Friday, March 11, 2011

World News Briefs -- March 11, 2011 (Evening Edition)



Japan Earthquake: Nuclear Disaster Fears As Reactor Overheats -- The Telegraph

Japan was battling to avoid a nuclear disaster after a reactor was critically damaged by the country’s biggest earthquake.

Prime minister Naoto Kan declared a nuclear emergency as his trade minister admitted that a radiation leak might occur at the Fukushima power plant.

The reactor’s cooling system failed after the 8.9-magnitude tremor hit northern Japan at 2.46pm local time. Pressure in the reactor was rising despite the US Air Force flying extra coolant to the plant.

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MIDDLE EAST

Yemen rejects Saleh offer with biggest protests yet.

Protests bubble up in Gulf, police out in force.

U.N. penalties not curbing Iranian enrichment: Pentagon intel chief.

Gates visits Bahrain amid huge protests.

Police flood Saudi capitalm, preventing protests. Protests hit eastern Saudi Arabia, calm in capital.

Bahrain police fire tear gas to avert clashes.

ASIA

Japan earthquake latest: Cruise ship and bullet train go missing as Hawaii and Pacific are put on alert for 33-foot tsunami waves.

Radiation levels surge outside Japan nuke plant. Japan nuclear plant in state of emergency, as cooling power runs low. Daybreak reveals huge devastation in tsunami-hit Japan. Japan earthquake: hundreds dead as 30ft tsunami hits coastline. Hundreds killed in tsunami after 8.9 Japan quake. Huge tsunami kills hundreds in Japan, sweeps across Pacific. Hundreds dead in Japanese quake-tsunami disaster.

Tokyo grapples with its vulnerability.

Thai PM says he will dissolve parliament in May.

Pakistan anti-Taliban militia 'ends government support'.

NATO ministers endorse Afghan security plan.

Tibet's exiled Dalai Lama to devolve political role.

AFRICA

In Europe, plenty of talk about a no-fly zone in Libya but little consensus. Gadhafi forces shell oil port to dislodge rebels. Gaddafi troops launch assault on Libya oil port. Libyan rebels fight back, West divided. EU: Military action would need EU, Arab support.

450,000 flee Ivory Coast conflict, aid agencies say. Looming civil war in Ivory Coast.

UN docs: S.Sudan asks UN to avoid battle areas.

Madagascar's interim President to form new transitional government.

Charles Taylor's Sierra Leone war crimes trial closes.

EUROPE

Biden urges democratic reforms on visit to Moldova.

In Moscow, Biden gets specific on corruption.

Spain marks 7th anniversary of terror attacks.

'Eta military chief' Arriola arrested in France.

Weak euro countries plead for help.

Portugal unveils new cuts ahead of euro summit.

AMERICAS

Tsunami grazes West Coast, thousands evacuate.

Colombia warns firms face expulsion for paying ransoms.

Aristide returning to Haiti in days.

Bolivia President Evo Morales attacks drug reports.

Mexico lawmakers demand answers about guns smuggled under ATF's watch.

First Honduras cocaine laboratory discovered.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US Predators kill 5 in al Qaeda haven in North Waziristan.

Senators want new policy for detainees.

Somali Islamists could grab tankers for attacks: PM.

Congress holds hearing on radicalization of US Muslims.

Revolutions mean hard times for Al Qaeda (commentary).

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Quake and tsunami a blow to fragile Japan economy.

Oil falls after Japan earthquake, Saudi crackdown. Oil sinks below $100 after massive Japan quake.

Japan earthquake hits global markets.

Euro crisis is far from over – what the experts are saying.

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