[World] Venezuela's Chavez in 'delicate' condition after surgery, VP says

Venezuela's Chavez in 'delicate' condition after surgery, VP says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/venezuelas-chavez-in-delicate-condition-after-surgery-vp-says/article6802429/
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has suffered more complications following complex cancer surgery in Cuba and remains in a “delicate” condition, the vice president said on Sunday.

Pakistan official: 19 killed in attack on Shiites
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9771658/Pakistan-Shia-pilgrims-slaughtered-in-suicide-attack.html
Pakistan official: 19 killed in attack on Shiites. 6:16p.m. EST December 30, 2012. CommentsShare. pakistan. Pakistani police officers collect evidence from the site of a suicide bombing in Quetta, Pakistan, on Sunday.

Government must ensure healthcare, rehab and justice for each rape victim
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indianamericans-hold-candle-light-vigil-for-delhi-braveheart/313152-3-244.html
NEW DELHI: Before dying in a Singapore hospital, Delhi's 23-year-old rape victim stirred a billion people with her tragic story.

Israel, in Shift, Lets Building Materials Cross Into Gaza
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/31/world/middleeast/in-shift-israel-lets-building-materials-into-gaza.html
JERUSALEM - For the first time in five years, Israel on Sunday allowed 20 truckloads of building materials into Gaza for use by the private sector, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.

No end to Syria war if sides refuse to talk: envoy
http://dawn.com/2012/12/29/syria-peace-envoy-in-moscow-as-russia-pressures-assad/
By Yara Bayoumy and Maria Golovnina. AZAZ, Syria/CAIRO | Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:58pm EST. AZAZ, Syria/CAIRO (Reuters) - The international peace negotiator for Syria pleaded with outside countries on Sunday to push the warring parties to the table for ...

In Germany, Merkel's Main Rival Appears to Stumble From Gaffe to Gaffe
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/9771843/Angela-Merkel-has-advantage-because-she-is-a-woman-says-rival.html
In Germany, Merkel's Main Rival Appears to Stumble From Gaffe to Gaffe. By NICHOLAS KULISH. Published: December 30, 2012. BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel's challenger in next year's election may have already blurted out his own “binders full of ...

Afghan Troop Deaths Rise As Army Expands Its Role
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jh8Q8jbSYFcsEjXxFVulFny0oSWQ?docId=620f396d84f44cf587a33cfdf2e54389
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Afghan government has hit a grim record in its quest to take over the country's security from coalition forces: more than 1,000 soldiers died in 2012, a roughly 20 percent increase from 2011.

African Union head visits Central African Republic
http://www.thestate.com/2012/12/30/2571911/more-french-troops-go-to-central.html
BANGUI, Central African Republic - The leader of the African Union, Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi, has proposed a government of national unity to resolve the rebel conflict in Central African Republic.

Israel charges Avigdor Lieberman with fraud, but other suspicions remain ...
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12/30/avigdor-lieberman-charged-with-fraud/
Israel's Justice Ministry filed its indictment against former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in a Jerusalem court on Sunday, charging him with breach of trust and fraud in a case that could further harm his political career.

Al Qaeda offers gold bounty for the life of US ambassador in Yemen
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/9772220/Al-Qaeda-offers-gold-bounty-for-the-life-of-US-ambassador-in-Yemen.html
An audio produced by the group's media arm, the al-Malahem Foundation, and posted on militant websites said it offered three kilograms of gold worth $160,000 (£99,000) for killing the ambassador, Gerald Feierstein.

2 Wounded as Iraq Protesters Are Dispersed by Security Force
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j7fm0SPB-yRYGCQyySCFZE_8ueEw?docId=CNG.dd83bf89f510cad35ca4428e399b5958.2f1
BAGHDAD (AP) - Gunshots wounded at least two people on Sunday at demonstrations in western Iraq when bodyguards and security forces protecting a senior Sunni politician opened fire to disperse protesters, a local official said.

Pakistani militants kill 41 in two attacks
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2012/1231/1224328280104.html
Pakistani militants, who have escalated attacks in recent weeks, killed at least 41 people in two incidents, officials said yesterday, challenging assertions that military offensives had broken the back of hardline Islamist groups.

Envoy: 2013 could bring 100000 deaths in Syria
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Dec-31/200425-clashes-strikes-kill-23-children-in-one-day.ashx
(CNN) -- The stench of the burnt bodies was so potent, Abu Jafar said, he could smell it from 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. "It smells awful because the regime appears to have burnt so many bodies recently," the opposition activist said Sunday from the ...

Tonnes of fireworks are primed to explode across Melbourne's sky
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/city-rezoned-for-new-years-eve-20121228-2byxg.html
Beat the New Year booze blues · Aussie bubbly outshines French fizz · The ultimate party prep guide. AT least 550,000 revellers will descend on Melbourne tonight to watch the biggest New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular the city has seen.