Thursday, January 16, 2014

World News Briefs -- January 16, 2014

A Chadian soldier who is part of the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic keeps guard during a repatriation exercise of people by road to Chad in the capital Bangui January 16, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Siegfried Modola

'Seeds Of Genocide' In Central African Republic, U.N. Warns -- Reuters

(Reuters) - A senior U.N. official warned on Thursday of the risk of genocide in Central African Republic without a more robust international response to communal bloodshed in which at least eight more people were killed overnight.

The former French colony descended into chaos after a mostly Muslim rebel coalition, Seleka, seized power in March, unleashing a wave of killings and looting that sparked revenge attacks by Christian militia known as "anti-balaka" (anti-machete).

More than a million people have been displaced by the violence since Seleka installed their leader Michel Djotodia as interim president. Over 1,000 people were killed last month alone in the capital Bangui, prompting neighboring countries to evacuate more than 30,000 of their citizens.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian government agrees to attend Geneva peace talks.

John Kerry urges Syrian rebel groups to attend upcoming peace talks in Geneva.

Final destruction of worst Syrian chemicals slides to end June.

Iraq’s Maliki says he has asked for weapons from U.S., will also seek training for troops.

White House releases summary of six-month Iran nuclear plan.

Israel PM slams EU 'hypocrisy' on settlements. Netanyahu says EU states summon Israeli envoys over settlements.

Turkish prosecutors removed as judicial purge intensifies.

Hariri assassination trial opens at The Hague.

Iran hangs 40 people in two weeks.

ASIA

Afghanistan Taliban 'confident of victory' over Nato.

Civilian deaths spark dispute between US-led forces, Afghan President Karzai.

N. Korea demands halt to South-US military drills, threatens with 'unimaginable holocaust'.

China, Japan holdings of US Treasury debt advance to all-time highs.

Australia apologises to Jakarta for territorial waters breach.

Pervez Musharraf asks to go to US for medical treatment.

Beijing air pollution at dangerously high levels.

Chinese group mulls suing Japanese firms over wartime forced labor.

AFRICA

'Seeds of genocide' in Central African Republic, U.N. warns.

Yoweri Museveni: Uganda troops fighting South Sudan rebels.

Egyptians 'say yes' to new constitution. Widespread boycotts as Egyptian voters back new constitution. Egyptians back constitution, opening way to Sisi presidential run.

US says no decision yet on unblocking Egypt aid.

U.S. starts flying Rwandan forces into Central African Republic.

Speed up deployment of peacekeepers to Mali: U.N. official.

IMF warns on Mozambique unrest.

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan sacks military chiefs.

Algeria to double gas production in 10 years.

EUROPE

Sochi Olympics face high threat of attack.

Kadyrov: Rebel leader who threatened Sochi is dead. Security forces dismiss reports Russia's top militant is dead.

Nobody will face discrimination at Sochi Olympics, Putin pledges.

Ukrainian parliament pushes through sweeping anti-protest law.

EU poised to suspend some sanctions on Iran.

Vatican grilled over scale of child sex abuse.

Julie Gayet sues Closer over Hollande 'affair' report.

Spanish ruling party rebels launch new conservative party.

Clashes in Madrid as protest over govt spending spreads to 46 cities.

AMERICAS

Report: NSA 'collected 200m texts per day'.

Sweeping changes not expected in Obama's NSA plan.

NSA: six out of 10 Americans want reform of data collection, says poll.

Canada loses patience on Keystone XL, tells U.S. to decide.

Mexican official pledges swift return to order in troubled state.

Tiny robots to prowl US-Mexico border's dark drug tunnels.

Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner goes off the grid.


TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

From Falluja to Maghreb, a new, diffuse al Qaeda.

Al-Qaida asks Iraqis in embattled city for support.

New US 2014 calendar showcases world's most wanted terrorists.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Porn, basketball and taxes: Bitcoin is on a hot streak.

China’s US Treasury holdings climb to record in government data.

Davos 2014: Widening wealth gap 'biggest risk' in 2014.

Formula 1: Ecclestone to face Germany bribery charges.

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