GUELPH, Ont. - There's a reason female squirrels are so promiscuous and it can't be blamed on their mothers.
As it turns out, the randy rodents mostly sleep with whoever shows up, according to researchers at the University of Guelph.
Whether a female squirrel picks one mate or 14 __ the highest one-day tally recorded in the study __ has little to do with genetics, said Eryn McFarlane, a graduate student at the university and the project's lead researcher.
"It's due to their environment, to what they encounter," she said. Namely, how many male squirrels are around at the time, she added.
What's more, when it comes to libido, "there's no guarantee at all that daughters will resemble their mothers," McFarlane said in an interview Sunday.
The study, published in the journal Biology Letters, is the first to suggest that genetics have little impact on squirrels' mating habits.
Most research on animal promiscuity tends to focus on the risks and benefits of sleeping around, McFarlane said.
"Classical research kind of suggests that while males should try to mate with as many females as they can find, females should be a little bit more chaste, more picky because they put so much more investment in their offspring," she said.
Having multiple partners can also force squirrels to expend a lot of energy, and make them more vulnerable to predators and sexually transmitted diseases, she said.
"But based on our findings, it doesn't really matter," she added.
Even if the dangers of promiscuity outweighed the advantages, the squirrels probably wouldn't be able to change their behaviour since it isn't passed along to the next generation, she said.
That shows some species simply can't adapt to their environment, McFarlane said.
The Guelph research team analyzed data collected from 108 mating chases involving 85 female squirrels.
The data come from the Kluane Red Squirrel Project, a long-term field experiment in Yukon that looked at the ecology and evolution of red squirrels.
Since launching in 1987, the project has monitored the behaviour and reproduction of some 7,000 squirrels.
Female red squirrels typically go into heat for a single day each year. As the date draws near, they leave their scent nearby as a signal to males.
When the day comes, they run around to encourage males to give chase and generally mate with all those who show up.
McFarlane said it's unclear why some females attract more suitors than others, and that may be what she looks into next.
"Maybe they advertise more?" she said.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Woman who knows no fear could offer brain clues
WASHINGTON - US scientists have discovered a woman with a rare brain disease that makes her afraid of nothing -- not a huge snake lurking near her children, not a knife to her throat, and certainly not a horror movie.
The woman cannot experience fear because of a condition that has destroyed the part of her brain -- the amygdala -- where researchers say they believe the feeling of fear is made.
Over the past two decades researchers have been analyzing the woman, known as SM, for clues about her condition which they say could help them treat post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly in soldiers returning from war.
"It is quite remarkable that she is still alive," said lead author Justin Feinstein whose study appears in the journal Current Biology.
"The nature of fear is survival and the amygdala helps us stay alive by avoiding situations, people, or objects that put our life in danger," he said.
"Because SM is missing her amygdala, she is also missing the ability to detect and avoid danger in the world."
Instead of fear, SM, whose rare condition is known as Urbach-Wiethe disease, describes "an overwhelming feeling of curiosity."
To test her reaction, researchers led her into an exotic pet store filled with spiders and snakes, animals she repeatedly said she "hates" and tries to avoid.
"Upon entering the store, SM was spontaneously drawn to the snake terrariums and appeared visually captivated by the large collection of snakes," the study said.
Asked by a store employee if she would like to hold one, SM agreed and then played with one for about three minutes.
"She rubbed its leathery scales, touched its flicking tongue, and closely watched its movements as it slithered through her hands," it said.
"Her verbal behavior revealed a comparable degree of fascination and inquisitiveness: she repeatedly commented, 'This is so cool!'"
When she reached for a tarantula, however, she had to be stopped because there was a high risk she could be bitten.
"When asked why she would want to touch something that she knows is dangerous and that she claims to hate, SM replied that she was overcome with 'curiosity,'" the study said.
The woman's eldest son, who is in his 20s, told researchers he could not ever recall seeing his mother afraid.
He said he remembered one event in particular from his childhood when he was playing with his two brothers and they saw a big snake in the road nearby.
"Well, Mom just ran over there and picked it up and brought it out of the street, put it in the grass and let it go on its way," he said.
"I thought that was kind of weird."
The woman also told researchers that when she was in her 30s, a man grabbed her and stuck a knife to her throat.
"She looked at the man and confidently replied, 'If you're going to kill me, you're gonna have to go through my God's angels first.' The man suddenly let her go," said the study, adding the woman then described walking calmly home.
Other experiments devised by the researchers -- leading her through a haunted house where people dressed as monsters and ghosts sprung from the darkness, and showing her a series of scary video clips -- fell flat too.
"She reacted to the monsters by smiling, laughing, or trying to talk to them," the study said.
"She found the fear films to be exciting and entertaining, and in one case, she inquired about the name of the movie so she could rent it from the video store later that day."
Scientists believe she was once able to feel fear because she has described a childhood memories of being afraid of the dark, and being once frightened by a dog.
They also note that "SM has never been convicted of any crime, but rather has been the victim of numerous crimes," including beatings, muggings at knife and gunpoint, and domestic violence.
Feinstein said he hopes that SM's experience could help treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder, a problem he has seen in his work treating US soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Their lives are marred by fear, often times unable to even leave their home due to the ever-present feeling of danger," he said.
"By understanding how the brain processes fear, we may one day be able to create treatments that selectively target the brain areas that allow fear to take over our lives."
Feinstein said science should look for PTSD treatments that "focus on ways to safely and non-invasively dampen amygdala activity," mainly through medication and psychotherapy.
The woman cannot experience fear because of a condition that has destroyed the part of her brain -- the amygdala -- where researchers say they believe the feeling of fear is made.
Over the past two decades researchers have been analyzing the woman, known as SM, for clues about her condition which they say could help them treat post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly in soldiers returning from war.
"It is quite remarkable that she is still alive," said lead author Justin Feinstein whose study appears in the journal Current Biology.
"The nature of fear is survival and the amygdala helps us stay alive by avoiding situations, people, or objects that put our life in danger," he said.
"Because SM is missing her amygdala, she is also missing the ability to detect and avoid danger in the world."
Instead of fear, SM, whose rare condition is known as Urbach-Wiethe disease, describes "an overwhelming feeling of curiosity."
To test her reaction, researchers led her into an exotic pet store filled with spiders and snakes, animals she repeatedly said she "hates" and tries to avoid.
"Upon entering the store, SM was spontaneously drawn to the snake terrariums and appeared visually captivated by the large collection of snakes," the study said.
Asked by a store employee if she would like to hold one, SM agreed and then played with one for about three minutes.
"She rubbed its leathery scales, touched its flicking tongue, and closely watched its movements as it slithered through her hands," it said.
"Her verbal behavior revealed a comparable degree of fascination and inquisitiveness: she repeatedly commented, 'This is so cool!'"
When she reached for a tarantula, however, she had to be stopped because there was a high risk she could be bitten.
"When asked why she would want to touch something that she knows is dangerous and that she claims to hate, SM replied that she was overcome with 'curiosity,'" the study said.
