World News: Delegation to hold talks as Gaddafi accepts truce plan

A DELEGATION of African leaders was today due to hold talks with Libyan ruler Colonel Muammar Gaddafi after he accepted a "road map" for a ceasefire with rebels.

The group from the African Union (AU) met Colonel Gaddafi hours after Nato airstrikes battered his tanks, helping rebels push back government troops who had been advancing quickly toward the opposition's eastern stronghold.

The AU's road map calls for an immediate ceasefire, cooperation in opening channels for humanitarian aid and starting a dialogue between the rebels and the government.

Officials, however, made no mention of any requirement for Colonel Gaddafi to pull his troops out of cities as rebels have demanded.

South Africa president Jacob Zuma, who led the delegation to meet Colonel Gaddafi, called on Nato to end airstrikes to "give the ceasefire a chance".

Some 100,000 Libyans have crossed into neighbouring countries since the fighting began nearly two months ago.

Rebels said four airstrikes yesterday largely stopped heavy shelling by government forces of the eastern city of Ajdabiya, a critical gateway to opposition-held Benghazi.

Hamas ceasefire is a 'mistake'

Israel's foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman has said that working towards a ceasefire with Hamas is a "grave mistake" and that his country should try to topple the militant Gaza rulers instead.

He claimed Hamas exploited any calm to build its fighting force.

Mubarak in power claims

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has denied using his position to amass wealth and property during three decades in power.

Speaking for the first time since he was ousted, the 82-year-old said he had agreed to "authorise" an investigation of his finances.

Voters back Catalan poll

VOTERS in Barcelona have given a lukewarm thumbs-up to the idea of full independence from Spain.

In an informal, non-binding referendum organised by pro-independence activists, 91 per cent in the Catalan capital said yes to the idea of full autonomy, but the turnout was a modest 21.4 per cent.

Yesterday's vote in Barcelona follows plebiscites giving similar lukewarm backing for independence in 167 towns and villages.

Japan remembers quake dead

SOMBRE ceremonies were taking place today to mark one month since the massive earthquake and tsunami which devastated Japan's north east coast.

More than 25,000 were killed and 150,000 are living in shelters. People were expected to pause for a moment at 2.46pm, the exact time when the quake hit.

China blasts US for web leak criticism

China: A report today criticised the United States for attacking the website WikiLeaks while pushing for internet freedom around the world.

China's annual report on Washington's human rights record also touches on homelessness, violent crime and the influence of money on politics.

Malaysia: Opposition officials today accused the ruling coalition of bribing voters in poor indigenous communities on Borneo island with canned sardines.