World News Briefs -- May 23, 2013

Woolwich Attack: Latest -- The Telegraph

Follow live coverage following a terror attack in Woolwich, London, yesterday, in which a soldier was apparently beheaded by two Islamist terrorists.

Full story: 'soldier beheaded' in 'Islamist terror attack'
Two suspects shot and injured by armed police
Theresa May convenes meeting of COBR
Prime Minister returns from France
Police appeal for calm following 'attack
Eyewitness: attack like 'something out of a film'
Aerial footage shows crashed car and blood

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Young Lebanese fighters leaving Syria for battle closer to home.

Syrian rebels, U.S. disagree on peace talks.

Syria: Geneva talks last chance to avoid foreign intervention.

Death toll rises in Lebanon clashes.

Kerry meets Israelis, Palestinians in bid to revive talks.

Iran presidential campaign begins without two big names.

ASIA

North Korea says willing to take China's advice to start talks.

Uncertainty surrounds Pakistan leader's stance on Taliban, military.

Japan surprises allies by mulling N. Korea talks.

Car bomb kills 12 in southwest Pakistan.

Pakistan under legal pressure to halt U.S. drone strikes.

Prostitutes gunned down in Pakistan's violence-plagued Balochistan province.

Bangladesh factory collapse probe uncovers abuses.

Taiwan, Philippines pursue joint shooting probe to mend ties.

AFRICA

20 killed in 2 simultaneous car bombs in Niger. Suicide bombers strike mine, military barracks in Niger. Islamist attacks target military, Areva sites in Niger. At least 18 soldiers, four Islamists killed in Niger: sources.

DR Congo: M23 rebels declare truce for Ban Ki-moon visit. Congo fighting persists as UN chief arrives.

UN and World Bank in DR Congo peace push.

In Brotherhood's Egypt, blasphemy charges against Christians surge ahead.

Analysis: Crackdown on radical Islamists tests Tunisia's stability.

Ethiopia: BBC reports Ethiopia has one of world's fastest growth rates.

EUROPE

Brutal attack in London heightens terror fears. Brutal attack in London blamed on radical Islam. London attacker British, of Nigerian origin: source. Woolwich attack: Suspects known to security services.

Stockholm restaurant torched as riots spread. Sweden riots spread to south of capital. Rioters in Sweden protest alleged brutality, racism after police shoot elderly man.

3 in Europe now oppose Hezbollah.

Council of Europe concerned about Russia's human-rights record.

Largest Bulgarian party will not try to form government.

Captain of luxury Costa Concordia cruise ship to face trial over deadly wreck.

AMERICAS

IRS officials aren’t cooperating in probes at top or bottom.

IRS tea-party bloodbath continues in Congress, as evidence emerges that IRS's own internal probe ended in May 2012, six months before election, but was hidden from legislators.

Soldiers flood western Mexico to protect towns. Mexico cartel dominates, torches western state.

Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion.

Official: Dead Boston bombing suspect involved in 2011 slayings.

Ecuador Pegasus satellite fears over space debris crash.

Canada's Harper says 'very sorry' about expenses scandal.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Terrorist watch lists: Are they working as they should?
Bin Laden burial pictures will stay secret.

U.S. military lawyers put more pressure on Guantanamo.

The random attack: MI5's greatest terror nightmare.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Perfect storm sparks massive Nikkei sell-off. Global shares sink, following 7.3 percent drop in Japan's Nikkei.

Markets rattled amid fears of slowdown in Asia.

Pfizer takes its shot at a vaccine for evasive superbug.