US says pressure on Assad 'increasing'

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• US says pressure on Assad 'increasing'
• Rights group: Israeli strike on Gaza home unlawful
• Images: Snow may have slowed NKorea launch prep
• Ghanaians to vote in presidential polls
• Philippines starts to bury dead as toll hits 418
• Exclusive: U.S. likely to extend Iran sanction waivers - sources
• Chinese Nobel winner dodges call for laureate's freedom
• Canada says reviewing F-35 report, denies plan to cancel
• Chinese Nobel winner dodges call for laureate's freedom
• Canada says reviewing F-35 report, denies plan to cancel
• Philippines buries dead, typhoon toll hits 418
• Exclusive: U.S. likely to extend Iran sanction waivers - sources
• VIDEO: McAfee taken to hospital in Guatemala
• Death toll rises after Philippines typhoon
• Russia, U.S. talk as Syria events "accelerate on the ground"
• U.N. nuclear chief: Alleged weapons testing site was probably sanitized by Iran
• VIDEO: Obamas light White House Christmas tree
• Deep divisions as UN climate talks near end
• AP Exclusive: China Nobel wife speaks on detention
• Ex-Thai PM will face murder charges over crackdown

US says pressure on Assad 'increasing' Posted: 06 Dec 2012 10:56 PM PST After meeting Russian foreign minister in Dublin, secretary of state says "events on the ground are accelerating".

Rights group: Israeli strike on Gaza home unlawful Posted: 06 Dec 2012 10:43 PM PST A leading human rights group is accusing Israel of violating the laws of war when it killed 12 civilians in an airstrike during its recent conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Images: Snow may have slowed NKorea launch prep Posted: 06 Dec 2012 10:04 PM PST New satellite images indicate that snow may have slowed North Korea's rocket launch preparations, but that Pyongyang could still be ready for liftoff starting Monday.

Ghanaians to vote in presidential polls Posted: 06 Dec 2012 09:19 PM PST Tight race expected as one of Africa's most stable democracies elects its next leader and parliament.

Philippines starts to bury dead as toll hits 418 Posted: 06 Dec 2012 07:42 PM PST NEW BATAAN, Philippines (Reuters) - Residents in the southern Philippines began to bury their dead on Friday even as rescue workers continued scouring remote areas for possible survivors of Typhoon Bopha, the country's strongest storm this year, which killed 418 people and left nearly as many missing. Officials in Compostela Valley, one of the worst hit provinces on the resource-rich island of Mindanao, were considering mass graves for unclaimed bodies killed by the typhoon which hit two days ago. ...

Exclusive: U.S. likely to extend Iran sanction waivers - sources Posted: 06 Dec 2012 07:42 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will likely give India, South Korea, Turkey and others another six-month reprieve on Friday from financial sanctions because they have reduced their purchases of crude oil from Iran, two U.S. government sources said on Thursday. Oil shipments by Iran, the country's main source of foreign exchange, have more than halved in 2012 due to U.S. and European Union sanctions aimed at reining in Tehran's nuclear ambitions, pressuring its rial currency and igniting inflation. ...

Chinese Nobel winner dodges call for laureate's freedom Posted: 06 Dec 2012 07:52 PM PST STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A flustered Mo Yan, the Chinese winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature, steered clear of human rights issues and refused on Thursday to back a petition by fellow laureates for jailed compatriot and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. A group of 134 Nobel laureates including the Dalai Lama, wrote to Chinese Communist Party chief and president-in-waiting Xi Jinping urging him to release Liu, who won the prize two years ago. They also want Xi to free Liu's wife. ...

Canada says reviewing F-35 report, denies plan to cancel Posted: 06 Dec 2012 07:48 PM PST OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Thursday it was reviewing an independent report on the cost of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, but denied that it had decided to cancel its planned purchase of 65 of the Lockheed Martin Corp warplanes. The CTV network reported earlier that the cost of Canada's planned F-35 purchase was set to soar in cost and the government would start looking at alternative planes. ...

Chinese Nobel winner dodges call for laureate's freedom Posted: 06 Dec 2012 07:56 PM PST STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A flustered Mo Yan, the Chinese winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature, steered clear of human rights issues and refused on Thursday to back a petition by fellow laureates for jailed compatriot and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo.

Canada says reviewing F-35 report, denies plan to cancel Posted: 06 Dec 2012 07:48 PM PST OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Thursday it was reviewing an independent report on the cost of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, but denied that it had decided to cancel its planned purchase of 65 of the Lockheed Martin Corp warplanes.

