Libya conflict: NTC forces claim Bani Walid advance
Forces loyal to Libya's interim authorities say they have entered Bani Walid, one of the last towns still loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi.
NTC military commanders said they met heavy resistance from Gaddafi loyalists in the town, some 170km (110 miles) southeast of Tripoli.
Meanwhile, fighting is continuing for Col Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.
In Tripoli, bulldozers have begun to demolish Col Gaddafi's fortress-like Bab al-Aziziya compound.
Interim leaders said it was time "to tear down the symbol of tyranny".
| Kenya sends troops to attack al-Shabab |
Somali opposition fighters driven out from two bases near the border in joint Kenyan-Somali military offensive.
Kenyan troops have crossed into Somalia and have driven out al-Shabab fighters from two bases near the border in a joint operation with Somali soldiers, according to a Somali military commander.
Kenya has said it would hunt the fighters they accuse of being behind several recent kidnappings of foreigners.
Abdi Yusuf, a senior Somali military commander, said on Sunday that fighter jets struck two al-Shabab bases in southern Somalia, but could not confirm if the aircraft belonged to Kenya.
"There have been air strikes in ... al-Shabab bases near Afmadow late yesterday and today. We are heading towards Afmadow now. Al-Shabab have already vacated the town," he said.
Alfred Mutua, the Kenyan government spokesman, said that its troops had entered southern Somalia to fight the al-Shabab, who it says are responsible for attacks on its territory.
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irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Monday, October 17, 2011, 06:35
EU working to ring-fence impact of Greek bailout pact
ARTHUR BEESLEY and PAUL CULLEN
EU leaders are working to ring-fence the arrangements for a new Greek bailout in a bid to ensure the pact does not damage Ireland and other frail euro zone countries.
Political and diplomatic activity is to intensify this week as the European authorities pursue a “grand bargain” deal at a summit next Sunday to finally assert control over the sovereign debt crisis.
The preparations come amid talks between the Government and the EU-IMF-ECB troika on the latest review of Ireland’s bailout, an engagement in which the sale of State assets remains contentious.
The new plan for Greece will rework crucial parts of a second bailout arranged in July.
In Burma: a fake out – or real reform?
Longtime Burma (Myanmar) watchers say recent reforms may amount to a genuine democratic opening for the authoritarian regime, but critics dismiss the moves as a propaganda offensive.
After nearly a half century of brutal military rule, Burma's government, which formally made the transition to a civilian government in March, has made a series of reforms that could signal more than superficial reform.
Burma (Myanmar) is no stranger to public relations efforts. It periodically releases large numbers of prisoners out of "goodwill." In May, military rulers released some 14,000 prisoners. In 2009, the country released around the same number, but in both instances, only a tiny percentage were considered "political."
Still, the amnesty of thousands of prisoners, the induction of a parliament, the scrapping of a major dam project, and a number of other more minor actions – such as allowing a picture of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's main opposition leader, to appear in government-censored publications – seem to indicate a noticeable shift.
After nearly a half century of brutal military rule, Burma's government, which formally made the transition to a civilian government in March, has made a series of reforms that could signal more than superficial reform.
The lost platoon
The lax oversight of a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Stryker unit in Afghanistan allowed mischief, misconduct and murder, an investigation shows
ADAM ASHTON; STAFF WRITER
More than 75 Afghan elders filed into a meeting with U.S. Army officers early last year to deliver a disturbing message: Soldiers patrolling villages in southern Afghanistan were out of control.
Stryker platoonmates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord were shooting dogs. They were breaking cultural taboos by searching homes with only women and children around. And they had killed two innocent young men.
The elders said the two victims did not fit the profile of insurgents: One suffered at the hands of the Taliban because his family supported NATO forces; the other was mentally disabled.
10 zombie products that will make you scream
Halloween is almost here and "The Walking Dead" returns to TV this weekend. Zombies have never been hotter, and we have 10 fun products on this list that will make you scream with delight — or at least drool and moan incoherently.
Nerd Approved
Zombie plush hat and slippersWith this plush hat and slippers combo, it will look as though disembodied zombie heads are trying to consume you from both ends. Or, if you prefer, they are vanquished zombies that you've fashioned into makeshift clothing to help you survive the long, harsh winter. Fortunately, their hand-stitched, plush teeth won't puncture your flesh, so you don't have to worry about turning. $14.99 to $19.99 — ThinkGeek via Fashionably Geek
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