Thursday, December 6, 2012

World News Briefs -- December 6, 2012



Syria Loads Chemical Weapons Into Bombs; Military Awaits Assad's Order -- NBC

Updated at 8:20 a.m. ET: The Syrian military is prepared to use chemical weapons against its own people and is awaiting final orders from President Bashar Assad, U.S. officials told NBC News on Wednesday.

The military has loaded the precursor chemicals for sarin, a deadly nerve gas, into aerial bombs that could be dropped onto the Syrian people from dozens of fighter-bombers, the officials said.

As recently as Tuesday, officials had said there was as yet no evidence that the process of mixing the "precursor" chemicals had begun. But Wednesday, they said their worst fears had been confirmed: The nerve agents were locked and loaded inside the bombs.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

US, Russia set for surprise Syria meeting.

Internet service goes out across Syria (again).

Exclusive: Iran shipping signals conceal Syria ship movements.

Jordan's king visits West Bank amid settlement dispute.

Hitmen on hold, Israelis might talk to Meshaal.

Turkish troops 'kill PKK fighters' near Syria.

Long-exiled South Yemen leader Beidh defends his calls for secession.

Kuwaitis protest on outskirts of capital after vote.

Kurdistan officials hope Iraq will allow Turkish minister in.

ASIA

About 350 die in Philippine typhoon, 400 missing.

Pakistan military: 2 killed in army base suicide bomb attack.

Top Indian, Chinese officials discuss border dispute.

China hits back at Indian navy chief.

Vietnam to send out sea patrols amid China tensions.

Former Thai PM charged over deadly crackdown on red-shirt protests.

China investigates top Sichuan official for corruption.

AFRICA

Military halts clashes as political crisis grips Egypt.

Plan for military intervention in Mali stalls.

Blast near military base in Kenya’s capital wounds 8; latest in series of small-scale attacks.

Islamist militants attack military base in Somalia's Puntland region.

Ethiopia PM willing to talk to Eritrea.

Report: Sudanese drone down in Khartoum area.

EUROPE

ECB forecasts grim 2013 for euro zone, then gradual recovery.

Royal pregnancy: Duchess leaves hospital.

Italy in turmoil as Silvio Berlusconi boycotts Mario Monti reforms.

As Netanyahu visits Europe, relations frayed.

Second night of Northern Irish riots ahead of Clinton visit.

Swiss defense minister to become President in 2013.

AMERICAS

Fresh fears over health of Hugo Chávez.

Guatemala detains McAfee, to expel him to Belize.

Argentina complains to WTO over US, EU barriers.

Marijuana decriminalised in Washington state.

Brazil mourns architect Niemeyer's death.

Gypsies take complicated route through Europe, Mexico and US to seek asylum in Canada.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Exclusive: New Pakistan Taliban chief emerging, will focus on Afghan fight.

US drone kills 3 suspected militants in Pakistan.

California men plead not guilty in plot to join al Qaeda.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Instagram, Twitter lob grenades in war over value of photos.

Microsoft opens its own social network.

S&P downgrades world's oldest bank to junk status.

Justice Department meets with firms seeking Google antitrust probe.

Megaupload boss wins right to sue New Zealand.

Samsung, Philips and Panasonic hit with record £1.2bn cartel fine.

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