World News Briefs -- March 27, 2010

This undated picture shows South Korea's Cheonan naval ship in South Korea, Friday, March 26, 2010. South Korea's military scrambled Cheonan naval vessels to the western waters near the disputed maritime border with North Korea late Friday after an explosion ripped a hole in the bottom of a military ship, officials and news reports said. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Dozens Missing From Sunken South Korean Navy Vessel -- Voice of America

South Korea is scrambling to locate at least 46 South Korean military personnel missing after a one of the South's naval patrol vessels sank in a tense maritime area disputed by North Korea. Seoul is investigating what caused the incident, but holding off for now on blaming the North.

South Korean officials say rescuing sailors remains their top priority. One hundred four South Korean navy personnel were on board the patrol ship in waters west of the Korean peninsula Friday night when it was apparently damaged by an explosion and sank.

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MIDDLE EAST

Upset vote reshapes Iraq. Ayad Allawi's bloc wins most seats in Iraqi parliamentary elections.

Israelis quit Gaza after worst clash in over a year. Israeli soldiers leave Gaza after fierce clash.

Arab League eyes alternatives to peace process.

ASIA

South Korea rules out navy ship sunk by North Korea.

Tighter rules fail to stem deaths of innocent Afghans at checkpoints.

Troops step back from Thai protests, tensions mount.

AFRICA

Ethiopian opposition barred from seeing jailed leader.

'No evidence' WFP's Somalia food aid diverted.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe says no concessions until sanctions go.

EUROPE

Merkel praised in Germany for hard line on Greece debt crisis.

As Obama hails arms pact, applause in Kremlin is faint. Obama, Medvedev set April signing for new strategic arms pact.

NATO chief urges Europe to boost defence spending.

New media shaking up Italy's media landscape.

AMERICAS

Wave of protests signal frustration inside Cuba.

Post-quake, Pinera eyeing Chile's military funding.

Police chief decapitated in northern Mexico town.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Chicago man held in link to Al Qaeda.

India pushes for access to Headley, Pakistani American tied to Mumbai plot.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Supply fears start to hit US Treasuries.

CBO report: US debt will rise to 90% of GDP.

U.S. personal income drops across the country.