World News Briefs -- June 14, 2013 (Evening Edition)

Voting Closes in Iran Presidential Election -- Voice of America

Polling stations have closed across most of Iran, where officials extended voting by several hours to accommodate what they described as a large turnout in the country's presidential election. State-run news agencies say the vote count is underway, with results expected to be announced in several hours.

Millions of Iranians voted Friday to choose a successor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Western news agencies reported long lines at some polling stations even as the vote was scheduled to end.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iranians await presidential election results, following extension of polling hours. Iran presidential election: second round forecast after late flurry at polls.

Iran's presidential elections: polling day live. Iranians vote in key presidential elections. Voting hours extended in Iran Presidential election.

Syria and Russia slam US over weapons charge.

US: Syria's Assad crossed 'red line' with chemical weapons.

Syria: US chemical weapons charges 'full of lies'. Syria, Russia push back over U.S. chemical weapons claims.

Syrian rebels say they need heavy weaponry, not small arms, from U.S..

U.S. arms vow draws skepticism from Syria rebels.

Erdogan makes conciliatory move to end Turkish protests.

Thousands protest Yemen security force 'excesses'.

Yemen struggles to keep the lights on amid frequent power line sabotage.

Deadly virus spreading from the Middle East.

ASIA

Chinese paper: Snowden could be useful to China.

India Maoists: Three die in attack on train in Bihar.

Japan's Defense Ministry to fortify SDF with a special island assault unit.

Three Chinese ships in disputed waters: Japan.

India to become world's most populous nation around 2028: UN.

Crackdown filling N. Korean prisons with defectors.

South Korean former spy chief accused of election meddling.

Host sacked for asking if Australia PM's partner gay.

AFRICA

South Sudan 'preventing aid to Jonglei victims'.

Mali 'suicide-vest workshop found’.

Egypt says citizens free to join fight in Syria.

TV channel offices attacked in Libya's Benghazi.

US military pays close attention to Boko Haram militants.

Analysts: West Africa attractive Hezbollah destination.

Wife of ousted Madagascar leader stands by bid for power.

Anti-Mugabe hackers attack website of South Africa's ruling ANC.

Mugabe calls elections – and Tsvangirai rejects them as illegal.

EUROPE

Anti-G8 activists rally in London banking district.

Merkel tells young Europeans to move to find work.

Pope Francis tells Archbishop of Canterbury to stand firm on traditional family values.

Euro zone inflation off three-year lows, fall in employment deepens.

Czech prosecutors charge seven in scandal threatening PM.

Thousands protest in Greece over ERT shutdown.

Spain's public debt hits record high.

EU seeks to ease French fears over Hollywood in U.S. trade talks.

Russians flee the Caucasus anyway.

AMERICAS

Killer Colorado wildfire feeding off wind, lightning as thousands flee.

City of Detroit defaults on it's loans.

Argentine ex-president jailed for arms deals.

U.S. agencies said to swap data with thousands of firms.

Residents flee as historic Colorado wildfire burns out of control.

Nicaraguan assembly OKs $40 billion Chinese canal to rival Panama's.

Brazil: Sao Paulo transport fare protest turns violent.

Argentina train crash leaves hundreds of casualties.

Commander in SS-led unit living in US.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

UK: Al-Qaeda groups tried to get chemical weapons.

Guantanamo judge orders first closed session of Obama war court.

Terrorists could use fire as new tactic against United States.

Terrorists change behavior after leaks, lawmaker says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

IMF urges repeal of 'ill-designed' U.S. cuts.

Analysis: Bombardier gambles on big order payoff with new jet.

Airbus A350 makes maiden test flight.

US Supreme Court says human DNA cannot be patented.

World News Briefs -- June 14, 2013

Voting Begins In Iran Presidential Election -- Al Jazeera

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei one of the first to cast his ballot at a Tehran mosque, urging a large turnout.

Millions of voters across Iran have begun to cast their ballots in the country's presidential elections, four years after the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Polling stations opened at 8:00am local time (03:30 GMT) on Friday and close 10 hours later, although if there is a particularly large turnout the interior ministry can extend voting until midnight.