The woman's eldest son, who is in his 20s, told researchers he could not ever recall seeing his mother afraid.
He said he remembered one event in particular from his childhood when he was playing with his two brothers and they saw a big snake in the road nearby.
"Well, Mom just ran over there and picked it up and brought it out of the street, put it in the grass and let it go on its way," he said.
"I thought that was kind of weird."
The woman also told researchers that when she was in her 30s, a man grabbed her and stuck a knife to her throat.
"She looked at the man and confidently replied, 'If you're going to kill me, you're gonna have to go through my God's angels first.' The man suddenly let her go," said the study, adding the woman then described walking calmly home.
Other experiments devised by the researchers -- leading her through a haunted house where people dressed as monsters and ghosts sprung from the darkness, and showing her a series of scary video clips -- fell flat too.
"She reacted to the monsters by smiling, laughing, or trying to talk to them," the study said.
"She found the fear films to be exciting and entertaining, and in one case, she inquired about the name of the movie so she could rent it from the video store later that day."
Scientists believe she was once able to feel fear because she has described a childhood memories of being afraid of the dark, and being once frightened by a dog.
They also note that "SM has never been convicted of any crime, but rather has been the victim of numerous crimes," including beatings, muggings at knife and gunpoint, and domestic violence.
Feinstein said he hopes that SM's experience could help treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder, a problem he has seen in his work treating US soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Their lives are marred by fear, often times unable to even leave their home due to the ever-present feeling of danger," he said.
"By understanding how the brain processes fear, we may one day be able to create treatments that selectively target the brain areas that allow fear to take over our lives."
Feinstein said science should look for PTSD treatments that "focus on ways to safely and non-invasively dampen amygdala activity," mainly through medication and psychotherapy.
Gulf states' 2011 growth outlook improves slightly
DUBAI - Prospects for growth in Gulf Arab economies in 2011 have improved slightly from forecasts three months ago, a Reuters poll showed on Tuesday, as rising oil prices and generous government spending underpin economic recovery.
The global downturn cut output and froze credit in the world's top oil exporting region in 2009, limiting growth in the six Gulf countries this year.
But rising crude prices and a pick-up in credit growth will support growth in 2011, according to the median forecasts of 16 economists polled between Dec. 8-21.
Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab economy and the world's top oil exporter, is expected to see economic growth of 4.3 percent in 2011, up from a forecast 4.2 percent in a Reuters poll in September. Growth would be higher than a forecast 3.8 percent this year and a sluggish 0.6 percent in 2009.
Saudi Arabia on Monday announced an expansionary 2011 budget, with plans to spend 580 billion riyals ($155 billion) next year, mainly on education and infrastructure projects.
"The 2011 budget demonstrates that the kingdom is dedicated to continuing stimulatory spending to develop the economy and persuade private investors to do the same as they gradually emerge from a phase of deleveraging," John Sfakianakis, chief economist at Riyadh-based Banque Saudi Fransi, said.
"A slowdown in the pace of budget growth, however, also signals the state's goal to rein in overspending and employ more prudent and efficient fiscal policies in the coming years."
Saudi Arabia is expected to post a positive fiscal balance of 4.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 compared to 2.7 percent in 2010, the poll showed.
Oil prices, which have recovered since December 2008 lows, will keep Gulf fiscal balances and current accounts in surplus in 2011, the analysts said.
A Reuters poll forecast oil prices will average over $86 a barrel next year on declining inventories and demand growth from Asia. Crude oil was priced at $89.63 a barrel at 0920 GMT on Tuesday.
Qatar, the world's top liquefied natural gas exporter, should easily outperform the region, with real GDP growth of 12.8 percent in 2011, unchanged from a September forecast, although it will not match expected growth of 16 percent this year.
The economy of OPEC member Kuwait is forecast to grow 4.0 percent in 2011, up from a forecast of 3.9 percent in the September poll and up from 3.0 percent growth expected in 2010. Bahrain and non-OPEC member Oman should see GDP growth of 4.2 and 4.6 percent in 2011, respectively, topping forecasts of 4.1 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively, in the September poll.
Giyas Gokkent, chief economist at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, said key risks in 2011 were external shocks affecting the oil price, the outcome of ongoing debt restructuring talks in the UAE, and geopolitical tensions with Iran.
"The whole scenario revolves around where oil prices will be. If global growth is indeed robust, that is very positive and oil prices will remain firm," he said.
The UAE -- the second-largest economy in the Arab world -- is seen growing 3.6 percent in 2011, the slowest pace in the Gulf, but slightly better than 3.5 percent growth forecast in the September poll.
INFLATION LOWER IN 2011
Analysts said inflation would rise in 2011 in all the Gulf states except Saudi Arabia, although they cut inflation forecasts for all Gulf Arab countries compared with September's poll.
Saudi Arabia should still see the highest inflation rate at 5 percent in 2011 due to rapid population growth, higher housing costs and rising global food prices. But that is still below the record peaks seen in most Gulf countries in 2008.
Consumer prices in Qatar, which has experienced deflationary pressures, are expected to rise 3 percent next year versus 2 percent deflation in 2010.
"Qatar saw deflation in 2010, but will have a rebound in prices next year because of developments in the housing sector," Gokkent said, adding that a substantial amount of housing had already come to the market, weighing down the consumer price index.
"In 2011, the impact of falling rents will not be of similar magnitude."
The global downturn cut output and froze credit in the world's top oil exporting region in 2009, limiting growth in the six Gulf countries this year.
But rising crude prices and a pick-up in credit growth will support growth in 2011, according to the median forecasts of 16 economists polled between Dec. 8-21.
Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab economy and the world's top oil exporter, is expected to see economic growth of 4.3 percent in 2011, up from a forecast 4.2 percent in a Reuters poll in September. Growth would be higher than a forecast 3.8 percent this year and a sluggish 0.6 percent in 2009.
Saudi Arabia on Monday announced an expansionary 2011 budget, with plans to spend 580 billion riyals ($155 billion) next year, mainly on education and infrastructure projects.
"The 2011 budget demonstrates that the kingdom is dedicated to continuing stimulatory spending to develop the economy and persuade private investors to do the same as they gradually emerge from a phase of deleveraging," John Sfakianakis, chief economist at Riyadh-based Banque Saudi Fransi, said.
"A slowdown in the pace of budget growth, however, also signals the state's goal to rein in overspending and employ more prudent and efficient fiscal policies in the coming years."
Saudi Arabia is expected to post a positive fiscal balance of 4.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 compared to 2.7 percent in 2010, the poll showed.
Oil prices, which have recovered since December 2008 lows, will keep Gulf fiscal balances and current accounts in surplus in 2011, the analysts said.
A Reuters poll forecast oil prices will average over $86 a barrel next year on declining inventories and demand growth from Asia. Crude oil was priced at $89.63 a barrel at 0920 GMT on Tuesday.
