World News Briefs -- September 12, 2011

Forces Stalled Near Gadhafi Stronghold Amid Reports Of In-Fighting -- CNN

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Libya's new leaders are moving to unite fractious, heavily armed bands of fighters under a singular control, even as the forces struggled Monday to take control of Moammar Gadhafi's last bastions of support.

The announcement Sunday by the head of the National Transitional Council followed reports of in-fighting and arguments amongst bands of fighters stalled outside the town of Bani Walid after encountering stiff resistance during an assault.

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MIDDLE EAST

Moqtada al-Sadr orders halt to attacks on US troops stationed in Iraq.

Many Iraqis have second thoughts as U.S. exit nears.

Mass grave in Iraqi town held bodies of 40 cabbies.

UN: At least 2,600 dead in Syrian uprising. U.N. office: Death toll in Syria reaches 2,600.

Yemeni forces are said to enter coastal city.

Turkey's Erdogan heads to Egypt, unnerving an embattled Israel.

Iran pledges to retaliate against potential strike.

Russia ready for more nuclear cooperation with Iran.

Suspected Kurdish rebels kill 5 in Turkey-military.

ASIA

Indonesia sends troops to quell sectarian clashes.

Secret bid to arm Qaddafi sheds light on tensions in China government.

Japan asks Russia not to take 'provocative' military action.

Floods chaos worsens in Pakistan.

Air Force One flight plan posted on blog by Haneda air controller.

AFRICA

Tension rises between rebel and civilian leaders in Libya. Libyan civilians flee key Gadhafi stronghold. Libya: Gaddafi’s son Saadi flees to Niger.

Exclusive-at bay, captured Libyan spy chief defiant.

Tanzania ship sinks; 45 dead, hundreds missing.

Briton killed and wife kidnapped in Kenya.

Egypt says to toughen emergency laws.

Twin explosions in Nigerian central city of Jos injure two, military says.

Kenya fire: Nairobi pipeline blaze 'kills 100'.

EUROPE

Explosion at French nuclear site kills one, no leak.

Swedish police arrest 4 terror suspects.

UK's Cameron meets Medvedev, Putin in rare visit.

German General takes over NATO's Kosovo mission.

Russian plane crash: Last ice hockey team member dies.

AMERICAS

Texas fire destroys 1,554 homes, 17 people missing.

Military jets safely escort NYC, Detroit flights.

Retired military general known as ‘iron fist’ a favorite in Guatemalan presidential election. Guatemala election: Perez Molina takes early lead.

In Venezuela crime spree, even hospitals are hit.

US official decries cartel attacks on Mexicans.

Fidel Castro speaks in Venezuelan TV interview.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda militants 'crossing into Syria from Iraq'.

Panel upholds Al Qaida filmmaker’s life sentence.

Al-Qaeda weakened over last decade: Western officials.

American missiles kill 3 in northwest Pakistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

GooglePleaseHireMe: Matthew Epstein looks for job, campaign goes viral.

Global stock markets down on debt fears as euro falls. Wall St opens lower on euro zone debt fears.

JPMorgan chief says bank rules ‘anti-US’.

Debt crisis: live.

World News Briefs -- September 9, 2011 (Evening Edition)

Libyan Rebels Attack Qaddafi Loyalists In 2 Cities -- New York Times

TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan rebels launched attacks on the loyalist holdouts of Bani Walid and Surt on Friday night, a day before their own deadline for the surrender of those cities took effect.

“It’s full steam ahead right now,” said Abdulrahman Busin, a spokesman for the rebel military.

The rebels reportedly were inside of Bani Walid but fighting continued, Mr. Busin said. The attack on Surt, a city on the Mediterranean coast, had just begun and the rebels were still on the outskirts.

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MIDDLE EAST

In shift, Iran’s President calls for end to Syrian crackdown.

Brennan: Al-Qaeda offshoot in Yemen gaining strength as a powerful domestic insurgency.

Turkish warships will escort aid vessels to Gaza: Erdogan. Turkey to provide armed escort for new Gaza flotilla.

Abbas vows to proceed with statehood bid despite U.S. warnings. UN Secretary General: Palestinian statehood is 'long overdue'. Palestinian leader says U.S. is ‘too late’ on U.N. bid.

Kuwait may host US Iraq backup force.

Top U.S. official: Hamas must release Gilad Shalit unconditionally.

ASIA

Deadly India blast shows scant security progress.

Chinese paper warns US on arms sale to Taiwan.

Scientist: NKorea likely to test nukes again. U.S. expert: North Korea may need more atomic tests.

China seeks to ease US worries over tense Pacific.

North Korean leader, heir apparent appear at military parade.

Insight-China's war on terror widens Xinjiang's ethnic divide.

NATO says mistakenly killed BBC Afghan reporter in July.

Pakistan warns of plot to free bin Laden's wives.

AFRICA

Libya's interim PM says battle 'not yet over'. At least 30,000 killed, 50,000 wounded in Libyan conflict.

