Thursday, May 9, 2013

World News Briefs -- May 9, 2013



Kerry Sees Transitional Syrian Government Without Assad -- Voice of America

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says a transitional government in Syria would not include president Bashar al-Assad.

Kerry said Thursday in Rome, where he was meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, that the goal is a political solution agreed to by the Syrian government and those opposed to Mr. Assad.

Kerry says that "clearly means" the Syrian president will not be part of the transitional government.

Syria's main opposition coalition has long demanded that any peace process begin with Mr. Assad and top security officials leaving power.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian warplanes bomb rebel positions in battles for military bases in the north.

Free Syrian Army rebels defect to Islamist group Jabhat al-Nusra.

US and Russia team up to make fresh diplomatic push on Syria.

Baghdad government says PKK not welcome in Iraq.

Al Qaida suspects kill 3 Yemen generals - military.

Israel okays new settler homes near Ramallah.

US Congress moves to close Iran sanctions loophole.

ASIA

Inside the Ring: China reins in North Korea.

Bangladesh factory fire kills eight; collapse toll tops 900.

Bangladesh Jamaat leader sentenced to death. Bangladesh Islamist gets death for war crimes, raising fears of protests.

Ex-Pakistan PM's son abducted as Taliban threaten election.

Japan is 'adding a Ponzi scheme to a Ponzi scheme' with spending splurge.
Japan protests Chinese report questioning sovereignty of Okinawa.

Zhang Yimou seven children claims trigger anger in China.

Mao's granddaughter accused over China rich list.

AFRICA

Libya crisis deepens as rebels expand demands.

Gaddafi's ex-spy chief suffers "passive torture" in jail: daughter.


Military 'cover-up' in Nigeria violence says rights group.

Malian military prepares for final push on Kidal, northern town controlled by Tuareg rebels.

South Sudan rebels force army from eastern base and town.

Arms embargo lifted, but Somalia cannot afford weapons: minister.

EUROPE

Putin on Victory Day: Russia a security guarantor.

Slovenia seeks to avoid EU bailout.

Kerry meets Russian rights activists amid crackdown.

Italian prosecutors want Berlusconi to face new corruption trial.

Spain's royal family in danger of losing crowns.

Nazi-themed Wagner opera cancelled.

Pope Benedict 'has lost half his weight'.

AMERICAS

Issa seeks more whistle-blowers after dramatic Benghazi hearing.

Chile students resume protests for free education.

In Los Angeles, 1 in 10 residents is an illegal immigrant, study says.

Accused Cleveland kidnapper ordered held on $8 million bond.

Body of Tamerlan Tsarnaev is buried outside Massachusetts, official says.

Boston Marathon bomb suspect's widow hires terrorism cases lawyer.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

France wants U.N. to label Syria's al-Nusra Front a terrorist group.

France pledges to keep fighting al-Qaeda.

Ansar al-Sharia raises the black flag of al-Qaeda over Lahj, Yemen.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Vatican, U.S. in anti-money-laundering deal.

G7 finance chiefs to discuss bank reform push.

Downloads for 3D-printed Liberator gun reach 100,000.

Sony reports first annual profit in five years.

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