Qatar, the world's top liquefied natural gas exporter, should easily outperform the region, with real GDP growth of 12.8 percent in 2011, unchanged from a September forecast, although it will not match expected growth of 16 percent this year.
The economy of OPEC member Kuwait is forecast to grow 4.0 percent in 2011, up from a forecast of 3.9 percent in the September poll and up from 3.0 percent growth expected in 2010. Bahrain and non-OPEC member Oman should see GDP growth of 4.2 and 4.6 percent in 2011, respectively, topping forecasts of 4.1 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively, in the September poll.
Giyas Gokkent, chief economist at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, said key risks in 2011 were external shocks affecting the oil price, the outcome of ongoing debt restructuring talks in the UAE, and geopolitical tensions with Iran.
"The whole scenario revolves around where oil prices will be. If global growth is indeed robust, that is very positive and oil prices will remain firm," he said.
The UAE -- the second-largest economy in the Arab world -- is seen growing 3.6 percent in 2011, the slowest pace in the Gulf, but slightly better than 3.5 percent growth forecast in the September poll.
INFLATION LOWER IN 2011
Analysts said inflation would rise in 2011 in all the Gulf states except Saudi Arabia, although they cut inflation forecasts for all Gulf Arab countries compared with September's poll.
Saudi Arabia should still see the highest inflation rate at 5 percent in 2011 due to rapid population growth, higher housing costs and rising global food prices. But that is still below the record peaks seen in most Gulf countries in 2008.
Consumer prices in Qatar, which has experienced deflationary pressures, are expected to rise 3 percent next year versus 2 percent deflation in 2010.
"Qatar saw deflation in 2010, but will have a rebound in prices next year because of developments in the housing sector," Gokkent said, adding that a substantial amount of housing had already come to the market, weighing down the consumer price index.
"In 2011, the impact of falling rents will not be of similar magnitude."
Gaza aid ferry receives hero's welcome in Turkey
ISTANBUL - A Turkish ferry which was the target of a deadly raid by Israeli commandos when it tried to deliver aid to Gaza received a rapturous welcome from thousands on Sunday as it arrived back in Istanbul.
Crowds waving Turkish and Palestinian flags lined the quayside as the Mavi Marmara docked at Istanbul's Sarayburnu following a lengthy refit in a port along the Mediterranean.
Many of those gathered chanted "Allah is Great" as the ferry berthed, nearly seven months after the dramatic raid which left nine Turkish activists dead and triggered a major diplomatic crisis.
The ferry had been trying to deliver aid supplies to Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, but Israel refused to allow it to sail to the besieged territory and then boarded the vessel when a standoff ensued.
According to the ferry's owner, a Turkish campaign group called IHH, the Mavi Marmara will be part of a new flotilla which will leave for Gaza on May 31, 2011, exactly one year on from the deadly raid.
Turkey's foreign minister said on Saturday that he wanted to turn the page on a year of difficult relations with Israel but the Jewish state must apologise for the assault on the aid ship.
Turkey and Israel held fence-mending talks in Geneva earlier this month and drew up a draft deal to end the crisis, which is yet to be approved by Israel.
The draft envisaged Israel's apology over the raid, its agreement to compensate the victims' families, and an immediate restoration of good relations that existed... between the two countries, which would mean the return of the Turkish ambassador to Tel Aviv, who was withdrawn.
Relations had been already strained before the raid because of Israel's devastating war on Gaza launched in December 2008, along with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's defence of radical Palestinian group Hamas.
Turkey and Israel had enjoyed a decade of close ties since 1996 when they signed a military cooperation agreement.
Crowds waving Turkish and Palestinian flags lined the quayside as the Mavi Marmara docked at Istanbul's Sarayburnu following a lengthy refit in a port along the Mediterranean.
Many of those gathered chanted "Allah is Great" as the ferry berthed, nearly seven months after the dramatic raid which left nine Turkish activists dead and triggered a major diplomatic crisis.
The ferry had been trying to deliver aid supplies to Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, but Israel refused to allow it to sail to the besieged territory and then boarded the vessel when a standoff ensued.
According to the ferry's owner, a Turkish campaign group called IHH, the Mavi Marmara will be part of a new flotilla which will leave for Gaza on May 31, 2011, exactly one year on from the deadly raid.
Turkey's foreign minister said on Saturday that he wanted to turn the page on a year of difficult relations with Israel but the Jewish state must apologise for the assault on the aid ship.
Turkey and Israel held fence-mending talks in Geneva earlier this month and drew up a draft deal to end the crisis, which is yet to be approved by Israel.
The draft envisaged Israel's apology over the raid, its agreement to compensate the victims' families, and an immediate restoration of good relations that existed... between the two countries, which would mean the return of the Turkish ambassador to Tel Aviv, who was withdrawn.
Relations had been already strained before the raid because of Israel's devastating war on Gaza launched in December 2008, along with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's defence of radical Palestinian group Hamas.
Turkey and Israel had enjoyed a decade of close ties since 1996 when they signed a military cooperation agreement.
Fog hits flights, train services in northern India
NEW DELHI - Thick winter fog disrupted travel across northern India on Sunday, with international flights out of New Delhi airport severely delayed and train schedules thrown into chaos.
About 15 domestic flights were canceled and 12 international flights were delayed due to poor visibility at the airport. Seventy-five flights were affected.
"Dense fog enveloped the city since the early hours today and the visibility at the Indira Gandhi International airport dropped to near zero, heavily disrupting (flights)," the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
Train journeys in Punjab and Haryana state were also badly affected, with thousands of passengers stranded or facing delays.
About 15 domestic flights were canceled and 12 international flights were delayed due to poor visibility at the airport. Seventy-five flights were affected.
"Dense fog enveloped the city since the early hours today and the visibility at the Indira Gandhi International airport dropped to near zero, heavily disrupting (flights)," the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
Train journeys in Punjab and Haryana state were also badly affected, with thousands of passengers stranded or facing delays.
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Kuwait in turmoil as opposition bids to oust PM
KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait has plunged into fresh political turmoil after opposition MPs unleashed a serious bid to unseat the oil-rich Gulf state's premier, a senior member of the ruling family.
The emirate has been rocked by almost non-stop disputes since 2006 when Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah was appointed prime minister.
"This crisis is a part of the old and still ongoing conflict between a party that does not accept democracy in Kuwait and the pro-democracy camp," political analyst Anwar al-Rasheed told AFP.
"But what makes it unique and dangerous is the fact that this time the government has a majority in parliament and thus can pass any legislation even if it contradicts the constitution.
"The conflict is raging around government attempts to neutralise the constitution by withdrawing key legislative and supervisory powers enjoyed by MPs," said Rasheed.
The crisis was sparked by a police crackdown on a December 8 public gathering held by the opposition to protest an alleged government-backed plot to amend the 1962 constitution with the aim of suppressing public freedoms.
Forces used batons to beat up demonstrators, injuring at least four MPs and a dozen citizens.
