Tuesday, March 22, 2011

World News Briefs -- March 22, 2011



Gates Says Allied Air Strikes To Slow -- Wall Street Journal

The pace of U.S. and allied air strikes in Libya should slow in the next few days as more of Col. Moammar Gadhafi's air-defense installations are destroyed, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday, as the coalition experienced its first setback after a U.S. jet crashed in northeast Libya and two pilots safely ejected.

"As we are successful in suppressing the air defenses, the level of kinetic activity should decline…I assume in the next few days," Mr. Gates told reporters Tuesday after meeting with his Russian counterpart in Moscow.

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MIDDLE EAST

Yemen's President Saleh offers to step down by year's end. 12 senior Yemeni military commanders break ties with government.

Life returns to streets of Bahrain after unrest. For Bahrain protest movement, democratic hopes give way to sectarian concerns.

IDF thwarts attack on soldiers in northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli air strikes wound 19 in Gaza strip.

Israel's Military Intelligence monitoring foreign left-wing organizations.

Moshe Katsav, former Israeli president, sentenced to 7 years in prison for rape.

ASIA

Developments in Japan's disasters, nuclear crisis. Repair crews return to nuclear plant as Japan's disaster toll rises. Power lines up in progress at Japan nuclear plant. Battle to cool Japan plant as food jitters grow. Steam rises from stricken Japan plant.

Afghanistan announces crucial security handover.

Malaysia 'may be WMD transit point‎'.

Google says China disrupting e-mail service.

AFRICA

Map of air strikes in Libya

Buoyed by strikes, Libya rebels try to advance. Gaddafi attacks rebel towns, U.S. plane down. Kadhafi strongholds bombed but endgame uncertain.

Sarkozy opposes Nato taking control of Libya operation. Allies expand Libya military campaign, debate command. Divided NATO tries again to define Libya role.

Ivory Coast youth sign up for Gbagbo army. Ivory Coast violence may destabilise region.

EUROPE

Gates visits Russia as Putin decries UN action on Libya.

Russia's leaders disagree on Libya, Putin rebuked.

Cyprus says against use of British bases for Libya.

Europe’s rift over energy is widened by France.

Portugal braces for govt collapse amid debt crisis.

Libya: British radicals could use attacks to recruit terrorists.

Belgium breaks Iraq’s world record for government impasse.

AMERICAS

Latin America increasingly important to the U.S., Obama says.

Obama visits violence-plagued El Salvador.

China grabs Latin America, well ahead of Obama's outreach.

Castro says he quit Communist Party post in 2006.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

9/11 military case has stalled as White House pushes for civilian trials.

FBI center takes on $1 billion ID project.

Court revives lawsuit over government surveillance.

Terrorism, weapons top threat list, Gates says.

Taliban punish 4 'spies' for recent deadly airstrike.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil climbs on allied military strikes in Libya, Mideast unrest.

Supreme court lets Fed bailout records release stand.

Eight ways $100 a barrel oil may affect you.

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