Around the world: Al-Qaida leader is killed in fighting with Yemeni forces

A SENIOR leader of Yemen's al-Qaida branch has been killed in fighting in the nearly lawless south of the country, the country's Defence Ministry said.

A statement said Ayed al-Shabwani was killed in fighting near the town of Zinjibar, a provincial capital which has been held by al Qaida-linked militants since May.

The statement said one of the leader's cousins, Awad al-Shabwani, was also killed in the fighting.

Ayed al-Shabwani has been on the country's list of most-wanted al-Qaida-linked militants. He escaped death in January when Yemeni warplanes bombed the Wadi Adeeda area, 115 miles east of the capital, Sanaa, in Marib province.

Al-Shabwani is accused of providing sanctuary for top al-Qaida figures in the country and was implicated in several fatal attacks on security troops and police officers.

Al-Qaida in Yemen has been taking advantage of the turmoil arising from months of anti-regime protests across much of the nation, seizing and holding territory in the south.

The group's growing presence in Yemen has been a source of serious concern to the United States and the country's Arab Gulf neighbours.

Sharaf vows to make reforms

Egypt's prime minister promised to fight corruption as a new cabinet was sworn in under pressure from protesters demanding faster change. Essam Sharaf also said he would work to end Egypt's emergency laws, which empower authorities to detain people without charge.

Bailout deal for Greece

Eurozone leaders have agreed a sweeping deal which will give Greece a massive new bailout and make radical changes to the currency union's bailout fund, allowing it to act pre-emptively when crises build up.

The eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund will give Greece a second bailout worth 109 billion euros (95.9 billion), on top of the 110 billion euros (96.7 billion) already granted to the country a year ago.

End of an era as shuttle returns

America's space shuttle programme passed into history with, the words "wheels stop" crackling over the cockpit radio for the last time. Atlantis glided to a ghostly landing in near-darkness yesterday after one last visit to the International Space Station, completing the 135th and final shuttle flight.

Officer stars in porn film

A Los Angeles traffic officer has been sacked for appearing in uniform in a pornographic film.

John Dancler was dismissed for "misconduct on the job and in uniform, and indecent acts that reflected poorly on the city workforce".Dancler is appealing against the sacking.

Malawi: President Bingu wa Mutharika lashed out at anti-government demonstrators after protests left at least ten people dead in unprecedented levels of unrest.

The president vowed to "ensure peace using any measure I can think of" as protesters gathered again.

United States: Pentagon chief Leon Panetta was today set to end the ban on gay people serving openly in America's armed services.