Friday, January 18, 2013

World News Briefs -- January 18, 2013



Britain: Algeria Crisis Not Over -- USA Today

British Prime Minister David Cameron confirms there are still no precise numbers on how many hostages were freed, killed or are still being held by militants in Algeria.

Efforts to free hostages at a gas plant in the Algerian desert are continuing, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday during an address to members of parliament.

The announcement comes a day after Algerian forces completed an operation to free hostages, including Americans, from the In Amenas natural gas facility deep in the Sahara Desert. The exact fate, and number, of hostages kidnapped by Islamic militants remains unclear.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian activists: More than 100 killed in village.

Large blast hits Aleppo neighborhood in Syria: TV.

Sectarian tensions are pushing Iraq to the brink.

No deal in U.N.-Iran nuclear talks, new meeting scheduled.

Lebanon minister escapes convoy attack unhurt.

Netanyahu vows to not dismantle settlements.

Analysis: World distracted as Israelis head to polls.

ASIA

Myanmar parliament calls for ceasefire with Kachin rebels.

Movement of missiles by North Korea worries U.S.

Pakistan averts, for now, two new crises.

India 'not to rush' into Kashmir talks.

China's economy posts slowest growth since 1999.

Jakarta declares emergency as water levels rise.

Vietnam and Cambodia tell Laos to stop $3.5bn Mekong river dam project.

AFRICA

Sixty foreigners still caught in Sahara hostage crisis. Uncertainty over missing Algeria hostages. Hostage's relatives: Many Westerners likely killed by Algerian military.

Sahara hostage holders make new threat.

Mali Islamists tougher than France anticipated: envoys.

Islamists claim two more villages as French forces mass in central Mali. West African troops arrive in Mali to aid French mission.

Mali army secures central town of Konna as troops land.

Factbox: Military forces in Mali.

South Sudan withdraws from border with Sudan.

Zimbabwe: Mugabe and Tsvangirai in 'constitution deal'.

EUROPE

Kosovo government cars torched as PM talks with Serbia.

Cameron delays talk on new role in Europe.

Austerity measures and debt crisis still hamper Europe’s economy.

Italy’s recession to be deeper than expected, Central Bank says.

Italy court rejects Berlusconi bid to halt tax fraud trial.

Opposition candidate ahead in Cyprus presidential race: poll.

Greek ex-minister Papaconstantinou faces tax probe.

Bolshoi ballet director Sergei Filin severely injured in acid attack.

AMERICAS

Difficult choices on debt if the U.S. hits the ceiling.

U.S. Air Force eyes changes to national security satellite programs.

U.S. gun stores running low on weapons as sales surge, owners say.
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Venezuela military to play central power broker.

Cayman Islands to open up to scrutiny.

Lance Armstrong admits doping in "toxic" tale.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Violence in Mali, Algeria raises fresh fear of radical Islam.

FBI director in Libya to discuss Benghazi attack.

Military judge rejects defense requests at terror hearings.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Goldman Sachs says oil price could reach $150.

Google's Larry Page takes a swipe at Facebook and Apple.

Want to buy the White House? It would cost you $294.9 million.

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