Philippines buries dead, typhoon toll hits 418 Posted: 06 Dec 2012 10:53 PM PST NEW BATAAN, Philippines (Reuters) - Residents in the southern Philippines buried their dead on Friday even as rescue workers continued scouring remote areas for survivors of Typhoon Bopha, the nation's strongest storm this year, which killed 418 people and left nearly as many missing.

Exclusive: U.S. likely to extend Iran sanction waivers - sources Posted: 06 Dec 2012 10:58 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will likely give India, South Korea, Turkey and others another six-month reprieve on Friday from financial sanctions because they have reduced their purchases of crude oil from Iran, two U.S. government sources said on Thursday.

VIDEO: McAfee taken to hospital in Guatemala Posted: 06 Dec 2012 06:46 PM PST The former software industrialist John McAfee, wanted for questioning over the death of a neighbour in Belize, is taken to hospital in Guatemala.

Death toll rises after Philippines typhoon Posted: 06 Dec 2012 08:51 PM PST At least 420 people confirmed dead and 400 more missing three days after powerful storm hits the south of the country.

Russia, U.S. talk as Syria events "accelerate on the ground" Posted: 06 Dec 2012 06:31 PM PST BEIRUT/DUBLIN (Reuters) - The two superpowers divided by Syria's civil war met head to head on Thursday, with signs emerging that Russia might curb its support for President Bashar al-Assad and Washington saying events were gathering speed on the ground.

U.N. nuclear chief: Alleged weapons testing site was probably sanitized by Iran Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:50 PM PST The United Nations' chief nuclear official urged Iran on Thursday to allow inspection of a military base where Iranian scientists are suspected of conducting secret nuclear-weapons research, although he acknowledged that any traces of illicit activity have probably been removed. Read full article >>

VIDEO: Obamas light White House Christmas tree Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:11 PM PST The Obama family have switched on the US National Christmas Tree, which sits on the Ellipse, behind the White House in Washington DC.

Deep divisions as UN climate talks near end Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:46 PM PST Standoff between rich and developing countries remains as the COP18 talks in Qatar enter the final stretch.

AP Exclusive: China Nobel wife speaks on detention Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:29 PM PST Stunned that reporters were able to visit her, Liu Xia trembled uncontrollably and cried as she described how absurd and emotionally draining her confinement under house arrest has been in the two years since her jailed activist husband, Liu Xiaobo, was named a Nobel Peace laureate.

Ex-Thai PM will face murder charges over crackdown Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:16 PM PST Investigators say they plan to file murder charges against Thailand's former prime minister and his deputy in the first prosecutions of officials for their roles in a deadly 2010 crackdown on anti-government protests.

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King Abdullah II of Jordan Visits West Bank to Show Support for U.N. Vote

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• King Abdullah II of Jordan Visits West Bank to Show Support for U.N. Vote
• Bloomberg Announces Plans to Protect New York From Natural Disasters
• Afghan Spy Chief Wounded in Assassination Attempt, Officials Say
• Jim Letten, New Orleans U.S. Attorney, Resigns
• Russian fury at 'absurd' US law
• US piracy accused to pay £20,000
• Steven A. Cohen Is Absent at Art Basel Miami Beach
• Eased travel to Cuba not without hurdles
• Defected sushi chef: Kim Jong Eun's secret birthday is Jan. 8, 1983
• Russia fumes as U.S. Senate passes Magnitsky law aimed at human rights
• Morsi calls for Egypt dialogue
• Morsi offers few concessions amid unrest
• Greek police clash with youths over 2008 shooting
• Obama’s Tax Plan Would Spare Many Affluent Families
• Apparel factory fire reveals big brands' shadowy supply chains
• Compton praises 'amazing' Cook
• Udinese 0-1 Liverpool
• Wider Chaos Feared as Syrian Rebels and Kurds Clash
• Chef offers new tidbit on North Korean leader
• Spotify deal ends Metallica feud

King Abdullah II of Jordan Visits West Bank to Show Support for U.N. Vote Posted: 06 Dec 2012 01:14 PM PST The king's arrival, coming three weeks after violent protests in Jordan over gas price increases, signaled an effort to maintain balance and stability in a region in turmoil.

Bloomberg Announces Plans to Protect New York From Natural Disasters Posted: 06 Dec 2012 12:25 PM PST New York will expand its evacuation zones, revise building codes and look for ways to better protect critical infrastructure, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said in a speech Thursday.