At the same time as choosing a new president from six candidates, voters will also pick municipal councillors.

There are more than 50 million eligible voters, with 130,000 ballot boxes in over 60,000 voting stations. The first results are expected late Friday or early on Saturday.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iran's presidential elections: polling day live. Iranians vote in key presidential elections. Voting hours extended in Iran Presidential election.

US: Syria's Assad crossed 'red line' with chemical weapons.

Syria: US chemical weapons charges 'full of lies'. Syria, Russia push back over U.S. chemical weapons claims.

Syrian rebels say they need heavy weaponry, not small arms, from U.S..

Erdogan makes conciliatory move to end Turkish protests.

Thousands protest Yemen security force 'excesses'.

Deadly virus spreading from the Middle East.

ASIA

Japan's Defense Ministry to fortify SDF with a special island assault unit.

Three Chinese ships in disputed waters: Japan.

India to become world's most populous nation around 2028: UN.

Crackdown filling N. Korean prisons with defectors.

South Korean former spy chief accused of election meddling.

Host sacked for asking if Australia PM's partner gay.

AFRICA

Egypt says citizens free to join fight in Syria.

TV channel offices attacked in Libya's Benghazi.

US military pays close attention to Boko Haram militants.

Analysts: West Africa attractive Hezbollah destination.

Wife of ousted Madagascar leader stands by bid for power.

Anti-Mugabe hackers attack website of South Africa's ruling ANC.

Mugabe calls elections – and Tsvangirai rejects them as illegal.

EUROPE

Euro zone inflation off three-year lows, fall in employment deepens.

Czech prosecutors charge seven in scandal threatening PM.

Thousands protest in Greece over ERT shutdown.

Spain's public debt hits record high.

EU seeks to ease French fears over Hollywood in U.S. trade talks.

Russians flee the Caucasus anyway.

AMERICAS

U.S. agencies said to swap data with thousands of firms.

Residents flee as historic Colorado wildfire burns out of control.

Nicaraguan assembly OKs $40 billion Chinese canal to rival Panama's.

Brazil: Sao Paulo transport fare protest turns violent.

Argentina train crash leaves hundreds of casualties.

Commander in SS-led unit living in US.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Guantanamo judge orders first closed session of Obama war court.

Terrorists could use fire as new tactic against United States.

Terrorists change behavior after leaks, lawmaker says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Analysis: Bombardier gambles on big order payoff with new jet.

Airbus A350 makes maiden test flight.

US Supreme Court says human DNA cannot be patented.

World News Briefs -- June 13, 2013 (Evening Edition)

Syria Deaths Near 100,000, Says UN – And 6,000 Are Children -- The Guardian

UN human rights office says it has confirmed the deaths of 92,901 people between March 2011 and end of April 2013

Syria's conflict has now claimed nearly 93,000 lives, the UN human rights commission has said, but it warned that the true death toll after 27 months of violence was likely to be higher.

Amid warnings of a new government offensive against rebels in parts of Aleppo, the UN said the figure of 92,901 was reached at the end of April, with an average of over 5,000 people being killed every month since July last year. More killings, however, may be undocumented.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Assad forces used chemical weapons - White House.

Obama considers Syria moves, Assad turns guns on north.

U.N. says 93,000 killed in Syrian conflict, fears for Aleppo.

Diplomats predict Assad will soon launch campaign to retake Aleppo.

Syrian rebels fight for key army base.

As Assad gains momentum, U.S. weighs options.

Sunni clerics call for jihad against Syria's Assad, allies.

Turkish PM to meet activists and artists.

Turkey: Erdoğan threatens to 'clean' Gezi Park of 'terrorists' – live coverage. Turkish protesters party in square despite ruling party call.

Israel defence deputy says no Palestinian state.

Israel moving ahead with settler housing plans of more than 1,000 units.

Bahrain arrests 'Iran-linked' cyber group.

Gmail accounts in Iran hacked, says Google.

ASIA

Nepal sets first post-monarchy elections for November 19.

World Bank cuts China growth forecast.

UN says Afghan children casualties spike in war.

