Syrian Death Toll Climbs; Ships with Weapons Intercepted — Voice of America The Syrian government and opposition activists traded accusations of violence on Saturday, as a handful of U.N. monitors spread out across the country to assess compliance with a fragile cease-fire. Rights groups say Syrian forces killed at least 10 people during raids in the Damascus area. Activists also say clashes between government and opposition forces erupted in the Latakia region. Read more …. MIDDLE EAST UN Syria observers visit Homs neighborhood. Gunmen hit Syrian army from sea, Moscow slams rebels. Iran hopes nuclear dispute will be settled at Baghdad meeting. Iran lawmaker: Fighters in UAE are US-Israeli plot. Saudi envoy leaves Egypt in dispute over arrest. Netanyahu may call elections amid military service dispute. ASIA Satellite photos show preparations for new North Korea nuclear test. Supporters of fugitive Chinese dissident face retribution . Analysis: Dissident’s case poses diplomatic test for U.S. and China. Security issues expected to top Obama-Noda meeting. Kazakhstan warns about ‘evil’ foreign reporters. Huge rally raises question on Malaysia poll timing. Captive British aid worker killed in Pakistan . Australia: Julia Gillard’s government on brink as party has less MPs than Opposition. AFRICA South Sudan ready to pull out of disputed Abyei, but accuses North of reneging on truce. South Sudan says to quit border zone, seeks end to clashes . Witnesses say 15 killed in Nigerian church attack . Nigeria Christian worshipers attacked in northern Kano State. Kenya grenade attack kills at least 1, injures more than a dozen in Nairobi church . Eritrea President Isaias Afewerki goes on TV to dispel health rumours. Mali coup leader rejects Ecowas troop deployment. EUROPE Spanish unemployment hits record. France President Nicolas Sarkozy snaps at Strauss-Kahn. Large van bomb defused on Northern Ireland border. Greece tries to crack down on fraud as mayor of Zakynthos faces revolt. Former prime minister Geir Haarde of Iceland says he did not cause financial chaos. Pirates Party’s rapid rise upsets German landscape. AMERICAS Argentina: YPF vows to deliver gas as Repsol cancels deliveries. Four killed in Colombia rebel attack . French journalist goes missing during fighting with Farc in Colombia. Trial of ‘The Turk’, one of the world’s top drug lords, threatens to expose Chavez regime’s involvement in cocaine trafficking. Bolivians start second ‘long march’ against road plan. TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR ‘We’re on a path to al Qaeda’s destruction,’ U.S. counterterorrism adviser says. US missiles kill 2 in NW Pakistan. Drone strike kills four suspected militants in Pakistan. Missiles stationed on residential roof for Olympics. ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS F1 flotation boosted by £4.4bn ‘guarantee’. Geithner: U.S. can withstand any Europe stresses. Exclusive: AAOIFI in wide review of Islamic finance standards.
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World News Briefs — April 29, 2012