Wednesday, July 31, 2013

World News Briefs -- July 31, 2013

People wait to cast their votes in Mbare township outside Harare July 31, 2013.

Vote Rigging, Fraud Allegations Overshadow Zimbabwe Vote -- Voice of America

JOHANNESBURG — Millions of Zimbabweans are voting in a tense election pitting the octogenarian president against his arch-rival, the prime minister. Soon after polls opened, the opposition complained about voting irregularities.

It did not take long for Zimbabwe’s opposition to dispute the nation’s hotly contested presidential election.

Barely two hours after polls opened on Wednesday, the Movement for Democratic Change accused President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party of a litany of violations -- including tampering with the voter roll, intimidating opposition supporters and arresting activists. Rights groups and critics have made similar allegations in the run-up to the vote.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian troops launch assault on northern village.

Syrian war takes center stage on Ramadan TV series.

Over 645,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon: UNHCR.

Drive-by shootings, bombings kill 18 in Iraq.

Rights group condemns lashing, jailing of Saudi blogger on Islam.

Stolen Saddam Hussein sword returned to Iraq.

Iran President's inner circle has western accent.

ASIA

U.S., South Korea discuss delaying wartime command transfer.

Report: Civilian casualties rising in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Taliban move prisoners to tribal region. About 200 inmates escape in Pakistan Taliban attack on prison.

U.S. raises military assistance to the Philippines.

China media: Japan tensions.

China issues heat alert as 'hottest July' hits Shanghai.

AFRICA

Zimbabwe votes in third Mugabe-Tsvangirai showdown. Fraud claims mount as Zimbabweans vote.

134 people killed in clashes in Sudan's Darfur: Tribal leader.

Ex-Prime Minister Keita holds wide lead in Mali vote.

Nigeria says to begin Mali troop pullout on Wednesday.

'New Somalia' risk as warlords rule in Central African Republic.

DR Congo unrest: UN orders Goma to be arms-free.

North African instability a concern for NATO: Military chief.

EUROPE

Eurozone unemployment total in slight fall.

Spanish train driver on phone to Renfe official at moment of crash, court says.

Eurozone must fill £9.6bn gap in Greek finances, warns IMF.

Portugal PM wins confidence vote, vows to meet bailout goals.

Doubts grow over Spanish government reforms.

Cyprus U.N. envoy says peace talks could resume in October.

AMERICAS

US economy grows at 1.7 pct. pace in 2nd quarter.

Homeland Security loses track of 1 million foreigners; report could hurt immigration deal.

Panama uncovers fighter jet engines from seized North Korea ship.

FARC renews offer to free former US marine.

US Air Force flying 24 tons of cocaine to Miami because Costa Rica can't destroy it on its own.

Honduras declares emergency over dengue fever.

Woman charged in vandalism at National Cathedral ordered held without bond.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Zawahri vows al Qaeda to free Guantanamo inmates.

Pentagon: Guantanamo tab $5.2 billion and counting.

US drones strike again in Yemen, kill 3 AQAP operatives.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

EADS to restructure and change name to Airbus.

Railway company ‘can’t pay’ for Quebec train disaster.

Bank of England helped in sale of looted Nazi gold.

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