"The unprecedented assault on the MPs was an attack on the Kuwaiti people (which) triggered a confrontation between the people and the government," said Nasser al-Abdali, head of the Kuwait Society for the Advancement of Democracy.
"Any actions within the framework of the constitution are acceptable but moves outside the constitution are totally rejected. This explains the intensity of the current crisis," said Abdali.
Opposition MPs representing the three main groupings in parliament filed a motion to quiz the premier over the clashes in a session scheduled for Tuesday.
"The parliament session... will be the most dangerous session to be seen in Kuwait," Ahmad al-Khateeb, a respected veteran politician, wrote in the weekly Al-Taleea.
"During the session, the future of Kuwait, democracy and the constitution will be determined," said Khateeb, who was on the committee that wrote the 1962 constitution.
Liberal MP Aseel al-Awadhi described the opposition campaign as an "intifada (uprising) to safeguard the constitution against attempts to undermine it."
Opposition figures stress they aim to bring down the government, which they accuse of suppressing public freedoms and plotting to cut powers the constitution gives parliament.
"We will not coexist with this government under one roof," said opposition MP Mussallam al-Barrak, declaring they are backed by 21 MPs in the 50-member parliament.
Barrak and several opposition MPs said that after the premier had been quizzed, they would file a motion of non-cooperation with him.
If passed, the issue would be referred to Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who can either dismiss the premier or dissolve parliament for fresh elections.
Since May 2006, the emir has dissolved parliament three times and fresh polls have been held while six different governments have been formed by the same prime minister.
The latest escalation comes despite a stern warning from Sheikh Sabah who took responsibility for the police crackdown, absolving his premier.
Pro-government MPs have in turn accused the opposition of challenging the Kuwaiti ruler's authority.
"I believe this question (session) is not directed against the prime minister but the emir," Shiite MP Hussein al-Qallaf said last week.
Another, Salwa al-Jassar, went as far as saying the "opposition was instigating civil war" by encouraging people to take to the streets.
The political upheaval has coincided with a clampdown on the media and government critics.
Two leading critics are behind bars, while Kuwait has closed the office of Qatar's Al-Jazeera television network for covering the police's use of force in the December 8 gathering.
The government has also sent to parliament proposals to toughen laws on punishments for the media, which MPs are to discuss at a later date.
Few believe Tuesday's parliament session will end political strife in Kuwait, which sits on 10 percent of the world's crude oil reserves.
"Political crises will continue in this country as long as the ruling family does not change its mentality to cope with modern-day developments and expand democracy," Rasheed said.
The emirate has been rocked by almost non-stop disputes since 2006 when Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah was appointed prime minister.
"This crisis is a part of the old and still ongoing conflict between a party that does not accept democracy in Kuwait and the pro-democracy camp," political analyst Anwar al-Rasheed told AFP.
"But what makes it unique and dangerous is the fact that this time the government has a majority in parliament and thus can pass any legislation even if it contradicts the constitution.
"The conflict is raging around government attempts to neutralise the constitution by withdrawing key legislative and supervisory powers enjoyed by MPs," said Rasheed.
The crisis was sparked by a police crackdown on a December 8 public gathering held by the opposition to protest an alleged government-backed plot to amend the 1962 constitution with the aim of suppressing public freedoms.
Forces used batons to beat up demonstrators, injuring at least four MPs and a dozen citizens.
"The unprecedented assault on the MPs was an attack on the Kuwaiti people (which) triggered a confrontation between the people and the government," said Nasser al-Abdali, head of the Kuwait Society for the Advancement of Democracy.
"Any actions within the framework of the constitution are acceptable but moves outside the constitution are totally rejected. This explains the intensity of the current crisis," said Abdali.
Opposition MPs representing the three main groupings in parliament filed a motion to quiz the premier over the clashes in a session scheduled for Tuesday.
"The parliament session... will be the most dangerous session to be seen in Kuwait," Ahmad al-Khateeb, a respected veteran politician, wrote in the weekly Al-Taleea.
"During the session, the future of Kuwait, democracy and the constitution will be determined," said Khateeb, who was on the committee that wrote the 1962 constitution.
Liberal MP Aseel al-Awadhi described the opposition campaign as an "intifada (uprising) to safeguard the constitution against attempts to undermine it."
Opposition figures stress they aim to bring down the government, which they accuse of suppressing public freedoms and plotting to cut powers the constitution gives parliament.
"We will not coexist with this government under one roof," said opposition MP Mussallam al-Barrak, declaring they are backed by 21 MPs in the 50-member parliament.
Barrak and several opposition MPs said that after the premier had been quizzed, they would file a motion of non-cooperation with him.
If passed, the issue would be referred to Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who can either dismiss the premier or dissolve parliament for fresh elections.
Since May 2006, the emir has dissolved parliament three times and fresh polls have been held while six different governments have been formed by the same prime minister.
The latest escalation comes despite a stern warning from Sheikh Sabah who took responsibility for the police crackdown, absolving his premier.
Pro-government MPs have in turn accused the opposition of challenging the Kuwaiti ruler's authority.
"I believe this question (session) is not directed against the prime minister but the emir," Shiite MP Hussein al-Qallaf said last week.
Another, Salwa al-Jassar, went as far as saying the "opposition was instigating civil war" by encouraging people to take to the streets.
The political upheaval has coincided with a clampdown on the media and government critics.
Two leading critics are behind bars, while Kuwait has closed the office of Qatar's Al-Jazeera television network for covering the police's use of force in the December 8 gathering.
The government has also sent to parliament proposals to toughen laws on punishments for the media, which MPs are to discuss at a later date.
Few believe Tuesday's parliament session will end political strife in Kuwait, which sits on 10 percent of the world's crude oil reserves.
"Political crises will continue in this country as long as the ruling family does not change its mentality to cope with modern-day developments and expand democracy," Rasheed said.
Top 10 places to celebrate New Year's eve
NEW YORK - Break out the party favours and the bubbly it's almost time to ring in the New Year.
To avoid another night in with the television, Men's website AskMen.com (www.askmen.com) offers its top 10 list of New Year's destinations for travellers keen to find fun out of town. Reuters has not endorsed this list:
1. Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
As something memorable, a New Year's Eve beach party in Brazil is hard to beat. Beautiful people, fireworks, a carnival atmosphere, an incredible setting on the most famous beach in the world, and you have all the ingredients you need to have the most incredible New Year's experience of your life. Known locally as "Reveillon," the entire beach turns into an all-day party, with several musical stages, dancing, and everyone dressed in white (it's tradition). Over two million people turn up along the four km of sand, making this the ultimate New Year's party, which you simply mustn't miss.
2. Times Square, New York City
Of course, this is the most famous New Year's Eve event in the world. The big ball descending in Times Square is watched by a million people in the flesh, and a billion more around the world. Star-studded musical performances, pyrotechnics and myriad bars and clubs in close proximity make this as big a party as they come. It is so firmly etched into popular culture that many people feel it is something which has to be experienced at least once in your life. Times Square is always throbbing with energy, and on New Year's Eve it could power the entire Eastern seaboard.
