Thursday, June 13, 2013

World News Briefs -- June 13, 2013 (Evening Edition)



Syria Deaths Near 100,000, Says UN – And 6,000 Are Children -- The Guardian

UN human rights office says it has confirmed the deaths of 92,901 people between March 2011 and end of April 2013

Syria's conflict has now claimed nearly 93,000 lives, the UN human rights commission has said, but it warned that the true death toll after 27 months of violence was likely to be higher.

Amid warnings of a new government offensive against rebels in parts of Aleppo, the UN said the figure of 92,901 was reached at the end of April, with an average of over 5,000 people being killed every month since July last year. More killings, however, may be undocumented.

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MIDDLE EAST

Assad forces used chemical weapons - White House.

Obama considers Syria moves, Assad turns guns on north.

U.N. says 93,000 killed in Syrian conflict, fears for Aleppo.

Diplomats predict Assad will soon launch campaign to retake Aleppo.

Syrian rebels fight for key army base.

As Assad gains momentum, U.S. weighs options.

Sunni clerics call for jihad against Syria's Assad, allies.

Turkish PM to meet activists and artists.

Turkey: Erdoğan threatens to 'clean' Gezi Park of 'terrorists' – live coverage. Turkish protesters party in square despite ruling party call.

Israel defence deputy says no Palestinian state.

Israel moving ahead with settler housing plans of more than 1,000 units.

Bahrain arrests 'Iran-linked' cyber group.

Gmail accounts in Iran hacked, says Google.

ASIA

Nepal sets first post-monarchy elections for November 19.

World Bank cuts China growth forecast.

UN says Afghan children casualties spike in war.

Obama, Japanese leader Abe discuss NKorea nukes, trade and China territorial dispute.

In first response to Snowden, China skirts direct comment.

Edward Snowden: US-China relations tested as extradition battle looms.

North Korea blames ‘disruptive’ South for halted talks.

Australian military investigates 'explicit emails'.

Army's top secret letter on India-China border deployment leaked, six personnel indicted.

AFRICA

Khartoum says rebels based in South Sudan caused oil pipeline blast.

Sudan: Report - Sudan using 'scorched earth' tactics in rebel state.

Tunisian rapper sentenced to prison for insulting police.

Zimbabwe PM rejects July election date.

Libya: tensions between government and militias come to a head.

Ethiopia ratifies Nile treaty in snub to Egypt.

Uganda President backs Ethiopia in dam row with Egypt.

Egypt-Ethiopia dispute over Nile dam ‘not yet a military one’.

South Africa's Mandela spends 6th day in hospital.

EUROPE

Putin says Russia seeking IMF reform, battling offshores.

Czech police raid government offices. Czech cabinet in crisis after police sweep government offices.

France hit by train strike after airport action.

Greeks strike in protest at closure of state broadcaster ERT.

Serbia may be on cusp of mining revival after years of decline.

Belgian diamond heist 'was 300 million euros'.

Ireland orders firms to ban access to The Pirate Bay.

Russia can't raise state spending forever: Putin.

Russia's Putin shows off his English.

AMERICAS

Argentine ex-President Menem could face 7 years in prison for arms smuggling.

U.S. State Department watchdog blasted for keeping hooker claims from Congress.

Snowden leaks: US taking all necessary steps - FBI Mueller.

Congress grills NSA chief Keith Alexander about spying.

US ethnic minorities make up 49.9 per cent of under-fives.

Nicaragua Congress approves ocean-to-ocean canal plan.

U.S. imposes sanctions on family of Mexican drug lord.

'It’s like a job fair in here': Mexican cartels tap U.S. prisons to get ‘criminal talent’ to join as drug runners and assassins on release.

Canada says not receiving information from U.S. spying program.

Crime doubts persist in Brazil ahead of events.

H1N1 flu cases up sharply in Venezuela.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

FBI director, congressional leaders defend data mining.

NSA chief testifies that 'dozens' of terror attacks have been stopped using phone-data surveillance.

Military doctors urged to refuse force-feeding at Guantanamo.

Al-Qaeda still enemy number one, Canadian report on terrorism says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US Supreme Court says human DNA cannot be patented.

Nikkei plunges 6.4%; re-enters bear market.

Global shares drop, dollar slumps as rout gathers pace.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas predict film industry 'implosion'.

Internet anonymity is the height of chic.

Apple looking at bigger iPhone screens, multiple colors - sources.

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