NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

WORLD/ EGYPT CALM AS NEW ERA BEGINS: The ruling military pledged Saturday to eventually hand power to an elected civilian government and reassured allies that Egypt will abide by its peace treaty with Israel after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, as it outlined the first cautious steps in a promised transition to greater democracy. The military's statement today had been eagerly awaited by the public and thousands of protesters still massed in Cairo's central Tahrir Square, pictured above. The crowds were still riding high on jubilation over the success in removing Mubarak on Friday after 18 days of unprecedented popular protests, but they promised to maintain pressure on the military to carry through long-sought reforms. After the statement, the main opposition coalition, a loosely based grouping of youth and traditional opposition groups, said it would end its main protest in Cairo's Tahrir, or Liberation, Square but would call for weekly demonstrations after Friday prayers.

WORLD/ ALGERIAN & YEMEN PROTESTS BROKEN UP: Anti-government rallies in the capitals of Algeria and Yemen, inspired by events in Egypt, have been broken up. Riot police in Algiers dispersed thousands of people who had defied a government ban to demand that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika step down. A similar march in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave office was attacked by government supporters. Both Yemen and Algeria, like other countries in the region, have recently witnessed demonstrations for greater freedoms and improved living standards.

WORLD/ MUSHARRAF WANTED IN BHUTTO ASSASSINATION: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has issued an arrest warrant for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in 2007. Prosecutors say he was aware of Taliban plans to target her but did not act to prevent her murder in Rawalpindi.  They accuse him of failing to provide adequate security for the former PM. Musharraf, who lives in self-imposed exile in London, denies the allegations. His spokesman said Musharraf had no intention of returning to Pakistan for the hearing. Bhutto was killed while in a gun and suicide attack while travelling in an election motorcade in the city of Rawalpindi in December 2007. She was twice prime minister of Pakistan, from 1988 to 1990, and from 1993 to 1996.

WORLD/ 6.8 QUAKE SHAKES CHILE: An 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile last night, in the region that was hit by a huge quake and tsunami in February last year. Thousands of people fled to higher ground but there have been no reports of deaths or serious damage. The epicentre of the earthquake was under the Pacific Ocean, about 30 miles north of Concepcion. 2 smaller quakes over the next 5 hours struck slightly nearer to the city. President Sebastian Pinera praised Chileans for responding quickly, saying they had learned the lessons of last year's quake and were better prepared.  "Experts and seismological centres have said that we can expect aftershocks up to five years after the earthquake of  February 27, 2010," the president warned.

WORLD/ CHARLIE NEEDS A HOME: The Blue Cross Animal Charity in Southampton, Hants, England, went to the media yesterday in hopes of finding a home for a 14 year old stray feline. Charlie had to have his ears and nose removed after arriving at the shelter due to a diagnosis of skin cancer. Workers say most visitors to the shelter have been "scared off" by Charlies looks, with many saying he resembles Lord Voldemort from the "Harry Potter" movies. So, the shelter went to the press in the hopes of finding a home for the feline they say likes alot of "tickles and cuddles," but prefers to live away from other cats. The shelter, who is desperate to find the lonely boy a "forever home," suggested that perhaps a family that enjoys "Harry Potter" would be interested in adopting Charlie. Charlie's story was published all over the UK today. (SK COMMENT: Judging by the hundreds of comments on many newspaper websites, Charlie should find a home shortly).

US/ ARIZONA GOES AFTER THE GAYS: Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer and lawyers for the state of Arizona are now expanding their efforts to eliminate that state's domestic partner benefits. A judge ruled last year that the state must continue paying the benefits while courts decide the legality of a Republican and Brewer led effort to end the policy that pays the benefits. According to legal filings yesterday, lawyers for the state said the Judge was wrong in his ruling that they must continue to pay the benefits while fighting in court to end them in a process that could take years. The state said the judge did not consider the financial burden of the state and taxpayers. Arizona, like many other states, is facing budget problems and is looking to cut costs anywhere they can. (SK COMMENT: As one net commentator said, if Arizona was that concerned about saving the taxpayers money, then they would have moved to end benefits for all, not just domestic partners. As is her tradition, Brewer is targeting a minority).

US/ HAWAII HOUSE OKS CIVIL UNIONS BILL: Hawaii state house members approved a proposal yesterday for Civil Unions within the state. The measure passed 31 to 19, with 1 member not voting. The bill now goes back to the Senate, which passed a similar version of the measure last month. If the Senate agrees to changes in the bill made by the House, the measure would go to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who supports civil unions legislation. Senate Bill 232 would grant same-sex and heterosexual couples the ability to enter into a civil union with all of the rights, protections, benefits and responsibilities of traditional marriage.

US/ BORDERS TO FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY: Borders Group may file for bankruptcy reorganization as early as Monday or Tuesday, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The No. 2 traditional bookstore in the US also plans to close about 200 of its 674 stores and cut thousands of jobs, according to the report. The report said the company is talking to lenders about $450 million in financing so they can keep operating while under bankruptcy protection.