Wednesday, February 9, 2011

World News Briefs -- February 9, 2011



Egypt Protests: Parliament Rally As US Seeks Progress -- BBC

Anti-government protesters in Egypt are continuing their occupation of Cairo's Tahrir Square for a 16th day and have blocked the entrance to parliament.

There are reports of strikes and industrial unrest around the country.

Egyptian Vice-President Omar Suleiman has warned of the risk of a coup d'etat if constitutional reform efforts fail.

The US has called on the Egyptian government to lift its 30-year-old state of emergency and to stop harassing journalists and activists.

Hundreds of protesters are now blocking the entrance to the Egyptian parliament, several blocks away from Tahrir Square.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk hit by bomb attacks. Deadly bombings in Kirkuk aim at Kurdish militia.

US reports 20 percent drop in Iraq violence.

Amnesty accuses Iraq of operating secret prisons to torture detainees.

Jordan tribesmen warn King to reform or risk revolt.

Iran will close Strait of Hormuz if attacked: IRGC commander.

ASIA

Jailed American's case stokes fury in Pakistan.

Thailand, Cambodia to solve border dispute bilaterally despite UN meeting.

North and South Korea military talks collapse.

S. Korea to boost Marine force, islands' defenses.

AFRICA

Egyptian opposition defiant over VP's warning. Suleiman says government will not tolerate prolonged Cairo protests. Egypt counts cost of turmoil, protesters undaunted.

Southern Sudan's rural development minister, Jimmy Lemi Milla, shot dead.

Tanker with huge load of oil hijacked off Oman. Somali pirates free South Korean ship and 43 crew.

Zimbabwe's main party: opposition started violence.

U.S., U.K., France seek UN sanctions on Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo.

EUROPE

Assange fights extradition to Sweden.

Berlusconi: Sex probe against him is 'disgusting'. Silvio Berlusconi Q&A: Will the Italian PM go on trial?

U.S. not sharing British nuke data, Russia asserts.

AMERICAS

Passport puts Aristide closer to possible Haiti return.

Venezuela: 48 homicides for every 100,000 people.

US teen killed in Juárez puts spotlight on Mexico's unsolved murders.

Blizzard roars through US's snow-weary midsection.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. House fails to extend Patriot Act portions. Republican-led House fails to pass short-term extension of Patriot Act.

At CIA, grave mistakes, then promotions.

Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov claims responsibility for Moscow airport attack.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia cannot pump enough oil to keep a lid on prices.

Smartphone shipments surpass PCs.

Four charged in insider trading inquiry. Insider trading crackdown: US alleges scam by hedge fund managers.

Bernanke to face sharp questions from Republicans.

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