World News Updates -- February 27, 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, February 27, 2009. Obama is joined by Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Gen. James L. Jones (USMC Ret.) (L) and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon frees Hariri assassination suspects.

Clinton cautious about US-Syria dialogue.

Rival Palestinian factions agree to form unity government by end of March. More news here, here, and here.

Historic Kuwaiti visit to Baghdad. More news on this visit here.

EU to pledge $556 million in Palestinian aid.

Iran denies nuclear slowdown, sets big expansion.

ASIA

Abu Sayyaf back to terror in the Philippines.

Lack of funding dogs Khmer Rouge tribunal.

Pro-Sharif demonstrations spread across Punjab, Pakistan. Pakistan opposition chief warns of dangerous chaos.

China scorns U.S. rights record in tit-for-tat exchange.

AFRICA

UN Secretary General Ban says UN may establish peacekeeping operation in Somalia.

Sierra Leone verdict warns world's warlords.

Two navies 'thwart pirate raids'.

Zimbabwe seeks urgent African aid. More news on Zimbabwe here and here.

EUROPE

Russia blames OSCE for not preventing Georgia war.

5 top Serbs found guilty of war crimes in Kosovo. But U.N. Tribunal clears Serbia's Ex-President.

Arsonists torch Berlin Porsches, BMWs on economic woe. More news on German unrest on the economy here.

AMERICAS

US won't participate in racism conference.

Arrests show U.S. reach of Mexican drug cartels, violence.

Argentina calls CIA comment "irresponsible". More here.

TERRORISM

Saudi Arabia: Education deters militants from more violence, says official.

Analysis: First U.S. case for Iraqi terror.

Senate panel to examine CIA detainee handling.

Britain acknowledges 2 detainees are in U.S. prison in Afghanistan.

Interviews of terror suspects challenged.

FINANCIAL/ECONOMIC CRISIS

Govts tighten grip on banks, US economy falters.

Billions missing from Stanford Funds.

Obama budget plan forecasts soaring deficits.

Eastern European banks given €24.5bn aid.