3. Sydney Harbour, Sydney, Australia
As one of the first major cities to celebrate New Year's Eve, Sydney ensures that the rest of the world has a tough act to follow. With a midnight fireworks display witnessed all around the world, the "Harbour of Light" parade and plenty of drinking establishments combine to make this a world famous event. It starts at 1 p.m., with the first firing of the harbour cannon, and goes on into the early hours of January 1st. Over a million people are expected to attend this year, and given it is summer in Sydney, you won't have to wrap up to stay warm.
4. Frenchmen Street, New Orleans
Forget Bourbon Street -- New Orleans locals head to Frenchmen Street when they want to party. Frenchmen Street has a much more bohemian quality than what we've seen so far, and is famed for its bars and cafes filled with great musicians and bands. Expect dancing in the street, impromptu brass bands parading through, lots of drinking, and it being New Orleans, you'll probably see a few eccentric costumes, too.
5. The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
If Paris and London are the refined parents at New Year's Eve, then Berlin is the drunken uncle. Over a million people gather for this overwhelming celebration, with a massive fireworks display, music, dancing, light shows, international food stands, and beer tents. Behind the Brandenburg Gate is the "Party Mile." The name says it all. Strasse des 17th Juni (17th June Street) turns into one huge open-air disco, replete with international DJs, laser and light shows and performing artists. It's also open-ended, so no matter how big a party animal you are, there will be someone there to party with.
6. Shibuya, Tokyo
As the heart of the entertainment district, Shibuya is unquestionably the party heartland of Tokyo. With a traditional countdown outside the train station (so you know it will be on time) you are within walking distance of a myriad of bars and clubs in the area -- in particular, check out Center Gai, which is the birthplace of many of the fashion trends of Japan's young people. For a more traditional Japanese New Year, check out the shrine of Meiji Jingu, where thousands of Tokyo residents gather at New Year's Eve. It's within walking distance, or a short train ride, of Shibuya.
7. London Eye fireworks display, London
Almost one million people attended last year's fireworks display, which was watched by millions more via television globally. And where better to spend New Year than London, home of Greenwich Mean Time, and therefore the epicenter of international timekeeping. As the main event in a city which has hundreds of New Year's celebrations to choose from, we felt the London Eye was the place to be. With so many people gathering in one place after a few hours of drinking, you can guarantee an electric atmosphere and the sort of amicability which means you can start chatting to a beautiful stranger and see where the night takes you.
8. Central World or Sanam Luang, Bangkok
If you want to discover how a New Year's party is thrown in Asia, this is a pretty good place to be with friends. Bangkok is unique, as it celebrates New Year three times every year between January and April -- Western, Chinese and Thai. Central World explodes with concerts, food stalls and beer gardens, while Sanam Luang, located opposite the Grand Palace, has an authentically Thai experience with traditional food, music and dancers. Whichever location you choose, you are guaranteed a memorable experience.
9. Champs-Elysees, Paris
From around 9 p.m., this is the place to be in Paris. People flock from across France bringing drinks with them. From here, you can get a great view of the Eiffel Tower being turned into a giant pyrotechnic display, as well as the inevitable fireworks show. With an atmosphere described as "bon enfant" (harmless) it's going to be a typically refined celebration by the French. It may lack the unadulterated hedonism of Las Vegas, but if there is a more romantic and refined way to celebrate the new year with thousands of other people, we couldn't find it.
10. Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas
Sin City gets just a little bit more debauched (if that were possible) as the strip is pedestrianized for a massive party, complete with fireworks, sound and light shows, and more clubs than you could visit in a dozen trips. Hundreds of thousands of revelers turn up in the evening, and you can be sure the party is going to get a little crazy -- it isn't called Sin City for nothing. At midnight, a massive fireworks display will grab your attention. And for once, it's cool to drink on the streets; everyone else will be doing it.
To avoid another night in with the television, Men's website AskMen.com (www.askmen.com) offers its top 10 list of New Year's destinations for travellers keen to find fun out of town. Reuters has not endorsed this list:
1. Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
As something memorable, a New Year's Eve beach party in Brazil is hard to beat. Beautiful people, fireworks, a carnival atmosphere, an incredible setting on the most famous beach in the world, and you have all the ingredients you need to have the most incredible New Year's experience of your life. Known locally as "Reveillon," the entire beach turns into an all-day party, with several musical stages, dancing, and everyone dressed in white (it's tradition). Over two million people turn up along the four km of sand, making this the ultimate New Year's party, which you simply mustn't miss.
2. Times Square, New York City
Of course, this is the most famous New Year's Eve event in the world. The big ball descending in Times Square is watched by a million people in the flesh, and a billion more around the world. Star-studded musical performances, pyrotechnics and myriad bars and clubs in close proximity make this as big a party as they come. It is so firmly etched into popular culture that many people feel it is something which has to be experienced at least once in your life. Times Square is always throbbing with energy, and on New Year's Eve it could power the entire Eastern seaboard.
3. Sydney Harbour, Sydney, Australia
As one of the first major cities to celebrate New Year's Eve, Sydney ensures that the rest of the world has a tough act to follow. With a midnight fireworks display witnessed all around the world, the "Harbour of Light" parade and plenty of drinking establishments combine to make this a world famous event. It starts at 1 p.m., with the first firing of the harbour cannon, and goes on into the early hours of January 1st. Over a million people are expected to attend this year, and given it is summer in Sydney, you won't have to wrap up to stay warm.
4. Frenchmen Street, New Orleans
Forget Bourbon Street -- New Orleans locals head to Frenchmen Street when they want to party. Frenchmen Street has a much more bohemian quality than what we've seen so far, and is famed for its bars and cafes filled with great musicians and bands. Expect dancing in the street, impromptu brass bands parading through, lots of drinking, and it being New Orleans, you'll probably see a few eccentric costumes, too.
5. The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
If Paris and London are the refined parents at New Year's Eve, then Berlin is the drunken uncle. Over a million people gather for this overwhelming celebration, with a massive fireworks display, music, dancing, light shows, international food stands, and beer tents. Behind the Brandenburg Gate is the "Party Mile." The name says it all. Strasse des 17th Juni (17th June Street) turns into one huge open-air disco, replete with international DJs, laser and light shows and performing artists. It's also open-ended, so no matter how big a party animal you are, there will be someone there to party with.
6. Shibuya, Tokyo
As the heart of the entertainment district, Shibuya is unquestionably the party heartland of Tokyo. With a traditional countdown outside the train station (so you know it will be on time) you are within walking distance of a myriad of bars and clubs in the area -- in particular, check out Center Gai, which is the birthplace of many of the fashion trends of Japan's young people. For a more traditional Japanese New Year, check out the shrine of Meiji Jingu, where thousands of Tokyo residents gather at New Year's Eve. It's within walking distance, or a short train ride, of Shibuya.
