Sunday, March 3, 2013

World News Briefs -- March 3, 2013



Assad Refuses To Quit As Foes Advance In North Syria -- Arab News/AFP

DAMASCUS: President Bashar Assad insisted he will not step down and blasted Britain’s support for his armed foes who reportedly killed dozens of soldiers on Sunday in attacks on a police academy in northern Syria.
“We are ready to negotiate with anyone, including militants who surrender their arms,” Assad told Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper, in a rare interview conducted last week at his Al-Muhajireen palace in Damascus.
“We can engage in dialogue with the opposition, but we cannot engage in dialogue with terrorists,” he said in the videotaped interview.

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MIDDLE EAST

Assad accuses Britain, US of supporting terrorism.

Shi'ite fighters rally to defend Damascus shrine.

Syria fighting sparks tension on Iraq border.

Israel says closely monitoring Syria battlefronts.

Iraq monthly death toll down in February.

Iran says it has 3,000 advanced centrifuges.

Netanyahu says Iran using nuclear talks to "buy time" for bomb.

Netanyahu gets two more weeks to form Israel coalition. Upstart parties frustrate Netanyahu's coalition-building.

Turkish captives to be released by Kurdish rebels: Agency.

ASIA

Officials: Bomb kills 7 in southern Pakistan.

6 police, 3 assailants killed amid Malaysian siege.

Bangladesh deploys army after more violence over tribunal. Army sent to north Bangladesh as clashes continue.

Nato apologises after two Afghan boys killed.

China's graft-fighting Xi tells party future is on the line.

Indian steel-project protestors killed by bomb blasts.

Burmese opposition’s tenure in government under scrutiny.

Dennis Rodman: NKorea leader wants Obama to call.

AFRICA

France says third soldier killed in Mali, fighting fierce.

DR Congo: Army 'seizes' eastern towns held by M23 rebels.

Nigerian Islamist leader denies peace talks in video.

Nigeria says kills 20 Boko Haram militants.

Libya gas exports to Italy halted after militias clash.

Kerry: Divided Egypt needs political compromise.

Retrial of Egypt's Mubarak and sons set for April 13.

Final preparations for Kenyan polls underway.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe denies violent campaign ahead of elections.

EUROPE

Analysis - Long haul ahead for Britain's struggling economy.

Eurozone crisis: Portugal protests against austerity.

At least 22 people injured in Macedonia riots. Ethnic Albanians clash with police in Macedonia.

Italy in chaos as Grillo plots Euro exit.

Swiss referendum 'backs executive pay curbs'.

Benedict's resignation: Hints were there all along.

Russian demonstrators rally in support of U.S. adoption ban.

AMERICAS

Obama calls lawmakers over spending cuts; no resolution seen.

Canada expresses frustration over latest U.S. crisis.

From Hollywood to Kansas, drones are flying under the radar.

Mexico's ruling party opens door to tax, energy changes.

Venezuelan VP: Chavez undergoing 'tough' chemotherapy.

Florida sinkhole victim presumed dead as crews begin demolishing home.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda sees opportunity in Iraq’s sectarian conflict.

Al Qaeda publishes most wanted list 2013 for crimes against Islam.

John Brennan and the Bin Laden files.


ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

China 'fully prepared' for currency war.

Evernote hacked: 50 million passwords reset.

Las Vegas Sands violated US bribery law.

World poverty: Can the G8 deliver on the promise it made at Gleneagles?

SpaceX: After shaky start, a public-private space success.

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