World News: Greek PM plans reshuffle as police battle with rioters

Greece's prime minister has announced plans to reshuffle his cabinet and seek a vote of confidence for his new government this week after coalition talks with opposition parties failed.

George Papandreou's announcement came after hours of negotiations on a day when central Athens was rocked once more by anti-austerity riots and the debt-ridden country came under massive pressure from markets.

Mr Papandreou has been struggling to ensure parliamentary approval for a crucial austerity Bill.

Opposition party officials had called for Mr Papandreou's resignation as a condition for any coalition deal.

But Mr Papandreou said this would have kept "the country in a lingering state of instability and introversion, while the vital national issue remains dealing with the national debt".

The emergency talks began as riot police clashed with thousands of youths in the main square outside the parliament.

Police fired repeated volleys of tear gas to repel rioters hurling fire bombs and ripped-up paving stones. More than 60 people were injured, including 36 police.

Nato targets Gaddafi's base

A NATO airstrike has again targeted the area near Muammar Gaddafi's compound during a pre-dawn raid in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. At least two massive booms were heard in quick succession shortly before 5am today in the city. It was not immediately clear what had been hit.

Venezuela to ration power

Venezuela will soon begin rationing electricity in several regions because of recurring power outages, the country's energy minister said.

Ali Rodriguez has told authorities to start scheduling rolling blackouts and informing residents when they will be implemented.

China set to crush protest

A HUMAN rights group said thousands of Chinese police and paramilitary forces have been mobilised to suppress a new round of protests in the country's east.

Hong Kong's Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said the unrest in Taizhou broke out after a village chief was beaten by a petrol station employee.

Long-simmering resentments over land seizures then boiled over, with thousands of villagers converging on the site.

Whales have traces of radiation

Japanese whalers caught two animals along the northern coast that had traces of radiation, presumably from leaks at a damaged nuclear power plant, officials said.

Two of 17 minke whales caught off the Pacific coast of Hokkaido showed traces of radioactive caesium.

Iran jubilant as satellite reaches orbit

Iran: State television today reported that Iran has launched a satellite into Earth orbit - a feat that is likely to raise concerns among those who fear Iran's intentions and nuclear development programme.

United States: Lady Gaga's infamous meat dress was today due to go on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.The dress was dried out by taxidermists before being transported to the museum.