World News Briefs -- February 19, 2014

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sJAr4pKuwH4" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ukraine Girds for Further Clashes -- Wall Street Journal</b></span></div><br /><i>Death Toll From Violence Rises to 25</i><br /><br />KIEV, Ukraine—Kiev braced for further violence on Wednesday as thousands of protesters faced off with riot police across burning barricades, after the government halted its attempt to clear a square that has been the center of unrest for the past three months.<br /><br />Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych blamed opposition leaders for the violence, which at last count had killed 25 and injured 241, according to the Health Ministry. Opposition leaders said Mr. Yanukovych was responsible for the deaths. But riot police stopped short of completely storming Independence Square, which has been the symbol of resistance to his government.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579392321222351150?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304914204579392321222351150.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MIDDLE EAST</b></span></div><br />Assad escalates firepower using <b><a href="http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Assad-escalates-firepower-using-missiles-against-rebels-341885">missiles against rebels</a></b>.<br /><br />Russia says U.N. Syria aid resolution<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/russia-says-u-n-aid-resolution-possible-coming-112138759.html"> possible in days: agency</a></b>.<br /><br />'Twin suicide attack' <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26254300">in Beirut kills four</a></b>. Suicide bombers target <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-lebanon-blast-casualties-idUSBREA1I0PQ20140219">Iranian center in Beirut</a></b>.<br /><br />Kerry, Abbas to discuss <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-abbas-to-discuss-mideast-peace-in-paris/1854414.html">Mideast peace in Paris</a></b>.<br /><br />Iran, six world powers tackle agenda<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/iran-powers-hold-39-substantive-39-nuclear-talks-001157852.html"> for final nuclear accord</a></b>.<br /><br />Washington critics sound alarm <b><a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/dc-critics-sound-alarms-as-talks-with-iran-resume/">as Iran talks resume</a></b>.<br /><br />BAE Systems agrees Eurofighter pricing <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26254561">with Saudi Arabia</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ASIA</b></span></div><br />Afghan ethnic tensions rise in<b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/world/asia/afghan-ethnic-tensions-rise-in-media-and-politics.html?ref=world&_r=0"> media and politics</a></b>.<br /><br />No 'active negotiations' <b><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/198628-wh-no-active-negotiations-with-taliban">with Taliban</a></b>.<br /><br />White House mum on <b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/18/white-house-mum-damning-north-korea-report/">damning North Korea report</a></b>.<br /><br />Thai court warns against using emergency powers <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/thai-protesters-rally-against-pm-deadly-bangkok-clashes-031559648--sector.html">to disperse protests</a></b>.<br /><br />India’s 29th state born <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/indias-29th-state-born-amid-protest-pepper-spray/2014/02/18/8318e8ba-98ac-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html">amid protest, pepper spray</a></b>.<br /><br />Filipino Muslim rebels <b><a href="http://ap.stripes.com/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PHILIPPINES_MUSLIM_REBELS?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-02-18-07-26-27">expel leader for beheading</a></b>.<br /><br />China respects Taiwan system,<b><a href="http://www.sinodaily.com/reports/China_respects_Taiwan_system_Xi_tells_Taipei_ex-VP_Lien_999.html"> Xi tells Taipei ex-VP Lien</a></b>.<br /><br />Raid on Kim Dotcom’s mansion <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/court-dotcom-warrant-legal-646/">ruled legal by NZ court</a></b>.<br /><br />North Korea detains <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26252483">Australian missionary</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AFRICA</b></span></div><br />South Sudan rebels say capture <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/18/us-southsudan-unrest-idUSBREA1H15U20140218">oil-producing state capital</a></b>.<br /><br />Libyan militias keep up <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/un-envoy-in-libya-urges-talks-in-parliament-crisis/2014/02/19/5db4f09c-994b-11e3-b1de-e666d78c3937_story.html">pressure on parliament</a></b>.<br /><br />Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26254480">Bama attack mars victory claims</a></b>.<br /><br />Peacekeepers clash with <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/gunfire-blasts-near-airport-c-african-capital-104338101.html">anti-balaka fighters in C.Africa</a></b>.<br /><br />MSF: CAR aid efforts <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/car-msf-18feb14/1854091.html">have failed</a></b>. Heavy fighting in CAR <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-heavy-fighting-in-central-african-republic-capital-disrupts-un-aid-visit/1854536.html">disrupts UN aid visit</a></b>.