Monday, March 7, 2011

World News Briefs -- March 7, 2011



Rebels Losing Ground To Muammar Gaddafi's Forces -- The Australian

LIBYAN rebels ceded ground to Muammar Gaddafi's advancing forces last night as the US came under increasing pressure to arm the opposition and the UN appointed a special humanitarian envoy.

The rebels began pulling back from the key oil port of Ras Lanuf as fighter jets targeted defences on the edge of town, throwing up palls of smoke amid fears that government forces were gearing for an attack.

After the bloodiest fighting of the three-week old conflict on Sunday, the UN demanded urgent access to scores of "injured and dying" in the western city of Misrata.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Powerful weekend victories propel Egypt's revolution. New Egypt foreign minister likely to be tougher on Israel.

Arab revolt stokes Hamas militancy.

Baghdad neighborhood celebrates as a wall is taken away.

Kuwaiti protests on Tuesday aim to remove PM.

Shiite Muslims detained in Saudi Arabia.

ASIA

China challenges US predominance in Asia-Pacific.

Gates makes surprise Afghanistan visit.

Japan political stalemate undermining economic recovery.

Chinese foreign relations to focus on more active diplomacy.

China security tight after new protest calls.

AFRICA

'Syrian mercenaries, warplanes aiding Gaddafi'. Libyan warplanes strike rebels at oil port. Libya plane hits town, over one million need aid.

FACTBOX-Libya's military: what does Gaddafi have?

Abyei clashes cloud north-south Sudan talks.

Rival forces fight in Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast rebels claim capture of third town in West from Gbagbo forces.

Ethiopian troops form new military bases in parts of central Somalia.

Zimbabwe to sell uranium to Iran.

EUROPE

William Hague approved botched Libya mission, PM's office says. Britain embarrassed by botched Libya raid.

Opposition reaches pact to form Irish government.

Jacques Chirac, 'un bon gars' of French politics.

Spain's savings banks race to find funds by Thursday.

Greece slams rating agencies after Moody's cut.

AMERICAS

US farmers fear the return of the Dust Bowl.

Partisan divide continues on US federal budget.

Mexico's drug war disappearances leave families in anguish.

Young Mexican police chief Marisol Valles Garcia may seek US asylum.

Rio de Janeiro carnival 2011: the first night's parades in pictures.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Congressman King defends himself against criticism over hearings on radical Islam.

White House promotes Muslim help against terrorism.

Al Qa'eda finds itself marginalised in pan-Arab unrest.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil jumps to near $107 amid fierce Libya fighting.

Would tapping oil reserve help in wake of Libya?

Morgan Stanley cancels all Libya oil trade: source.

Middle East unrest puts oil on a slippery slope.

Fed cannot rule out more bond buys says Lockhart.

No comments: