Tuesday, December 3, 2013

World News Briefs -- December 3, 2013


Thai Government Defuses Confrontation, Protest Leader Says Not Over -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Thailand's government ordered police on Tuesday to stop confronting protesters demanding the resignation of the prime minister, raising hope that days of political violence may end, but the leader of the campaign said the fight would go on.

The protesters opposing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had been besieging various government buildings, including Government House, the complex that houses her offices.

After days of firing teargas and rubber bullets to hold them off, police handed out roses to flag-waving protesters after the barricades were brought down. The protesters mingled with police, shouted slogans and left peacefully.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Five Arab states top the most corrupt list.

Syrian rebels take control of Christian town Maaloula.

Most complex work on Syria chemicals 'still lies ahead': UN.

Iraq attacks including bomb at Tarmiya leave 20 dead. Iraq attacks kill 23 as year's toll tops 6,200.

Limitations of nuclear deal temper Iranians' enthusiasm.

Istanbul seminary 'stays shut' until Athens mosque is opened.

Arafat's death likely not due to Polonium: French analysts.

ASIA

North Korea leader Kim Jong-un reportedly sacks his uncle Jang Seong-thaek, No. 2 man in regime.


Thai government defuses confrontation, protest leader says not over.

Joe Biden: China air zone raises risk of accidents. In Tokyo, Biden blames China for raising tensions in Northeast Asia.

Japan-South Korea discord seen harming efforts to defend against N. Korea.

Taiwan seeks peace talks over China air defense zone.

NATO seeks clarity on foreign troops in Afghanistan.

Pakistani protests threaten NATO supply lines to Afghanistan.

Hong Kong on high alert after first human case of H7N9 bird flu.

Sri Lanka's forces accused of massacring aid workers.

AFRICA

Perceived corruption high in sub-Saharan Africa.

UN force to go after other armed groups in DR Congo.

Nigeria eases curfew, boosts security in Maiduguri.

Egypt overhauls constitution, empowers military.

UN starts drone surveillance in DR Congo.

Egyptian blogger arrested in widening crackdown.

EUROPE

Ukraine government survives in parliament while rage boils outside.

Anarchy in Kiev: Police cower from chain-wielding protestors and mob hurling petrol bombs as Ukraine teeters on the brink of revolution after 300,000 people take over Independence Square.

Ukraine secures deferral on payment for Russian gas.

Sharp rise in Europeans fighting in Syria.

Europe rights court hearing on secret CIA prisons.

Croatians vote to ban same-sex marriage.

Lots of guns, little violence: Shooting highlights armed but peaceful Iceland.

Bolshoi dancer sentenced to six years for acid attack.

Author claims Putin's pets his best friends.

AMERICAS

Power outage plunges most of Venezuela into darkness.

Mexican drug wars: 64 bodies found buried in mass grave.

Mexican Senate committees approve electoral reform.

Brazil's economy shrinks 0.5% in the third quarter.

Detroit judge rules bankruptcy process can proceed.

American held in Cuban prison fears US government has abandoned him.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Is global warming helping al-Qaida?

New Pakistani Taliban chief returns to lead group.

Abu Qatada: date set for Jordan terror trial.

Guantánamo Bay detainees claim Poland allowed CIA torture.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

PC shipments to see 'most severe yearly fall on record'.

Cyber Monday gave Amazon its biggest day ever as it handled 47 orders per SECOND - despite computer meltdown that left millions of Natwest customers frozen out.

In global op, feds help seize websites selling fake goods.

Nobel Prize-winning economist warns of US stock market bubble that could be ruinous for the country.

Tally of U.S. banks sinks to record low.

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