World News Briefs -- May 14, 2012

Markets Fall As Eurozone Finance Ministers Prepare For Crunch Talks -- The Telegraph (Live Coverage)

Markets have fallen heavily and debt yields have risen, as EU finance ministers meet this afternoon for 'political' talks that are expected to focus on the ongoing crises in Greece and Spain.

• EU finance ministers meet at 4pm today
• European markets see heavy falls, FTSE down 2.1pc
• Spanish bond yields hit 2012 high of 6.331pc
• Eurozone industrial output slumps 2.2pc y/o/y
• Greek banking sector falls 7pc in early trading
• UK 10-year gilt yield hits record low of 1.874pc

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian rebels kill 23 troops during fighting in rebel-held Rastan.

Syrian uprising sparks new Lebanon clashes.

Iran set to meet UN nuclear agency officials.

Iran, unable to sell oil, stores it on tankers.

Mahmoud Abbas warns of 'national disaster' if hunger striking prisoners were to die.

Gulf Arab envoys study proposals for greater ties.

ASIA

Philippines and China to impose fishing bans amid standoff.

Dalai Lama alleges poison plot; China cries foul.

North Korean women sold into 'slavery' in China.

Nepalese plane crash kills 15 pilgrims.

Pakistani officer accused of terrorism calls for ties to US to be cut.

Japan assembly agrees to restart reactors, hurdles remain.

AFRICA

Kony hunt: Ugandan army captures senior LRA commander.

Congo Siasa: Congolese troops showing progress against mutiny.

Congo rebels threaten rare mountain gorillas.

Leading Egypt candidate calls 'racist' Israel a threat.

Libyans want answers over deadly NATO airstrike.

Tiny Guinea-Bissau has big role in drug smuggling, and seems likely to keep it.

EUROPE

Pivotal Greek party leader predicts failure of coalition talks.

Tens of thousands protest austerity in 80 Spanish cities.

Merkel: election defeat not a problem in Europe.

Thousands march in Russian capital.

EU ministers mull Euro 2012 boycott of Ukraine.

AMERICAS

Farc agrees to release kidnapped French journalist.

49 headless bodies dumped on north Mexico highway.

Massacre in Mexico deepens country's violent image.

California facing higher $16 billion shortfall.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Ibrahim al-Asiri: The body bomb menace.

UN moves to compensate the victims of terrorism.

Fight looms over detainee provisions.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Facebook CEO turns 28, IPO could be $100B gift.

Yahoo CEO out, investor Loeb gets board seats.

JPMorgan investment chief out.