Thursday, March 31, 2011

World News Briefs -- March 31, 2011 (Evening Edition)




U.S. Officials, Opposition Warn Libya Could Get Bloodier -- CNN

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- From the halls of Congress to the shell-pocked streets of Libyan cities, intertwined themes rang clear Thursday: Leader Moammar Gadhafi is determined to prevail, and the opposition needs more training and allied airstrikes to have a chance.

"Gadhafi will "kill as many (people) as he must to crush the rebellion," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told the House Armed Services Committee.

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MIDDLE EAST

Middle East: Live report.

New tensions along Israel Gaza border.

Syria's Assad under pressure as new protests called. Syria committee 'to study' lifting emergency laws. Anger as Assad fails to reform.

Death toll hits 57 in Iraqi hostage siege.

Bahrain steps up arrests of activists: opposition.

Rival Yemen demos set scene for tense Friday.

A New Palestinian movement: Young, networked, nonviolent.

ASIA

Radiation 10,000 times the health standard at Japan plant. Situation at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant still serious. Four of six Daiichi reactors can’t be fixed; Tokyo Electric president hospitalized. Four reactors at Fukushima nuclear complex will have to be scrapped, utility chairman says.

China white paper highlights US military 'competition'.

Pakistani politician survives 2nd assassination attempt in 2 days. Pakistani politician blames assassination attempt on CIA, Pakistan government.

Within Obama’s war cabinet, a looming battle over pace of Afghanistan drawdown.

Indian census puts population at about 1.2 billion. Indian census results: 1.21 billion people or 17 percent of world population.

AFRICA

CIA sends teams of operatives to Libya. U.S. officials, opposition warn Libya could get bloodier.

Libya's Gaddafi not close to breaking point: U.S.. Libya: Nato assumes control of military operation. NATO takes over air operations as CIA works the ground in Libya. Gaddafi will stay in Libya "until the end": spokesman. About 1,000 believed killed in Libya violence: UK.

Weakened Gbagbo faces final showdown in I.Coast's Abidjan. Rebels besiege Ivory Coast's main city of Abidjan. Tension high in Abidjan as rebels advance. Ivory Coast army chief Phillippe Mangou 'seeks refuge'.

Egypt's presidential vote to be held by November. Egypt to elect new president by November.

Southern African leaders meet on Zimbabwe stand-off.

EUROPE

Portugal to choose new govt as debt woes worsen.

Sarkozy's plan for 'poisonous' debate on rising Muslim population in France savaged by religious leaders.

Italy hits out at 'scandalous' refusal of European nations to help with Lampedusa's boatloads of migrants from North Africa.

Dmitry Medvedev: Russian ministers must quit boardrooms.

German firms encouraged corruption: Greek Minister.

Chinese 'euro coin scam' leads to arrests in Germany.

AMERICAS

Mexican cartels get heavy weapons from CentAm, U.S. cables say.

Brazil joins Bolivia anti-drug fight.

Guatemala's alleged No. 1 drug trafficker captured.

In rare visit with Castro, Jimmy Carter attempts to restart US-Cuba relations.

Israeli: Argentina gives commitment to bomb probe.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Are Libyan rebels an al-Qaeda stalking horse?

Arab revolutions will boost Al Qaeda, says radical US cleric Awlaki. Al Qaeda responds to CNN.

Pakistan handles Islamic extremism with kid gloves.

Bali bomb suspect Umar Patek arrested in Pakistan. Official: CIA tipoff led to Pakistan arrest.

Al-Qaeda mag: We heart the Mideast revolts.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Traders worry that April 27 could derail the bull market.

G20 meeting highlights conflicts over currency.

Oil climbs to highest since 2008 on Libya conflict.

Dreamliner becomes a nightmare for Boeing.

Wal-Mart CEO Bill Simon expects inflation.

Microsoft files complaint against Google. Microsoft takes Google complaint to EU.

Geithner: inflexible currencies are biggest monetary problem.

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