Negotiations with Somali rebels an option: PM.

Somalia denies CIA rendition base in Mogadishu.

Sudan, South Sudan to pull out troops from Abyei - UN. Sudan, South Sudan forces to pull back from Abyei: U.N.

Zuma appoints controversial Judge Mogoeng to top post.

Egyptian protesters to return to Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Putting down roots in a Kenyan refugee camp.

EUROPE

Russian President warns against xenophobia.

Europe steers into a zone of uncertainty.

Mourners gather at arena of Russian hockey team.

Berlusconi faces new scandal as Italy crisis mounts.

Germany said to ready plan to help banks if Greece defaults. Greek credit swaps surge; 91% chance of default.

AMERICAS

Canadians with mental illnesses denied U.S. entry.

Hopes cool for freedom of American jailed in Cuba.

US sanctions Venezuelans for alleged Farc links.

U.S. sweltered through the hottest summer in 75 years.

Teachers become Mexico gangs' latest targets.

Obama sees U.S. crisis, pushes $447 billion jobs plan.

Days of rain turn into fatal U.S. East Coast flooding.

Power returning to US southwest after major outage.

Mexican military arrests 80 suspected cartel members.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Officials chase unconfirmed al-Qaida bomb threat. Bin Laden successor said behind alleged plot. NYC heightens security to counter potential threat.

European Union warns of spreading Al Qaeda off-shoot in North Africa.

Al Qaeda shadow of former self 10 years after 9/11.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Settlement said to be near for Fannie and Freddie.

IMF chief Lagarde urges global action as G7 meet.

Report: Bank of America job cuts may hit 40,000. Bank Of America is doomed, says Chris Whalen—stop firing people and just declare bankruptcy now.

World News Briefs -- September 9, 2011

NY Increases Security on Terrorist Threat: Mayor -- Bloomberg

New York police will increase security after receiving credible information that terrorists may be plotting an attack in the city around the Sept. 11 anniversary, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

“Terrorists view the anniversary as an opportunity to strike again,” Bloomberg said yesterday at a press conference. “In the next few days we should all keep our eyes wide open.”

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MIDDLE EAST

Brennan: Al-Qaeda offshoot in Yemen gaining strength as a powerful domestic insurgency.

Turkish warships will escort aid vessels to Gaza: Erdogan. Turkey to provide armed escort for new Gaza flotilla.

UN Secretary General: Palestinian statehood is 'long overdue'. Palestinian leader says U.S. is ‘too late’ on U.N. bid.

Kuwait may host US Iraq backup force.

Top U.S. official: Hamas must release Gilad Shalit unconditionally.

ASIA

China seeks to ease US worries over tense Pacific.

North Korean leader, heir apparent appear at military parade.

Insight-China's war on terror widens Xinjiang's ethnic divide.

NATO says mistakenly killed BBC Afghan reporter in July.

Pakistan warns of plot to free bin Laden's wives.

AFRICA

Libya's interim PM says battle 'not yet over'. At least 30,000 killed, 50,000 wounded in Libyan conflict

Somalia denies CIA rendition base in Mogadishu.

Sudan, South Sudan to pull out troops from Abyei - UN. Sudan, South Sudan forces to pull back from Abyei: U.N.

Egyptian protesters to return to Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Putting down roots in a Kenyan refugee camp.

EUROPE

Europe steers into a zone of uncertainty.

Mourners gather at arena of Russian hockey team.

Berlusconi faces new scandal as Italy crisis mounts.

Greek credit swaps surge; 91% chance of default.

AMERICAS

Obama sees U.S. crisis, pushes $447 billion jobs plan.

Days of rain turn into fatal U.S. East Coast flooding.

Huge blackout hits Southern California, Mexican border.

Mexican military arrests 80 suspected cartel members.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Officials chase unconfirmed al-Qaida bomb threat. Bin Laden successor said behind alleged plot. NYC heightens security to counter potential threat.

European Union warns of spreading Al Qaeda off-shoot in North Africa.

Al Qaeda shadow of former self 10 years after 9/11.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Stocks fall on U.S. growth worries; euro slumps. Futures down after Obama speech as investors uneasy.

IMF chief Lagarde urges global action as G7 meet.

Report: Bank of America job cuts may hit 40,000.

World News Briefs -- September 8, 2011 (Evening Edition)

Turkish Warships Will Escort Gaza Aid Vessels, Pledges Turkish PM -- The Guardian

Erdogan makes pledge as Israeli-Turkish relations plummet following UN report into last year's Gaza flotilla raid

Turkish warships will escort any Turkish aid vessels to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, has announced.

He also said Turkey had taken steps to stop Israel unilaterally exploiting natural resources from the eastern Mediterranean, according to al-Jazeera's Arabic translation of excerpts of an interview conducted in Turkish.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran and Russia increase pressure on Assad as violence grows. Syria unrest: Crackdown intensifies on city of Homs.

Iran's biggest refinery catches fire: report.

