Tuesday, July 23, 2013

World News Briefs -- July 23, 2013



Pope Gets Mobbed In Rio By Thousands Of Ecstatic Worshippers After His Driver Takes A Wrong Turn During His First International Visit -- Daily Mail

* Crowds flooded Rio as Argentine Francis arrived in South America for first time since becoming pontiff
* Popemobile mobbed by admirers hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis up close
* Visit comes against backdrop of violent anti-corruption protests in Brazil, which continued after Pope's arrival
* Police fired rubber bullets to disperse angry crowds outside government palace

The Pope was mobbed by thousands of surprised worshippers on the first day of his week-long visit to Brazil after his driver veered off course.

As Francis I was driven into the city from Rio's airport yesterday, his chauffeur was supposed to stick to the left-hand lanes that were free of traffic.

Instead he took a right turn and ended up on a boulevard cluttered with buses and taxis, forcing the pontiff's Fiat to stop.

Thousands of faithful who lined the streets then rushed the car, reaching into the pope's open window, many taking photos of him with their phones.

It was a nightmarish scene for security officials, but clearly a delight and another opportunity to connect for this pope, who was scheduled to take a day off today for rest and private meetings.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian Sunnis fear Assad regime wants to 'ethnically cleanse' Alawite heartland.

House Intel clears Obama plans to arm Syrian rebel groups.

Pentagon lays out options for U.S. military effort in Syria.

Hezbollah's ties to Syrian regime run deep.

Kerry finalizing MidEast peace talks team.

Obama, Congress at odds over new Iran sanctions.

Turkish media under pressure by authorities.

ASIA

N Korea marks 'liberation' with mass displays.

North Korea stops work at long-range rocket launch facility, but why?

Myanmar frees 73 political prisoners: government committee member.

Radical Burma Buddhist monk unhurt in bomb blast.

Fukushima operator acknowledges contaminated water flowing into sea.

Japan's elections rattle China.

Bus crash in central Thailand kills 19.

AFRICA

Death toll rises in Egypt following clashes. Egypt crisis: Nine killed in Cairo clashes.

Rwanda backs Congo rebels guilty of killings, rapes-rights group.

In eastern Congo, M23 rebels battle for hearts, minds.

Bashir makes rare admission of "bloodshed" & "injustice" in Sudan.

Mali interim president meets with Tuareg rebel leaders.

Former Kenyan PM accuses government of fomenting unrest.

Libyan group demands $9.5 Mln ransom for Ukrainian sailors – Report.

EUROPE

World awaits first glimpse of Kate and William's royal baby boy.

France 'returns to growth' and Spain sees slump easing - eurozone crisis live.

France stands firm on veil ban after 2 days of rioting.

Russia's top lawyers sound alarm about government abuse of the Constitution.

Worthless land could prolong Spanish banks' property woes.

Edward Snowden marks month stuck in Russia airport, and a week since he applied for asylum.

AMERICAS

Brazilian crowds delight pope, frustrate security.

Rio police clash with crowd protesting cost of Pope visit.

Venezuelan, Colombian presidents put aside diplomatic dispute.

In Mexico, dozens fall to new violence across 4 troubled states.

Will 2013 mark record gun sales in US?

Landing gear on Southwest jet collapses at LaGuardia Airport, eight injured.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda claims Abu Ghraib and Taji mass jailbreaks. Qaeda claims attacks on Iraq jails that freed its leaders.

Hezbollah slams EU's blacklisting of its military arm.

Tunisian jihadist calls for clerics, youth to fight in Syria.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Food prices forecast to treble as world population soars.

Meet the maths geniuses running Wall Street and beating the markets.

Special report: How big tech stays offline on tax.

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