Monday, April 1, 2013

World News Briefs -- April 1, 2013



South Korea Warns It Will Retaliate If North Attacks -- The Guardian

South Korean president Park Geun-hye promises robust response to 'sudden and unexpected provocations' by North.

South Korea has said it will strike back with immediate and overwhelming force if North Korea launches an attack on its territory, days after Pyongyang said it had entered a "state of war" with its neighbour.

"If there is any provocation against South Korea and its people, there should be a strong response in initial combat, regardless of the political considerations," the South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, told senior military officials on Monday.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

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

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

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

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.

Venezuela: Maduro calls opposition heirs of Hitler.

Caribbean nations search for oil amid spill fears.

Exxon cleans up Arkansas oil spill; Keystone plan assailed.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

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

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.

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