Tuesday, March 13, 2012

World News Briefs -- March 13, 2012 (Evening Edition)



Syrian Army Recaptures Idlib -- Wall Street Journal/AP

BEIRUIT—The Syrian army has recaptured most of the northern rebel stronghold of Idlib near the Turkish border, pushing hundreds of military defectors out of a major base they had held for months even as pockets of resistance kept up their fight Tuesday.

The three-day operation to capture the city followed closely after a similar offensive to dislodge the opposition from another key piece of territory it had controlled, the Baba Amr district in central Homs. The two victories gave President Bashar al-Assad's regime unmistakable momentum as it tries to crush the armed opposition fighters.

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MIDDLE EAST

Report: Syrian troops retake northern rebel stronghold along Turkish border. Report: Syrian forces overrun rebel stronghold.Syria's Assad sets parliamentary poll date.

UN says 230,000 people have fled Syria violence.

Iran dismisses claims of military site clean-up. Iran rejects claims of cleaning up secret nuclear works at military site.

As rockets fly, new conditions shape fight in Gaza.

Israel-Gaza truce taking hold. Gaza cease-fire agreed after 160 rockets fired from enclave, MENA reports.

Nine killed in robbery at Baghdad gold market.

Iraq considering shutting down Baghdad for summit.

ASIA

North Korea's wealth gap.

We will treat killing of Afghans as if they were American, Barack Obama says.

Taliban fire on Afghan officials at attack site. Taliban fire at delegates visiting Afghan massacre site.

Pressure grows on Sri Lanka over war crimes claims.

Thailand extends state of emergency in south.

Ferry capsizes in Bangladesh; at least 31 dead, 150 missing.

Philippines: Arrest warrants for Gloria and Jose Arroyo.

Obama may visit Korean demilitarized zone.

AFRICA

More than 200 die in South Sudan tribal feud, official says.

South Sudan’s army signs pact with UN to release all children in its ranks.

Malians divided on how to tackle conflict in North.

Blowback? Kenya pins Nairobi grenade attack on Somali Islamists.

Sudan rebels say they shot down drone, government denies.

Hague Court to decide where former dictator of Chad will be tried.

Anger over NGO trial threatens Egypt's interim government.

Invisible Children answers critics after video hit.

EUROPE

France election 2012: Nicolas Sarkozy overtakes Francois Hollande for the first time.

Marine Le Pen: Right-wing wild card in French election.

Nicolas Sarkozy 'received £42 million from Muammar Gaddafi for 2007 election'.

Swiss vote against taking more holiday.

Serb commander accused of genocide labeled 'hero'.

Greek students fight stray dogs and despair amid college cuts.

AMERICAS

Venezuelan oil a risky investment for China.

CBO: Obamacare to cost $1.76 trillion over 10 yrs.

Afghan killings bring the war to U.S. presidential campaign debate.

Human rights activists in Cuba say political arrests are up.

El Salvador elections: Another test for Latin America's left.

Bolivia's Evo Morales urges end to ban on coca chewing.

If you build it, they won't come? US bases in Caribbean target drug trafficking.

Cheney deems Canada too dangerous for visit.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

LAX bomb plotter's sentence in 2005 overturned.

Al-Qaida cell found in Lebanese military.

U.S. drone strikes kill 15 in northwest Pakistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US, EU, and Japan challenge China’s rare earth export restrictions.

Obama files trade case against China, warns Beijing on ‘skirting the rules’.

Fed: U.S. banks can withstand severe downturn.

Apple stock closes at $552, exceeds Exxon market cap by $100B.

Regulation Nation: New study finds Obama’s regs cost $46 billion a year.

US, EU and Japan challenge China on rare earths at WTO.

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