Monday, April 1, 2013

World News Briefs -- April 1, 2013 (Evening Edition)



South Korea Vows Fast Response To North; U.S. Deploys Stealth Jets -- Reuters

(Reuters) - South Korea will strike back quickly if the North stages any attack, the new president in Seoul warned on Monday, as tensions ratcheted higher on the Korean peninsula amid shrill rhetoric from Pyongyang and the U.S. deployment of radar-evading fighter planes.

North Korea says the region is on the brink of a nuclear war in the wake of United Nations sanctions imposed for its February nuclear test and a series of joint U.S. and South Korean military drills that have included a rare U.S. show of aerial power.

The North, whose economy is smaller than it was 20 years ago, appeared to move on Monday to addressing its pressing need for investment by appointing a reformer to the country's ceremonial prime minister's job, although the move mostly cemented a power grab by the ruling Kim clan.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria crisis: March was 'conflict's deadliest month'. March was deadliest month of Syrian war, as rebel deaths surged.

A wary Easter weekend for Christians in Syria.

Kurds flee Aleppo neighborhood under Syrian government attack.

Syrian militants have access to chlorine gas: Plant owner.

Suicide bomber in fuel truck kills nine in Iraq's Tikrit.

Iran bristles at Azerbaijan for hosting gathering of separatists.

Gas from Israel's Tamar field starts to flow.

ASIA

Pentagon: ‘North Korea may be dialing down’.

S Korea warns North against provocation. South Korea vows fast response to North; U.S. deploys stealth jets.

North Korea vows to keep nuclear arms and fix economy.

Reality check? North Korean parliamentary session shifts tone.

NKorea taps reformist premier amid nuclear tension. North Korea names Kim clan associate to premiership.

Karzai returns from Qatari talks on Taliban.

Iran sanctions spur boom for Pakistani diesel smugglers.

India tourist visits down 25% following fatal Delhi gang rape.

Insight: China's losing battle against state-backed polluters.

AFRICA

Sudanese president issues decision on releasing all political detainees.

3rd day of fighting with Islamic extremists in Mali's Timbuktu, army searches house-to-house.

French-backed Mali forces battle rebels. Fighting erupts after car bombing in Mali.

Nigerian Easter day military raid leaves 15 dead.

Libya PM's aide Mohamed al-Ghattous 'kidnapped'.

Sudan's Bashir orders political prisoner release.

Egypt clamps down on well-known opposition figures.

Egyptian satirist questioned for insulting Mursi, freed on bail.

Death toll hits 34 in Tanzania building collapse.

EUROPE

Bank of Cyprus depositors to face up to 60 percent losses.

Moscow: no bailout for Russian savers on Cyprus.

Cypriot President requests investigation into allegations against family members. More here.

Cyprus bets on casinos to help boost economy after savings raid.

Italian President at centre of storm as deadlock continues.

Kosovo and Serbia near accord to end ethnic partition.

Bulgaria's ousted center-right extends lead before May poll.

Ex-leader of Basque group ETA dies in France.

AMERICAS

Ghost of Chavez dominates Venezuela election campaign.

Venezuela: Maduro calls opposition heirs of Hitler.

U.S. lawmaker downplays North Korean threat to mainland.

Cartels dispatch agents deep inside US.

Massive investigation launched into killing of Texas district attorney.

Indigenous Colombians free soldiers held for 24 hours.

Caribbean nations search for oil amid spill fears.

Exxon cleans up Arkansas oil spill; Keystone plan assailed.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaida takes responsibility for Timbuktu attack.

Al-Qaeda may capitalize on Algerian unrest.

U.S. targets Al Qaeda online forums.

Abdel Bari Atwan predicts the most dangerous phase of Al Qaeda.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Apple issues apology following attacks in China.

Youth flock to mobile messaging apps, may be threat to Facebook.

Novartis cancer drug patent bid rejected by Indian court in landmark ruling.

As banks in Cyprus falter, other tax havens step in.

How the US oil, gas boom could shake up global order.

No comments: