It is 15:30 Universal Time. I'm Steve Ember in Washington.
Syria says two car bombings in Damascus on Saturday have killed at least 27 people. State media reports say almost 100 people were wounded. The explosions took place minutes apart near a police security building and an (intelligence center). There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Syrian officials have blamed what they called terrorist who may be linked to the year-long protest against president Basahr al-Assad. A team of United Nations' experts was set to begin trip to Syria on Sunday to discuss the (possible deployment) of international observers. The talks are part of efforts to end the government's deadly campaign against dissidents. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan met with the U.N. Security Council on Friday. He said Syria's political problems must be dealt with carefully to (avoid mistakes) that could lead to a major increase in the (violence).
Mauritania arrested Muammar Gaddhafi's former intelligence chief on Saturday. Abdullah al-Senussi is accused of (attacking civilians) during the rebellion in Libya last year. He is also accused of taking part in the 1989 bombing of a French airplane. France, Libya and the International Criminal Court have all said they want to bring al-Senussi to (justice). It is not clear where he would be tried. Mauritania’s State Information Agency said Abdullah al-Senussi was arrested at the airport in the capital Nouakchott after arriving from Morocco. It said he was carrying a (false passport) from Mali. A spokesman for Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council confirmed that the former intelligence chief had been captured by Mauritanian officials.
A man has set himself on fire in eastern Tibet. It is seen as the latest act by Tibetans to protest Chinese government policies. Witnesses told VOA that 44-year-old Sonam Dhargyal set himself on fire early Saturday in the Rebkong area of Tibet. The incident follows a similar burning earlier this week by a monk in southwestern China's Sichuan province. March has historically been a (tense time) for China in its Tibetan areas. The month marks important anniversaries in the Tibetan struggle for (more freedom). China blames overseas group and the Dalai Lama for inciting the protests.
Citizens of East Timor voted in presidential elections Saturday. It is the nation's second presidential election since it won its independence from Indonesia in 2002. The voting ended peacefully with no reports of (disorder). The election in 2006 almost ended in civil war. Eleven candidates are running against current President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Romos Horta but the election was mainly seen as a three-way race between Mr. Horta, Francisco Guterres from the main opposition Fretilin Party and Jose Maria Vasconcelos, the former army chief. A second election would be held between the top two vote winners if no one wins a (majority). If things go well with the presidential election and a planned parliamentary election in June, foreign troops that are (keeping peace in) the young county will withdraw by the end of the year.
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