Syria unrest: Wave of arrests follows protests

President Assad has said the protests are part of a foreign plot

Syrian security forces have arrested dozens of people after clashes at pro-democracy protests in several cities left at least seven people dead, activists say.

 

Most arrests came in the southern city of Deraa and the Damascus suburb of Duma, scene of the worst violence.

The government said its security forces were not responsible for the deaths, blaming them on "armed groups".

Coverage of the protests is difficult to gauge because of media restrictions.

Some reports said as many as 15 people had died in Friday's clashes.

A resident told the Associated Press that there was tension in Duma, with security forces patrolling the streets and checking documents.

Libya: Coalition air strike near Brega kills rebels

 

At least 13 people are reported to have been killed when a coalition plane flying over Libya fired on a rebel convoy between Brega and Ajdabiya on Friday, the rebels say.

Doctors at a hospital in Ajdabiya told  that three medical students were among the dead.

Nato said it was looking into the incident but that it was very difficult to verify details about what happened.

The attack came after rebels reportedly fired an anti-aircraft gun.

Radioactive water from Japan nuclear plant leaks in sea

Radioactive water is leaking into the sea from a 20-centimetre (8-inch) crack in a containment pit at Japan's quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, its operator Tepco has said.

The crack under reactor 2 may be the source of recent radiation in coastal waters, Tepco officials said.

Tepco is preparing to pour concrete into the pit to try to stop the leak.

Japanese PM Naoto Kan has been visiting the area of north-eastern Japan worst affected by last month's tsunami.

Museum of London collecting cuts protest placards

The Museum of London says there will eventually be an exhibition showcasing the collection

 

The Museum of London is collecting placards and flags used by protesters at the recent demonstration against public spending cuts.

Students from east London university Goldsmiths have already gathered hundreds of items at the march.

Obama not ruling out Libya arms

US President Barack Obama has said he does not rule out arming the rebels seeking to overthrow Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

He said in an interview that Col Gaddafi had been greatly weakened and would ultimately step down.

Pro-Gaddafi forces have driven the rebels back tens of kilometres over ground they took in recent days after coalition air strikes.

The rebels have now retreated eastwards past the town of Ras Lanuf.

News of the rebel withdrawal came as an international conference on Libya in London agreed to set up a contact group involving Arab governments to co-ordinate help for a post-Gaddafi Libya.

At least several thousand people have been killed and thousands wounded since the uprising against Col Gaddafi's rule began more than six weeks ago, with the rebels now controlling much of the east and pro-Gaddafi forces holding the capital Tripoli and other western cities.

Ivory Coast: Laurent Gbagbo calls for ceasefire

Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara have been making rapid advances

 

Ivorian incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has appealed for an immediate ceasefire after advances by forces loyal to President-elect Alassane Ouattara.

A spokesman for Mr Gbagbo said the army had adopted a strategy of tactical withdrawal but warned it could use its "legitimate right of defence".

In the town of Doekoue, up to 30,000 people took refuge in a church compound to escape the fighting.

Mr Gbagbo refuses to stand down despite the UN saying he lost November's poll.

Yemeni arms factory blast toll rises amid protests

The death toll from the blasts on Monday has almost doubled

 

The death toll from explosions at an ammunition plant in southern Yemen has risen to 150.

Initial reports said 78 had died, but more bodies have since been pulled out of the factory in the town of Jaar.

The explosion has caused great anger among locals, who accuse the authorities of planning it to try to win further support from the US.

Yemeni officials have blamed al-Qaeda for the blasts.

'Fake bomb' UPS flight from UK to Turkey investigated

Details of which UK airport the flight took off from have not been released at this stage.

 

An investigation has been launched into how a fake bomb was put on a cargo plane and flown from the UK to Turkey without being detected.

The UPS flight travelled to Istanbul with the package, reportedly containing a timer, wires and a detonator.

The UK Department for Transport said it was taking the matter "very seriously".

Qantas says natural disasters will dent profits

Reduced travel demand to Japan and New Zealand is forcing Qantas to suspend some flights.

 

Qantas Airways has warned that profits at the company will be hurt by the recent natural disasters in Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

The company has announced that it is suspending some flights and downsizing capacity on others from Australia to Japan and New Zealand.

Demand for travel to Japan has fallen following the earthquake on 11 March and the fear of radiation leaks.

George Clooney named as Berlusconi 'defence witness'

 

Hollywood star George Clooney is one of 78 witnesses named by Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi for his trial on charges of sex with an under-age prostitute.

George Clooney's girlfriend is believed to have denied attending the February 2010 party

 

Mr Clooney's girlfriend, Italian model and TV star Elisabetta Canalis, is also on the list as are MPs and ministers.

The couple were said to have been seen at one of Mr Berlusconi's parties by Karima el-Mahroug, the teenager whom he is alleged to have paid for sex.