World News: Gaddafi envoy holds secret Libyan talks on London trip

Mr Ismail, an aide to Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, reportedly met British officials in what is said was one of many contacts between Libya and the west in the past two weeks.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman would neither confirm nor deny the meeting.

She said: "We are not going to provide a running commentary on our contact with Libyan officials.

"In any contact that we do have, we make it clear that Gaddafi has to go."

The reports of Mr Ismail's visit follow the defection to Britain of Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa, the country's former head of external intelligence.

The government is under growing pressure to hold Mr Koussa to account for the Lockerbie bombing and the murder of Pc Yvonne Fletcher, but ministers face the dilemma that arresting and charging him may discourage further defections from Gaddafi's regime.

British intelligence is thought to be talking to up to 12 senior figures in the Libyan regime about deserting.

Anger at nuclear plant closures

A DECISION by German chancellor Angela Merkel to shut down seven older nuclear power stations for three months in the wake of Japan's Fukushima disaster is to be challenged in court by utility company RWE AG. It is questioning the legal basis of the move.

Army general jailed for life

A COURT in Argentina has sentenced former army general Eduardo Cabanillas to life in prison and three ex-agents to 20 and 25 years for the torture and homicide involving 65 people in a notorious torture centre during the country's military dictatorship in 1976.

Fierce battles in Ivory Coast

HEAVY fighting was reported today in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan as forces loyal to the UN-recognised president, Alassane Ouattara, clashed with supporters of incumbent Laurent Gbagbo.

Fighters backing Mr Ouattara have overrun nearly 80 per cent of the country as soldiers fled and towns fell in quick succession.

Fierce resistance is expected on the peninsula where the presidential palace is located, surrounded on all sides by a natural moat - Abidjan's glassy lagoon.

Warning over Yemen protests

All British nationals have been urged to leave Yemen in the run-up to likely protests today which could result in violent clashes.

The Foreign Office said people should get out while commercial airlines are still flying "in light of the rapid deterioration in the security situation".

Obama hosts lunch with Israeli leader

United States: President Barack Obama will host Israeli president Shimon Peres for a working lunch on Tuesday at the White House. They are expected to discuss a range of issues, including recent turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa.

Malaysia: Islamic clerics want Muslims to avoid a popular dance they claim has Christian influences. They say the poco-poco is a line dance where the steps make the sign of the cross.