Around the World: Protesters and Obama pile pressure on Mubarak to go

A new rally by nearly 100,000 protesters in Cairo and behind-the-scenes diplomacy from the Obama administration piled more pressure on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to make a swift exit. This would allow a temporary government to embark on an immediate path toward democracy.

Two days of wild clashes between protesters and regime supporters that killed 11 people this week seemed to have pushed the US to the conclusion that an Egypt with Mr Mubarak at the helm was more unstable than one without him.

Us president Barack Obama said discussions had begun in Egypt on a turnover of the government. "We want to see this moment of turmoil turned into a moment of opportunity," Mr Obama said in Washington. He did not explicitly call for Mr Mubarak to step down immediately, but US officials said he had to go soon if the 11-day crisis was to end peacefully.

Under one US proposal, 82-year-old Mr Mubarak would hand power to a military-backed temporary government headed by newly appointed vice president Omar Suleiman. The government would prepare for free and fair elections later this year.

Filming off menu for Jamie

Education chiefs in Los Angeles have stopped Jamie Oliver filming in city schools. The permit for ABC series Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution was terminated this week because he failed to submit a proposal about his plans. A spokeswoman said production on the show would continue.

Border battle begins again

Cambodian and Thai troops resumed an artillery duel along their border this morning, ignoring a ceasefire reached yesterday after at least two people were killed in fighting near a historic 11th-century temple. Cambodia said that today's shelling ended within an hour.

Mugabe men hit handover

Britain has sent a formal complaint to Zimbabwe protesting against harassment of a diplomat and attempts by President Robert Mugabe's party supporters to disrupt the handover of a British aid project. The British Embassy said Mugabe's party bussed protesters to a mission hospital in eastern Zimbabwe as the diplomat, second secretary Sarah Bennett, prepared to hand over British-funded hospital equipment.

Briton hurt in cyclone's wake

The tail end of this week's Australian cyclone triggered storms and flooding at the other end of the country. The tropical low that was Cyclone Yasi, which tore through the north east, made thunderstorms over Victoria state much worse. A 26-year-old Briton was taken to hospital after a tree fell on her tent.

Guard killed in firefight at airport

Suspected secessionist rebels attacked Lubumbashi airport in mineral-rich southern Congo today, sparking a three-hour shoot-out with soldiers that left a civilian guard dead. Information minister Lambert Mende said the gunmen had not been identified. Flights at the airport carry mining executives between African capitals. The attackers hit the airport at 4am and soldiers rushed in reinforcements to drive them off.