7. London Eye fireworks display, London
Almost one million people attended last year's fireworks display, which was watched by millions more via television globally. And where better to spend New Year than London, home of Greenwich Mean Time, and therefore the epicenter of international timekeeping. As the main event in a city which has hundreds of New Year's celebrations to choose from, we felt the London Eye was the place to be. With so many people gathering in one place after a few hours of drinking, you can guarantee an electric atmosphere and the sort of amicability which means you can start chatting to a beautiful stranger and see where the night takes you.
8. Central World or Sanam Luang, Bangkok
If you want to discover how a New Year's party is thrown in Asia, this is a pretty good place to be with friends. Bangkok is unique, as it celebrates New Year three times every year between January and April -- Western, Chinese and Thai. Central World explodes with concerts, food stalls and beer gardens, while Sanam Luang, located opposite the Grand Palace, has an authentically Thai experience with traditional food, music and dancers. Whichever location you choose, you are guaranteed a memorable experience.
9. Champs-Elysees, Paris
From around 9 p.m., this is the place to be in Paris. People flock from across France bringing drinks with them. From here, you can get a great view of the Eiffel Tower being turned into a giant pyrotechnic display, as well as the inevitable fireworks show. With an atmosphere described as "bon enfant" (harmless) it's going to be a typically refined celebration by the French. It may lack the unadulterated hedonism of Las Vegas, but if there is a more romantic and refined way to celebrate the new year with thousands of other people, we couldn't find it.
10. Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas
Sin City gets just a little bit more debauched (if that were possible) as the strip is pedestrianized for a massive party, complete with fireworks, sound and light shows, and more clubs than you could visit in a dozen trips. Hundreds of thousands of revelers turn up in the evening, and you can be sure the party is going to get a little crazy -- it isn't called Sin City for nothing. At midnight, a massive fireworks display will grab your attention. And for once, it's cool to drink on the streets; everyone else will be doing it.
Spider-Man musical re-opens to standing ovation
The troubled Spider-Man musical has received a standing ovation in New York after two shows were cancelled following an on-stage accident.
Instead of performing on Wednesday, the cast rehearsed new safety measures agreed with state officials.After Thursday's hitch-free return, lead actor Reeve Carney said the show was "always safe" but was "now safer".
Spider-Man double Christopher Tierney, who fell 30 feet on Monday, is due out of hospital this weekend.
Despite wearing a safety harness, video of the incident showed him falling from a ledge into a stage pit.
According to his brother, Tierney was in "good spirits" and was expected to make a full recovery.
New precautions for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, which features nearly 40 aerial stunts, require a second person must check harnesses after they have been put on.
A representative of the stage employees union IATSE said it was "confident in the additional safety protocols".
On Thursday, producers Michael Cohl and Jenny Harris took to the stage at the start of the show to explain they had ironed out problems.
Amateur footage courtesy of John Matthews/onlocationvacations.com
Director and co-writer Julie Taymor said the cast and crew had got together before the show "and talked about Chris".
"Chris gave us the spirit tonight," she added, revealing that only one stunt had been cut from the production.
The $65m (£42m) show features music written by Bono and The Edge of Irish rock band U2.
Following a number of incidents during preview performances, it will now have its official opening night on 7 February.
Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds file for divorce
Hollywood actors Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds have filed for divorce in Los Angeles citing irreconcilable differences, court records show.
The pair list their separation date as 14 December - the day they announced their break-up.They said at the time they had started their relationship "with love and it is with love and kindness we leave it".
Lost in Translation star Johansson, 26, and The Proposal actor Reynolds, 34, were married in September 2008.
They said in their statement of 14 December they had made the decision to end the marriage "after long and careful consideration on both our parts".
"While privacy isn't expected, it's certainly appreciated," they added.
Reynolds was previously engaged to fellow Canadian Alanis Morissette from 2004 to 2006.
Apple removes iPhone Wikileaks app from iTunes
Apple has confirmed that it removed a Wikileaks iPhone app from its iTunes store.
Wikileaks App was an unofficial, paid-for download that gave people access to the free Wikileaks Twitter feed and documents held on its website.It was removed three days after it was launched on 17 December.
Apple said that the app, which had more than 4,000 downloads before its was pulled, "violated" developer guidelines.
"Apps must comply will all local laws and may not put an individual or targeted group in harms way," said a spokesperson for the firm.
Alien interest The app's Russian developer, Igor Barinov, said that Apple had told him it specifically violated two of its guidelines.
The first on personal attacks states: "Any app that is defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited, or likely to place the targeted individual or group in harms way will be rejected."
The second says "apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where they are made available to users".
"[Apple] said there is no way back for this application," Mr Barinov told BBC News.
The removal comes at a time when a series of firms - including Amazon, Visa, Mastercard and PayPal - have removed services - including web hosting and processing of donations - to Wikileaks.
These have prompted a series of attacks on the firms' websites and services by a group of activists, who call themselves Anonymous.
Although Mr Barinov said that $1 from every $1.99 (£1.19) sale was channelled to the organisation.
Mr Barinov said he created the app to support Wikileaks because he was interested in "information about UFOs" that may be contained in documents leaked to the organisation.
Wikileaks apps are still available for other phones, such as those running Google Android.
All of the material offered by the Wikileaks iPhone app can be accessed for free via the phone's browser and other non-Wikileaks apps.
Ka-Sat net-dedicated spacecraft ready for launch
Europe is about to get a second satellite dedicated to delivering broadband internet connections.
The six-tonne Ka-Sat will be launched atop a Proton rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan in a flight expected to last nine hours and 12 minutes.The Eutelsat-operated spacecraft will concentrate its services on customers in the so-called "not-spots" of Europe.
It is estimated that tens of millions of households in these areas cannot get a decent terrestrial connection.
Ka-Sat will provide homes with speeds generally up to 10Mbps.
Lift-off from Baikonur is timed for 0351 local time on Monday (2151 GMT on Sunday).
The spacecraft follows the Hylas-1 platform into orbit. This satellite, operated by Avanti Communications of London, was launched just last month.
Ka-Sat, however, is considerably bigger, and has a notional capacity to serve up to two million households compared with Hylas's 300,000.
Nevertheless, such is the scale of the under-served market in Europe that both platforms should be very profitable ventures, the two companies believe.
"As many as 30 million households in Europe are not served at all or get high mediocrity of service," said Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen.
"These could be people in the countryside or in the mountains, sometimes not very far from large cities. Ka-Sat is an answer to that problem," he told BBC News.
Paris-based Eutelsat is one of the world's big three Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) companies, and transmits thousands of TV channels across its fleet of spacecraft.
It already provides some internet capability on its existing platforms, but Ka-Sat is its first broadband-dedicated endeavour.
High throughput Ka-Sat will be positioned about 36,000km above the equator at nine degrees east.
Its communications payload, structure and propulsion system were prepared by EADS Astrium at its UK facilities in Stevenage and Portsmouth.
Final testing of the spacecraft took place at Astrium's factory in Toulouse, France, before shipment to Baikonur.
Ka-Sat has a total throughput of some 70Gbps.
