TIMES OF INDIA - Hillary Clinton in Libya on unannounced trip, Oct 18, 2011

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Clinton, asked if Washington would cooperate with Libyan Islamists, said: "We will support a process of democratisation that respects the rule of law, that respects the rights of minority and women" and allows for a free media."

TRIPOLI: US Secretary of State Hillary Clintonhailed Libyan forces who ousted Muammer Gaddafi and vowed support for a democratic transition, on a surprise visit to Tripoli on Tuesday.

She flew in via Malta as Libya's new rulers try to crush the last pockets of resistance by fighters loyal to Gaddafi in his hometown of Sirte.

"This is Libya's moment. This is Libya's victory. The future belongs to you," she said, eight months after Libyans rose up against the four-decade rule of Gaddafi, sparking a conflict that has killed thousands.

Addressing National Transition Council chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil and interim premier Mahmud Jibril, she said: "In crowded squares and mountain passes, you stood up against a dictator's aggression and claimed the rights and dignity of a free people ...

THE GUARDIAN - Gilad Shalit exchange for Palestinian prisoners – as it happened, Oct 18, 2011

• Gilad Shalit back on Israeli soil
• Swap part of exchange for initial 477 Palestinian prisoners
• Read a summary of today's key events
• Read more: Gilad Shalit: 'I hope this deal promotes peace'

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Gilad Shalit hugs his father Noam, with Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu to their left, after Shalit's release today. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

6.31am: The final preparations are taking place for the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in return for the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in an exchange deal struck between Israel and Hamas.

The first phase of the swap began before dawn with 96 inmates moved to the Ofer prison in the West Bank, according to a spokeman for Israel's prison service.

CNN News - Long road ahead for freed prisoner Gilad Shalit, Oct 18, 2011

By Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

October 18, 2011 -- Updated 1834 GMT (0234 HKT)

Freed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is followed by his family after meeting them for the first time in five years at Tel Nof Airbase.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Shalit's father says his son suffers the effects of old injuries but is happy to be home
• Hamas abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in June 2006
• Experts say he will need to be monitored for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder
• Israel released 477 Palestinian prisoners, with more to be freed in a second stage

(CNN) -- Looking pale, thin and emotional, Gilad Shalit was reunited with his family Tuesday after more than five years in captivity. Now he faces what is likely to be a bewildering few days, weeks and months as he readjusts to a life of liberty.

While no one yet knows exactly what he went through, other captives' experiences give an insight into his likely state of mind -- and suggest that although he has his freedom, other challenges lie ahead.

Only 19 at the time of his capture in June 2006, Shalit was known to few outside his circle of family, friends and fellow soldiers.

CBS New - 23 women convicted of child pornography in Sweden, Oct 18, 2011

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(AP)

STOCKHOLM - A Swedish court on Tuesday convicted 23 women and one man of child pornography offenses in what investigators called a unique case because of the number of female perpetrators.

The Falu District Court gave the women, aged between 38 and 70, conditional sentences and fines ranging from 2,500 to 18,000 Swedish kronor ($380 to $2,700). It also sentenced a 43-year-old man to one year in prison for aggravated child pornography.

The court said the women received scores of sexually explicit video clips and photographs of children from the man and discussed them online with him. Some said they liked the images or shared sexual fantasies about the children, and one woman sent pornographic images of children to the man, the court said.