Wednesday, January 16, 2013

World News Briefs -- January 16, 2013 (Evening Edition)



Algerian Militants Kidnap Foreigners In Retaliation For Mali Intervention -- Voice Of America

Al-Qaida-linked Islamist militants in Algeria are holding as many as 41 foreign hostages who were working at a natural gas complex for what the militants call retaliation for the French military action in Mali.

A spokesman for the al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) told VOA seven Americans were among the hostages. Others are thought to include Britons, French, Japanese, and Norwegians.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria allows UN to step up food aid.

Syrian army on offensive in Aleppo after university blast.

Deadly suicide attackers strike Iraq's north. Bombers kill more than 30 across Iraq.

PM hits back at Obama: I know what's best for Israel. Obama’s alleged remarks anger Israelis.

Report: Turkey strikes Kurd rebel targets in Iraq.

Netanyahu drives record settlement expansion: Peace Now group.

Report: Egyptian authorities fear increased attacks by militants in the Sinai.

Iran-IAEA nuclear talks to go into second day.

US continues arms sales to Bahrain amid bloody crackdown.

ASIA

Pakistan government seeks end to cleric Qadri's protest. Pakistan protests move to Peshawar.

US delegation in Seoul for security talks.

Internal forces besiege Pakistan ahead of voting.

After border killings, India says it can’t go back to ‘business as usual’ with Pakistan.

Suicide bomb attack on Afghan security offices in Kabul.

U.S. pushing for North Korean sanctions at U.N..

Burma attacks in Kachin prompt global criticism.

Japan's Abe turns to Southeast Asia to counter China.

Russia grants $1 billion loan to Bangladesh for weapons.

AFRICA

Militants take foreign hostages in Algeria. 7 Americans held hostage in Algeria: Al-Qaeda link. l-Qaida-linked militants seize BP complex in Algeria, take hostages over Mali intervention.

Algeria rules out negotiating with hostage-takers.

Mali conflict: French 'fighting Islamists in Diabaly'. France 'hours away' from direct Mali combat. French triple troops in Mali, prepare for assault.

French say Islamists in Mali remain 'agile, motivated,' still control key towns.

Analysis: Mali's Islamist groups united by war threat.

Fighting in Sudan's Darfur kills more than 100: U.N.. UN: Fighting in Sudan's Darfur kills more than 100.

U.S. to recognize Somali government, opening door to new aid.

Car bomb kills policeman in Benghazi as Libya violence escalates.

Islamists attack Algerian gas field, kill, kidnap foreigners. Foreign worker killed and seven missing in raid on BP in Algeria.

Ugandan, US forces hunting LRA welcome CAR truce.

Al-Shabab sentence French agent to death.

U.S. condemns comments by Egypt's Mursi as Islamist leader.

UN takes next steps in drawdown of military presence in Liberia.

EUROPE

Slowdown in Germany worries Euro zone.

Costa Concordia captain says he has no regrets.

Reputed organised crime boss shot dead in Russian capital.

Italy's Northern League offices raided in corruption inquiry.

Kosovo's Thaci rules out Serb autonomy.

German economy contracted in late 2012.

Germany pulling $200 million in gold reserves from US, France. Germany gold: Central bank to bring home some reserves.

Vauxhall helicopter crash leaves two dead: latest news from London.

'Horsemeat beefburgers' investigated in UK and Ireland.

Russia emerges from two-week new year drinking binge.

Pentagon chief Panetta meets Pope Benedict.

AMERICAS

Colombian president opens door to popular vote on FARC peace deal.

Native Canadian groups in protest 'day of action'.

Obama to propose sweeping gun control measures Wednesday.

Fitch may downgrade U.S. credit rating. Long term U.S. unemployment at highest level since WWII.

Chavez VP gives state-of-the-nation address.

Venezuela says Chavez is improving.

Meeting in Cuba angers Venezuelan opposition.

Argentina’s inflation in 2012 climbed to 25.6% according to private agencies.

Cuba scrambling to contain cholera outbreak in Havana.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Sahara Islamists take hostages, spreading Mali war.

G-8 nations huddle on terror, West Africa drugs.

Harsh new restrictions imposed on Muslim cleric, lawyers say.

Yemen says al Qaeda holding western hostages.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

World economy remains fragile.

ANA grounds all Boeing 787s for inspections after emergency landing.

How HMV has become the biggest victim of the internet giants.

World Bank cuts growth outlook as advanced nations drag.

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