This will be channelled via 82 spot beams on to different market areas stretching from North Africa to southern Scandinavia. A very small segment of the Middle East will also be reached.
Eutelsat has signed about 70 deals with distributors across the satellite's "footprint", and more would be signed over the next year, said Mr de Rosen.
"It takes normally a few weeks for a satellite to become operational after launch," he explained.
"In this case, it is more likely to be a few months. Expect Ka-Sat to be operational in the second half of the second quarter of 2011."
Previous failure Ka-Sat's Proton rocket will be under the spotlight for this launch.
The Russian vehicle failed on its last outing four weeks ago, dumping three Glonass satellite-navigation spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean.
An inquiry found the Proton's new Block DM-03 upper-stage had been over-fuelled, making it too heavy to achieve its required performance.
International Launch Services (ILS), which runs the commercial operations of the Proton vehicle, will be using a different upper-stage for the Ka-Sat mission.
This Breeze M stage has a good recent record.
It will be the eighth and last ILS-organised Proton mission of 2010.
Rio Tinto ups Riversdale offer to $3.9bn
Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has upped its bid for Sydney-based Riversdale Mining, making a fresh $3.9bn (£2.5bn) offer.
Riversdale's directors said that the offer provided "immediate value" and that they would be recommending it to shareholders.Rio made a $2.2bn offer for the company earlier this month.
Riversdale, whose largest shareholder is India's Tata Steel, has huge coking-coal projects in Mozambique.
Both Tata and Brazil's Vale, which has coal mines in Mozambique, are seen as potential rival bidders.
'Considerable benefit' "The acquisition of Riversdale is in line with our growth strategy of investing in, developing and operating large, long-term, cost-competitive mines and businesses," said Rio's energy chief Doug Ritchie.
"We believe Rio is one of the few groups in the world with the capabilities to develop [Riversdale's] projects quickly, bringing considerable benefit to the people of Mozambique."
Riversdale boss Michael O'Keeffe described Rio's offer as "transformational" for his company.
"Riversdale is at the crossroads of having to commit significant resources and funds to develop our coal projects and to make substantial investments in infrastructure," the company said.
A takeover of Riversdale would be Rio's first major acquisition since its $38bn purchase of Alcan in 2007, a deal widely seen as mistimed because it was made at the height of the commodities boom.
Russia to buy two French Mistral-class warships
Russia has confirmed that it will buy at least two Mistral-class warships from a French-led consortium.
Correspondents say the sale will be the first to Russia by a Nato country of such sophisticated naval equipment.The prospect of a deal has raised concerns among France's Nato allies.
The deal was originally agreed in July but stalled a month later over how much technology France was prepared to share, and the order was put out to international tender.
The Russian and French authorities said Moscow had chosen the consortium of France's DCNS and STX and Russian naval yard OSK, although shipbuilders in Spain and the Netherlands had also been looked at.
"Their offer initially covers the joint construction of two of this kind of vessel, which should be extended by the construction of two more," French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said in a statement.
Mistral-class amphibious assault ships can carry up to 16 helicopters, four landing craft and a 750-strong landing force, and is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.
The deal has caused unease in other Nato countries, especially the United States, as well as some of Russia's immediate neighbours and the Baltic states.
In February a US official told reporters the US "had questions" for France about the order.
Toyota pays $10m to fatal Lexus crash family
Toyota has paid $10m (£6.5m) to the family of four people killed in a runaway Lexus car in the US in 2009.
The amount, agreed in September but kept confidential, was released by a lawyer for the dealership that lent the Lexus to the family.Toyota, which did not admit or deny liability in the settlement, said in a statement it was disappointed the amount had been made public.
The crash triggered a series of recalls involving millions of Toyota models.
The car maker said in its statement: "As is common in these cases, these parties agreed to keep the amount confidential, in part to protect the families from unwanted solicitations and to allow them to move on from this difficult period."
The accident which killed off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor, 45, his wife, their daughter and Mr Saylor's brother-in-law happened in August 2009.
Faulty floormat They were killed when their car accelerated to over 120 mph (190km/h), leading it to collide with another vehicle and crash off an embankment, eventually bursting into flames.
Investigators discovered that a faulty floor mat trapped the accelerator and caused the crash.
Toyota recalled millions of cars after the accident to replace their floor mats.
That was followed by a second recall involving replacing pedals that it said could stick.
On Monday, Toyota agreed to pay a record fine in the US of $32.4m (£20.8m) over its handling of millions of car recalls.
This is the second big fine the world's largest car maker will pay to US authorities, after agreeing a $16.4m penalty in April.
Heightened awareness of Toyota vehicles meant subsequent recalls - a common occurence with motor vehicles - took on a high profile.
The publicity has not appeared to dampen the carmaker's popularity. It remains the world's biggest-selling producer, and its most recent profits, for the second quarter, had doubled compared with last year's.
UK gives £40m to UN disaster fund
The UK is to put £40m ($62m) into a UN fund set up to respond to natural disasters.
The money will fill two-thirds of the shortfall in the fund in a year when more than 260 million people in the world were hit by natural disasters.International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has also called for a more co-ordinated response to events.
Lord Ashdown will report in the new year on a separate review into the UK's response to natural disasters.
'Lack of support' The international response to two large catastrophes in 2010 - the earthquake in Haiti and floods in Pakistan - was slow in coming and poorly co-ordinated.
Mr Mitchell said that a "lack of support" for the UN disaster fund threatened to "undermine its ability to deal with future shocks".
The disaster fund was used to provide aid after several smaller disasters in 2010, such as an outbreak of measles in Lesotho, and lead poisoning in Nigeria.
The move has been announced on the anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami that hit Asia six years ago.
The permanent emergency response fund set up after the Tsunami is very short of money.
The number of people affected by disasters is predicted to rise from 250 million a year to 375 million by 2015.
New technologies Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown's review will look at ways to ensure value for money and impact on the ground, and how Department for International Development (DFID) experts could help improve the international system.
It will examine co-ordination with the UN, humanitarian organizations and the private sector to ensure the UK is helping to make efforts more efficient, effective and well-coordinated.
How aid is delivered will be reviewed to ensure the right material and equipment is in the right place at the right time.
It will also investigate how DFID should co-ordinate with other government departments, and ensure the use of new technologies is maximized.
Thousands flee Ivory Coast for Liberia amid poll crisis
About 14,000 people have fled Ivory Coast to neighbouring Liberia following last month's disputed Ivorian presidential election, the UN says.
It says it is prepared for a total of 30,000 refugees in the region.Most of those fleeing are supporters of Alassane Ouattara, who is recognised internationally as the new president.
Three West African presidents will go to Ivory Coast on Tuesday to personally urge incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo to quit, Benin's foreign minister says.
Mr Gbagbo has rejected widespread calls to step down, citing vote rigging in northern areas.
'Ivorian blood' The spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba, told the BBC that most of those who had left Ivory Coast since the 28 November election had come from villages in the west of the country.
