US readies military options on Libya

Washington: The United States began moving warships toward Libya and froze $30 billion in the country's assets on Monday as the administration declared all options on the table in its diplomatic, economic and military campaign to drive Col. Muammar el-Gaddafi from power. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the administration was conferring with allies about imposing a no-fly zone over Libya. Such a move would likely be carried out only under a mandate from the United Nations or NATO, but Mrs. Clinton's blunt confirmation that it was under consideration was clearly intended to ratchet up the pressure on Colonel Gaddafi and his dwindling band of loyalists. "Gaddafi has lost the legitimacy to govern, and it is time for him to go without further violence or delay," Mrs. Clinton...

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US repositioning forces in region

he US defence department says it is repositioning forces in the Libya region as the West weighs potential intervention against Muammar Gaddafi. The Pentagon said it was moving forces to "provide for that flexibility once decisions are made". The US already has a significant presence close to Libya, with several bases in southern Italy. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said US forces could be used for delivering humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, told reporters in Washington the US was "actively and seriously" considering establishing a no-fly zone and was in talks with Nato and other potential...

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Education reduces blood pressure

Education reduces blood pressure Graduation Day Higher levels of education have been linked to lower blood pressure Continue reading the main story Related Stories * Basic sums 'stress 13.5m adults' * Garlic 'remedy for hypertension' * Kidney zap lowers blood pressure Despite exam stress, a long stint in education is good for people's blood pressure, according to researchers in the US. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is linked to heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. The study, published in the journal BMC Public Health, shows the link is stronger in women than in men. The British Heart Foundation said the findings...

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Egyptian stock exchange reopening delayed

The reopening of the Egyptian stock exchange has been delayed, the state-run news agency MENA has reported. Trading had been expected to resume on Tuesday but the exchange is now due to reopen on Sunday, 6 March, MENA said. The exchange has been closed for more than a month in the wake of anti-government protests. Trading was suspended on 27 January after the benchmark Egyptian index saw heavy falls amid investor concerns about the unrest. If the index falls by 6% or more then trading is halted for the session. 'No manipulating' MENA said trading would resume on Sunday "in order to allow investors to profit from the backing of the government...

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Carlos Vela equalises

Carlos Vela equalises Vela rescued a point for West Brom but should have won the match late on Substitute Carlos Vela scored a vital late equaliser against Stoke to lift West Brom out of the relegation zone. After a forgettable first half Rory Delap profited from some poor West Brom defending to head Stoke in front from a Jermaine Pennant corner. But Vela benefited from a close offside decision to level from six yards only five minutes after he had come on. The Mexican striker almost snatched a winner in injury time but was denied at pint-blank range by Asmir Begovic. The Potters against the Baggies on a dark Monday night in late February...

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Excerpts: Gaddafi interview

Jeremy Bowen with Col Muammar Gaddafi Col Gaddafi tells Jeremy Bowen: "They will die to protect me, my people" Continue reading the main story Mid-East Unrest * Fervour grips Benghazi * Possible scenarios in Libya * The Gaddafi family tree * Who is propping up Gaddafi? Excerpts of an interview given by Col Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli to BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen, alongside ABC's Christiane Amanpour and a Sunday Times reporter. Jeremy Bowen: "In recent years you had a rapprochement with Western countries, you had important Western leaders like Tony Blair coming here. Now there are Western leaders who are queuing up...

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Eleven sentenced to death for India Godhra train blaze

Eleven sentenced to death for India Godhra train blaze The train that caught fire at Godhra A total of 59 passengers died in the blaze Continue reading the main story Related Stories * India train fire: 31 found guilty A special court in the western Indian state of Gujarat has sentenced 11 men to death for setting fire to a passenger train in the town of Godhra in 2002. Another 20 men were sentenced to life in prison. The Sabarmati Express was attacked by a Muslim mob killing 59 people, mainly Hindu pilgrims. The attack led to some of the worst riots seen in India and left more than 1,000 people, mainly Muslims, dead. Gujarat's authorities...

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