Tuesday, December 27, 2011

World News Briefs -- December 27, 2011 (Evening Edition)

Iran's Navy launched the massive 10-day "Velayat 90" naval exercise on December 24, 2011. Press TV

Iran Threatens To Stop Gulf Oil If Sanctions Widened -- Yahoo News/Reuters

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran threatened on Tuesday to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz if foreign sanctions were imposed on its crude exports over its nuclear ambitions, a move that could trigger military conflict with economies dependent on Gulf oil.

Western tensions with Iran have increased since a November 8 report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog saying Tehran appears to have worked on designing an atomic bomb and may still be pursuing research to that end. Iran strongly denies this and says it is developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

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MIDDLE EAST

IRAN: 'Not a drop of oil will pass through the strait' if sanctions increase.

Iran saber-rattling spooks oil market.

Iran seeks death for American accused of spying.

ElBaradei: U.S., Egypt in secret talks on fate of Israel peace treaty.

Syria unrest: Protest in Homs as peace monitors arrive. Protesters turn out in Homs as Arab League mission arrives.

Path is cleared for Yemeni leader to get care in U.S.

Foes, backers of Yemen transition deal fight in Sanaa.

Israel to fan flames with Turkey as it discusses recognising Armenian genocide.

Iranian officials: Woman may be hanged instead of stoned.

Israeli city braces for 10,000-strong protest against exclusion of women.

Israel TV station’s troubles reflect a larger political battleground.

ASIA

India, Pakistan renew talks to avert nuclear clash.

Japan panel cites failure in tsunami.

Embattled Pakistani president says country must foil anti-democratic conspiracies. Pakistan president vows defiance as crises mount.

Currency agreement for Japan and China.

China, Japan urge stability on Korean peninsula.

Hundreds of thousands expected at Kim Jong-il funeral.

What to look for at NKorea funeral for Kim Jong Il.

China to start work on world's highest airport.

China GPS rival Beidou starts offering navigation data.

AFRICA

Egyptian civilian court orders halt of ‘virginity tests’ by military against female detainees.

Eastern Libya poll indicates political Islam will closely follow democracy.

Hundreds of residents flee Nigerian cities in fear of more violence. Nigerians fear more attacks after Muslim terrorists kill 35 Catholics at Christmas Mass.

Egypt charge 2 Israelis with smuggling weapons.

Four die in fresh Ivory Coast violence.

Guinea-Bissau quells attempted coup, official says.

Ethiopia jails two Swedish journalists for aiding rebels.

EUROPE

Moldovan separatist region elects new President.

Russia's Pro-Democracy protests cloud Putin's March election plan.

Putin calls for clean Presidential vote, rejects demands for parliamentary election rerun.

French unemployment at 12-year high.

NATO fears resurgent Germany, Russia – Rogozin.

Finland says ship can sail again, without missiles.

Prince Philip leaves hospital in good spirits.

AMERICAS

Grim toll as cocaine trade expands in Honduras.

Mexico extradites suspect in US consulate slaying.

Bolivia's Morales hopes to build railway to Peru.

Cuba expands free-market reforms.

Survey: Home prices down in most major US cities.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Proposed Guantanamo rule change sparks backlash.

Israel kills al Qaeda-linked militant in Gaza strike.

Why Boko Haram outwits security agents.

Will al-Qaeda appear in Egypt? (Commentary)

For 2012, TSA expands to train stations, ferry docks, subways. Al-Qaida in Iraq says it was behind Baghdad blasts.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Obama to ask for debt limit hike: Treasury official.

Brazil overtakes Britain as sixth largest economy.

Google's iPad killer ready in 6 months, says Eric Schmidt.

China 2012 rare-earth export quota almost same as this year.

Sears and Kmart to close up to 120 stores on poor sales. Sears to close more stores as holiday sales slump.

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