Thursday, May 19, 2011

World News Briefs -- May 19, 2011 (Evening Edition)



Barack Obama Presses For Middle East Reform -- BBC

US President Barack Obama says the US has opened a "new chapter" in diplomacy after the Arab Spring uprisings.

In a speech at the state department, Mr Obama said the future of the US was bound to the Middle East by forces of economics, security, history and fate.

"It will be the policy of the US to promote reform, and to support transitions to democracy," he said.

The speech was Mr Obama's first comprehensive response to revolts sweeping the Arab world, analysts say.

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MIDDLE EAST

Obama urges Israel to go back to 1967 borders. Obama, in Arab outreach, shifts on Mideast peace. Israel rejects Obama peace plan, Palestinians cagey.

Obama says Syria's Assad must reform or go. Syria defies U.S. sanctions, crushes dissent. Obama imposes sanctions on Syrian leader, 6 aides.

Iraq bombing kills at least 25 police officers, firefighters.

Last British troops slated to leave Iraq.

US quietly expanding defense ties with Saudis.

Yemen leader says he'll quit, opponents doubt. Yemen crisis deal collapses despite U.S. pressure.

Obama faces pressure from allies on eve of speech Thursday on Middle East policy.

ASIA

Taiwan rejects China's claim that "no missiles targeting Taiwan".

Controversial Three Gorges dam has problems, admits China.

Afghan road workers killed in Taliban ambush. 66 Killed in Taliban violence in Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Satellite images reveal alarming speed Pakistan is rushing to finish weapons-grade nuclear reactor.

Gates: No evidence 'yet' about who in Pakistan knew bin Laden was there.

A year on, mystery shrouds Thailand's deadly unrest.

AFRICA

Obama says Gaddafi's departure from Libya inevitable. Libyan resistance fighters make presence known in Tripoli. UN says Libya is a 'ticking time bomb'. Libya: Col Gaddafi's wife and daughter 'flee Libya'.

Sudan jets bomb Darfur village, says UN.

Nigerian bomb blast injures police, soldiers.

DR Congo rape study 'questionable'.

Amnesty: Egypt far from justice over unrest that killed more than 800. Egypt shifts to military justice for civilians in post-Mubarak era.

Obama to offer debt relief to Egypt in Mideast speech.

Somalia: Ruination.

EUROPE

Former Irish PM Garret FitzGerald dies at 85.

Queen offers sympathy to Irish victims of troubles.

Why Russia's Medvedev and Putin remain coy about presidential aims.

Top economist at European Central Bank blames Greek debt problems on 'vested interests' in Britain.

IMF tells Greece to stop dragging its heels over reform.

Ukraine seeks talks with Romania, U.S. on missile shield.

Belarus 'to get Russian bail-out' worth $3bn. Analysis: Russia tries to reel in crisis-hit Belarus leader. Economist says Belarus in phase of uncontrolled economic downturn.

Why Estonia may be Europe's model country.

AMERICAS

Dominique Strauss-Kahn: Ex-IMF boss wins New York bail. Ex-IMF chief gets $1M bail in NYC sex assault case.

Hurricane season to be 'above normal'.

Plane crash kills 22 in Argentina.

Drug war graves unveil drama of Mexico's disappeared.

Canada: Stephen Harper unveils cabinet.

Guatemalan forces hunt killers after farm massacre.

Clinton aims to improve ties with Latin America.

Uruguay's congress takes aim at military amnesty.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Arab uprising disturbing flow of anti-terror intel.

Terror 'franchises' pose huge post-Bin Laden risk.

Guantánamo prisoner dies in apparent suicide.

Al-Qaida releases posthumous bin Laden audio. Osama bin Laden tape praises Arab Spring uprisings.

Could al-Qaida launch attacks on U.S. from Yemen?

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Amazon says e-book sales surpass printed books

LinkedIn shares double on debut.

Iran sets stage for tense Opec meeting.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn's replacement at IMF should be non-European, says South Africa finance minister Pravin Gordhan.Strauss-Kahn case: Europe backs EU candidate for IMF.

Japan slides into recession. Disasters send Japanese economy into recession.

Microsoft's Bill Gates says he advocated Skype takeover.

Playboy puts entire 57 years of magazines online.

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