World News Briefs -- February 12, 2014 (Evening Edition)

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LkDj5X22Y9M" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fighting Rages In Syria Despite Peace Talks -- Al Jazeera</b></span></div><br />Warplanes pound rebel-held town amid reports of death toll peaking on the ground as Geneva talks continue.<br /><br />Syrian warplanes have pounded a rebel-held town near the Lebanese border, as peace talks between the government and opposition continued in Geneva.<br /><br />The talks have been accompanied by a sharp rise in violence on the ground in Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday that at least 4,959 people had died in Syria in the three-week period since January 22, when the first round of talks began in Switzerland.<br /><br />The group, which documents the fighting on the ground through a wide network of activists, say the period has seen the highest death toll since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad started in March 2011.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/fighting-rages-syria-despite-peace-talks-201421215161928169.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MIDDLE EAST</b></span></div><br />Syrians die at record rate as leaders talk: <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-syria-crisis-toll-idUSBREA1B19720140212">activist group</a></b>.<br /><br />Diplomacy is failing in Syria, <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/diplomacy-is-failing-in-syria-obama-acknowledges/2014/02/11/822065e6-935c-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html">Obama acknowledges</a></b>.<br /><br />Syrian planes pound rebel town <b><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/syrian-planes-pound-rebel-town-near-lebanon-border-1.267201">near Lebanon border</a></b>.<br /><br />UN resumes evacuations <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/evacuation-from-syria-homs-set-resume-201421282113173158.html">from Syria's Homs</a></b>.<br /><br />Obama: Russia to blame if <b><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140211/DEFREG02/302110030/Obama-Russia-Blame-UN-Homs-Resolution-Fails">UN Homs resolution fails.</a></b><br /><br />Syria, al Qaeda: U.S. officials <b><a href="http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/11/syria-al-qaeda-u-s-officials-offer-grim-assessment/">offer grim assessment</a></b>.<br /><br />Bombs kill at least 17 across Iraq: <b><a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Feb-12/247140-bombings-kill-10-in-iraq.ashx#axzz2sxRrfc9B">police and medics</a></b>.<br /><br />Violence in Iraq's Anbar province <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26150727">'displaces 300,000'</a></b>.<br /><br />Iran: We’re ready for ‘decisive battle’ <b><a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-were-ready-for-decisive-battle-with-israel-us/">with Israel, US</a></b>.<br /><br />Lebanon arrests top <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/lebanon-arrests-top-al-qaeda-linked-fighter-201421212285696407.html">al-Qaeda linked fighter</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ASIA</b></span></div><br />NATO expresses concern over <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-italy-india-marines-nato-idUSBREA1B1DU20140212">Italian marines' case in India</a></b>.<br /><br />Pakistan pressed over <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/02/pakistan-pressed-over-missing-drone-activist-201421213182789530.html">missing drone activist.</a></b><br /><br />Kerry to take harder U.S. line on <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/kerry-harder-u-line-asia-maritime-disputes-china-162851329.html">Asia maritime disputes to China</a></b>.<br /><br />Philippines recovers $29 million <b><a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/02/12/3472503/philippines-recovers-29-million.html">from Marcos' Swiss accounts</a></b>.<br /><br />US military condemns Afghan decision<b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/12/us-military-condemns-afghan-decision-to-release-dangerous-detainees/?intcmp=latestnews"> to release 'dangerous' detainees</a></b>.<br /><br />Koreas hold rare talks<b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/02/koreas-hold-talks-boost-tense-relations-20142124459552869.html"> to ease tensions</a></b>.<br /><br />Gunmen kill nine at Pakistani policeman's home <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-pakistan-attack-idUSBREA1B0D320140212">as peace talks proceed</a></b>.<br /><br />Afghanistan halts suspected reconstruction <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-afghanistan-buddhas-idUSBREA1B13J20140212">of ancient Buddhas.</a></b><br /><br />China trade surplus<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26148707"> jumps to $32bn</a></b>.<br /><br />US promises to reduce burden of <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/12/us-promises-reduce-military-okinawa-airbase-futenma">military presence in Okinawa</a></b>.<br /><br />Time running out for aging former<b><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/time-running-out-for-aging-former-comfort-women-of-south-korea-1.267128"> 'comfort women' of South Korea</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AFRICA</b></span></div><br />Boko Haram gunmen attack <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/boko-haram-attack-nigeria-kills-39-175700892.html">Nigeria villages, kill 43</a></b>.<br /><br />Retired Algeria general urges <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/retired-algeria-general-urges-bouteflika-step-down-202553329.html">Bouteflika to step down</a></b>.<br /><br />Mass grave found in Central African Republic, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-central-african-idUSBREA1B18S20140212">U.N. warns of 'cleansing'</a></b>. UN chief warns CAR <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/02/un-chief-warns-car-could-break-up-201421243833672163.html">could break up</a></b>. Central African Republic: <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26150668">'Ethnic cleansing' of Muslims.</a></b><br /><br />Algeria mourns dozens killed <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26148125">in military plane crash</a></b>.<br /><br />Kenya charges 70 with being <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-kenya-violence-idUSBREA1B15F20140212">members of al Shabaab</a></b>.<br /><br />Ethnic power-sharing under threat in Burundi, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-burundi-crisis-idUSBREA1B0US20140212">says party</a></b>.<br /><br />Libyan TV station hit <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-libya-attack-idUSBREA1B11Q20140212">with grenades: journalists</a></b>.<br /><br />South Africa police clash with ANC supporters <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-safrica-march-idUSBREA1B1B020140212">at opposition march</a></b>.