Obama, Japanese leader Abe discuss NKorea nukes, trade and China territorial dispute.

In first response to Snowden, China skirts direct comment.

Edward Snowden: US-China relations tested as extradition battle looms.

North Korea blames ‘disruptive’ South for halted talks.

Australian military investigates 'explicit emails'.

Army's top secret letter on India-China border deployment leaked, six personnel indicted.

AFRICA

Khartoum says rebels based in South Sudan caused oil pipeline blast.

Sudan: Report - Sudan using 'scorched earth' tactics in rebel state.

Tunisian rapper sentenced to prison for insulting police.

Zimbabwe PM rejects July election date.

Libya: tensions between government and militias come to a head.

Ethiopia ratifies Nile treaty in snub to Egypt.

Uganda President backs Ethiopia in dam row with Egypt.

Egypt-Ethiopia dispute over Nile dam ‘not yet a military one’.

South Africa's Mandela spends 6th day in hospital.

EUROPE

Putin says Russia seeking IMF reform, battling offshores.

Czech police raid government offices. Czech cabinet in crisis after police sweep government offices.

France hit by train strike after airport action.

Greeks strike in protest at closure of state broadcaster ERT.

Serbia may be on cusp of mining revival after years of decline.

Belgian diamond heist 'was 300 million euros'.

Ireland orders firms to ban access to The Pirate Bay.

Russia can't raise state spending forever: Putin.

Russia's Putin shows off his English.

AMERICAS

Argentine ex-President Menem could face 7 years in prison for arms smuggling.

U.S. State Department watchdog blasted for keeping hooker claims from Congress.

Snowden leaks: US taking all necessary steps - FBI Mueller.

Congress grills NSA chief Keith Alexander about spying.

US ethnic minorities make up 49.9 per cent of under-fives.

Nicaragua Congress approves ocean-to-ocean canal plan.

U.S. imposes sanctions on family of Mexican drug lord.

'It’s like a job fair in here': Mexican cartels tap U.S. prisons to get ‘criminal talent’ to join as drug runners and assassins on release.

Canada says not receiving information from U.S. spying program.

Crime doubts persist in Brazil ahead of events.

H1N1 flu cases up sharply in Venezuela.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

FBI director, congressional leaders defend data mining.

NSA chief testifies that 'dozens' of terror attacks have been stopped using phone-data surveillance.

Military doctors urged to refuse force-feeding at Guantanamo.

Al-Qaeda still enemy number one, Canadian report on terrorism says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US Supreme Court says human DNA cannot be patented.

Nikkei plunges 6.4%; re-enters bear market.

Global shares drop, dollar slumps as rout gathers pace.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas predict film industry 'implosion'.

Internet anonymity is the height of chic.

Apple looking at bigger iPhone screens, multiple colors - sources.

World News Briefs -- June 13, 2013

UN: Almost 93,000 People Killed In Syria War -- Al Jazeera

World body confirms death toll and says figure could be much higher with more than 5,000 reported killed each month.

Almost 93,000 people were killed in Syria's conflict by the end of April this year, but the true number could be "potentially much higher", the United Nations human rights office says.

The exact figure released on Thursday - 92,901 people - is much higher than the UN's last death toll back in January of 59,000 people.

"The constant flow of killings continues at shockingly high levels," said Navi Pillay, the UN high commissioner for human rights. "This is most likely a minimum casualty figure. The true number of those killed is potentially much higher."

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

U.N. says 93,000 killed in Syrian conflict, fears for Aleppo.

Diplomats predict Assad will soon launch campaign to retake Aleppo.

Syrian rebels fight for key army base.

As Assad gains momentum, U.S. weighs options.

Turkey: Erdoğan threatens to 'clean' Gezi Park of 'terrorists' – live coverage. Turkish protesters party in square despite ruling party call.

Israel defence deputy says no Palestinian state.

Israel moving ahead with settler housing plans of more than 1,000 units.

Bahrain arrests 'Iran-linked' cyber group.

Gmail accounts in Iran hacked, says Google.

ASIA

UN says Afghan children casualties spike in war.

