WORLD NEWS BRIEFS

BERMUDA / Preparing for storm Gert

Residents installed storm shutters and hauled their boats onto beaches ahead of Tropical Storm Gert, which slowly strengthened Sunday over the Atlantic as it approached Bermuda. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Bermuda, though the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Gert's center was about 215 miles south-southeast from the island chain. Gert, the seventh tropical storm of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, was moving north-northwest at 8 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. U.S. forecasters said Gert's center was expected to pass near or just east of Bermuda by this afternoon. It's expected to remain well away from the U.S. East Coast.

LIBYA / Rebels, gov't in talks?

Libyan rebels and representatives of Moammar Gadhafi's government held closed-door negotiations late Sunday in a hotel in southern Tunisia, a source with direct knowledge of the talks told Reuters. A spokesman for Gadhafi's government denied there were any talks about the Libyan leader's departure, and said reports about such negotiations were part of a media war. There was no immediate comment from rebel officials. Early Monday in an audio-only broadcast on state TV, Gadhafi urged supporters to "liberate Libya" from NATO and traitors. Speculation that Gadhafi may seek talks has intensified as rebel fighters battle their way into key areas. Gadhafi's supply lines were in danger Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reported, as opposition forces in the western mountains fought closer to Tripoli.

ARUBA / Lawyer: Free U.S. tourist

A U.S. tourist detained in Aruba in the disappearance of his travel companion should be immediately released because there is no evidence against him, his defense lawyer said Sunday. Michael Lopez, lawyer for Gary Giordano, 50, of Gaithersburg, Md., denied prosecutors' claims that his client is no longer answering questions about Robyn Gardner, 35, of Frederick, Md. A detention hearing is set for Monday.