Friday, March 11, 2011

World News Briefs -- March 11, 2011



Quake is Japan's Worst Natural Disaster in Nearly 100 Years -- Voice of America

Japanese geologists have long forecasted a huge earthquake in Japan, and the country has been preparing for the "big one" for decades.

But the 8.9 magnitude quake that struck Friday off the coast of Honshu was far bigger than anticipated.

VOA's Bureau Chief in Seoul, Steve Herman, lived and reported for years from Japan. He told VOA's Victor Beattie that Friday's quake is the worst natural disaster to hit Japan in nearly 100 years.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Protests bubble up in Gulf, police out in force.

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

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: 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.

Pakistan anti-Taliban militia 'ends government support'.

NATO ministers endorse Afghan security plan.

Tibet's exiled Dalai Lama to devolve political role.

AFRICA

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

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

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

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

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.

No comments: