World News Briefs -- December 22, 2010

A South Korean watches TV broadcasting Yeonpyeong Island at the port of Incheon in Gyeonggi province of South Korea on Dec. 20, 2010. (Xinhua/Park Jin Hee)

South Korea Launches Fresh Round Of Military Drills As North Korea Seems To Soften -- Christian Science Monitor

South Korea launched a planned round of multi-day military exercises Wednesday, while rebuffing the North's recent conciliatory gestures.

South Korea launched fresh military drills Wednesday, just days after it held live-fire military exercises despite North Korean threats of retaliation.

The naval exercise launched Wednesday, and Army and Air Force exercises scheduled for Thursday, come as the US dismissed a pledge from the North to allow inspectors to return to its nuclear facilities.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi parliament approves new Maliki government.

After steep gas price increase, truckers stay off the roads in Iran.

UN Middle East envoy: Israel has right to self defense.

Israel moving tank defense system near Gaza.

Lebanese PM will tell UN to stop Hariri tribunal.

ASIA

Warm Russian, Indian ties outlive Cold War. Russia is last in series of major powers to seal valuable deals with India.

NATO denies that U.S. plans ground raids into Pakistan.

China replaces senior Foreign Ministry official.

Frustration builds over high food prices in China.

AFRICA

Ivory Coast risks return to civil war, UN warns. World Bank freezes loans to troubled Ivory Coast.

Kenya and Uganda boost security after grenade blast linked to Al Shabab.

Deadline and fears loom for Zimbabweans in S.Africa.

South Sudan vote clears hurdle as ballot forms arrive.

EUROPE

Greeks protest before 2011 austerity budget vote.

Italian students demonstrate against education reforms.

Russia calls Britain's expulsion of Russian diplomat 'unfriendly'.

US Lockerbie report: Scotland pressured to free Megrahi.

AMERICAS

US poised to approve nuclear arms pact with Russia.

Obama signing 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal.

Rain-soaked Calif. braces for biggest storm yet.

International court rules against Mexico's army.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. spy's chief appears ignorant of British plot.

Al Qaeda group contemplated poisoning food in U.S., officials say.

Al-Qaeda finds new friends.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. Government liabilities rose $2 trillion in FY 2010: Treasury.

Bank of America wonders about WikiLeaks' planned 'megaleak'.

US economic growth revised up to 2.6% for third quarter.