Thursday, August 16, 2012

World News Briefs -- August 16, 2012



Assad's Brother May Have Lost Leg In Bombing: Sources -- Reuters

BEIRUT (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad's feared brother Maher lost a leg in a bomb attack on the Syrian leader's security cabinet a month ago, Western and Gulf sources said on Thursday.

While a Lebanese politician with ties to the Assads questioned their assertion that Maher al-Assad had been badly wounded, it would be a heavy blow to one of the main military commanders fighting the 17-month-old insurgency.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.N. monitors quit, saying Syrians choose "path of war".

Syrian military, militia committed war crimes against civilians, U.N. panel concludes.

US diplomat: ‘Serious’ barriers to establishing Syrian no-fly zones.

Syrian FM claims rebels no match for military.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation suspends Syria.

U.N. aid chief says 2.5 million Syrians need assistance.

Lebanon militia kidnaps Syrians.

Bloody day of blasts in Iraq kills more than 70.

Families of Iran’s slain nuclear scientists file lawsuit against Israel, US, Britain.

ASIA

Militants attack major Pakistan air base; nine killed.

Hindus from Pakistan flee to India, citing religious persecution.

Thousands flee violence-hit Indian cities.

U.S. urges fairness as Kazakhstan opposition leader trial opens.

2 Tibetans die in self-immolation protest in China's Sichuan.

China set to file treason charges against defector turned away by U.S..

AFRICA

Egypt considering violating peace treaty with Israel.

Police open fire on South African miners. Police gun down striking South African miners as witnesses say up to 18 killed and scores wounded.

Six killed and 12 injured in unrest in Sudan's Darfur.

Liberia arrests six over Ivory Coast border attack.

Rwandans say army secretly aids Congo rebels.

Mali army rejects parts of ECOWAS plan.

Official: 60 dead in northeast Congo gold mine.

EUROPE

Angela Merkel warns 'time is of essence' on euro crisis.

Greece to seek delay in austerity measures.

French police patrol riot wracked Amiens. France vows crackdown on 'troublemakers' after Amiens riots.

Breivik report forces Norway police chief to quit.

Voters 'Go Missing' after Russian Elections.

Communist symbol ban spreads among Russia’s neighbors.

AMERICAS

Global problems could throw Canada off course: Flaherty.

Peruvian Shining Path rebels kill soldiers in ambush.

Brazil to invest $66 billion in roads, railways.

Years after Haiti quake, safe housing is a dream for many.

U.S. government's foreign debt hits record $5.29 trillion.

White House: "Yes," Biden is still on the ticket.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Syria rebels 'to turn to Qaeda if West fails them'.

Bulgaria releases images of a suspected accomplice to the burgas bus bombing.

Jihadist group warns Egypt army over Sinai crackdown.

Analysis: Qaeda fight could bog down Yemen reconstruction drive.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Facebook hits new low as IPO lock-up ends.

No one will charged with a crime for the MF Global collapse.

General Motors is headed for bankruptcy -- again.

El Nino is about to make food insecurity even worse.

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