Thursday, March 31, 2011

World News Briefs -- March 31, 2011



Libyan Rebels in Retreat as Country's Foreign Minister Resigns -- ABC News

Obama Authorizes Covert Operations; NATO Takes Control of Air Operations

Libyan rebels have retreated despite support from NATO airstrikes, days after seeming to turn the tide against leader Moammar Gadhafi.

The ongoing battle has shown no signs of abating as President Obama Wednesday signed a presidential finding authorizing covert operations to assist the anti-Gadhafi forces.

Rebels were met overnight with heavy fire from Gadhafi forces as cars fled the eastern city of Ajdabiya, erasing almost all of the rebels' gains.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Middle East: Live report.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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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