Afghan Spy Chief Wounded in Assassination Attempt, Officials Say Posted: 06 Dec 2012 11:43 AM PST The chief of Afghanistan's intelligence service, Asadullah Khalid, survived an attack by a suicide bomber in Kabul on Thursday, Afghan officials said.

Jim Letten, New Orleans U.S. Attorney, Resigns Posted: 06 Dec 2012 10:39 AM PST A United States attorney known for taking on corruption is resigning amid reveltations that senior prosecutors in his office had been anonymously commenting online about active cases.

Russian fury at 'absurd' US law Posted: 06 Dec 2012 01:12 PM PST Russia denounces an "absurd" trade bill passed by the US Congress that will also penalise Russian officials linked to human rights violations.

US piracy accused to pay £20,000 Posted: 06 Dec 2012 01:05 PM PST A British student accused of breaking copyright laws is ordered to pay £20,000 by a judge in New York.

Steven A. Cohen Is Absent at Art Basel Miami Beach Posted: 06 Dec 2012 01:12 PM PST Steven A. Cohen, the billionaire founder of SAC Capital Advisors and owner of a rich trove of art, is a regular at Art Basel Miami Beach. But he's absent this year.

Eased travel to Cuba not without hurdles Posted: 06 Dec 2012 12:57 PM PST Louis and Bonnie Waterer are spending their retirement filling up their passports, one stamp at a time.

Defected sushi chef: Kim Jong Eun's secret birthday is Jan. 8, 1983 Posted: 06 Dec 2012 11:52 AM PST A Japanese sushi chef who goes by the pseudonym of Kenji Fujimoto, and who prepared meals for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il from the late 1980s through his 2001 flight from Pyongyang, has revealed what he says is new leader Kim Jong Eun's actual birthday. Read full article >>

Russia fumes as U.S. Senate passes Magnitsky law aimed at human rights Posted: 06 Dec 2012 11:52 AM PST MOSCOW — The U.S. Senate on Thursday repealed a trade sanction imposed 38 years ago to force the Soviet Union to allow Jews and other religious minorities to emigrate, replacing it with a modern day punishment for human rights abuse that has enraged Russian officials. Read full article >>

Morsi calls for Egypt dialogue Posted: 06 Dec 2012 01:11 PM PST The Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi calls for the political crisis sparked by recent government decisions to be solved through dialogue.

Morsi offers few concessions amid unrest Posted: 06 Dec 2012 01:06 PM PST In televised address, Egyptian president calls for dialogue, but refuses to delay December 15 constitutional referendum.

Greek police clash with youths over 2008 shooting Posted: 06 Dec 2012 12:25 PM PST ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police fired tear gas at youths hurling petrol bombs and stones in Athens on Thursday after a peaceful march to mark the 2008 police killing of a teenager that sparked the country's worst riots in decades.

Obama’s Tax Plan Would Spare Many Affluent Families Posted: 06 Dec 2012 12:53 PM PST A large majority of families making up to $300,000 – and hundreds of thousands of families making even more – would not pay taxes at a higher marginal rate.

Apparel factory fire reveals big brands' shadowy supply chains Posted: 06 Dec 2012 11:46 AM PST DHAKA (Reuters) - Sweating and trembling as he fielded questions about last month's killer fire at one of his factories in Bangladesh, Delwar Hossain insisted he had no idea the workshop was making clothes for Wal-Mart Stores Inc when it went up in flames.

Compton praises 'amazing' Cook Posted: 06 Dec 2012 06:00 AM PST England's Nick Compton says he had the "best seat in the house" to watch Alastair Cook's record-breaking 23rd century.

Udinese 0-1 Liverpool Posted: 06 Dec 2012 12:28 PM PST Jordan Henderson scores his first European goal as Liverpool beat Udinese to reach the Europa League knockout stage.

Wider Chaos Feared as Syrian Rebels and Kurds Clash Posted: 06 Dec 2012 12:40 PM PST The Kurdish militias have joined the fighting and are seeking their autonomy, raising concerns of ethnic fighting and balkanization if the government falls.

Chef offers new tidbit on North Korean leader Posted: 06 Dec 2012 11:14 AM PST TOKYO — The former sushi chef to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has revealed a secret from the reclusive nuclear-armed nation's inner sanctum: the exact age of the late leader's son and heir, Kim Jong Eun. Read full article >>

Spotify deal ends Metallica feud Posted: 06 Dec 2012 11:21 AM PST Metallica announces its entire catalogue is to be made available on music streaming service Spotify, ending a long feud with Napster co-founder and Spotify investor Sean Parker.

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