[World] Body of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez lies in state

Body of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez lies in state
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21695322
The body of the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, is lying in state at the military academy in Caracas. His family and close advisers, as well as the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay, paid their respects next to his open casket on Wednesday.

Malaysia may extradite Philippine sultan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21695654
Malaysia may extradite Philippine sultan. Updated: 14:40, Thursday March 7, 2013. Malaysia's foreign minister says the country may seek the extradition of a self-styled Philippine sultan whose followers launched a deadly incursion into eastern Malaysia.

Bolshoi dancer confesses to attack on ballet chief
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/dancer-detained-in-bolshoi-acid-attack/476561.html
MOSCOW (AP) - A Russian ballet star who has danced the roles of violent and powerful historical figures at the Bolshoi Theater has confessed to organizing the acid attack on the theater's ballet chief, Moscow police said Wednesday.

Philippines urges Syrian rebels to release troops
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/rebel-group-in-syria-abducts-20-un-peacekeepers-demands-withdrawal-of-assad-forces/article9360358/?cmpid=rss1
MANILA - The Philippines called Thursday for the immediate release of 21 Filipino UN peacekeepers taken hostage by Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights ceasefire zone.

Syria detects Israeli spying devices on coast
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/arab-league-mulls-awarding-vacant-seat-in-bloc-to-syrian-opposition-1.507703
DAMASCUS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Syria said it had detected Israeli spying devices planted at certain point on the Syrian coast, the state-run SANA news agency said Wednesday.

South Korea Pushes Back on North's Threats
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/03/07/2013030700528.html
SEOUL, South Korea - The South Korean military warned on Wednesday that if it was provoked by North Korea, it would strike the North's “command leadership,” escalating a war of words and hinting at an attack on a North Korean headquarters.

Cardinal briefings shut down amid security concerns
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/06/vatican-clamps-down-on-secrecy-ahead-of-conclave-as-u-s-cardinals-cancel-press-briefings/
ROME - Cardinals gathered to select the next pope shut down the briefings Wednesday over concerns about leaks to the news media. U.S.

Taliban Kill 17 Afghan Troops Caught in an Ambush
http://www.rferl.org/content/afghanistan-nato-taliban-attacks/24920245.html
KABULâ€"Taliban insurgents ambushed and killed 17 Afghan troops in the usually peaceful province of Badakhshan, Afghan officials said Wednesday, in an incident that underscored Afghanistan's deteriorating security as U.S.

MP Ward denies being disciplined for comments on Jews
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21664702
Lib Dem MP David Ward has denied he was ordered to attend "language classes" after making controversial comments about "the Jews".

Obama to skip Knesset, address Israeli students instead
http://rt.com/news/obama-to-skip-knesset-921/
The White House has reportedly rejected Tel Aviv's requests to have President Obama address Israel's parliament during a late March trip to the country.

US Accuses Iran of Nuke 'Deception and Delay'
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-accuses-iran-nuke-deception-delay-18664369
A senior U.S. envoy accused Iran of "deception, defiance and delay" Wednesday in dealing with international concerns about its nuclear activities, reflecting frustration over Tehran's expanding uranium enrichment program and stalled U.N.

French soldier killed in Mali fighting
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/french-soldier-about-10-rebels-die-in-mali-clash-339178
(CNN) -- A French soldier was killed during a clash with Islamist fighters early Wednesday in northern Mali, the French Defense Ministry said.