Obama, Japanese leader Abe discuss NKorea nukes, trade and China territorial dispute.

In first response to Snowden, China skirts direct comment.

Edward Snowden: US-China relations tested as extradition battle looms.

North Korea blames ‘disruptive’ South for halted talks.

Australian military investigates 'explicit emails'.

Army's top secret letter on India-China border deployment leaked, six personnel indicted.

AFRICA

Sudan: Report - Sudan using 'scorched earth' tactics in rebel state.

Zimbabwe PM rejects July election date.

Libya: tensions between government and militias come to a head.

Ethiopia ratifies Nile treaty in snub to Egypt.

Egypt-Ethiopia dispute over Nile dam ‘not yet a military one’.

South Africa's Mandela spends 6th day in hospital.

EUROPE

France hit by train strike after airport action.

Greeks strike in protest at closure of state broadcaster ERT.

Serbia may be on cusp of mining revival after years of decline.

Belgian diamond heist 'was 300 million euros'.

Ireland orders firms to ban access to The Pirate Bay.

Russia can't raise state spending forever: Putin.

Russia's Putin shows off his English.

AMERICAS

Congress grills NSA chief Keith Alexander about spying.

US ethnic minorities make up 49.9 per cent of under-fives.

U.S. imposes sanctions on family of Mexican drug lord.

'It’s like a job fair in here': Mexican cartels tap U.S. prisons to get ‘criminal talent’ to join as drug runners and assassins on release.

Canada says not receiving information from U.S. spying program.

Crime doubts persist in Brazil ahead of events.

H1N1 flu cases up sharply in Venezuela.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

NSA chief testifies that 'dozens' of terror attacks have been stopped using phone-data surveillance.

Military doctors urged to refuse force-feeding at Guantanamo.

Al-Qaeda still enemy number one, Canadian report on terrorism says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Nikkei plunges 6.4%; re-enters bear market.

Global shares drop, dollar slumps as rout gathers pace.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas predict film industry 'implosion'.

Internet anonymity is the height of chic.

Apple looking at bigger iPhone screens, multiple colors - sources.

World News Briefs -- June 12, 2013 (Evening Edition)

NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden Says U.S. Government Has Been Hacking Chinese Universities, Businesses And Politicians For FOUR YEARS As He Finally Breaks Cover -- Daily Mail

* Edward Snowden spoke with the South China Morning Post on Wednesday
* He exposed more details about U.S. surveillance targets in China
* He said he will remain in Hong Kong and fight any extradition bid
* He believes the government is 'bullying' Hong Kong to extradite
* Snowden's whereabouts in Hong Kong are still unknown

Edward Snowden, the former CIA analyst behind the NSA leaks, has claimed that the U.S. government has been hacking Hong Kong and Chinese networks for at least four years.

In his first interview since he revealed himself on Sunday, the 29-year-old whistleblower told the South China Morning Post that the NSA has hacked the country's universities, businesses and politicians.

He claimed the agency had hundreds of targets - including the Chinese University of Hong Kong - from as far back as 2009, but that these were just a fraction of the 61,000 NSA hacking operations carried out globally.

He added that none of the documents revealed any information about Chinese military systems.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

UN Chief: Syria spillover threatens Golan truce.

Syrian rebels warn lack of weapons will hand victory to extremists on both sides.

Israel hasn’t given up on persuading Russia not to send air defense system to Syria.

Iran denies foreign minister called for talks with U.S..

Iran imposes severe restrictions on media election coverage.

Austria begins withdrawal from Golan Heights.

Syrian helicopters attack north Lebanon border town.

Lebanon warns Syria over helicopter raid. Lebanon army warns will hit back against any Syria raids.

Turkey protests: Ruling AK party may hold vote on park.

Turkish president urges dialogue after police clear square.

Turkish police fight protesters, clear square. Turkey: Erdoğan clears Taksim Square – live reaction.

Iran candidates on last campaign day for election.

Jordan passes Abu Qatada treaty.

UN envoy: 'Streets are heating up' in south Yemen.

ASIA

US General Dunford: 'Fight for Afghan rights not over'.

