Monday, January 16, 2012

World News Briefs -- January 16, 2012



Cruise Ship Captain 'Off Course' -- BBC

The captain of a cruise ship that ran aground off Italy made an "unapproved, unauthorised" deviation in course, the liner's owners say.

Costa Cruises boss Pier Luigi Foschi accused Capt Francesco Schettino of sailing too close to a nearby island in order to show the ship to locals.

The captain says the rocks the ship hit were not on his chart.

Six people were killed and about 15 are missing after the Costa Concordia's hull was torn open on Friday.

Rescue crews restarted the search for survivors on Monday afternoon, three hours after work had been suspended over safety fears.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Car bomb kills 8 in northern Iraq.

Eleven more killed in Syria despite Arab monitors.

Iran makes arrests in killing of nuclear scientist.

Iran warns of consequences if Arabs back oil sanctions.

Iran violating arms embargo with shipments to Syria: France.

Flexing muscle, Baghdad detains U.S. contractors.

ASIA

China's Wen presses Saudi Arabia for oil access.

Fears in Thailand about war on Islamist guerrillas escalating.

Critical week ahead for Pakistan's besieged government.

Pakistan prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani found in contempt by Supreme Court.

Communists and business party to enter Kazakh parliament.

AFRICA

Somali famine 'will kill tens of thousands'.

Petrol prices cut by a third as Nigeria's president concedes to strikers.

Somali pirates 'attacked EU flagship'.

Kenyan jets bomb Somali rebel base, kill 14.

EUROPE

Euro leaders race to salvage rescue plans.

Inefficient economies seen as drag on Europe.

Italian cruise ship sinking: Search suspended as Captain questioned.

UK military warns gas imports at risk.

Three ETA suspects arrested in France.

PM warns violence could destabilize Romania.

Ratings agency Fitch revises Russian outlook to stable, citing political risk and lower growth.

Russian space probe crashes into Pacific.

AMERICAS

U.S. Congress logs most futile legislative year on record.

Guatemala president orders army to join drugs fight.

Mexico’s 2012 vote is vulnerable to narco threat.

Ecuador leader enjoys high rating 5 years into rule.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistani intelligence: Taliban leader believed killed in US drone strike.

Military lawyers blast Guantánamo mail search as violating rights, ethics.

Russia assails US over Guantanamo prison.

Al-Qaida in Yemen captures town south of capital.

UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ about Hezbollah’s military capacity, urges disarmament.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Greece more worrisome than downgrades.

After the downgrades comes the downward spiral.

OPEC keeps oil demand forecast steady, warns on Europe crisis.

Facebook IPO reportedly set for May.

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