Wednesday, August 29, 2012

World News Briefs -- August 29, 2012



Assad Claims Syrian Forces Gaining Ground -- Al Jazeera

In television interview, president says battle is "progressing" and talk of buffer zones is "not on the table".

The Syrian government's battle to put down the mass uprising that began last year is moving forward, and the situation has become "better," President Bashar al-Assad said in a television interview to be broadcast on Wednesday.

In brief excerpts aired by the privately owned but pro-government Al Dounia channel, Assad disparaged the idea of foreign countries creating buffer zones in Syrian territory and said that citizens who have fled the country and officials who have defected are helping "cleanse" Syria.

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MIDDLE EAST

Assad acknowledges struggle to win Syria civil war.

Turkish military is key factor in Syria planning.

Turkey urges U.N. to protect refugees inside Syria.

Numbers of Syrian refugees strain neighboring countries.

U.N. nuclear watchdog sets up "Iran Task Force".

Israel calls Iran the greatest nuclear threat.

ASIA

Militants attack Pakistan army post, kill 8 troops.

Notorious Pakistan A-bomb scientist tries politics.

Former India state minister faces death for role in massacre.

Report: Burmese army continues rights violations in Karen state.

Christians flee their homes in Pakistani capital.

Typhoon hits N. Korea, still reeling from floods.

Japan and N Korea hold talks in Beijing.

Huge Nankai quake could kill 320,000 in Japan: gov't.

AFRICA

U.S. reports that piracy off Africa has plunged.

Al Shabab flees Somali port of Merca ahead of African Union troops.

Sudan, South Sudan prepare for talks, as they support rebels.

Egyptian authorities defuse explosive device planted next to a university in Sinai Peninsula.

Report reveals that Egypt refused U.S. request to inspect vessel in Suez Canal.

South Africa seeks mine peace, wage deal may be elusive.

EUROPE

More than a dozen die in 2 attacks in a Russian republic.

3 commandos, 11 militants killed in Georgia.

Tymoshenko loses appeal, stays in Ukraine jail.

Amsterdam airport reopens after bomb, hijack scares.

Amnesty urges Balkans to probe war disappearances.

AMERICAS

Isaac pounds Gulf Coast; New Orleans levees hold.

Colombia seeking peace with FARC rebels.

Argentine leader could face criminal fraud probe.

Bolivian police seize 2 tons of Uranium.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

CIA balked at chance to kill bin Laden in ‘99, Polish ex-spy says.

Yemeni military officials say drone airstrike kills 2 suspected militants.

Dangerous Pakistani Taliban commander thought killed.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Chinese banks step up lending in the US.

Apple/Samsung dispute not yet made it to China: Xinhua.

Second-quarter U.S. growth revised up, Fed still seen in play.

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