Pakistani army makes key gains against Taliban militants.

No one's picking up in North Korea day after talks with South break down. SKorea blames North for cancelled talks.

Crackdown filling NKorean prisons with defectors.

Thai Muslims debate their future as peace talks raise hope.

Philippines vows to defend territory, sovereignty.

Australia row over PM Gillard 'small breasts' menu.

Oldest man in history Jiroemon Kimura dies at 116.

AFRICA

Algeria president makes first TV appearance since stroke.

Tunisia jails three Europeans for topless feminist protest.

Egypt: 'all options open' in Nile dam row with Ethiopia.

Sudan officially notifies it will halt oil exports.

Artists clash with Islamists at Egyptian culture protest.

Vigilantes target extremists in northeast Nigeria.

South Africa disciplines 93 soldiers on UN mission.

Mandela responding to treatment, South Africa's Zuma says.

EUROPE

Canada, EU inch closer to free trade deal.

Finland accuses Russia of airspace violation.

G8 summit protests: London police on standby .

Market jitters as Greece returns to brink of crisis.

Few fireworks as stumbling Croatia joins a troubled EU.

Spain arrests 5 Tunisians for promoting terrorism.

Thousands of anti-Putin protesters march in Moscow.

Russia 155th in 2013 Global Peace Index.

Greek journalists defy government order to close state broadcaster.

Flights to France cancelled as strike continues.

AMERICAS

Mid-West braced for giant 240-MILE line of thunderstorms: One in five Americans told to prepare for devastating derecho.

Bermuda says won't agree UK Territories tax deal before G8.

Top U.S. military leader disputes diplomat on Benghazi.

NSA surveillance prompts anger in Congress at 'spying on Americans'.

Venezuela audit confirms Nicolas Maduro electoral victory.

Nicaragua fast-tracks Chinese plan to build canal to rival Panama.

Effort to clean up Honduras police force stalls.

Fighting inflation: 'Army' of Kirchner supporters monitor prices in Argentina.

US jails Chinese man guilty of $100m software scam.

ACLU: Marijuana arrests are racist, cost billions.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

NSA chief says surveillance programs have blocked 'dozens' of terror attacks against the U.S..

FBI requests for records under Patriot Act have increased 1,000% in just four years; Update: Data-mining goes deeper than thought?

Guantánamo doctors must refuse to force-feed hunger strikers – physicians.

United States scales back plans for Guantanamo prosecutions.

Does Al Qaeda have missiles?

Prosecutor files charges carrying life sentence for Iraqi prisoner held at Guantanamo.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Facebook copies social rival Twitter, adopts hashtags.

Yellen overwhelming favorite to replace Bernanke at Fed: Reuters poll.

Internet companies want permission to reveal details of NSA spy program.

Rosneft, ExxonMobil team up on Arctic.

60% chance of recession: Pimco.

World News Briefs -- June 12, 2013

Reports Of 'Massacre' In Eastern Syria -- Al Jazeera

British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least 60 Shia Muslims killed by rebels near Deir al-Zour.

Syrian rebels have attacked a village in the country's east, killing dozens of Shias, activists said.

A Syrian government official on Wednesday denounced the attack that occurred a day earlier, saying it was a “massacre'' of civilians.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 60 people were killed in the village of Hatla in the oil-rich province of Deir al-Zour, bordering Iraq.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Israel hasn’t given up on persuading Russia not to send air defense system to Syria.

Austria begins withdrawal from Golan Heights.

Turkish police fight protesters, clear square. Turkey: Erdoğan clears Taksim Square – live reaction.

Iran candidates on last campaign day for election.

Jordan passes Abu Qatada treaty.

UN envoy: 'Streets are heating up' in south Yemen.

ASIA

Pakistani army makes key gains against Taliban militants.

No one's picking up in North Korea day after talks with South break down. SKorea blames North for cancelled talks.

Crackdown filling NKorean prisons with defectors.

Thai Muslims debate their future as peace talks raise hope.

Philippines vows to defend territory, sovereignty.

Australia row over PM Gillard 'small breasts' menu.

