Wednesday, December 26, 2012

World News Briefs -- December 26, 2012



Syria To Discuss Brahimi Proposals With Russia -- Reuters

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad dispatched a senior diplomat to Moscow on Wednesday to discuss proposals made by envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to end the conflict convulsing his country, Syrian and Lebanese sources said.

Brahimi, who met Assad on Monday as part of a series of planned talks with Syrian officials and dissidents in Damascus this week, is trying to arrange a peaceful transfer of power, but has disclosed little about how this might be achieved.

More than 44,000 Syrians have died in the revolt against four decades of Assad family rule, a conflict that began with peaceful protests but which has descended into civil war.

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MIDDLE EAST

Video: Syrian military police chief defects to join 'the people's revolution'.

Shelling in Syria's Raqqa kills 20, at least eight children.

Turkey kills 13 PKK militants.

GCC states slam Iran interference in region.

Iraqis rally against government.

Israel fast-tracks plan to build settler units.

ASIA

Three Afghans dead in new blast at U.S. base in Afghan east.

India orders inquiry into Delhi gang rape.

Thai defence chiefs tour hot spots.

UN General Assembly voices concern for Myanmar's Muslims.

Japan's Abe set for second term, to tap allies for cabinet.

China launches longest high-speed train line.

Air Bagan survivors tell of terrifying landing.

AFRICA

Egypt constitution passes, economic crunch looms. Egypt's leader signs contentious constitution into law.

Boko Haram launches attacks across northern Nigeria, 25 dead.

Fire causes massive explosion at Nigeria fireworks factory.

CAR rebels advance on another major town.

Mali: UNESCO chief deplores new destruction of Timbuktu mausoleums.

EUROPE

Russian parliament approves ban on American adoptions.

Merkel party rises to seven-year poll high before election year 2013.

Number of North Caucasus terrorism-linked crimes down in 2012 - Interior Ministry.

Ukraine helicopter crash in Kirovograd kills five.

Svoboda: The rise of Ukraine's ultra-nationalists.

Bleak Christmas in Greece.

AMERICAS

Obama to cut vacation short to deal with fiscal crisis.

U.S. trade deficit heading for surplus.

Venezuela’s VP says Chavez up and about, giving orders.

Good year ahead for Mexico while investors feel frustrated with ‘Brazil cost’.

The trend of fathers disappearing from households across America.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Interview with a newly designated terrorist: Syria’s Jabhat Al-Nusra.

Al Qaeda blames France for Sahel hostage deadlock.

Morocco busts Qaeda recruitment cell: ministry.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Why does Canada have a maple syrup cartel?

Netflix up and running again after Christmas Eve outage disappointed families counting on holiday movie marathon.

Toyota poised to reclaim world's biggest carmaker title.

Google apps breaking into Microsoft territory.

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