Wednesday, January 2, 2013

World News Briefs -- January 2, 2013



Congress Approves ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Measure -- Washington Post

Congress approved a plan to end Washington’s long drama over the “fiscal cliff” late Tuesday after House Republicans surrendered to President Obama’s demand to let taxes rise on the nation’s richest households.

The House voted 257 to 167 to send the measure to Obama for his signature; the vote came less than 24 hours after the Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation.

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MIDDLE EAST

Islamists join Syrian rebels in military airfield attack. Syria: 'Deadly air strike hits Damascus petrol station'. Fighting in Aleppo shuts down city's airport as Syria's vicious civil war shows no sign of slowing in 2013.

Any end in sight? Syrian conflict enters third calendar year.

Iraq is officially fighting in a 'low-level war' a year after US withdrawal.

Israeli-Palestinian clashes erupt in West Bank.

Israeli border fence halts migrant flood from Egypt.

Hamas could oust Abbas from W.Bank: Netanyahu.

Turkey’s leader vies for role of strongman.

Red Hot ‘Israeli’ Peppers: Lebanese army combat supermarket veg.

ASIA

Satellite images show North Korea maintaining ability to detonate nuke device.

Video shows Burma military 'targeting Kachin rebels'.

India police to charge 5 with murder in brutal gang-rape, test 6th suspect to confirm age. Lawyers refuse to defend Delhi gang-rapists.

In New Year’s speech, North Korean leader pushes for unity, peace.

South Korea dismisses Kim Jong Un’s call for reduced tensions.

North Korean adoptions approved in US.

Funerals held for Pakistan charity workers in Swabi.

AFRICA

Nigerian army says 14 die in gun battle with Boko Haram.

Egyptian opposition to run for Parliament on one list.

Central African Republic rebels halt advance, agree to peace talks. Foreign troops to bolster Central African Republic.

Ten crushed to death, 120 injured at Angola church event.

Ivory Coast mourns after new year stampede in Abidjan.

Crisis-Hit Sudan opens bigger dam in conflict state.

South Sudan's oil production hasn't trickled down to basic services.

Africa's energy consumption growing fastest in world.

Egypt cracks down on satirists and media.

EUROPE

Greek debt crisis 'far from over'.

UK assumes presidency of G8 group.

Italy's Monti fires opening salvo of second-term campaign.

Adoption ban law comes into force in Russia.

France counts 1,193 cars torched on New Year's Eve.

Pope's new year address deplores rampant capitalism.

AMERICAS

Congress OKs cliff deal, signaling future fights. President vows not to negotiate on debt ceiling.

Thirteen Colombian Farc rebels 'killed in air strike'.

Venezuela's Chavez 'conscious' says VP Nicolas Maduro. Chavez ‘immense strength’ prompts Maduro’s return home.

Sales of armored cars soars 10% in Mexico as drug wars escalate.

Haiti travel warning issued by US after kidnappings, killings.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda, Israel’s Trojan horse in Middle East: Iranian MP

Ethiopia says breaks up Islamist militant cell.

Al Qaeda rises in Yemen's chaos.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Snapchat withstands Facebook challenge.

Analysis: "Fiscal cliff" deal called a dud on deficit front.

Fiscal cliff deal: World markets celebrate certainty.

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