Tuesday, August 6, 2013

World News Briefs -- August 6, 2013 (Evening Edition)



Panic in Yemen: Terrorist Threat Shutters U.S. and U.K. Embassies -- Time

In a fragile country, the mere threat of a terror attack may be a boon to al Qaeda

When the United States and the United Kingdom abruptly closed their embassies in the Middle East Sunday, due to unspecified threats of a possible al Qaeda attack ahead of the upcoming Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan, U.S. and U.K. expatriates in Yemen took it all in stride. Travel alerts for those countries’ citizens had always been high. Both the U.S. and the U.K. have discouraged visitors since 2009, even before Yemen became known in the news as the home of the al Qaeda explosives expert who invented the infamous underwear bomb, but the country still manages to attract a steady stream of development workers, journalists and students eager to learn Arabic in the capital’s many language schools.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria rebels strike Assad's Alawite stronghold.

Syrian rebels capture military airport near Turkey.

Iraq violence: Car bombs in and around Baghdad kill 41. Bombs target Iraqi shoppers, killing more than 50.

Iran's new leader Rouhani urges 'serious' nuclear talks.

76 senators sign letter demanding Obama take harder line against Iran.

Iran's President Rouhani says determined to resolve nuclear issue.

Militants shoot down army helicopter in Yemen; 8 killed.

Yemen on 'high alert' over warning of imminent al-Qaida attack.

State Dept. urges US citizens to leave Yemen.

UK evacuates Yemen embassy staff amid threat.

Ergenekon trial shows Turkish govt fears outside support for military, secularists.

Most Israelis object to withdrawing to pre-1967 borders: poll.

ASIA

Bangkok braces for anti-Thaksin protests.

Pakistan violence puts government on defensive.

Afghan Taliban talking secretly to Kabul government. Taliban leader says still willing to start peace negotiations. Taliban, Afghanistan look to kick start peace talks.

Taliban leader dismisses Afghan vote as 'waste of time'.

Japan PM's China overture at risk if cabinet minister visits shrine.

Chinese navy launches new patrol route in the S. China Sea.

India-Pakistan talks in jeopardy as Indian soldiers killed. Attack at Kashmir military post kills 5 Indian soldiers.

Threats to life prompt Pakistan's Musharraf to skip court in Bhutto case.

Thousands protest in Cambodia as opposition rejects poll result.

Japan marks Hiroshima bombing anniversary.

AFRICA

Tens of thousands rally to demand Tunisian government's ouster.

Egypt to say foreign mediation has failed to end crisis. US senators call for Egypt dialogue.

Egyptian government offers Muslim Brotherhood ministerial posts.

Egypt's Brotherhood rejects appeal to 'swallow reality'.

Nigeria's military declares curfew, searches homes against attack by extremists in Potiskum.

Tunisia's Ennahda leader offers referendum.

Ethiopia sees Muslim anti-government protests.

Sudan ejects UNHCR staff from North Darfur.

Western backlash rises over Zimbabwe vote.

Somalia's Puntland breaks off relations with central government.

EUROPE

NSA spy leaks: US, Russia to hold talks despite Snowden.

Russia seeking Snowden's help on data security.

Moscow: No official changes yet to Obama-Putin G20 meeting.

Germans’ fear of American spying surges.

Greece's food crisis: families face going hungry during summer shutdown.

UK seriously concerned' about Gibraltar-Spain tensions.

Freed paedophile rearrested in Spain after Morocco pardon fiasco.

Russia reportedly launches criminal case against U.S. band.

Russian court cuts Khodorkovsky's jail term.

AMERICAS

U.S. military judge trims potential sentence in WikiLeaks case.

Hasan tells Fort Hood court-martial: 'I am the shooter'.

Ex-President George W. Bush has stent for blocked heart artery.

Study: U.S. debt obligations $70 trillion.

South Americans alarmed at alleged US spying.

Head of military police in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state fired over his amnesty for officers.

UN: Bolivia's coca crop down 2nd straight year.

Python killing of 2 boys comes after pet-store petition filed.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

A look at Al-Qaida in Arabian Peninsula.

The master bombmaker who adds weight to al-Qaeda fears.

White House: Terrorist attacks in U.S. a possibility.

Yemen released names of 25 wanted Al-Qaida men.

Salafi jihadists claim that Israeli drones are operating over Sinai.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US government sues Bank of America over mortgage securities.

Newspapers are billionaires’ latest trophies.

Amazon's Bezos to buy 'Washington Post' for $250M.

Time Warner and CBS row over service fees escalates.

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