[World] Report: Site of Syria strike was main chemical

Report: Site of Syria strike was main chemical
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4340644,00.html
WASHINGTON - The site of the alleged Israeli strike in Syria last week was the country's main biological and chemical weapons research center, the New York Times reported Monday.

Iran announces nuclear talks, open to 'authentic' US meet
http://tribune.com.pk/story/502456/iran-announces-nuclear-talks-open-to-authentic-us-meet/
MUNICH: Iran on Sunday announced fresh talks with world powers on its nuclear drive and said it was open to an offer from the US for two-way discussions if Washington's intention was “authentic”.

South Korea, US begin naval drills amid nuclear tensions
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21318597
South Korea and the US have begun three days of naval exercises in what is being seen as a show of force aimed at North Korea. The scheduled drills, involving a US nuclear submarine, come after North Korea said it was planning to carry out its third test of ...

Four killed after deadly day in Iraq
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Feb-04/204959-four-killed-after-deadly-day-in-iraq.ashx
KIRKUK, Iraq: Four people were shot dead overnight in Kirkuk, hours after a coordinated assault on a police headquarters in the north Iraq city left 30 people dead, officials said on Monday.

Fidel Castro appears at Cuban polling station
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/04/fidel-castro-appears-cuban-election
The retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro has made his longest public appearance since 2010, turning up to vote in the general election and chatting with wellwishers and Cuban reporters.

Afghan-Pakistani co-operation talks due to begin in UK
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21310575
Key talks on the Afghan peace process involving the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan are due to start at the country retreat of UK PM David Cameron.

Tears, prayers as late Cambodian king cremated
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/02/03/is_the_royalty_dead_in_cambodia.html
(CNN) -- The ear-splitting crack of 101 rounds of artillery will mark the final moment before late Cambodian King-Father Norodom Sihanouk is cremated Monday in a specially built crematorium outside the Royal Palace.

Japan frees crew of 'illegal' Chinese fishing boat
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21318839
Japan has released the captain and crew of a Chinese fishing boat who were arrested last week on suspicion of illegally fishing in Japanese waters.

Netanyahu Asked to Form New Israeli Government
http://www.voanews.com/content/netanyahu-asked-to-form-new-israeli-government/1596064.html
JERUSALEM - Two weeks after national elections, Israel's incumbent is set for a third term in office. Israeli President Shimon Peres formally appointed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin coalition talks and form the next government.

Victim sides with police after video shows naked beating in Egypt
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/02/01/egyptians_march_in_protests_as_cracks_emerge_within_opposition_ranks.html
CAIRO -- After a video showing Egyptian police stripping and beating a man went viral, the victim stunned the country when he appeared on state television and accused protesters, not security forces, of assaulting him.

Israeli and Palestinian textbooks omit borders
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/04/israeli-palestinian-textbooks-borders
The vast majority of maps in Palestinian and Israeli schoolbooks omit the existence of the other entity, leading to children growing up with "an internal representation of their homeland, in which one does not include the other", according to the lead author of a ...

Crime casts shadow over Philippines image makeover
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/asia-pacific/mall-robberies-in-manila-cast-shadow-over-philippines-image-makeover
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Philippines are suffering a rash of urban violence just as President Benigno Aquino III is trying to shore up foreign investments and restore Filipinos' confidence in their government.

Pemex Blast Death Toll Rises to 36 as Investigation Continues
http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Another-2-bodies-found-in-Mexico-oil-company-blast-4247204.php
The death count rose to 36 yesterday as a self-imposed deadline to provide an update on what caused a blast at state-owned oil company Petroleos Mexicanos's headquarters came and went.

Iran launches new fighter jet
http://technology.iafrica.com/articles/840535.html
Iran on Saturday unveiled a fighter jet it said was designed and built domestically, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad touting it as "one of the most advanced" aircraft in the world.

Voters in mood to punish early call
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/roxon-evans-shock-resignations-prompt-cabinet-reshuffle-20130202-2dquv.html
Video; Image. Labor heading for heavy loss - Newspoll. The latest Newspoll shows ALP's support is bleeding away and the party is heading for defeat in September.

Analysis: Italy's Monti struggles as Berlusconi takes revenge
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/berlusconi-unveils-shock-proposal-on-tax-cuts/article8155371/
By Barry Moody. ROME | Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:34am EST. ROME (Reuters) - Little more than a year ago Silvio Berlusconi was hounded out of office by a baying crowd and economics professor Mario Monti stepped in as prime minister, hailed as Italy's savior.

China Hosts Myanmar Rebel Peace Talks
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324761004578281540470169514.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
YANGON, Myanmarâ€"Embattled Kachin rebels and Myanmar's government are set to hold peace talks in China starting Monday, coordinators said, taking a step toward stopping weeks of intense fighting in one of the last and bloodiest ethnic conflicts in the ...

Spain's Premier Expected to Speak on Graft Scandal
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/02/02/spains_pm_denies_underthetable_payments.html
SEVILLE, SPAIN - Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is expected to break his silence on Saturday over a report this week alleging that he and other conservative politicians had received regular payments from a previously undisclosed account run by treasurers ...

Woman Found Dead After Vanishing on Vacation in Istanbul
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21310568
ISTANBUL - A Staten Island woman who failed to return home from a vacation alone in Turkey last month, setting off a frantic search by American and Turkish authorities, was found dead on Saturday, according to her family and the Turkish authorities.