Tuesday, January 17, 2012

World News Briefs -- January 17, 2012 (Evening Edition)



Why Wikipedia Is Going Down At Midnight -- CNN

(CNN) -- Go to Wikipedia at midnight and you won't find any of the usual encyclopedia articles.

Instead, you'll be greeted with a message about anti-piracy bills that are topics of heated debate in the U.S. Congress -- stirring opposition from tech companies in Silicon Valley and support from media companies in Hollywood.

Wikipedia, one of the highest-traffic sites on the Internet, will shut down for 24 hours in protest of these laws, which the website says would make it very difficult -- maybe impossible -- for its nonprofit encyclopedia to continue to operate.

The blackout starts at 12 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Jordan’s Abdullah sees glimmer of hope in Mideast talks.

Clinton: Yemen leader reneged on promises.

Tensions rise between Iran, Arab states over possible oil embargo.

Syria ready to let monitors stay, rebel seeks U.N. action. Syria says terrorists kill army personnel in ambush outside Damascus. Syrian rebel chief asks world to stop bloodshed. Syrian opposition split on question of foreign military force.

Israeli hackers bring down Arab monetary sites.

US: Strong signs Iran is giving Syria weapons.

Iran says UN nuclear team to visit this month for talks.

Iran boosts security for all in nuclear field.

Insurgents kill 5 policemen in western Iraq.

Beirut rescue operation at collapsed building ends.

Israel hit by cyber-attacks on stock exchange, airline and banks.

ASIA

Maldivian army arrests senior judge Abdulla Mohamed.

Pakistan: Zardari talks with military.

China's economic growth slows to 9.2% in 2011.

Ice sculptures dazzle as China starts Year of Dragon.

Kim Jong Il's other son expects North Korean regime to fail, journalist says.

Pakistan high court launches contempt case against prime minister.

As U.S.-Pakistani relations sink, nations try to figure out ‘a new normal’.

AFRICA

Analysis: Kenyan Presidential hopefuls walk ICC tightrope.

Sudan dismisses fear of looming humanitarian crisis.

Egypt: Hosni Mubarak's lawyers begin defence after prosecution calls for death penalty.

Liberia's Sirleaf takes oath for second term, promises reconciliation.

Anger at military crackdown in Nigeria.

Kenya-Somali insurgent information war heats up over claims of dead children.

Ethiopia forcing thousands off land: U.S. rights group.

Bedouin leaders threaten armed rebellion against Egyptian government.

EUROPE

Report: Captain refused orders to return to cruise ship. More bodies recovered from stricken cruise ship. Divers blast rescue hole in Italian cruise ship. Explosions used in hunt for 29 missing on Italian liner.

Billionaire Kremlin hopeful says Putin must change.

Putin warns Russians of the dangers of revolution.

Hungary faces EU legal action, threatening aid.

Strikes hit Athens as debt inspectors return. Greeks strike against austerity as EU, IMF visit.

AMERICAS

US north-west braces for record snowfall.

Denver, Baltimore to test new deportation approach. Critics see step toward amnesty.

Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered across the nation.

Federal choppers under fire in Mexico drug war. Mexico drug gangs targeting gov’t choppers, at least 28 hit in 5 years.

Mexico's Tarahumara Indians suffering grave hunger crisis.

El Salvador massacre apology on 20-year peace mark.

Canada faces legal challenge over Kyoto withdrawal.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda flexes African muscles by kidnapping Algerian governor.

Pakistan Minister wants evidence of Taliban leader’s death.

Israel fears Hezbollah targets top general.

French judge wants to investigate at Guantanamo.

Has al-Qaeda ceased to exist? (Commentary)

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Analysis: Rescue fund downgrade raises pressure on euro zone.

Facebook plans $10bn May stock offering.

Apple reveals list of suppliers for the first time.

Analysis: Ditch the assumption developed economies are safe.

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