Thursday, March 17, 2011

World News Briefs -- March 17, 2011



U.S. Calls Radiation ‘Extremely High;’ Sees Japan Nuclear Crisis Worsening -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave a far bleaker appraisal on Wednesday of the threat posed by Japan’s nuclear crisis than the Japanese government had offered. He said American officials believed that the damage to at least one crippled reactor was much more serious than Tokyo had acknowledged, and he advised Americans to stay much farther away from the plant than the perimeter established by Japanese authorities.

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MIDDLE EAST

Alarmed US urges calm as Mideast uprisings grow.

Bahrain authorities detain six opposition leaders. Rights group accuses Bahrain of using 'excessive force' on protesters. UN warns of 'shocking' abuses in Bahrain.

Abbas to meet Hamas in Gaza for Palestinian unity talks.

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,439.

ASIA

Six days later, Japanese still confronting magnitude of quake crisis. Japanese choppers dump water on stricken reactor. U.S. officials alarmed by Japanese handling of nuclear Crisis. Japan renews nuclear efforts as U.S. sounds alarm. Mounting Japan crisis sparks exodus of foreigners.

Japanese earthquake: Rebuilding may cost more than Kobe quake's £100bn.

Pressure mounts on all parties in Afghan war to begin talks.

Pakistani Christians convert to Islam because of threats and intimidations.

CIA faces reduced role in Pakistan after murder row.

AFRICA

US official says Gadhafi getting upper hand. Qaddafi's forces encircle last city before rebel capital. U.S. considering military actions beyond no-fly zone to stop Kadafi. Gaddafi forces push forward as U.S. mulls air strikes. US reverses strategy on Libya. ICRC departs Libyan rebel stronghold.

With Ivory Coast crippled by sanctions, a leader still holds on.

Pirates seize ship, use it to launch new attack.

Nigeria militants claim oil strike, army blames youths. Eni’s Agip Oil facility in Nigeria attacked, military say.

EUROPE

‘Biblical Exodus’ of refugees from Africa unrest spurs backlash in Europe.

Portugal may soon go the way of Ireland.

EU police arrest 9 Kosovo war crimes suspects.

Kadyrov's rule inspires fear in Chechnya.

500,000 pack Dublin for St. Patrick's Day parade.

AMERICAS

South Africa: Aristide leaving for Haiti Thursday.

UN 'supports Central America's fight against violence'.

El Salvador's long-ago civil war still colors U.S. relations.

Haiti cholera 'far worse than expected', experts fear.

US life expectancy surpasses 78, a new record.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

80 people reportedly killed in U.S. drone strike in Pakistan. US Predators strike again in al Qaeda stronghold of Datta Khel.

Canadian charged with helping Najibullah Zazi in New York bomb plot.

Close reading Al Qaeda's latest jihadist women's eMagazine (yes, latest).

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US backing for world currency stuns markets.

Japan earthquake may push up price of electronic goods.

Japan plays down need for yen action from G7.

FedEx outlook bright on growing demand.

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