Fatah, Hamas choose Abbas to head new joint government
Feb 7, 2012 World
JERUSALEM — The rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas announced Monday they had agreed that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will head an interim unity government that will prepare for new elections, ending a prolonged stalemate over how to mend their bitter rift.
Egypt names Americans charged in NGO probe; Sam LaHood among those facing criminal charges
Feb 7, 2012 World
CAIRO — Egyptian authorities have charged the Egypt country directors of the International Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute in an investigation into the financing of pro-democracy organizations, state media reported Monday.
3 Mexican presidential hopefuls vie to lead a nation weary of politics
Feb 7, 2012 World
MEXICO CITY — With a decisive primary victory Sunday night, Josefina Vazquez Mota became the first woman to represent a major party in the Mexican presidential election, which backers hope will excite voters weary of the drug violence and political gridlock of her party’s leader, President Felipe Calderon.
U.S. closes embassy, pulls diplomats from Syria as violence intensifies
Feb 7, 2012 World
DAMASCUS, Syria — The United States closed its embassy in Damascus on Monday citing security concerns, while Britain summoned its ambassador to London to discuss Syria’s increasingly bloody crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.
Suspected kidnappers of Mexican diplomat arrested (AP)
Feb 7, 2012 World
AP – Police have arrested two men and a woman suspected of participating in last week’s kidnapping of Mexico’s ambassador to Venezuela and his wife.
Palestinians take step toward unity (AP)
Feb 7, 2012 World
AP – After months of wavering, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took a decisive step Monday toward reconciliation with the Islamic militant group Hamas, a move Israel promptly warned would close the door to any future peace talks.
Wall St edges lower after string of gains (Reuters)
Feb 7, 2012 World
Reuters – Stocks closed slightly lower on Monday as lingering questions about Europe’s debt crisis and corporate earnings overshadowed growing optimism about economic growth after a five-week rally.
Syria’s Splintered Opposition: Who Is Running the War Against the Regime? (Time.com)
Feb 7, 2012 World
Time.com – Even as the Free Syrian Army is establishing an identity in the conflict, another organization announces its presence in the opposition pantheon
Victims weep, ridicule Norway killer’s court speech (Reuters)
Feb 7, 2012 World
Reuters – Survivors and relatives of those killed in a Norwegian mass-murder rampage wept and ridiculed the smiling attacker in court Monday as he defended his acts by issuing a tirade against immigration.
Gunmen kill five in Libyan refugee camp: hospital staff (Reuters)
Feb 7, 2012 World
Reuters – Gunmen killed five Libyan refugees at their camp in a Tripoli suburb Monday, residents and hospital sources said, underscoring the volatility in the country months after Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow.