Friday, January 11, 2013

World News Briefs -- January 11, 2013 (Evening Edition)



Obama, Karzai Endorse 'Taliban Office,' Agree To Speed Military Transition -- FOX News

President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Friday endorsed the opening of a "Taliban office" in a third-party country to "facilitate" reconciliation talks -- just one plank of the post-war plan the two leaders discussed during Karzai's visit to Washington.

The two also agreed to speed up slightly the schedule for moving Afghanistan's security forces into the lead across the country, with U.S. troops shifting fully to a support role by spring rather than summer. The capabilities of the Afghan army are "exceeding initial expectations," the two said in a joint statement released after their private White House meeting.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria rebels seize base as envoy holds talks.

Syria talks end with no breakthrough.

Rebels 'take control of key north Syria airbase'. Syrian rebels claim capture of strategic military base.

A steady stream of foreign fighters is increasingly vital to Syrian rebels.

Turf war feared after Syrian rebel leader killed.

Post-Assad plans: US focuses on Syrian chemical arms.

Iranian president invites Egypt's Morsi to visit Tehran.

Iran denies responsibility for U.S. bank cyber attacks.

Kurds, Turks trade blame in activists' slayings.

Kurds, Turks vow to continue talks despite killings.

Iraq attacks kill at least 12.

New talks loom over Iran's nuclear program.

Iran’s foreign minister works to woo Egypt in Cairo visit.

Gunmen kill Yemeni who mediated with al Qaeda - sources.

Deadly storms blanket parts of Mid-East in snow.

ASIA

Kashmir violence: Anger builds as Pakistan summons Indian envoy.

China sends troops to Burmese border.

Obama, Karzai agree to speed up Afghan military transition.

U.S., Afghanistan discuss "last chapter" in war aims: Panetta.

Bombings kill 115 people in Pakistan. Quetta bombing underscores Pakistan chaos.

Rights group warns of worsening Pakistani sectarian violence.

Japan scrambles jets to intercept Chinese military planes.

New Japan PM: China's island dispute moves 'wrong'.

U.S. urges allies Japan, S. Korea to mend ties.

Japan’s Abe unveils 10.3 trillion yen fiscal boost to growth.

AFRICA

France confirms Mali military intervention. France launches air strikes in Mali against Islamist rebels. French forces launch military operations against Islamic extremists in Mali. Malian army beats back Islamist rebels with French help.

Peace talks restart in Congolese dispute.

Fitch downgrades S.Africa's credit rating, cites political tensions.

CAR rebels agree to ceasefire during peace talks. Central African Republic rebels 'agree one-week truce'.

On the frontline of the CAR conflict.

Togolese opposition demands reform, halt to March election.

Refugees fear insecurity in Kenya, return to Somalia.

Staying connected: A strategy for survival in eastern Congo.

EUROPE

US adoptions of Russian children: Some to go ahead.

Czechs vote in first direct Presidential elections.

Euro zone debt crisis could see 'watershed year' in 2013, says Standard & Poor's.

Analysis: Hollande policy gaffes endanger French reform drive.

Police hunt killers of PKK co-founder Sakine Cansiz.

Russia opposition will not be silenced.

Moody's downgrades Cyprus by three notches

Organised Albanian crime destabilizing Greece.

AMERICAS

Obama says U.S. to accelerate Afghan drawdown.

Flu reaches epidemic proportions in US. Flu 'epidemic ... still on the uptick,' national health official says. ‘Severe’ strain of flu reaches epidemic proportions in New York City.

Boycott and protests over Canada native talks.

Bolivia achieves coca-chewing victory at United Nations.

Chávez, or at least his sash, is set for Venezuela inauguration.

Californian women told to have more children as birth rate in most populous state plummets.

Cristina Kirchner hits out at those who want to 'invade' Falklands.

Brazilian hacker publishes sensitive personal data on politicians convicted for corruption.

U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly surges to $48.7B.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

As troops withdraw from Afghanistan, there’s talk about using force to stop al-Qaida elsewhere.

U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan on rise for 2013.

US: Bin Laden got cables Manning leaked.

Judges seem wary of release of bin Laden photos.

Zarqawi's legacy: Jihadist rebels in Syria.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. launches safety review of 787 after recent issues.

Brussels orders Google to change way it presents results.

U.S. officials to launch review of Boeing's Dreamliner: source.

Apple expects Chinese sales 'to overtake US'.

No comments:

Post a Comment