Saturday, March 16, 2013

World News Briefs -- March 16, 2013

A boy holds unexploded cluster bombs after jet shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the al-Meyasar district of Aleppo, Feb. 21, 2013.

Syria Expands Use Of Cluster Bombs Says HRW -- Voice of America

An international human rights group says Syrian forces are expanding their use of banned cluster bombs in residential areas, causing mounting civilian casualties.

Cluster bombs open in flight, scattering smaller bomblets. They pose a threat to civilians long afterwards, since many do not explode immediately.

Human Rights Watch said Saturday it has identified at least 119 locations where the bombs have been used in the last six months in Syria's civil war.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Islamist rebels consolidating hold in three northeast Syrian provinces.

Syrian regime accused of cluster bomb use.

Russia is desperate to avoid a sanctioned 'proxy war' with the West in Syria.

Source: U.S. trained rebels return to Syria.

Iran: Commanders authorized to respond to attacks.

Born in war and poverty, youth don't abandon Iraq.

Iraq war 10 years on: at least 116,000 civilians killed.

The grisly last show of Saddam Hussein.

Americans expect little from Obama’s Middle East trip.

ASIA

Former US diplomat warns of intractable US-China tensions.

24 soldiers killed in road accident in Pakistan.

South Korean newspaper says assassination plot targeted Kim Jong-un last year.

Internet hoax: Web wasteland of North Korea claims to be victim of U.S. cyberattacks.

China appoints foreign and defense ministers. China extends Zhou’s record tenure as Central Bank Governor. China installs Cabinet of party vets, technocrats.

336 million Chinese abortions in 40 years.

Aung San Suu Kyi faces protesters at copper mine.

AFRICA

Congolese rebels surrender, flee after defeat by rivals.

Zimbabweans vote to clip president's power.

Tunisia's assembly announces elections for fall.

Odinga challenges defeat at Kenya Court.

Egyptians march in Port Said to reject Mursi overture.

Christians say they were tortured in Libya.

Development improves in Ethiopia, but just slightly.

EUROPE

Despite setbacks, EU leaders upbeat on economic turnaround.

Syrian conflict tests European policy on violent jihad.

Pope Francis 'dismissed Anglican branch as quite unnecessary'.

Italy president tells Monti to stay until new government formed.

Cypriot savers hit as eurozone agrees €10 billion bail-out.

Rapid rise of Budapest's "ruin bars" sparks conflicts.

With Steven Seagal in tow, Putin pushes for Soviet-era phys-ed revival.

'Three dead' in Russian military helicopter crash in Chechnya.

AMERICAS

Hugo Chávez's body won't be embalmed – Venezuelan government. Chavez laid to rest at Venezuelan military museum.

FBI's demands for private data struck down by federal court.

Mexican police seize 9 tons of marijuana, weapons.

11 dead, dozens hurt in Mexico fireworks explosion.

Canada to present budget, sees end to deficit by 2015.

Brazil's new oil revenue law goes into effect.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

CIA begins sizing up Islamic extremists in Syria for drone strikes.

Drone documents case: federal appeals court rules against CIA.

U.S. acknowledges 14 on hunger strike at Guantánamo prison.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

BP urges judge to suspend $8.5bn settlement.

Red Bull blackmailed.

Airbus lands 102-plane, $11.2 billion deal with German airline Lufthansa.

Pentagon weapons-maker finds method for cheap, clean water.

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