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Thursday

Tainted Groundwater Found At Japan Nuclear Plant

The facilities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant were designed to withstand strong earthquakes and tsunamis, but not to the strength and size experienced on March 11. Air Photo Service/AP hide caption

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Air Photo Service/AP

Rebuilding Japan

Tainted Groundwater Found At Japan Nuclear Plant

Workers have discovered contaminated groundwater beneath a leaking nuclear reactor at Japan's troubled Fukushima Dai-ichi complex, plant operators say. The radiation levels were 10,000 times the government health standard. Other readings find radiation levels rose in seawater near the plant.

Libya's Moussa Koussa Had Relationship With U.S.

Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa speaks during a press conference in Tripoli on March 19. Koussa arrived in Britain on March 30, and told the British government that he was resigning from his post. Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images

Conflict In Libya

Libya's Moussa Koussa Had Relationship With U.S.

The former head of Libya's intelligence service, who defected and resigned as foreign minister Wednesday, is widely believed to have been one of leader Moammar Gadhafi's most trusted aides. He also had developed a close working relationship with the U.S., especially on counterterrorism.

Libya's Moussa Koussa Had Relationship With U.S.

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Ivory Coast Fighters Lay Siege To Main City

Militiamen loyal to Laurent Gbagbo patrolled the empty streets of Abidjan on Thursday as forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara approached the city. Jean-Phillippe Ksiazek/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jean-Phillippe Ksiazek/AFP/Getty Images

Africa

Ivory Coast Fighters Lay Siege To Main City

Rebels pushing to install Ivory Coast's democratically elected president, Alassane Ouattara, were on the outskirts of Abidjan. The city is the commercial capital of Ivory Coast and the last stronghold of former leader Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to cede power.

On Japan's Coast, A Search For Relatives And Relief

Firefighters use heavy equipment to tear apart a collapsed 300-year-old house while searching for the dead in the rubble of Rikuzentakata, Japan. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

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John Burnett/NPR

Rebuilding Japan

On Japan's Coast, A Search For Relatives And Relief

Nearly three weeks after the tsunami, the search continues for the thousands still missing. Work crews cannot begin to remove the mountains of debris strewn along hundreds of miles of coastline until they find all the bodies buried underneath.

On Japan's Coast, A Search For Relatives And Relief

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Rebuilding Japan

Public Anger Against Nuclear Power Mounts In Japan

Since the tsunami damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant 150 miles outside of Tokyo, Japanese citizens have grown more resistant toward nuclear energy. Analysts believe that any attempts at reform will face stiff resistance from the country's powerful nuclear energy establishment.

Public Anger Against Nuclear Power Mounts In Japan

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Africa

Fighting Moves Into Major Ivory Coast City

Rebels seeking the overthrow of Ivory Coast's incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo pressed their battle on the main city, Abidjan. The nation's top army commander fled his post. And Ivory Coast's colonial power, France, deployed forces in Abidjan.

Fighting Moves Into Major Ivory Coast City

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Conflict In Libya

Britain Debriefs Former Libyan Foreign Minister

The scene is a safe house somewhere in Britain. And the players are British intelligence agents, diplomats, and one lean, white-haired Libyan man named Moussa Koussa. He's Libya's foreign minister, a senior member of Moammar Gadhafi's embattled regime. Koussa flew to England Wednesday, and the British say he's resigned his post and defected — and that they've spent the day debriefing him.

Britain Debriefs Former Libyan Foreign Minister

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As Gadhafi Holds On, What's Next For NATO?

Supporters of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi stage a small rally in front the hotel where foreign journalists stay in Tripoli. Facelly/SIPA/AP hide caption

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Facelly/SIPA/AP

Conflict In Libya

As Gadhafi Holds On, What's Next For NATO?

With the Libyan rebels repeatedly getting driven back, it has become apparent to many analysts that airstrikes alone can't help them take on Gadhafi's forces effectively. Some observers are now saying the conflict could drag on for years.

As Gadhafi Holds On, What's Next For NATO?

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Defense Secretary Gates Likens Libyan Rebels' Chaos To 'Pick-Up Ballgame'

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (left) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday about Operation Odyssey Dawn. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Defense Secretary Gates Likens Libyan Rebels' Chaos To 'Pick-Up Ballgame'

The picture painted by Defense Secretary Gates of the Libyan rebels didn't give reason for optimism. Gates said the lack of military command and control among the rebels made their efforts lengthened the odds against them in their fight against Gadhafi's better trained and equipped troops.

Film Based On A Palestinian Girl's Life Stirs Controversy

Miral is a red flower that grows in the dessert only when it rains. It's also the name of author Rula Jebreal's tale of three generations of Palestinian women. The book, now a movie, sparked a fire storm of debate. The Palestinian journalist talks about her story and the power of hope.

Film Based On A Palestinian Girl's Life Stirs Controversy

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Reports Emerging Of Rape By Libyan Soldiers

As fighting rages between rebels and government troops in Libya, disturbing reports have surfaced of rapes carried out by state security forces. Last week, Eman al-Obeidy, a Libyan woman, told reporters gathered at a Tripoli hotel that she'd been gang-raped by Gadhafi loyalists. As she spoke, she was wrestled out of the lobby by knife-wielding hotel staff and has not been seen since. Now, an Al Jazeera TV report says Viagra and condoms have been found on the bodies of dead Libyan soldiers. Al Jazeera Sue Turton, who has covered the story, reports on the latest.

Reports Emerging Of Rape By Libyan Soldiers

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Bird's-Eye View Shows Vast Damage At Nuclear Plant

The facilities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant were designed to withstand strong earthquakes and tsunamis, but not to the strength and size experienced on March 11. Air Photo Service/AP hide caption

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Air Photo Service/AP

The Picture Show

Bird's-Eye View Shows Vast Damage At Nuclear Plant

Aerial photographs of the stricken Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan show just how badly the facility was damaged by the earthquake, tsunami, explosions and fires.