[World] Putin backs tough response to US rights law

Putin backs tough response to US rights law
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/12/20/russia-putin-syria-assad-regime-change.html?cmp=rss
By Alexei Anishchuk and Timothy Heritage. MOSCOW | Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:23am EST. MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin supported a ban on Americans adopting Russian children on Thursday in a feud over a U.S.

Park Geun-hye win shifts South Korea rightwards
http://www.smh.com.au/world/stability-sought-with-first-woman-leader-20121220-2bpca.html
SOUTH Korean president-elect Park Geun-hye used her first post victory speech to warn of the threat posed by North Korea's missile programs and put Japan on notice over its stance on past military atrocities.

Displaced Palestinians return to Yarmouk camp in Syrian capital with massive rally
http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=828498
... • Palestinian refugees in Syria held Thursday a massive rally at the entrance of the Yarmouk camp. • Palestinians started moving back homes during the rally in tandem with the rebels' withdrawal.

Syrian Violence Becoming 'Overly Sectarian', Report Finds
http://www.voanews.com/content/sectarian-violence-ravaging-syria-un-report-finds/1568481.html
The United Nations is highlighting the civilian toll in the nearly two-year conflict in Syria, saying thousands have died in a crisis that has become increasingly sectarian in nature.

EU's Ashton condemns Jerusalem construction plans
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4322510,00.html
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has released a statement condemning Israel's decision to go forward with plans to build thousands of new homes in two Jerusalem neighborhoods, Givat Hamatos and Ramat Shlomo.

Syrian conflict becoming 'overtly sectarian'
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/hollande-to-unveil-softened-french-bank-reform/articleshow/17676528.cms
Syrian rebels clean their weapons at their headquarters in Maaret Ikhwan, near Idlib, Syria. Photograph: Muhammed Muheisen/AP. Live.

In India, the law seems firmly on the side of the rapist
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/rapes-in-india-rise-by-873-percent-from-1953-delhi-the-worst-metro-for-women/311504-3.html
Protests take place across India, demanding action be taken after the gang rape of a 23-year-old student. Link to this video. In a country where the lives of ordinary women often have a sad and brief trajectory, the brutal gang rape of a 23-year-old paramedical ...

Ikea monkey's owner in court in bid for his return
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/12/20/toronto-ikea-monkey-darwin-court.html
The owner of a pet monkey that made international news after running loose at an Ikea parking lot in Toronto 11 days ago will be in court today in an attempt to get him back.