World News: Defiant Gaddafi makes TV speech pledging victory

Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has appeared at a site in Tripoli that was recently attacked by the Western coalition and told his followers: "We will be victorious in the end."

In a brief speech at the Bab al-Aziziya compound, which was targeted on Sunday, he said "all Islamic armies" should join him.

Forces loyal to Col Gaddafi are engaged in fierce fighting with rebels. The coalition is enforcing a UN Security Council resolution to protect civilians and set up a no-fly zone.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said people close to Gaddafi are making contact with other states to explore options for the future.

"We've heard about other people close to him reaching out to people that they know around the world - Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, beyond - saying what do we do? How do we get out of this? What happens next?" she said.

Gaddafi's speech lasted about three minutes and was carried on state television.

He said there was a "crusader battle launched by crusader countries on Islam. Long live Islam everywhere. All Islamic armies must take part in the battle."

DNA setback for Malaysia leader

IN a surprising reversal of an earlier decision, Malaysia's High Court said today that it would let prosecutors use key DNA evidence against Anwar Ibrahim in his sodomy trial, handing another setback to the opposition leader as he confronts a new controversy involving a sex video.

Yemen civil war warning

Yemen's US-backed president has warned that the country could slide into a "bloody" civil war as the opposition rejected his offer to step down by the end of the year.

Tens of thousands protested in the capital demanding his immediate departure, emboldened by top military commanders who have joined their cause.

Ali Abdullah Saleh's warning raised fresh fears that Yemen could be pushed into even greater instability.

Court blocks Google book deal

A DEAL between Google and publishers over the web firm's publication of books online has been blocked by a US court.

The web giant has scanned millions of books and made them available online via its eBooks platform. But the New York court said the deal would give Google an unfair competitive advantage.

Canada set for spring election

A spring election in Canada is all but certain after opposition parties said they will vote against Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper's latest budget plan.

The government needs the support of at least one party, but all three opposition parties rejected the budget.

Tokyo fears over safety of tap water

Japan: Tap water in Tokyo tested two times above the limit for radioactive iodine considered safe for infants, officials said today, amid burgeoning concerns about the safety of food and drink as a nuclear plant in the north-east continued to leak radiation.

Syria: State-run television has reported that a group of armed people attacked an ambulance in the city of Daraa, that has seen deadly anti-government protests, killing four people.