Wednesday, June 15, 2011

World News Briefs -- June 15, 2011



Syria Widens Crackdown In North And East -- Al Jazeera

Residents of Maarat al-Numan fear an imminent assault after the army surrounds the town.

Residents in a northern Syrian town are fearing an imminent crackdown, as a military official claimed "gunmen" inside are "intimidating people into fleeing the area."

Army units have surrounded Maarat al-Numan but have not entered "yet", Major General Riad Haddad, head of the military's political department, said on Wednesday.

Activists said hundreds of residents continued to flee to escape the tank forces on the outskirts.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Tanks deploy in east, Syrians flee northern town. Syrians vent rage in tent camps on border with Turkey.

Officials: Militants seize parts of a Yemeni city.

Britain to send Apache helicopters to Yemen.

Kurdish rebel leader warns of return to conflict.

Middle East Christians facing 'extremist atrocities'.

ASIA

Ahmadinejad joins China, Russia leaders at Asian summit. Iran's President: 60 years of Zionism brought only humiliation, destruction.

Beijing battling protest fires on all fronts.

Pakistan counter-insurgency funds held back for scrutiny.

Low-key Marine, Gen. John R. Allen, to take over Afghan war at high-stakes time.

As India’s growth slows, leaders face political headwinds.

AFRICA

Libya unrest: Rebels edge west at Misrata. Misrata rebel leader appeals to Nato to save neighbouring town. NATO resumes air assaults on Tripoli with late-night strikes.

UN, US condemn Sudan border bombings. Sudan fighting brings accusations of ethnic cleansing.

Zimbabwe military said to plan own ruler should Mugabe be too ill to lead.

West Africa Rising: Liberia aims to tap riches, wean itself off aid by 2021.

EUROPE

Czech Republic pulls out of US missile shield plan.

Greek debt fears put French bank ratings on review.

Finnish bank chief says debt top threat to economy.

Greek protests turn ugly; Police and protestors clash. Greek anti-austerity protesters surround parliament.

AMERICAS

In Mexico, ex-Tijuana mayor freed but faces new charge of murder.

U.S. homeless total holds steady in 2010, but ranks grow outside cities.

Peru's next president urges vigilantes to fight drug trafficking.

Mexico drug gangs force gladiator-style death matches.

Barack Obama pledges support in rare Puerto Rico visit.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Linchpin in hunt for bin Laden back with al-Qaida.

Pakistan arrests informants who passed information to CIA.

CIA’s drones join shadow war over Yemen. CIA planning drone strike campaign against al-Qaida in Yemen.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Switzerland moves to toughen bank rules.

Bordeaux breaks the bank: Are Chinese aficionados fueling a wine bubble?

Oil falls on global economy worries, stronger dollar.

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