Monday, May 21, 2012

World News Briefs -- May 21, 2012 (Evening Edition)

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right), with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, at the NATO Summit in Chicago. Photo/NATO

NATO Signals End Of Afghan War In Sight - For The West -- Reuters

* NATO to pull out most troops by end of 2014
* Obama says will "responsibly" bring war to conclusion
* British official does not rule out post-handover terrorism
* France's Hollande sticks to early withdrawal plan

CHICAGO, May 21 (Reuters) - NATO leaders sealed a landmark agreement on Monday to hand control of Afghanistan over to its own security forces by the middle of next year, putting the Western alliance on an "irreversible" path out of a dee ply unpo pular, decade-long war.

A NATO summit in Chicago formally committed to a U.S.-backed strategy that calls for a gradual exit of foreign combat troops by the end of 2014 but left major questions unanswered about how to prevent a slide into chaos and a Taliban resurgence after the allies are gone.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Israel slams Western powers for ‘bowing down’ to Iran on nuclear program.

UN nuclear watchdog chief begins Iran talks. UN nuclear chief 'positive' over Iran talks.

Iran military chief vows to annihilate Israel.

U.S. ambassador: NATO has no plans for military intervention in Syria.

Syria: Hama shelling 'kills 34'.

Deadly violence flares in Beirut.

Thousands gather for Lebanese Sunni cleric funeral.

Suicide bombing in Yemen kills scores at military parade rehearsal.

Netanyahu: African migrants could overrun Israel.

Kurdish oil deal stirs Iraqi tensions.

Outrage at video of settlers shooting at Palestinians 'as Israeli soldiers watch'.

Palestinians sign deal to set up elections.

ASIA

Afghans thwarting ‘insider’ plots to kill NATO forces, says top U.S. commander John Allen.

Taiwan President pledges close ties with China.

UN criticises Tajikistan for using torture.

North Korea nuke test feared: Officials meet.

US envoy warns against any N. Korea nuclear test.

Prominent rival of Sri Lanka president walks free.

Four climbers die on Everest.

Chinese fishermen and boats held in North Korea 'freed'.

South Asia a rising force in global meth trade.

Pakistan blocks, then restores, Twitter access.

AFRICA

Mob assaults Mali's president, calling peace deal into question.

More than half of South Africa's children live in poverty.

Brotherhood's Mursi leads in Egypt expat voting. Egypt vote: The Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.

Zimbabwe denies claims of state sponsored violence.

East Africa to join world gas giants.

Ethiopia: Wars on many fronts.

South Africa braces for verdict on murder of far right leader.

EUROPE

World leaders urge mix of economic growth, austerity for ailing Europe.

Merkel to discuss fiscal pact with German parties.

Europe raises threat level against Athens.

Former extreme nationalist becomes Serbian president.

Putin to dominate new Russian government. New Putin cabinet announced.

Earthquake in northern Italy damages cultural treasures.

French prosecutor launches DSK rape probe.

AMERICAS

Former Colombian hostage is suspected of helping plan his kidnapping.

Dominican opposition to dispute ruling party win.

British nuclear submarine sent to Falklands in show of strength as tensions rise ahead of 30th anniversary of conflict.

Army role in Mexico drug war questioned as generals held.

Mexico arrests 'cartel leader' behind Monterrey deaths.

Survivor: Honduran police fired on passenger boat.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda could 're-emerge in Afghanistan after Nato withdrawal'.

Families of Lockerbie victims still seek answers. Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi buried in Libya.

New Lockerbie inquiry rejected by PM as Abdelbaset al-Megrahi dies.

Pakistan urges a 'permanent solution' on U.S. drone strikes.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Exclusive: U.S. lets China bypass Wall Street for Treasury orders.

Multinationals sweep euros from accounts on daily basis.

China firm buys AMC to form world's largest cinema chain.

Nasdaq CEO blames software for delayed Facebook IPO trading

Facebook shares drop below $38 IPO price.

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