AFRICA

Egypt: 'all options open' in Nile dam row with Ethiopia.

Sudan officially notifies it will halt oil exports.

Artists clash with Islamists at Egyptian culture protest.

Vigilantes target extremists in northeast Nigeria.

South Africa disciplines 93 soldiers on UN mission.

Mandela responding to treatment, South Africa's Zuma says.

EUROPE

G8 summit protests: London police on standby .

Market jitters as Greece returns to brink of crisis.

Few fireworks as stumbling Croatia joins a troubled EU.

Spain arrests 5 Tunisians for promoting terrorism.

Thousands of anti-Putin protesters march in Moscow.

Russia 155th in 2013 Global Peace Index.

Greek journalists defy government order to close state broadcaster.

Flights to France cancelled as strike continues.

AMERICAS

NSA surveillance prompts anger in Congress at 'spying on Americans'.

Venezuela audit confirms Nicolas Maduro electoral victory.

Nicaragua fast-tracks Chinese plan to build canal to rival Panama.

Effort to clean up Honduras police force stalls.

Fighting inflation: 'Army' of Kirchner supporters monitor prices in Argentina.

US jails Chinese man guilty of $100m software scam.

ACLU: Marijuana arrests are racist, cost billions.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

United States scales back plans for Guantanamo prosecutions.

Does Al Qaeda have missiles?

Prosecutor files charges carrying life sentence for Iraqi prisoner held at Guantanamo.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Internet companies want permission to reveal details of NSA spy program.

Rosneft, ExxonMobil team up on Arctic.

60% chance of recession: Pimco.

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

Turkish Police Move In To Clear Taksim Square -- Al Jazeera

Riot squad uses tear gas and water cannon on protesters as prime minister urges "legitimate" demonstrators to leave.

Turkish riot police fired volleys of teargas canisters into Istanbul's Taksim Square, the epicentre of protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, driving thousands into narrow side streets.

Police and water cannon vehicles advanced across the square, entirely clearing the north side after a day of skirmishes that had defied the authorities' efforts to restore full control on Tuesday.

Moments before their advance, police were confronted by protesters jeering and calling for them to leave the square.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

France says Syrian war at 'turning point', mulls arming rebels.

Deadly blasts shake Syrian capital.

UN seeks to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees.

Syrian war enters new phase but no end in sight.

Al Qaeda, Sunni insurgents exploit Iraq's sectarian woes.

Turkish riot police move into Taksim Square - live updates. Clashes in Istanbul as Turkish PM says he won't yield.

Russia's Putin says Iran nuclear push is peaceful.

Iran denies any malfunction at Russian-built nuclear power plant.

Tzipi Livni threatens to quit Israeli coalition.

ASIA

UN: Afghan civilian casualties up almost 25 percent.

South, North Korea talks canceled after discord over delegate.

In Asia, dissidents worry that U.S. may share Prism data.

Pakistan says Indian jets violate air space.

Ambushed ex-Indian minister dies.

China's latest 'sacred' manned space mission blasts off.

Pakistan threatens to ban Google unless it cleans up YouTube.

AFRICA

UN: Sahel still faces humanitarian crisis.

Nigeria offensive pushes 6,000 refugees into Niger: U.N..

Libyan army chief urges rebels to join the army.

Egypt warns Ethiopia over Nile dam.

Egypt's opposition says 'too late' for unity talks with president.

Libya: Militia violence shocks Libya.

Mali, Tuaregs reach election deal.

Mali: Timbuktu's literary gems face Islamists and decay in fight for survival. Timbuktu rebel damage to historic sites 'underestimated'.

UN envoy faces Somalia challenges.

Nelson Mandela still in 'serious, but stable condition'.

EUROPE

Russia's Putin says U.S. supports opposition protesters.

Gorbachev in hospital for routine checkup.

Pope admits there is a ‘gay lobby’ at the highest levels of the Vatican.

EU wants clarity on US data snooping. U.S. Prism spying program rattles EU lawmakers.

Russia would consider asylum for American in cyber furor.

Hundreds of riot police on London's streets as officers raid 'squat HQ' of G8 protesters.

