Saturday, April 13, 2013

World News Briefs -- April 13, 2013



Officials: Kerry Urges Beijing To Calm Down North Korea -- CNN

(CNN) -- With tensions high on the Korean Peninsula, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Chinese leaders Saturday to urge them to pressure Pyongyang to tone down its provocations.

Kerry raised the issue of North Korea and other global concerns as he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

"Mr. president, this is obviously a critical time with some very challenging issues -- issues on the Korean peninsula, the challenge of Iran and nuclear weapons, Syria and the Middle East, and economies around the world that are in need of a boost," Kerry said in opening remarks.

Kerry also met with Chinese Premier Li Kequiang and Chinese State Councilor Yang.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian troops widen offensive in border areas.

British scientists 'find evidence of Syrian chemical attack'. Three killed in Syrian army gas attack: monitoring group.

Israel fires into Syria after Golan troops come under fire.

UN fears for safety of returning Syrian refugees.

Yemen’s president orders military shake-up.

Turkey has new law on asylum, but sets limits for non-Europeans.

Field of Iranian presidential candidates takes shape.

ASIA

John Kerry arrives in China on mission to pressure North Korea. Seeking calm in Koreas, US looks again to China.

U.S., China agree on North Korea denuclearization push.

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

Dempsey backs keeping 8,000-12,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan.

Bomb blast on bus kills nine in northwest Pakistan.

Narrow escape for 100 passengers as plane crashes in sea in Bali.

China bird flu: Beijing reports its first case.

AFRICA

Egypt's Copts lash out at government's anti-Christian rhetoric.

IMF recognises Somalia government after 22-year break.

President Bashir orders South Sudan border to be opened.

Frustration as retrial of Egypt's Mubarak aborted.

Moroccan soccer hooligans rampage in Casablanca.

EUROPE

Russia lashes out at U.S. human rights blacklist.

Kremlin admits trial of Alexei Navalny is ‘political’.

Cameron and Merkel on 'need to make Europe more competitive'.

Dutch government puts austerity plans on hold.

Here are the 18 names on the controversial 'blacklist' that could derail US-Russia relations.

Pope picks cardinals to advise on Vatican reform.

Rights row in northern Serbian province sparks protest.

AMERICAS

Senate plan would deport illegal immigrants entering U.S. after 2011.

Lead narrows for Chavez heir amid crime, shortages.

Venezuela says it foiled plot to destabilize Presidential vote.

In Mexico, an upsurge of vigilantism.
Uruguay's president apologises for calling Cristina Kirchner an 'old hag'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pentagon: All sides suffer from Guantánamo computer crashes.

Guantanamo Bay Prison to get new commander.

Al Qaeda comeback.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

United States puts Japan on notice in currency report.

Yuan reaches record high against the US dollar.

Russian billionaire's daughter buys Onassis island Skorpios.

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