Turkey 'to escort Gaza aid ships' amid row with Israel.

Latest developments in Arab world's unrest.

Palestinians officially begin UN state bid plans. Obama urged to wield U.N. veto against Palestinians.

The Saudi king’s Viagra habits.

ASIA

Pakistan's military pays high price in war on terrorism.

New terror group likely behind Delhi blast.

Pakistan Taliban demand prisoner swap deal.

Muslim militant group claims western China attacks.

Six months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, how the Japanese disaster zone has been cleared up.

AFRICA

Fighters are closing in on Gadhafi, military official says. Battle rages as Gaddafi hits out. In new audio, Gadhafi denies rumor he fled Libya.

Murder, robberies down in South Africa.

U.S. urges end to Sudan fighting, new clashes break out.

Somalia’s biggest famine in decades claiming the smallest of victims first.

Somali pirates release Danish hostages.

Mubarak trial resumes in Cairo.

EUROPE

Deadly plane crash may persuade hockey players to avoid Russia, agents say.

Friedrich: 1,000 potential terrorists in Germany.

Medvedev demands aviation overhaul as hockey team crash kills 43.

Italy and Spain agree tighter budgets.

Two terror suspects arrested in Berlin.

Romania denies hosting secret CIA prisons.

Dozens dead in Russian hockey team plane crash.

AMERICAS

Poll: 66 percent think American power has declined since 9/11.

New York police chief warns of 9/11 threat.

Obama to lay out new jobs plan in Thursday address to Congress.

Fidel Castro breaks long silence with interview.

Nearly 100K told to flee new U.S. Northeast flooding.

Brazilians rally against corruption.

Monterrey casino attack: More suspects sought over fire. Mexico expanding investigation of deadly Monterrey casino fire.

Worst fires on record ravage Texas.

More troops flood into police-controlled Rio slum.

Venezuela poll: Chavez's popularity unchanged.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Brennan: Al-Qaeda offshoot in Yemen gaining strength as a powerful domestic insurgency.

US Defense Secretary Panetta: Bin Laden expected warning.

Anti-terrorism chief: Noletup in war on al Qaeda.

Post-9/11 U.S. intelligence reforms take root, problems remain.

The 'lone wolf' — The unknowable terror.

Pakistan points to help from U.S. in Qaeda arrests.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Does Google want to own or organize information?

OECD warns that global economy is slowing.

Yahoo fires chief and puts itself up for sale in search for success.

Fitch warns of downgrades for China, Japan.

U.S. and Europe to fight pirates who steal fish on the high seas.

World News Briefs -- September 8, 2011

Moammar Gadhafi Denies Fleeing Libya -- CBC

Loyalists target opposition fighters outside Bani Walid

In an audio recording broadcast on television Thursday, deposed Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi denied rumours that he fled to neighbouring Niger and called on Libyans to keep fighting the "germs" and "rats" who co-operated with NATO.

In a message aired on Syrian-based Al-Rai TV, a voice said to belong to Gadhafi denounced reports that he had fled the North African nation and blasted former rebels who ousted him from power as "a bunch of mercenaries, thugs and traitors."

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syria unrest: Crackdown intensifies on city of Homs.

Latest developments in Arab world's unrest.

Palestinians officially begin UN state bid plans. Obama urged to wield U.N. veto against Palestinians.

The Saudi king’s Viagra habits.

ASIA

New terror group likely behind Delhi blast.

Pakistan Taliban demand prisoner swap deal.

Muslim militant group claims western China attacks.

Six months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, how the Japanese disaster zone has been cleared up.

AFRICA

Fighters are closing in on Gadhafi, military official says. Battle rages as Gaddafi hits out. In new audio, Gadhafi denies rumor he fled Libya.

U.S. urges end to Sudan fighting, new clashes break out.

Somalia’s biggest famine in decades claiming the smallest of victims first.

Somali pirates release Danish hostages.

Mubarak trial resumes in Cairo.

EUROPE

Medvedev demands aviation overhaul as hockey team crash kills 43.

Italy and Spain agree tighter budgets.

Two terror suspects arrested in Berlin.

Romania denies hosting secret CIA prisons.

Dozens dead in Russian hockey team plane crash.

AMERICAS

Obama to lay out new jobs plan in Thursday address to Congress.

Mexico expanding investigation of deadly Monterrey casino fire.

Worst fires on record ravage Texas.

More troops flood into police-controlled Rio slum.

Venezuela poll: Chavez's popularity unchanged.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US Defense Secretary Panetta: Bin Laden expected warning.

Anti-terrorism chief: Noletup in war on al Qaeda.

Post-9/11 U.S. intelligence reforms take root, problems remain.

The 'lone wolf' — The unknowable terror.

Pakistan points to help from U.S. in Qaeda arrests.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Yahoo fires chief and puts itself up for sale in search for success.

Fitch warns of downgrades for China, Japan.

U.S. and Europe to fight pirates who steal fish on the high seas.