Thursday, October 17, 2013

World News Briefs -- October 17, 2013 (Evening Edition)



Report: 30 Million People Enslaved Worldwide -- Voice of America

JOHANNESBURG — The Australian-based Walk Free Foundation has released its first-ever Global Slavery Index - a ranking of 162 countries by their prevalence of modern slavery. The Index found that tens of millions of people worldwide are living in slave-like conditions, most of them in Asia.

Slavery is often thought of as a relic of past centuries, and is banned internationally. But it is a shocking reality - today - for nearly 30 million people.

Speaking to VOA from London, Index researcher Kevin Bales said Walk Free Foundation wants to raise awareness of the plight of modern slaves. He painted a chilling picture of the life of a slave in 2013.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Rebel snipers kill high-ranking Syrian general.

Syrian deputy PM says peace conference planned November 23-24. Syrian official floats Nov. 23-24 for Geneva talks.

Syria rebel video claims new split in opposition. Syria violence kills dozens; some rebels split from opposition group.

Chemical watchdog: 11 of 20 Syria sites checked. Dutch diplomat tapped to lead Syria weapons destruction.

Syria chemical arms team 'turned back after safety fears'.

Iraq: Wave of car, suicide blasts kill at least 61. Spate of attacks on Shi'ite Muslims kills 48 people in Iraq.

Palestinian rams digger into Israel army base, shot dead: military.

Nuclear deal with Iran not close: senior Western diplomat.

Cautious optimism surfaces amid progress in Iranian nuclear talks. Iran, 6 world powers praise 'forward looking' nuclear talks.

Abbas meets Pope, invites him to visit Holy Land.

ASIA

India's PM may not attend Commonwealth summit over Sri Lanka human rights concerns.

Taliban peace hopes fade with killing of third Pakistan MP.

18 dead and over 40 missing after typhoon hits Japan.

Philippines clears roads, counts cost, as quake deaths reach 158.

Outrage in China over £1.5bn plans for Mao's birthday.

Mayor of major Chinese city, Nanjing, being investigated for suspected corruption.

China flood protests: Police out in force in Yuyao.

Britain nuclear deal opens door to Chinese ownership.

2 Chinese bloggers arrested in crackdown on rumors.

Bodies recovered in Mekong after Laos plane crash.

AFRICA

Uganda alert after US warns of 'Westgate-style' attack. U.S. on alert for attack in Uganda.

Angolan troops invade Congo, 'kidnap soldiers'.

Pirate attacks by heavily armed gangs surge off Nigerian coast.

Central African Republic clashes: 'Thousands flee villages'.

France to keep 2,000 troops in Mali until end of year.

UN peace force in Mali 'needs troops and equipment'.

Thousands of additional troops urged for force in Somalia.

Gunmen kill two Tunisian police in northern city.

Kenya mall attackers prayed, talked on cell phone between shootings.

East Africa oil discoveries breed challenges.

Kenya to plant microchips in rhino horns to deter poachers.

EUROPE

Merkel to enter full coalition talks with center-left SPD.

Nobel laureates call on Putin to free Greenpeace activists.

Yulia Tymoshenko 'will be allowed to go abroad for treatment'. Ukraine leader signals release of jailed ex-PM.

Bulgarian government survives second no-confidence vote.

SPD leaders unanimous in backing talks with Merkel: Gabriel.

Cameron criticizes The Guardian for publishing secrets.

Row over Kosovo Roma expulsion grips France.

London’s low taxes lure foreign companies as banks retrench.

AMERICAS

Obama to nominate former Pentagon lawyer Johnson to lead DHS.


U.S. federal employees return to work, parks re-open.

U.S. jobless claims fall but computer glitches weigh.

New York, California top US list of most expensive zip codes.

Canada set to sack three senators in expenses scandal.

Police arrest 40 as Canada shale gas protest turns violent.

Latin America brings up its dead, seeking truth to help settle the past.

Venezuela authorities hunt 'currency tourists'.

Deadly explosion at gas storage tank in central Mexico.

Floods devastate an already bankrupt and blood-soaked Acapulco.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Norwegian suspected of being Kenya mall attacker named.

Al Qaeda's rise in northern Syria leaves Turkey with dilemma.

Al Libi trial, Libya and al Qaeda: What you won't hear in court.

Taliban address al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

S&P 500 sets record high on relief over U.S. fiscal deal.

Google shares touch record highs after latest results.

US debt: Lagarde tells America to get its finances in order.

Relief around world as US avoids debt default.

Chinese agency downgrades US credit rating.

Many investors look past Twitter's losses, for now.

New global index exposes 'modern slavery' worldwide. Mauritania tops list of countries with high levels of slavery.

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