Wednesday, October 30, 2013

World News Briefs -- October 30, 2013 (Evening Edition)



Hopes Fade For Syria Peace Talks Next Month -- Al Jazeera

Officials express pessimism about scheduled talks, which could be delayed once again

Adding to the long list of complications that could undermine a long-awaited peace conference for Syria, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on Wednesday that peace talks could only succeed if foreign powers — namely the U.S. and Saudi Arabia — end their material support of Syria's rebels who are fighting to overthrow him.

Syrian state television quoted Assad as saying "the success of any political solution is tied to stopping support for terrorist groups and pressuring their patron states," during the meeting in Damascus. Assad has repeatedly condemned foreign aid, especially from the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Qatar, for armed rebel factions, who he calls "terrorists."

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MIDDLE EAST

Brahimi meets Assad in Damascus.

Syria's Assad says peace talks tied to ending aid to 'terrorists'.

Syria: UN and health organisations call for ceasefire to deal with polio threat.

Iran never stopped 20 percent uranium enrichment, admits Salehi.

John Kerry bucks Israel’s warning on Iran: We will give diplomacy a chance.

Iraq’s Prime Minister visits U.S. as sectarian violence rocks his nation.

U.S. senators warn Obama that Maliki may be leading Iraq back toward civil war. Maliki urges US military aid as Senators criticize 'sectarian' leadership.

Iraq violence: Fresh wave of bombings kills 20.

Israel frees Palestinian prisoners, pushes settlement plan. Israel plans more than 1,500 new settlement homes.

Israel's stance in talks harshest in 20 years: PLO.

ASIA

North Korea: Work seen at missile site.

China police call Tiananmen Square incident terrorist attack, detain 5. China says five detained in connection with Tiananmen attack.

Afghan peace delegation to meet with Taliban leader in Pakistan.

China to step up own security after new NSA allegations.

Passengers burned to death after bus crashes on Indian highway.

Tensions spike in divided Kashmir.

Khmer Rouge trials enter final stages.

Preoccupied Obama criticized over North Korea policy.

Japan's three biggest banks in yakuza links inquiry.

Australia says ban on China's Huawei stays.

AFRICA

Islamic law, military fuel debate on Egypt charter.

Trial of Kenyan president likely to be delayed until next year.

Congo army 'has crushed eastern rebellion,' but peace elusive. Congo rebels abandon last town, withdraw to hills.

Heavy fighting erupts near Congo-Uganda border.

UN: New atrocities in Central African Republic.

Egyptian students protest after Brotherhood leader arrested.

Muslim Brotherhood leader arrested in Egypt.

Suicide bomber dies in Tunisian tourist resort.

Counting begins after Abyei referendum.

Police detain five over Kenya's Westgate mall massacre.

EUROPE

US 'spied on Vatican in run-up to conclave'.

Moscow conducts large-scale nuclear attack drill.

'Nationalism and xenophobia' on rise ahead of European elections.

Russia denies Italian reports it spied on G20 leaders.

European govts provided phone data, NSA chief says.

German officials to discuss spying scandal at White House.

Spain colluded in NSA spying on its citizens, Spanish newspaper reports.

Spain ends two-year recession with 0.1% growth.

Frenchmen arrive home after hostage ordeal in Niger.

Russia and Ukraine edge closer to 'gas war'.

Deadly double blast hits capital of Russia's Dagestan.

AMERICAS

Scandal alarms Canada's ruling Conservatives ahead of convention.

Budget deficit in U.S. narrows to 5-year low on record revenue.

Fed maintains strong stimulus as U.S. growth stumbles.

Obama pledges to fix flawed healthcare site.

Kathleen Sebelius apologises for Obamacare 'debacle'.

Obama under fire as Americans lose prior health plans.

U.S. private hiring slows, consumer inflation stays muted.

Mexico's President to pardon indigenous teacher under new law.

Two Russian supersonic bombers land in Venezuela.

Uruguay to withdraw its UN peacekeepers from Haiti.

Obama installs new FBI Chief.

Summary of Canada-EU free trade deal tabled.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Interactive: US drone war in Yemen and Pakistan.

US commandos were poised for raid to capture Benghazi suspect.

Pakistan: 3 percent of drone deaths were civilians. Pakistan: 67 of 2,227 killed by drones civilians.

Yemen arrests 'dangerous' Al-Qaeda terrorist.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

World faces global wine shortage - report.

Facebook tops analyst revenue targets as mobile ads surge.

Dow, S&P 500 finish at record highs.

Fed balance sheet not seen returning to normal until at least 2019.

Is Google building a navy? Internet giant launches second 'floating data center'.

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