month, hijras gained the right to register as a third gender on identification cards, and a recent court case ordered they must be treated as all other citizens are.

Freezing weather disrupts shipping
In Europe, extended freezing temperature continue to wreak havoc. As rivers and seas ice over more than 120 ships have been trapped in the Kerch Strait and other traditional shipping routes have frozen over. Forecasters say the freezing weather is unlikely to end soon.

(Photos: Getty Images)