LIBYA

A journalist working for the British newspaper Guardian is missing in Libya and has not been heard from since Sunday.

The president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has urged Moammar Qaddafi to immediately cease all acts of violence against his people, according to S.A. Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she plans to meet with Libyan rebel leaders in the U.S. and when she travels next week to France, Tunisia and Egypt.

Oil recouped most of its deep losses in late trade on Thursday after reports of police firing on protesters in Saudi Arabia revived fears of further unrest in the world's top exporter.

According to various media reports, French President Nicholas Sarkozy will propose to European Union (EU) leaders that they coordinate targeted air strikes on Moammar Gaddafi’s command headquarters in Libya to prevent his forces from carrying out more destruction against rebel forces.

Brent and U.S. crude oil futures pared losses on Thursday, beset by deeper geopolitical concerns on witness reports that police fired upon protesters in Saudi Arabia's Eastern province.

Brent crude oil futures climbed back to positive territory and U.S. crude pared losses Thursday after reports from Saudi Arabia said police had fired upon protesters, traders and other market sources said.

The government of Bangladesh said it is increasing efforts to help rescue thousands of its citizens who remain trapped in Libya.

Stocks dropped more than 1 percent on Thursday and the S&P 500 fell through a key technical level amid global economic worries, suggesting more losses may be on the way.

In a sign that forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi may finally be gaining the upper hand in the crisis in Libya, rebel groups have been forced out of the strategic oil port of Ras Lanuf (300 miles east of Tripoli) fleeing relentless barrage of attacks from government forces.

A net importer of Gold despite now being the world's No.1 mining producer, China saw 200 tonnes of demand during Jan. and Feb. according to an estimate from Swiss bank and bullion market-maker UBS.

Crude oil futures slumped on Thursday as the dollar index strengthened on fresh euro zone credit woes, while the focus remained on Libya, where the escalating violence triggered fears the country's oil infrastructure could suffer long-lasting damage.

Stocks fell on Thursday, with each of the major indexes dropping more than 1 percent, and the S&P fell through a key technical level, signaling further declines may be on the horizon.

France said it has recognized the National Libyan Council (NLC), the leadership of rebels fighting against Moammar Gaddafi, as the legitimate government in the country, ahead of European Union (EU) talks on the conflict today and tomorrow.

Stocks were set for a lower open on Thursday after a rating agency downgrade of Spain rekindled concerns over euro zone debt problems and disappointing economic data from China and the United states heightened global growth worries.

Stock index futures fell on Thursday after a rating downgrade of Spain rekindled concerns over euro zone debt problems and weak Chinese trade data heightened global growth worries.

International journalists continue to be targeted in the trouble-torn Middle East countries with the most extreme case coming from Libya, where BBC journalists had the first hand experience of Muammar Gaddafi regime's harassment of scribes.

The Libyan stalemate appeared to intensify on Thursday as Muammar Gaddfi's forces made further gains in rebel-held cities while the regime faced more international opposition to its plans to cling on to power.

Brent crude futures slipped on Thursday but remained above $115 a barrel, as forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi launched a fresh bombardment on the eastern Libyan oil town of Ras Lanuf, triggering fears of long-term damage to the country's oil infrastructure.

Wall Street is set to open lower on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq down 0.3-0.6 percent at 1019 GMT.

U.S. stocks ended modestly lower in choppy trading as unfolding events in Libya and their impact on oil prices seem to be the overriding factors to most investors.