<br /><br />UN protest at Liberia-Ivory Coast <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26248723">'forced extraditions'</a></b>.<br /><br />Egypt taking 'ultimatum <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248702">against tourists' seriously.</a></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EUROPE</b></span></div><br />Embattled Ukraine: Kiev’s vicious cycle of violence rages on <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/kiev-clashes-rioters-police-571/">- Live Updates</a></b><br /><br />Moscow blames radicals for deadly clashes in Ukraine, EU leaders ponder <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/ukraine-deadly-clashes-reactions-652/">sanctions against government</a></b>.<br /><br />Yanukovich says opposition <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/yanukovich-says-opposition-crossed-limits-201421943854745891.html">'crossed limits'</a></b>.<br /><br />Ukraine leader denounces coup bid, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-ukraine-idUSBREA1G0OU20140219">West weighs sanctions</a></b>.<br /><br />Ukraine: 25 killed, 241 injured <b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/19/ukraine-25-killed-241-injured-kiev-clashes/">in Kiev clashes</a></b>.<br /><br />Britain to protest over Spanish incursion<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-britain-spain-gibraltar-idUSBREA1I15G20140219"> into Gibraltar's waters</a></b>. Spanish warship disrupts Royal Navy <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/19/spanish-warship-gibraltar-royal-navy-exercise">Gibraltar training exercise</a></b>.<br /><br />Italy's Renzi says expects government<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-italy-politics-idUSBREA1I12E20140219"> in place by Monday</a></b>.<br /><br />French police question <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26254615">industrialist Serge Dassault</a></b>.<br /><br />Siberian shale find fuels <b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/18/siberian-shale-find-fuels-russias-fracking-future/">Russia’s fracking future</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAS</b></span></div><br />Politics to shadow Obama’s<b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/world/americas/politics-shadow-obamas-trade-talks-with-mexico.html?ref=world"> trade talks in Mexico</a></b>.<br /><br />U.S., Mexico mull relaxing border for <b><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/18/us-mexico-relax-border-trusted-business-travelers/#ixzz2tiLi9lWH">‘trusted’ business travelers</a></b>.<br /><br />Everyone is optimistic about Mexico, <b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/19/mexico-obama-economy-summit/5604065/">except for Mexicans</a></b>.<br /><br />Venezuelan opposition leader Lopez due to appear in court <b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/19/world/americas/venezuela-protests/">after surrendering.</a></b> Jailed Venezuela protest leader <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1I15M20140219">urges Maduro's 'exit'</a></b>.<br /><br />Colombia fires army chief <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/02/colombia-fires-army-chief-over-scandal-201421924548335298.html">over scandal</a></b>.<br /><br />Argentina asks U.S. Supreme Court <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-usa-court-argentina-idUSBREA1I03N20140219">to hear bonds case</a></b>.<br /><br />Brazil's worst nightmare:<b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/brazils-worst-nightmare-argentina-wins-world-cup-22551314"> Argentina wins World Cup</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR</b></span></div><br />Split within Al Qaeda over <b><a href="http://freebeacon.com/split-within-al-qaeda-over-syrian-rebels-grows/">Syrian rebels grows</a></b>. Smuggled video testimony documents harsh rule of <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/19/smuggled-video-testimony-harsh-rule-of-syrian-islamista-raqqa">Syrian Islamist group.</a></b><br /><br />Obama administration 'to offer Taliban 5 Gitmo prisoners in exchange for last Afghanistan POW Bowe Bergdahl <b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2562211/Obama-administration-offer-Taliban-5-Gitmo-prisoners-exchange-Afghanistan-POW-Bowe-Bergdahl-spent-four-years-captive.html#ixzz2thXQCpRd">who has spent four years captive'</a></b>.<br /><br />FBI documents raise additional questions about Saudi and al-Aulaqi <b><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/02/18/FBI-Documents-Raise-Additional-Questions">connections to 9/11 attacks</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS</b></span></div><br />Thai rice to flood global markets<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-thai-rice-to-flood-global-markets-as-subsidy-ends/1854297.html"> as subsidy ends</a></b>.<br /><br />Microsoft OneDrive launches worldwide; free cloud storage service provides one place <b><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140219-903256.html">for everything in your life</a></b>.<br /><br />Google fund invests in education start-up <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-google-investment-idUSBREA1I0XJ20140219">Renaissance Learning</a></b>.

World News Briefs -- February 19, 2014

Ukraine Girds for Further Clashes -- Wall Street Journal Death Toll From Violence Rises to 25 KIEV, Ukraine—Kiev braced for further violence...

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