France and Germany have agreed to a bailout plan for debt-struck Greece; Moody's have downgraded Irish and Portuguese debt to "junk" status; China and Philippines in territorial dispute; Japan posts unexpected trade surplus as exports to China and Europe return to normal levels; famine spreads to Southern Somalia; Obama open to temporary debt rise if congressional leaders commit to significant debt-reduction plan; and more
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World News Brief, Thursday July 21
Obama endorses bi-partisan plan to cut debt and raise revenues, but will it pass the House? UN declares famine in Somalia, asks what's going on in Eritrea; Cameron faces 130 questions in parliament; Chinese security forces shoot 14 protesters, killing four; Pakistans spends US$4 million lobbying US lawmakers; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 20
Congressional leaders push ahead with US debt-cutting plans; August 2 is deadline that could see US default on debt obligations; Muslim activists attacked police station in Chinese province of Xinjiang; US holds talks with Qaddafi reps--says Libyan leader must step down; Clinton pledges to press Pakistan to give up on terrorism measures against India; Rupert and James Murdoch appear before Parliament; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 19
In Britain, phone-hacking scandal focuses on police corruption and Cameron, while threat grows in the US (+ analysis); Surprise result in Euro bank stress tests; 1,000 Syrian troops with tanks surround rebel town; Yemeni al-Qaeda reaching into Somalia; UN tells Thailand and Cambodia to pull their heads in; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 15
Credit ratings agencies threaten to downgrade US from AAA status; Republicans clash with Obama and each other over debt ceiling (+ analysis); China overtaking US as superpower; Italy plans US$67 billion in cuts to calm debt worries; At least 21 killed in more Mumbai bombings; Singapore's economy shrinks; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 14
Euro debt crisis expands: Ireland debt downgraded to junk, fears for Italy as bond yields rise, and Eurozone officials plan emergency summit for Greece (+ analysis); China's growth slows; Pakistan spy chief heads to Washington after US cuts off aid; Thousands flee Nigerian city after religious violence; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief Tuesday, July 12
US stalls over debt reduction talks--Republicans balked at Obama's tax increases; Australia to tax 500 biggest polluters; Chinese exports up 20 per cent in one year; Syrian forces raid city of Homs, killing one; drought in Somalia world's 'worst humanitarian crisis'; fears Eurozone crisis could spread to Italy, Europe's third-largest economy; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 8
Major budget talks in US--Obama meets Boehner; US$1 trillion could be saved by reorganising federal government bureaucracy, according to expert; South Korea will host 2018 Winter Olympic Games; Hong Kong media reporting that former Chinese president Jiang Zemin has died; Libyan rebels take Western town on way to Tripoli; North Korea bribed Pakistani military for information on nuclear-bomb making; Europeans angry at credit rating agencies for downgrading Portugal; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 7
Assad launches another "ferocious" attack on Hama, while Amnesty accuses him of crimes against humanity; Qaddafi forces kill five in Misurata; Reports: Russian officials say Qaddafi may be willing to step down; Bitter irony – Somalis fleeing drought drown in Red Sea; Portugal's credit rating slashed to junk status; New Thai PM focuses on economy; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 6
Pakistani troops and gunships launch operation against own Taliban in border areas (+ analysis); Syrian forces make arrests in 'liberated city'; Thai election seen as loss for urban elite and military; US sends drone in Somalia, one dead; Japan Reconstruction Minister lasts only one week; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 1
EU promises support for Greece but pressure remains for further cuts; World markets rally on back of Greek vote, but solution only temporary (+ analysis); NATO airstrike kills Afghan militant leader; Taiwan's ex-PM charged with embezzlement; Egypt violence as anger with interim government surfaces; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 30
NATO helicopters required to end standoff in Kabul hotel, at least 21 killed; Afghanistan raid shows local forces taking a lead on security but also better organised Taliban; Greek austerity bill passes; Sudan ceasefire agreed; Former Thai seeks comeback despite corruption and terror charges; US wars cost well over US$3 trillion – was it worth it?; and more
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World News Brief, Wednesday June 29
Greek workers strike ahead of parliament's decision on austerity (+ analysis: no easy solutions); International court issues warrant for Qaddafi and son; Afghan central banker flees after exposing embezzlement; Obama confident debt deal is close; Japanese PM promises to resign; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 28
Four protesters die in Syria as Foreign Minister insists "there is no crackdown"; Intellectuals and activists seek peace at Damascus meeting (+ analysis); Palestinians turn to UN for statehood support; Karzai accuses Pakistan after attacks on Af-Pak border; Khmer Rouge trials begin; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday June 24
Obama opts for large Afghanistan troop withdrawl with a promise to "start nation-building at home" (+ analysis); Fears of Taliban takeover as US troops leave; Chinese artist Ai Weiwei released on bail; China warns US to stay out of South China Sea tensions; Relations between Syria and Turkey sour while India and Pakistan hold peace talks; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 23
Opposition activists killed at pro-Assad rallies; EU extends Syria sanctions as analysts say US failing to act; UN Sec-Gen wins second term; Bahrani Shia rebels get life imprisonment; Greek PM narrowly wins no-confidence vote; Sudan threatens to cut off pipeline; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 22
Greek PM faces no confidence vote putting austerity measures in doubt; Ash clouds again ground planes in Australia; Obama to announces Afghanistan drawdown Wednesday evening – big or small?; Britain vows to stay the course in Libya despite civilian deaths; Sudan rebel attacks show faultlines to remain even after secession; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday June 17
Greek PM seeks to overhaul government amidst Euro bailout debate; World markets fall sharply; Fighting intensifies in Burma forcing refugees into China; US says Libya 'war' is legal; Al-Zawahiri takes over al-Qaeda reins; Ba'asyir sentenced to 15 years in Indonesia; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 16
NATO warplanes bomb Tripoli as rebels advance, but international alliance bickering (+ analysis); Syrian refugees chant for world assistance; Pakistan arrests CIA's bin Laden informants; Strikes in Greece as Socialists abandon government; Dead woman found in PNG's PM's house; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 15
Syrian army take town, round up rebels, but thousands flee to Turkey; Vietnam outlines war policy over South China Sea; North and South Sudan agree demilitarisation of disputed border region; Greek debt downgraded to lowest level; and more
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