Sunday, December 30, 2012

World News Briefs -- December 30, 2012



Brahimi Says He Has Potential Syria Solution -- Voice of America

The joint U.N.-Arab League peace envoy says he has a proposal to end the 21-month conflict in Syria.

Lakhdar Brahimi said Sunday in Cairo after meeting with Arab League officials he believes his plan, based on an agreement signed in Geneva earlier this year, "could be adopted by the international community." He made no further comment on the proposal.

Brahimi said something needs to be done soon because the situation in Syria is "getting worse by the day."

Read more
....

MIDDLE EAST

No end to Syria war if sides refuse to talk: envoy.

Syria government forces retake Homs district.

Official: Turkey talking to jailed Kurdish leader.

Protesters attack Iraqi Deputy PM, guards open fire.

Avigdor Lieberman faces fraud charges in Israeli court.

Israel's population on 8 million threshold.

ASIA

Bomb kills 19 Pakistan pilgrims, 21 troops shot dead.

Taliban's peace offer viewed as 'posturing'.

Suspects in India rape case charged with murder. Body of India rape victim cremated in New Delhi.

Japan's finance minister Aso to travel to Myanmar, meet president Thein Sein.

Sex, drugs and rock and roll: Australia's other boom.

Chinese fishing boat detained in Japan: Xinhua.

AFRICA

More French troops fly to Central African Republic to protect against rebel advance.

Diplomats make last ditch effort to talk with CAR rebels. Central African Republic crisis: AU chief to hold talks with Bozize. CAR president says ready to form coalition govt with rebels.

Mali: Mauritania braces for war next door.

Nigerian militants kill seven in raids on northern towns.

Longest Somali pirate ordeal ends for Iceberg-1 crew.

Egypt to resume IMF loan talks as reserves dwindle.

EUROPE

Euro zone economy set to contract further in 4Q.

Italy leftist PM candidate Bersani tops opinion poll, Monti second.

Church backs Vladimir Putin's ban on Americans adopting Russian children.

Fifth victim of Russia plane crash dies.

French 75% income tax struck down by constitutional council.

‘Non’ to France: Depardieu stays in Belgium despite tax waiver.

Berlusconi divorce bill: $3.8m a month.

Statue of Hitler praying is displayed in former Warsaw ghetto to controversy.

AMERICAS

US economy on cliff-edge in Senate's war of political nerves. Nation on the verge of a fiscal breakdown.

Immigration and gun violence top president's post-fiscal cliff agenda.

Bolivia takes over Spanish-owned energy suppliers.

Venezuela says it has deported alleged French agent accused of plotting to kill Chavez.

Venezuela: South America's most dangerous country.

George H.W. Bush moved out of intensive care.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaeda's Yemen branch offers bounty for killing US ambassador, troops.

Obama: U.S. has good leads on who carried out Benghazi attacks.

'US drone strike' kills al-Qaeda suspects in Yemen.

Sudanese jihadist media front releases video detailing prison escape of convicted militants.

Taliban spurn Islamic scholars' conference on suicide bombings.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

The top 12 tech stories of 2012.

Ford on track to sell 2.2 million cars in U.S. this year.

What to expect from the global economy in 2013.

No comments: