World News Briefs -- March 12, 2009

Bernard Madoff arrives at Manhattan federal court, Thursday, March 12, 2009, in New York.
(AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush jailed for 3 years.

Final Gaza toll shows 960 civilians killed: group.

Hamas issues rare criticism of Gaza rocket fire.

Arab leaders meet to heal rifts.

Palestinians struggle with differences over Israel.

ASIA

Afghan court backs prison term for blasphemy.

Japan's GDP contracts at fastest rate in 35 years. Japan economy shrank at 12.1% pace last quarter on export slide

Heavy fighting in north Sri Lanka.

U.S. seeks new Afghan supply routes, even in Iran.

AFRICA

Aid workers kidnapped as Darfur suffers first abduction of Westerners.

Somali President courts insurgents.

Court in Zimbabwe orders release of opposition figure.

EUROPE

Sarkozy announces French return to Nato after 43 years.

School killings shake Germany to the core.

Thousands protest N. Ireland killings. More news on Northern Ireland here and here.

EU joins the anti-drug war bandwagon.

Pope: Vatican made errors in Holocaust denial case.

The Russian Orthodox power play.

AMERICAS

Elections in El Salvador invoke rivalries of civil war years.

Brazil moves to oust foreign NGOs in Amazon.

Voters to have say in heated race: Antigua

TERRORISM

Italian court upends trial involving C.I.A. links.

Italy's high court sinks CIA rendition case. But the Italian Prosecutor says CIA kidnap case 'will go on'.

FBI probes immigrant Somali link to Al Qaeda.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

45 percent of world's wealth destroyed: Blackstone CEO.

Europe, US split deepens before G20 finance talks.