Tuesday, February 22, 2011

World News Briefs -- February 22, 2011



Libyan Crackdown Continues, Officials Quit in Protest -- Voice of America

The Libyan military continues to crack down on anti-government protesters, prompting an international outcry. Some Libyan officials are also calling for the violence to stop.

Witnesses in the capital, Tripoli, and other cities report more attacks by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Some say the violence is being carried out by people they describe as mercenaries, apparently from sub-Saharan Africa. The day before, witnesses said helicopter gunships fired on the demonstrators.

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MIDDLE EAST

Medvedev sees `fires for decades' in Arab world.

Bahrain says will release political prisoners.

Egypt allows Iranian warships through Suez Canal (Roundup).

Shin Bet warns of increased PA security involvement in East Jerusalem.

Yemen president rejects demands he step down now.

ASIA

Christchurch earthquake: 150 feared dead on New Zealand's 'darkest day'.

Accused American's CIA ties cause stir in Pakistan.

Starving N. Korea begs for food, but U.S. has concerns about resuming aid.

ASEAN mediates in Cambodia, Thailand conflict.

China official warns of domestic unrest and "hostile" West.

Petraeus's comments on coalition attack reportedly offend Karzai government.

AFRICA

Libya protests: Thousands of foreigners flee violence. Desperate Qaddafi bombs protesters, blocks internet. Top Sunni cleric says army should kill Kadhafi. Witnesses report bodies in the streets in Libya.

Four American hostages killed by pirates.

Egypt's military to move on cabinet, march expected.

DR Congo colonel Kibibi Mutware jailed for mass rape.

EUROPE

EU border agency to help Italy stem migrant flow.

Europe's Arab youth question prospects for revolution in ancestral homelands.

Karabakh: Parties eye another summit amid persisting tensions in the conflict zone.

Mikhail Gorbachev lambasts Vladimir Putin's 'sham' democracy.

AMERICAS

Hondurans face big fines for smoking at home.

Cholera operations in Haiti seriously under-funded.

Mourners pay respects to US customs agent killed in Mexico.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Court ruling opens up terrorism to international prosecution.

Al Qaeda operative, 'Punjabis' thought killed in South Waziristan Predator strike.

Al-Qaeda’s Zawahiri tells Egyptians to establish Islamic state.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Libyan turmoil hits stocks as oil surges.

U.S. federal, state and local debt hits post-WWII levels.

Cables show China used debt holdings to press US.

Mideast stocks slide, debt insurance costs, oil jump as unrest grows.

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