Tuesday, October 18, 2011

World News Briefs -- October 18, 2011



Israeli Soldier Shalit, Hundreds Of Palestinians Freed In Prisoner Swap -- National Post

GAZA/JERUSALEM — Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and hundreds of Palestinians crossed Israel’s borders in opposite directions on Tuesday as a thousand-for-one prisoner exchange brought joy to families but did little to ease decades of conflict.

Sergeant Shalit, 25, returned home to a national outpouring of emotion in Israel after five years in captivity in the Gaza Strip. The first few hundred of over a thousand Palestinians being freed in stages from Israeli jails were greeted with kisses and flags in Gaza and the West Bank.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israeli leader warns freed Palestinian militants.

Mass Palestinian celebrations for freed prisoners.

More than 40 dead in surge of violence in Syria.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denies Saudi plot claims.

Iran could make atom bomb material despite hurdles: report. Turkey meets members of opposition Syrian National Council.

ASIA

Philippine military says at least 12 soldiers killed, 3 Muslim rebels killed in fierce clash.

China's economic growth slows to 9.1% in third quarter.

North Korea holds talks with US on war remains.

More than half of Afghans see NATO as occupiers.

Thai flooding: Floodwalls reinforced to protect Bangkok.

Japan's leader to return looted royal Korean books.

AFRICA

Assault staged on last Gaddafi stronghold.

Clinton in Libya to cement post-Gaddafi ties

Kenyan troops press assault on Somalia al Qaida group.

No combat role for U.S. advisers in Uganda, official says.

Liberia vote: Prince Johnson backs President Sirleaf.

EUROPE

Britain freezes assets of suspects in alleged Iranian plot.

Ukrainian leader hints quick release of Tymoshenko is unlikely.

Turkish Cypriots cancel annual military exercise.

International negotiators urge Eta to lay down weapons.

AMERICAS

‘Fast & Furious’: How a botched operation spawned fatal results.

Chile military drafts thousands, blames students.

Venezuela blocks Chavez rival's Presidential bid.

Brazil sports minister Orlando Silva denies corruption.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Anwar al-Awlaki’s family speaks out against his son’s death in airstrike.

Kenya arrests two Britons with suspected al-Shabaab ties.

Uganda and US unlikely partners in global war against terror – OpEd.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Big US banks hurt by struggling consumers.

Banks bristle at Greek haircut plan.

Goldman Sachs posts deeper-than-expected Q3 loss.

Online shopping, banking at risk from increased hacking.

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