Coalition- Qurans improperly burned at Afghan base

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WORLD NEWS

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International forces have launched new air strikes near Libya's rebel-held western city of Misrata.  Forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi initially pulled back, but Misrata residents say snipers have continued to target people from rooftops. Col Gaddafi's forces also resumed their pounding of Zintan, near the Tunisian border, according to reports. The fighting comes as Western leaders debate who leads the intervention, with the US keen to hand over to NATO. A Misrata resident told Reuters by telephone: "This morning, air strikes twice hit the airbase where Gaddafi's brigades are based.

At least 20 people have been injured, some seriously, after a bomb explosion hit a bus in central Jerusalem.  The bomb had been left in a bag by the side of the road near the central bus station, police said. Dozens of ambulances converged on the scene near the entrance to the city, and police sealed off the area.

At least six people have died after security forces fired on protesters outside a mosque in the Syrian city of Deraa.  Hundreds of people had gathered in the streets outside the Omari mosque to prevent troops from storming it. The mosque has been the focus of anti-government demonstrations - at least 10 people have now been killed in clashes. Officials blamed Wednesday's violence on an "armed gang" and said there had been weapons inside the mosque.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor, one of the 20th Century's biggest movie stars, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 79.  The double Oscar-winning actress had a long history of ill health and was being treated for symptoms of congestive heart failure. Her four children were with her when she died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, her publicist said. In a statement, her son Michael Wilding called her "an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest". "We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it," he continued. "Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts." Continue reading the main story “Start Quote We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it” End Quote Michael Wilding Dame Elizabeth's most famous films included National Velvet, Cleopatra and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? She was equally well-known for her glamour and film partnership with Richard Burton, one of seven husbands. In her prime, she was arguably one of the world's greatest actresses and most beautiful women. Her colourful private life, screen success and Aids charity work ensured she was never far from the spotlight since finding fame at the age of 12. The peak of her film career came in the 1950s and 1960s, with four Oscar nominations in a row from 1958 to 1961. She lost out in her first three attempts - for Raintree County, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Suddenly, Last Summer - but triumphed at her fourth attempt with Butterfield 8.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has named seven areas of the country to be passed from control by foreign troops into Afghan hands in July, this year.  He declared that the people of Afghanistan don't want that foreigners take responsibility for security any more. Speaking in Brussles, NATO chief vowed that they would not leave a security vacuum in Afghanistan. He said every step in Afghanistan will be determined by the conditions on ground.