She said they had been walking for days to escape tensions they feared could explode into violence, and the flow was continuing.
A UNHCR statement added: "With their numbers growing, the humanitarian needs are increasing for the mostly women and children refugees as well as for the villagers hosting them."
Benin's Foreign Minister Jean Marie Ehouzou has said the presidents of Benin, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde will visit Ivory Coast to tell Mr Gbagbo on behalf of regional bloc Ecowas "that he must step down as quickly as possible or face legitimate military force".
Mr Gbagbo's government said the threat was unjust. It also condemned a decision by the West African central bank to give control of Ivory Coast's account to Mr Ouattara.
Earlier Mr Ouattara urged the armed forces to protect civilians against attack from "the militias and foreign mercenaries that are spilling Ivorian blood".
He said perpetrators of recent violence would be prosecuted and invited investigators from the International Criminal Court to the country.
Mr Ouattara and his cabinet are based at a hotel in the main city, Abidjan, under the protection of UN troops.
Mr Gbagbo has demanded that UN and French troops leave the country. A close ally even warned that they could be treated as rebels if they did not obey the instruction.
The UN, which has 10,000 peacekeepers in the country, rejected the call.
UN officials say at least 170 people have been killed in recent attacks linked to the Ivorian armed forces, who remain publicly loyal to Mr Gbagbo.
There have been suggestions that member nations send in troops to strengthen the presence of the UN peacekeeping force.
The election was meant to unite the country after a civil war in 2002 split the world's largest cocoa producer in two, with the predominantly Muslim North supporting Mr Ouattara and the mainly Christian south backing Mr Gbagbo.
Israel kills Gaza militants amid cross-border violence
Palestinians in Gaza have fired two rockets into Israel, its military says, hours after Israeli aircraft killed two militants in Gaza, amid rising tension.
The Israeli army said the militants were trying to plant explosives.
The violence comes a day before the second anniversary of Israel's 2008 conflict with Gaza's Hamas rulers.
Last week, an Israeli official warned another war was "only a question of time", while Hamas has threatened a "strong response" to any aggression.
Sunday's clashes began with an Israeli raid on militants from the Islamic Jihad group east of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.
"Overnight, an IDF [Israeli army] force identified a number of suspects planting explosives along the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip," said an Israeli military statement.
"A combined force, consisting of IAF [Israeli Air Force] helicopters and an armoured force, fired at the suspects and confirmed direct hits."
Islamic Jihad confirmed that "fierce fighting" had taken place, and two of its members had been killed.
Later, the Israeli military said two mortars had landed in the Eshkol region in Israel's southern Negev desert.
The rockets are not thought have caused any injuries.
Two years ago, a 22-day clash between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza killed an estimated 1,300 Palestinians, many of them civilians, and 13 Israelis.
Hamas has controlled Gaza since June 2007, after winning elections in 2006 and then forcing its secular rivals Fatah, the party of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, out of the territory.
Israel says this month alone dozens of missiles have been fired at it from Gaza.
The UN has said more than 60 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli action in Gaza so far this year.
Over the same period, rockets fired from Gaza into Israel have killed one Thai farm worker.
Police confirm body found is missing architect Police confirm body found is missing architect
Police are "satisfied" a body found yesterday is missing architect Joanna Yeates.
They said at this stage they are treating the death as suspicious, but are waiting on the results of a post mortem examination.
The discovery was made at 9am yesterday by a couple walking their dogs in the Failand area of North Somerset.
An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said: "We are satisfied the body is Joanna Yeates, but this is pending the results of a post mortem which is not expected for at least 24 hours due to the nature of how she was found in such extreme conditions."
Police said the formal identification procedure is yet to be completed, but they have spoken to the 25-year-old's family and explained the situation.
Miss Yeates' father said yesterday he "would be relieved" if the body was his daughter so they would have the opportunity to say goodbye.
Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, David Yeates said: "Of course we don't know for sure that it's her but we assume that it is.
"Nobody else has been reported missing and it's the body of a young girl close to where Jo disappeared. It hasn't been a Christmas for us. I don't know what it's been. It's been surreal, totally unreal. We're just waiting now for the police to tell us what we suspect.
"In truth we feel like we hope ... we would be relieved if it was her.
"We don't want to go to our graves wondering where she is and not being given the chance to say goodbye to her.
"We assume that she's dead so we'd like to say goodbye ... our lives have gone."
The body was found on a snow-covered verge on a country lane on Christmas morning three miles from where Miss Yeates lived with her boyfriend, Greg Reardon.
The scene in Longwood Lane, close to Bristol and Clifton Golf Club, was sealed off for forensic examination.
The Avon Fire Service helped police remove the body from the scene, which was clothed and covered in snow, in order to preserve the site for a thorough forensic examination.
Police are expected to continue their fingertip search in the Longwood Lane area throughout today.
A post mortem examination has been taking place in Bristol today, but due to the extreme freezing conditions in which Miss Yeates body was found, results are not expected until tomorrow at the earliest.
Chief Superintendent Jon Stratford said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Joanna's family for their loss.
"We have not stopped working hard throughout the Christmas period to find their daughter after she was reported missing.
"Now we will work just as hard to discover exactly what happened to her and how she came to be in Longwood Lane on Christmas morning.
"Until the post mortem examination is able to firmly establish how Joanna died, we are keeping an open mind about the cause of her death.
"However, I would appeal to anyone with any information whatsoever that can help this investigation to please come forward and help us provide Joanna's parents with the answers they so desperately want and need."
The last known sighting of Miss Yeates, known to her friends as Jo, was on CCTV as she bought a pizza at a branch of Tesco Express in the Clifton area of Bristol on the evening of December 17.
The university graduate, who worked as a landscape architect for BDP, was making her way home from the Ram pub in Park Street at about 8pm after a night out with work colleagues.
On her way home she rang her best friend, Rebecca Scott, to arrange to meet on Christmas Eve.
Her boyfriend, Mr Reardon, 27, reported her missing on Sunday night after returning home to their flat in Canynge Road, Clifton, from a weekend away in Sheffield visiting family.
Friends launched a campaign to find her by putting up posters across Bristol and setting up a website and a page on Facebook and using Twitter.
Officers released footage of her buying the pizza in Tesco, which has become a key part of the investigation.
There was no trace of the pizza, the wrapping or the box in her home - despite the fact that the receipt, the coat she was wearing, and her mobile phone and keys were inside.
Tributes have been paid to Miss Yeates on a facebook page set up to help find her.
Bec Wood wrote: "Rest In Peace Jo. You will always be loved and remembered for being so beautiful, kind, successful, and lovely. You made Greg so happy. Our thoughts are with Greg, your parents and all of your families and friends. We will miss you Jo, and hope that you have peace now. Love and prayers xxxxxx"
Michael Whitcher added: "Rest in peace little Jo, we will miss you always. My hearts and thoughts go out to her family, and I am thankful I knew you. God bless xxx".
Anyone who can help the investigation can call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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