<br /><br />Mohamed Morsi calls protests 'useless' and says next Egyptian president <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/12/mohamed-morsi-protests-useless-president-coup-prison">could face coup</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EUROPE</b></span></div><br /><b><a href="http://winter-games.reuters.com/">Sochi 2014: Live</a></b><br /><br />With Olympian pride, Russia asks teachers <b><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2014/0212/With-Olympian-pride-Russia-asks-teachers-to-ease-up-on-homework">to ease up on homework</a></b>.<br /><br />French leader lands in California<b><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-02-12/french-leader-visits-silicon-valley-to-talk-tech"> for tech talks</a></b>.<br /><br />Judge who sentenced protesters <b><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140212/187460252/Judge-Who-Sentenced-Protesters-Shot-Dead-in-Ukraine.html">shot dead in Ukraine</a></b>.<br /><br />Italy PM Letta in battle for survival<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26152220"> with Matteo Renzi</a></b>.<br /><br />Spain moves to curb legal convention allowing trials <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/11/spain-end-judges-trials-foreign-human-rights-abuses">of foreign rights abuses.</a></b><br /><br />British court OKs investigation into assassination <b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/11/british-court-cites-evidence-russia-was-involved-l/">of Russian ex-spy Litvinenko</a></b>.<br /><br />Swiss govt will draft law on immigration curbs <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/swiss-immigration-idUSL5N0LH2KO20140212">by year-end</a></b>.<br /><br />EU to approve new GM crop, ignoring <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/eu-approve-gm-crop-608/">majority members’ opposition</a></b>.<br /><br />UK storms: Met Office issues <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26153889">'Red Warning' for wind</a></b>.<br /><br />Edward Snowden asylum demand dropped <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/12/edward-snowden-nsa-asylum-demand-european-parliament">by European parliament</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAS</b></span></div><br />U.S. Congress approves debt limit hike <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-usa-fiscal-senate-idUSBREA1B1RB20140212">after Senate drama.</a></b><br /><br />Venezuelan anti-government protests <b><a href="http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Venezuelan-anti-government-protests-turn-violent-5227738.php">turn violent</a></b>. More arrests in Venezuela protests,<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/11/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1A19420140211"> Maduro slams 'coup-seekers'</a></b>.<br /><br />Ex-rebel leads in El Salvador presidential <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-el-salvador-election-idUSBREA1B24S20140212">run-off: poll.</a></b><br /><br />Panama says freed North Korean ship <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/panama-says-freed-north-korean-ship-sail-later-193250335--sector.html">to sail later Wednesday</a></b>.<br /><br />Panama canal near deal on lock gates delivery, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-sacyr-panama-financing-idUSBREA1B1GM20140212">new money pending: source.</a></b><br /><br />Ex-New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin <b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/12/jury-reaches-verdict-in-ex-new-orleans-mayor-nagin-bribery-case/">found guilty of corruption</a></b>.<br /><br />Thousands of flights canceled as 'catastrophic' storm <b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/02/12/millions-in-south-brace-for-potentially-catastrophic-winter-storm/">slams into U.S. South</a></b>.<br /><br />Francois Hollande honoured <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26148561">at US state dinner</a></b>.<br /><br />Budget forces Canadian military to stow equipment shopping list <b><a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/budget-forces-canadian-military-to-stow-equipment-shopping-list-until-2016-1.1681338">until 2016.</a></b><br /><br />Colombian president seen poised for <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-colombia-election-poll-idUSBREA1B10W20140212">re-election: poll</a></b>.<br /><br />'Brazil is not a civilized country' says the country's<b><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/andersonantunes/2014/02/10/brazil-is-not-a-civilized-country-says-the-countrys-most-controversial-news-anchor/"> most controversial news anchor</a></b>.<br /><br />Mexican drug lord: <b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/06/world/americas/mexican-drug-lord-mansion/">Inside his abandoned mansion.</a></b><br /><br />Castaway turned celebrity Alvarenga returns<b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/11/world/americas/castaway-comes-home/"> to native El Salvador</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR</b></span></div><br />U.S. mulls drone strike on <b><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-mulls-drone-strike-on-america-al-qaeda-suspect-in-pakistan/">American al Qaeda suspect in Pakistan</a></b>.<br /><br />Nov. 3 trial date is 'fair' for Boston Marathon bomb suspect,<b><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2014/0212/Nov.-3-trial-date-is-fair-for-Boston-Marathon-bomb-suspect-judge-says"> judge says</a></b>.<br /><br />Official: Core Al Qaeda may now view Syria <b><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-strategy/198129-official-core-al-qaeda-may-now-view-syria-as-primary">as primary battlefield</a></b>.<br /><br />Court OKs Guantánamo <b><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/198096-court-rejects-guantanamo-hunger-strikers-appeal-but-leaves-opening">force-feeding detainees</a></b>.<br /><br />U.S. sets conditions for lawyers to <b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/12/us-sets-conditions-for-lawyers-to-interview-911-ma/">interview 9/11 mastermind</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS</b></span></div><br />Microsoft denies global censorship<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-microsoft-bing-censorship-idUSBREA1B0CP20140212"> of China-related searches</a></b>.<br /><br />Toyota to recall <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26148711">1.9 million Prius hybrids</a></b>.<br /><br />Bitcoin hit by denial of service attacks<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-usa-bitcoin-idUSBREA1A20X20140212"> as regulators prepare clampdown</a></b>.<br /><br />OPEC sees <b><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304888404579378570315535340?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304888404579378570315535340.html">oil demand rising.</a></b>

World News Briefs -- February 12, 2014 (Evening Edition)

Fighting Rages In Syria Despite Peace Talks -- Al Jazeera Warplanes pound rebel-held town amid reports of death toll peaking on the ground a...

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