World News Briefs -- March 29, 2011

World Powers To Discuss Libya's Future -- Al Jazeera

Foreign ministers and global organisations meet in London as US and UK hold talks with Libyan opposition members.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has met a leading member of the Libyan opposition in London, ahead of a meeting between world powers on the future of the north African nation.

Tuesday's meeting with Mahmoud Jibril of the Libyan National Council is another sign that the US administration is looking to expand ties with rebel leaders, but an official stressed it did not constitute formal recognition of the opposition.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian government resigns: state television. Syrian president wavers between crackdown or compromise as southern protests continues. Major government reforms loom in Syria. Syrian loyalists take to streets in support of Assad.

61 dead since uprisings in Syria began.

Yemen protests continue as security deteriorates. Yemen crisis intensifies with factory explosion. Officials: Yemen a bigger security threat than Libya.

Israel considering annexing West Bank settlements.

Hostage siege kills 10 at Iraq government building.

Iran only making slow nuclear progress: expert.

ASIA

Kan: Japan on 'maximum alert' over nuke crisis.
Radioactive water gushing from Japan plant reactor. Japan nuclear plant: plutonium found in Fukushima soil.

India, Pakistan begin peace talks.

Pakistan army shell kills troops in battle with Taliban.

China moves to extend jailing of outspoken blogger.

AFRICA

U.S., allies ready diplomatic bomb for Qaddafi.

Libyan rebels pushed back from Gadhafi hometown. Gaddafi troops reverse Libyan rebel charge. Libyan rebels push west into less friendly territory.

Kuwaiti oil tanker 'hijacked' in Gulf of Aden. Pirates seize oil tanker off Horn of Africa.

Egypt's military rulers set parliamentary election for September.

Supporters of rival Ivorian Presidents fight near Liberian border. Pro-Ouattara forces make new gains in Ivory Coast.

Somalia: Ethiopian military seals off Ogaden region border with Galgudud.

Executives freed in Congo gold smuggling case.

EUROPE

Italian island struggles with wave of immigrants. Italy protests worsening North Africa migrant crisis.

France's Sarkozy plans to visit crisis-hit Japan.

Russian voters turn away from Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev.

EU to ban cars from cities by 2050.

Silvio Berlusconi 'the most accused man in history and the universe'.

AMERICAS

Traces of Japanese radiation detected in 13 US states.

Mexico's forgotten victims of the drug war.

The Cocaine Wars: Invasion of the drug submarines.

Dying Detroit: Haunting photos of crumbling neighbourhoods highlight the terrible decline of America's once-great Motor City.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Yemen battles al Qaeda as president clings to power.

Yemen is the spiritual home of al-Qaeda.

Libya-Crisis: 'Al Qaeda takes advantage of airstrikes on Libya to stock up on missiles'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US incomes rise, but disposable income drops. Blame oil prices.

Nokia sues Apple again over patents.

Amazon launches Cloud streaming service that lets users access their music library from any computer.

Facebook prepares to add friends in Washington.