France threatens veto of EU-US trade deal.

Half of France's scheduled flights cancelled amid strike.

Feisty Swiss minister shakes up secretive banks.

Austria starts withdrawal from Golan Heights.

Special Report: French homeless seek refuge in offices.

Rabies returns to Spain for first time since 1975.

AMERICAS

US State Department accused of covering-up overseas misconduct.

ACLU files suit over NSA surveillance, citing 'chilling effect'.

Damage from NSA leak being assessed.

House Speaker John Boehner: NSA leaker a ‘traitor’.

Canada says it monitors foreign phone, internet traffic.

Sluggish Brazil economy erodes Rousseff's popularity.

Colombia, FARC rebels open new round of peace talks in Cuba. Colombian peace talks to resume in Cuba.

Venezuela arrests Colombians over Maduro assassination plot.

Rape in Colombia’s war unearthed.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Analysis: Zawahiri's letter to al Qaeda branches in Syria, Iraq.

New layer of secrecy at Guantánamo court.

Mali manual suggests al-Qaida has feared weapon.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Asleep on the job: Banker's nap costs millions.

Shale oil 'adds 11% to world reserves'.

NSA leaks present a business and ethics crisis for Silicon Valley.

Global markets tumble as investors bail on risk.

World News Briefs -- June 11, 2013

Turkey Protests: PM Erdogan Issues Stern Warning -- BBC

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that he will not show "any more tolerance" for protests.

He vowed to end the demonstrations after police cleared Istanbul's Taksim Square, the focal point of unrest for nearly two weeks.

Police used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets, causing many to flee the square into adjoining Gezi Park.

The unrest began after a crackdown on an environmental protest over Gezi Park's redevelopment.

The protests then widened, with demonstrators accusing Mr Erdogan's government of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Deadly blasts shake Syrian capital.

UN seeks to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees.

Syrian war enters new phase but no end in sight.

Turkish riot police move into Taksim Square - live updates. Clashes in Istanbul as Turkish PM says he won't yield.

Iran denies any malfunction at Russian-built nuclear power plant.

Tzipi Livni threatens to quit Israeli coalition.

ASIA

South, North Korea talks canceled after discord over delegate.

In Asia, dissidents worry that U.S. may share Prism data.

Pakistan says Indian jets violate air space.

Ambushed ex-Indian minister dies.

China's latest 'sacred' manned space mission blasts off.

Pakistan threatens to ban Google unless it cleans up YouTube.

AFRICA

Egypt warns Ethiopia over Nile dam.

Egypt's opposition says 'too late' for unity talks with president.

Libya: Militia violence shocks Libya.

Mali, Tuaregs reach election deal.

Mali: Timbuktu's literary gems face Islamists and decay in fight for survival. Timbuktu rebel damage to historic sites 'underestimated'.

UN envoy faces Somalia challenges.

Nelson Mandela still in 'serious, but stable condition'.

EUROPE

EU wants clarity on US data snooping. U.S. Prism spying program rattles EU lawmakers.

Russia would consider asylum for American in cyber furor.

Hundreds of riot police on London's streets as officers raid 'squat HQ' of G8 protesters.

France threatens veto of EU-US trade deal.

Half of France's scheduled flights cancelled amid strike.

Feisty Swiss minister shakes up secretive banks.

Austria starts withdrawal from Golan Heights.

Special Report: French homeless seek refuge in offices.

AMERICAS

Damage from NSA leak being assessed.

House Speaker John Boehner: NSA leaker a ‘traitor’.

Canada says it monitors foreign phone, internet traffic.

Colombian peace talks to resume in Cuba.

Venezuela arrests Colombians over Maduro assassination plot.

Rape in Colombia’s war unearthed.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Analysis: Zawahiri's letter to al Qaeda branches in Syria, Iraq.

New layer of secrecy at Guantánamo court.

Mali manual suggests al-Qaida has feared weapon.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Shale oil 'adds 11% to world reserves'.

NSA leaks present a business and ethics crisis for Silicon Valley.

Global markets tumble as investors bail on risk.

