[World] No Easy Route if Assad Opts to Go, or to Stay, in Syria

No Easy Route if Assad Opts to Go, or to Stay, in Syria
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/un-envoy-worried-after-talks-with-bashar-assad/article4234988.ece
BEIRUT, Lebanon - President Bashar al-Assad of Syria sits in his mountaintop palace as the tide of war licks at the cliffs below. Enlarge This Image.

Pope says denying God no path to peace in Christmas Eve mass
http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/At-Christmas-Eve-Mass-pope-urges-space-for-God-4143702.php
Pope Benedict XVI said in his Christmas Eve mass on Monday that religion can be corrupted, leading to violence and wars, but refuted critics who claim that denying God's existence would lead to peace.

Afghan police officer kills American contractor
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9764956/Afghan-policewoman-shoots-dead-American-in-Kabul.html
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- An Afghan police officer fatally shot an American contractor at Kabul police headquarters early on Monday, authorities said.

Gaza attacks on Israel 'violation of laws of war'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20836363
Palestinian militants in Gaza violated the laws of war by firing rockets into Israel during last month's conflict, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.

Russian Prosecutor Seeks Acquittal in Lawyer's Death
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/24/russian-prosecutors-magnitsky-death
MOSCOW - A prosecutor unexpectedly pressed Monday for the acquittal of the only official to be tried in the case of Sergei L. Magnitsky, a lawyer whose death in prison three years ago generated an international furor over Russian human rights abuses.

Venezuela's Chavez improving after surgery: officials
http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/VP-says-he-spoke-with-Chavez-who-is-up-walking-4143899.php
By Brian Ellsworth and Diego Ore. CARACAS | Mon Dec 24, 2012 11:31pm EST. CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is improving after a cancer operation in Cuba and has started exercising, officials said on Monday, amid doubts over ...

Russia, India Sign Weapons Deals Worth Billions
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/putin-focus-economic-ties-trip-india-18053233
Russia and India signed weapons deals worth billions of dollars Monday as President Vladimir Putin sought to further boost ties with an old ally.

Delhi gang rape protests policeman dies
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20840797
A policeman who was injured during violent protests over the gang rape of a woman in the Indian capital Delhi has died in hospital.

China Reiterates Opposition to US Defense Bill Provisions
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/japans-new-china-envoy-urges-stronger-economic-ties/articleshow/17742136.cms
China reiterated its opposition to provisions in a U.S. defense bill that allow sales of F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan and acknowledge Japan's administration of disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Afghan Policewoman Kills US Adviser in Kabul
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/taliban-demanding-afghan-power-monopoly-18049806
An Afghan policewoman walked into a high-security compound in Kabul Monday and killed an American contractor with a single bullet to the chest, the first such shooting by a woman in a spate of insider attacks by Afghans against their foreign allies.

Turkey investigating Jews for role in Gaza flotilla incident
http://www.worldtribune.com/2012/12/23/turkey-investigating-jews-for-role-in-gaza-flotilla-incident/
Israeli forces approach one of six ships bound for Gaza in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, 2010. “Everyone will know who the Turkish Jews are that served in the Israeli Army and killed Turkish civilians on the Mavi Marmara,” said Huseyin Oruc, deputy ...

Prince Harry kills Taliban commander in Afghanistan
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/Prince-Harry-kills-Taliban-commander-in-Afghanistan/articleshow/17736808.cms
LONDON: Prince Harry who is an RAF helicopter pilot deployed in Afghanistan, has killed a Taliban leader in an airstrike, notching up his first 'kill', British media reported today.

Mario Monti 'available to lead Italy'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20831638
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti says he is not siding for now with any party in upcoming elections, but remains available to head a future government.

UN to Hold Arms Trade Treaty Conference in March
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/un-approves-new-debate-on-arms-treaty-opposed-by-us-gun-lobby-309476
The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly late Monday to hold a conference in March to try to reach agreement on a U.N. treaty to regulate the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.