Thursday, April 11, 2013

World News Briefs -- April 11, 2013

South Korean soldiers of an artillery unit take part in an artillery drill with 155mm Towed Howitzers as part of the annual joint military exercise "Foal Eagle" by the U.S. and South Korea, near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) which separates the two Korea. Voice of America

North Korea Warns It Has 'Powerful Striking Means' As World Leaders Meet To Fight Crisis -- Daily Mail

* Foreign secretary William Hague to host counterparts from G8 to discuss 'imminent' missile launch
* U.S. warns North Korea is 'skating very close to a dangerous line'
* Threat level to 'vital' as communist state's missiles are 'primed and ready'
* Battery of missiles could be fired at South Korea, Japan and U.S.
* A former North Korean officer says division among the military is rife
* Some foreigners evacuate South Korea after warning from North Korea

North Korea delivered a fresh round of rhetoric today with claims it had 'powerful striking means' on standby for a launch as the world's foreign ministers held urgent talks on the missile crisis.

The official statement is the latest in a torrent of warlike threats seen outside Pyongyang as an effort to raise fears and pressure Seoul and Washington into changing their North Korea policy.

It was issued today as world leaders met in London for talks on how to deal with the nuclear crisis - and North Korea revealed it was equipping women soldiers for battle.

The image of four female soldiers in heels and Soviet-style hats was the latest act of bravado from madman dictator Kim Jong Un.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Dozens killed in Syria in army assault.

Syria air strikes 'target civilians' - Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch: Syrian planes have killed 4,300 civilians since July.

Israel on guard as Golan goes from bloom to bloodshed.

Intrigue swirls as Iran prepares to choose next president.

Palestinian PM offers resignation in bitter dispute with Abbas.

Israel arrests five women challenging Orthodox practice at Western Wall.

Dubai's new police car: a £360,000 Lamborghini Aventador.

ASIA

South Korea raises threat level after fresh warning from North.

G8 ministers condemn North Korea nuclear moves.

U.S. spy chiefs see domestic motive in North Korean rhetoric.

Fighting rages in NW Pakistan, 15 militants, one soldier killed: Army.

Pakistan election candidate killed.

Deaths in renewed Bangladesh clashes.

Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable missile that could hit deep within India.

AFRICA

Nigeria's Boko Haram rejects Jonathan's amnesty idea.

Congo: 'We could do what we wanted' says soldier who raped 53 women.

South Africa’s Zuma faces storm over military involvement in mineral-rich neighbouring countries.

Mali PM promises July election during northern visit.

Egyptian parliament approves revamped election law.

Tackling Somali piracy needs new onshore focus: World Bank.

Police killings, ambushes put Mozambique peace on edge.

Madonna an 'uncouth' bully, Malawi government says in scathing attack.

EUROPE

Greek unemployment hits a fresh record.

Cyprus to sell gold reserves to help fund bailout. Cyprus Central Bank denies plan to sell gold.

Next domino?: Slovenia totters toward Euro-crisis brink.

Italy's center-left leader denies party about to split.

Bosnian leader warns Serbia against radicalization.

Russian NGOs demand explanation from Putin. Council of Europe calls Russia's treatment of NGOs "chilling".

France's top rabbi Gilles Bernheim quits in plagiarism row.

Louvre closed on account of pickpockets.

AMERICAS

U.S. gun bill clears key Senate hurdle with bipartisan support.

Mexico government says drug-related murders down by 14%. 13 die in gunfights with police in Mexico.

Venezuela election to test Chavez's socialist legacy.

Venezuela's opposition denies it would scrap Chavez welfare aid.

Exclusive: Brazil's Rousseff to make rare state visit to U.S.

Uruguay Congress approves gay marriage bill.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Nusra Front members in Syria have never masked al Qaida ties.

U.S., British recruits sought for al Qaeda's 'second generation'.

Hagel says he supports Obama's call to close military prison at Guantanamo Bay.

Sept. 11 trial lawyers seek delay after computer breaches.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

IMF warns over rock-bottom interest rates.

Japan carmakers to recall 3.4m cars over airbag defect.

Samsung unveils 6.3in Galaxy Mega smartphone.

Bitcoin hits new high, then nosedives in flash crash.

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