World News Briefs -- January 26, 2011 (Evening Edition)

Moscow Airport Bomb: Suicide Bombers Were Part Of Squad Trained In Pakistan -- The Telegraph

The two suicide bombers who carried out the Moscow attack were thought to be part of a suicide squad trained in Pakistan's al-Qaeda strongholds sent to the capital to target the city's transport system.

Russian security services warned in December that there were two attack teams primed to carry out attacks, sparking fears there could still be terrorists at large who were prepared to carry out another attack.

Intelligence sources said that one of the squads was likely to have established a base, at a house in Moscow, where the suicide belts to be used in attacks were assembled.

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MIDDLE EAST

The Palestine Papers: The al-Madhoun assassination.

Citing options, Iran rejects uranium deal, diplomat says. EU lawmakers seek to extend Iran sanctions.

Iraq: Maliki's new partners decry court ruling that would boost his powers. Critics accuse Iraq's Maliki of a power grab.

Hezbollah-backed PM starts forming new Lebanon government. Calm returns to Lebanon after 2 days of protests. Tens of thousands protest in Lebanon as Hezbollah ally asked to form gov't.

MI6 'drew up plan to crush Hamas'.

ASIA

Indian police out in force on Republic day. Kashmir strife clouds India Republic Day.

China to create largest mega city in the world with 42 million people.

Karzai opens Afghan parliament, taunts West. Karzai opens Afghan parliament with accusations, call for unity.

13 dead in Lahore blast, 3 dead in Karachi.

Kyrgyzstan president accuses US fuel supplier of trying to corrupt her son.

Hackers hijack North Korea's YouTube, Twitter.

S.Korea proposes North military talks Feb. 11 - media.

AFRICA

Gabon dissolves opposition party.

Egypt president's son, family flee to Britain.

Officials say 2 killed in new protests in Cairo. Egypt protests continue into second day despite ban and police presence. After day of protests, Egypt bans demonstrations. Heavy police deployment in Cairo after protests. Rage in Egypt: Images from anti-Mubarak protests.

Tunisia protests turn violent. Tunisia issues intl warrant for ousted president.

UN envoy proposes pirate courts in Somali enclaves. UN calls for Somali pirate chief hunt.

Gaddafi fears foreign meddling in Tunisia turmoil.

Fighting resumes in Darfur. Darfur rebels in heavy clashes with Sudan army. Darfur rebels and Sudan army in second clash in week.

Results of Sudan referendum set for early February.

Rwandan rebel leader to face war crimes charges.

Human rights group: Violence and rape in Ivory Coast used to intimidate Ouattara supporters. Gbagbo forces accused over killings, rapes in I. Coast. African states at odds on Ivory Coast crisis. Ivory Coast leader orders seizure of regional bank.

EUROPE

Greece default with Ireland to break Euro by 2016 in global investor poll.

Ireland's governing party picks new leader.

Russian president fires police chief after bombing. Criticism, finger-pointing after Russia airport attack. After Moscow attack, Russians question Putin's war on terror.

Russian parliament approves arms pact with U.S.

UK economy suffers 0.5% contraction. Bank of England chief Mervyn King: standard of living to plunge at fastest rate since 1920s.

Hitler's last bodyguard gives up on fan mail.

AMERICAS

Obama may have to produce birth certificate if he wants to run for President in 2012.

U.S.: Gun raids show cartels at work in Arizona.

20 workers feared dead in Colombian mine blast.

Colombia still deals with high crime rates despite security gains.

Mexican government: La Familia cartel in retreat. Mexican federal police kill mayor's bodyguard.

U.S. Senate leaders eye option of state bankruptcy.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US eyes counter-terror tools to fight pirates.

Guantanamo inmate Ahmed Ghailani jailed for US embassy bombings. Gitmo detainee gets life sentence in embassy plot.

Egypt: Al Qaeda is growing in Gaza.

Accused Christmas Day bomber Abdulmutallab to face Oct. 4 terrorism trial.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. new-home sales in 2010 fall to lowest in 47 years.

Number of Internet users worldwide reaches 2 bln: UN.

U.S. budget deficit to hit $1.48 trillion.

Toyota recalls 1.7m vehicles globally over 'fuel leak'.

Financial crisis was avoidable, inquiry finds.

A year later, Microsoft picture looks very different.

IMF chides US for fiscal folly.

WikiLeaks seeks more media partners.

U.S. financial crisis panel urges prosecutions of industry figures.

The Davos Forum has started.