World News Briefs -- October 5, 2010 (Evening Edition)

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Lebanon Heats Up, And Mehlis Hits Back -- Foreign Policy

All eyes in the Middle East are on Iran, but it may be Lebanon that is closer to war. On Sunday, the former head of Lebanese General Security, Gen. Jamil al-Sayyed, announced that he had been informed by his lawyer that a Damascus court had issued arrest warrants for 33 figures for misleading the international tribunal charged with bringing the killers of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri to justice. One of those individuals was a former chief investigator of the U.N.-led investigation itself, Detlev Mehlis. But in comments to Foreign Policy, Mehlis poured cold water over the truth of Sayyed's claims, and suggested that he has no intention of backing down from his work in Lebanon.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraq's Sunni-backed bloc united against al-Maliki.

Hundreds of activists from Muslim countries planning new Gaza-bound flotilla.

West Bank mosque set on fire in attack. Rabbis condemn attack on West Bank mosque.

Official: Syria accuses teenage blogger of spying.

ASIA

Taliban steps up attacks in Kandahar with blasts.

Congress getting frustrated with Pakistan as a war ally. White House reiterates support for Pakistan, Afghanistan.

China, Japan end spat over maritime collision.

Kim and son appear at N. Korean military exercise.

Flash floods in eastern Indonesia kill at least 29.

AFRICA

Sudan sets out referendum timetable.

Nigeria arrests, then frees top opposition figure in bomb probe.

Timbuktu, the rear base of the Mauritanian army against AQIM.

Nigeria ex-militant leader fears for his life.

Somali government claims advances in Mogadishu.

African progress threatened by ‘democratic recession’.

EUROPE

Societe Generale trader Kerviel jailed for three years.

German terrorists pose serious threat, police union leader warns.

Red toxic sludge spill sparks Hungary emergency. Hungary toxic sludge spill an 'ecological catastrophe' says government.

English becomes Europe's second language.

Pakistani woman killed in Italy over arranged marriage.

AMERICAS

Ecuador increases police and army wages.

U.S. plans law enforcement 'surge' on trains.

Chile president sees miners rescued before Oct. 15.

Venezuela denies links to Basque militants.

Rousseff favored in Brazil runoff.

Cuba 'considers releasing more political prisoners'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

America's 25 most dangerous neighborhoods.

Euro terror alert spotlights voiceprint technology.

'German militants' killed in US drone attack in Pakistan.

More on the Hamburg mosque's connections to the European plot.

Germany says investigating US drone strike deaths.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Downtown manhattan office vacancy rate hits a six-year high as firms move.

Airline to make cell phone calls possible on flights.

Volkswagen aims at fast lane in U.S.

Bank of Japan cuts rates to as low as zero percent.

World financial reform agenda falters.

Super-rich investors buy gold by ton.