World News Briefs -- March 1, 2011

Chaos At Libyan-Tunisian Border -- Al Jazeera

Border guards struggling to control crowds as the UN says 140,000 people have fled the revolt aimed at toppling Gaddafi.

The number of people fleeing violence and chaos in Libya has topped 140,000, with about half of them entering Tunisia.

Aid workers warned on Tuesday that the situation at the border with Tunisia has reached a crisis point, as border guards were firing into the air, trying to control crowds pressing to get through the Ras Jdir crossing.

Immigration officers were struggling to keep up with the mass exodus as people were pressed up against a concrete wall dividing the no man's land between the Libyan and Tunisian border posts. At intervals, Tunisian border guards would open a blue metal gate to let a small group through.

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MIDDLE EAST

Powerful cleric joins protest to urge Islamic rule in Yemen. Yemen students to politicians: Don't hijack our revolution. Yemeni president says US and Israel behind unrest. Yemeni president says US and Israel behind unrest.

Saudi Arabia sends tanks to riot-hit Bahrain – paper.

Oman deploys army units fearing more unrest. Oman army tries to disperse protests, wounds one.

Iran: Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi 'arrested'.

Reports: Iran uses tear gas to disperse protesters. Iranian forces reportedly fire tear gas on protesters.

Israel military to get tough with 'violent core' among 300,000 West Bank Jews.

ASIA

White House rejects sending tactical nukes back to South Korea.

Pakistan hikes oil prices, fueling anger.

China rolls back press freedoms amid protest calls.

Christchurch earthquake: Latest updates.

Russia to boost military force on disputed Kuril islands.

Vietnam activist Nguyen Dan Que held for uprising call.

AFRICA

Libyan rebels celebrate win in battle near Tripoli. Aid crisis on Libya's west border.

Zimbabwe police detain activists for watching video of North African revolts.

Somalia's al Shabaab threatens to attack Kenya.

Danish children held by pirates.

Ivory Coast gas runs low, newspapers close. Humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ivory Coast.

EUROPE

EU crisis summit on Libya, Arab neighbours set March 11.

Gorbachev blasts Russia's rulers as he turns 80.

Belarus 'tortured protesters in jail'.

UK 'to end direct aid to 16 countries'.

AMERICAS

Aristide keeps Haiti waiting.

Cuba's Raul Castro admits mass lay-offs behind schedule.

Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega set to run for third term.

Deportees from US struggle in quake-hit Haiti.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Financial terrorism suspected in 2008 economic crash.

New Al Qaeda tape: Don't stop rebelling until Islamic regimes created.

Jasmine revolts sideline al Qaeda.

Al-Qaida's No. 2 incites Tunisians, Egyptians.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil climbs despite Saudi output pledge. Oil prices climb as Iran tensions escalate.

Bernanke: Rising oil prices pose threat to economy.

GM, Nissan U.S. sales up as incentives catch fire.

China's holdings of US debt larger than reported.