Monday, December 5, 2011

World News Briefs -- December 5, 2011



Voters Punish Putin As Russia's Communists Make Comeback -- MSNBC

Reuters reports that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's ruling party lost 77 seats in parliament in an election held on Sunday, according to projections made by the Central Election Commission based on preliminary results. Putin's United Russia is expected to end up with 238 seats, a slim majority in the 450-member lower house. The party previously held a two-thirds majority allowing it to change the constitution without opposition support.

The Communist Party made substantial gains.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria responds "positively" to AL protocol, proposes minor amendments. Syria stalls Arab League as death toll mounts.

Yemen: 28 killed in 3 days of fighting in Taiz.

Mysterious blasts, slayings suggest covert efforts in Iran.

U.S. Embassy in Iraq limits movement, cites terrorist threats.

British embassy in Bahrain hit by mystery blast.

Saudi dissidents turn to YouTube to air their frustrations.

Germany says Iran sorry for attack on UK embassy.

ASIA

Afghanistan says it will need outside aid until 2025.

Clinton calls Pakistan PM over air strike deaths.

Contaminated water leaks from Fukushima nuclear plant.

India welcomes lifting of uranium ban by Australia.

Vietnam: 100,000 killed, hurt by abandoned weapons.

AFRICA

Egyptians head to polls for 2-day election runoffs. Egypt’s Islamists take commanding lead in elections.

Congo Republic says thousands flee Kinshasa fearing vote unrest. Dread permeates Congo ahead of election results.

Sudan 'takes rebel border camp' in South Kordofan.

Radical sect stages more attacks in northern Nigeria.

Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo appears at ICC in Hague.

EUROPE

Putin's Party barely hangs onto its majority.

"Merkozy" under pressure to agree budget masterplan.

Economic woes prompt power shift in Croatia.

Julian Assange wins right to pursue extradition fight.

AMERICAS

Mexico's President Calderon says drug cartels threaten democracy.

Latin American, Caribbean nations form new bloc.

Argentina flirts with Iran; West watches nervously.

Peru declares state of emergency over disputed mine.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistani Taliban splintering into factions.

Spanish police foil possible Galicia separatist bomb plot.

Napolitano says lone wolf terror threat growing.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Shell Oil bets billions on Arctic Alaska plan.

Eurozone crisis: the US has to ride to the rescue once again.

OPEC members: We want clean energy.

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