NEW YORK - The UN Security Council eased the arms embargo on Somalia, agreeing a one year partial lifting of the blockade to help the new government. The council unanimously passed a resolution allowing light arms to be sold to Somalia as they seek to rebuild and control territory recently held by Islamist militants. The embargo was imposed in 1992, a year after the fall of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre as rival warlords battled for control. A transitional government is starting to establish itself after victories over al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab. AFP
BERLIN - The number of Syrians who have fled their war-ravaged country and are seeking assistance has now topped the one million mark, the United Nations' refugee agency said. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, said that more than 400,000 people have become refugees since January 1. AP
KEMEHIN - Israel began battling a swarm of locusts from Egypt to prevent crop damage in the south of the country. Locust clouds darkened skies three weeks before the Jewish Passover holiday that recalls 10 Biblical plagues, one of them locusts, that struck Egypt during the exodus of Israelite slaves. The insects covered nearly 800 hectares of desert overnight. Israel sprayed pesticides on the insects from the air and land in the early morning, before dew on their wings dried and they could take off again. Reuters
Riot police break up Tsvangirai meeting
