World Highlights

¤ Iraq's Shi'ite Alliance said it would hold a new internal vote to name a prime minister, raising the possibility that Ibrahim al-Jaafari will be removed to end a months-long impasse over a unity government.

The Alliance announced the move after Mr Jaafari, who had ignored calls from Sunni Arabs, Kurds and even some Shi'ites to step aside, invited it to decide whether he should resign.

¤ Iran scoffed at the idea of US military action to halt its nuclear programme and gave no hint of compromise before a visit by UN inspectors to assess Iranian compliance with Security Council demands.

The International Atomic Energy Agency will report to the top world body on April 28 on whether Tehran has halted uranium enrichment and answered IAEA questions about its nuclear activities in line with a 30-day deadline set by the council.

¤ Nepali police opened fire to block tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters marching into Kathmandu to confront King Gyanendra, killing at least three people and wounding up to 100.

But there were signs the embattled monarch was looking for a way to end the showdown with a seven-party alliance spearheading a campaign against his rule, said an Indian envoy who visited him to urge a speedy reconciliation.

¤ Oil prices fell after setting a fresh all-time high above $74 a barrel as some investors took profits across booming commodity markets.

Prices also slipped as Royal Dutch Shell said it expected to restart a key Gulf of Mexico oil and gas field by the end of next month, ahead of plan. The 140,000 barrel-per-day Mars platform was damaged by Hurricane Katrina last year.