World News Briefs -- June 10, 2013

Mandela In 'Serious, But Stable' Condition -- Voice of America

JOHANNESBURG — Former South African President Nelson Mandela remained hospitalized for the third straight day Monday, as he battles health problems stemming from a lung infection.

Nelson Mandela has been hospitalized since 1:30 a.m. Saturday, when he was taken to a Pretoria hospital after doctors at his home felt he needed more critical care.

Mac Maharaj, spokesman for South African President Jacob Zuma, said Monday morning that Mandela remains in serious, but stable condition.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria troops 'preparing for Aleppo assault'.

Syrian helicopters fire rockets into Lebanon.

U.S. to weigh arming Syrian rebels, official says.

Assad may prevail in Syria's civil war: Israeli minister.

Islamists said to execute 15-year-old Syrian boy for heresy.

Tanks in Beirut as Syria protest leaves one dead.

Israel signals readiness to limit settlement building for peace.

Deadly car bombs hit Iraq market.

Golden oil of Iraqi Kurdistan raises tensions with Baghdad.

Turkish leader agrees to meet protest organizers. Turkey premier to meet with Istanbul protesters.

Turkish protesters clash with police.

Presidential hopefuls snipe at Iran nuclear talks tactics. Conservative withdraws from Iran election.

Indonesian workers protest at consulate in Saudi Arabia.

ASIA

Pakistan president to new leaders: Stop militancy.

Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif declares end to secret approval of U.S. drone strikes.

Afghan forces end Kabul airport attack.

Militants attack NATO trucks in Pakistan, kill 4.

North, South Korea agree to more talks.

US-China summit ends with accord on all but cyber-espionage.

India to expand relations with Thailand, Australia.

China, Vietnam set up naval hotline.

AFRICA

Egypt 'war' talk raises Ethiopia Nile dam stakes.

S Sudan 'will not go to war' over oil dispute.

South Sudan says Sudan troops enter Upper Nile state.

Nelson Mandela condition 'unchanged - still serious'.

Mubarak trial unseals new evidence on crackdown.

Benghazi killers still on the lam after 9 months, may have sought to ‘smoke out’ CIA.

Libya army chief of staff 'resigns' after deadly clashes.

Guinea's opposition may agree to election.

EUROPE

Merkel, Obama to discuss NSA surveillance program.

Merkel, other European leaders raise concerns on U.S. surveillance.

British PM Cameron defends spy agencies over PRISM cyber-snooping.

4 teens arrested after fire at London-area Muslim school.

Analysis: Euro bailout Troika nears end of road with patchy record.

Germans evacuated after river Elbe breaches its banks again. Thousands flee flood-hit parts of Germany and Hungary.

22 'pointless' US nuclear bombs at Dutch airbase.

House price plunge worsens in Greece and Spain.

Pussy Riot generates outrage in Russia, acclaim in the West.

AMERICAS

Carney declines to comment on Snowden, defends U.S. surveillance policy.

Edward Snowden identifies himself as source of NSA leaks - as it happened.

2 out of 3 people face hunger as Haiti woes mount.

Fragile peace in San Salvador as youth gangs trade weapons for jobs and hope.

Brazil prepares for World Cup as criticism mounts over cost.

Brazil 'on alert' over an oil spill from Ecuador.

US considers taking in Syrian refugees.

Record 23,116,441 U.S. households on food stamps.

Caught on film: JFK Airport guards sleeping on the job.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US drones kill AQAP commander, 5 fighters in northern Yemen.

Analysts: Foreign militant Islamists streaming into Syria to face Hezbollah.

Al-Qaida leader scraps Syria, Iraq branch merger.

Does the West actually want to defeat terrorism? (commentary)

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Google finalizing $1.3 billion deal for mapping company Waze: source.

Data-driven tech industry is shaken by online privacy fears.

Apple unveils music streaming service, revamps iOS.

S&P revises U.S. credit outlook to 'stable'.

Apple's about to make old iPhones and iPads feel brand new.

'Revival of the Silk Road': Kazakhs launch China-Europe rail route.

Insight: Threat of break-up looms over Mexican telecoms tycoon Slim.