Thursday, April 7, 2011

World News Briefs -- April 7, 2011



As Ivory Coast's Gbagbo Refuses To Surrender, French Rescue Japan Ambassador -- Christian Science Monitor

The French rescue was requested by the UN and Japanese after incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo's fighters broke into the ambassador's home.

French helicopters staged a dramatic rescue overnight Wednesday and into Thursday of the Japanese ambassador to Ivory Coast and his staff after troops loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo stormed the Japanese compound.

Mr. Gbagbo himself remains holed up inside the presidential palace in Abidjan as troops loyal to President-elect Alassane Ouattara continue to lay siege to the compound in an attempt to capture the renegade leader and bring an end to the conflict in Ivory Coast. Mr. Gbagbo has refused to step down since losing the Nov. 28 presidential election, sparking the nation's second civil war in a decade and a humanitarian crisis.

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MIDDLE EAST

Saudi and allies focus on Yemen's Saleh exit.

Syria military's loyalty to Assad seen as airtight.

Syria reverses ban on Islamic face veil in schools.

U.S. says Iran is meddling in Bahrain.

Gates: U.S. troops may stay if Iraq wants.

Arab unrest makes Israeli-Palestinian peace harder, Netanyahu says.

ASIA

Crisis at Japan nuclear plant shifts to new blast risk. Cleaning up Japan's radioactive water could take decades. Japan's neighbors alarmed over risk of radiation threat.

Mumbai attacks in 2008 still divide India and Pakistan.

US general holds Pakistan talks amid shaky ties.

Grand missile bargain in the making between China and Taiwan.

AFRICA

NATO 'careful' as Gadhafi troops change tactics. Libyan rebels say NATO airstrikes hit their forces. Divided and disorganised, Libyan rebel military turn on Nato allies. Libya: rebels halt oil production.

France rescues Japanese ambassador in Ivory Coast. French strikes hit Gbagbo forces in Ivory Coast.

What is Sudan hiding about the air strike it blamed on Israel?

How Sudan used the Internet to crush protest movement.

EUROPE

Portugal set to start talks on bailout as Spain threat eases.

Biggest arms cache seized in Ulster 'for years' hours before murdered PC's funeral.

Tunisian migrants open tensions in Europe.

Flurry of activity as ICC tackles current wars.

AMERICAS

GOP seeks 1-week extension as U.S. gov't shutdown looms.

Obama to remake national security team.

FBI monitoring possibility of terrorist attacks from Libya.

Bodies found as Mexicans march against drug violence.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaeda bolstering presence in Libya, Algeria says.

Pakistan rejects US assessment of its terror fight.

US offers $5 million for info leading to militant Ilyas Kashmiri.

Al Qaeda returns to Afghanistan (a commentary).

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US deficit spending going same route as Greece, Portugal: Economist.

ECB hikes rates, says move not planned as first of many.

Apple wins $625m Mirror Worlds patents appeal.

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