I.N.N. World Report

US spies authorized to kill American 'terrorists'

Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair admitted Wednesday Washington can kill potential American terrorists overseas. Blair told the House Intelligence Committee direct action will be taken against US citizens who threaten other Americans. Blair said: “If we think direct action will involve killing an American, we get specific permission to do that." Read more

Haiti PM says more than 200,000 dead

Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive says "more than 200,000" people died in the January 12 earthquake and another 300,000 have been injured. Bellerive said 4,000 people had had amputations and more than one million are homeless. In addition, more than 250,000 homes and 30,000 businesses have been destroyed. Read more

Wednesday: 38 Iraqis Killed,179 Wounded

In Iraq, scores of Shi’ite pilgrims were killed and wounded after two bombs exploded in the holy city of Karbala. At least 23 people were killed and 147 others were wounded during a suicide attack. A separate blast in Karbala left three dead and 21 injured. Overall, 38 Iraqis were killed and 179 wounded across the country. Read more

Iraqi Court Lifts Election Ban

An Iraqi appeals court overturned a ban on hundreds of candidates for alleged ties to Saddam Hussein's former party, allowing them to stand in the March 7 parliamentary elections. U.S. officials hope fair elections will help cement the gains in security and stability won over the last two years, adding that a smooth election could speed a large-scale troop withdrawal planned for later this year. Read more

Three US soldiers killed in Pakistan bomb blast

In Pakistan, three US soldiers were killed Wednesday by a roadside bomb on a politically-sensitive military training mission in Pakistan's border region. Their deaths are the first known US military fatalities on Pakistani soil. Pakistan's administration, which is a key ally in Washington's war against militants, could face further anti-US feeling, as the deaths disclosed the extent of the US's unpopular military involvement. Read more

UN: 258 Civilians Killed in Somalia in January

The UN says 258 civilians were killed in Somalia in January and 80,000 people displaced from their homes. African Union troops have come under increased criticism for shelling civilians, including two major incidents last month. The AU and Somali government have defended the killings, saying they only attack regions known to be under insurgent control. That covers most of the country since the Somali government controls only a few blocks near the presidential palace. Read more

China warns against talks of Iran sanctions

China has warned world powers against threatening Iran with sanctions over its nuclear energy program, saying it could prove counterproductive. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Thursday threats of sanctions will make it harder to find a diplomatic solution to the dispute. Read more

US picks veteran envoy in push for Middle East peace

The State Department has appointed Robert Ford, one of its foremost Arabists, as the new US Ambassador to Syria, the first since 2005. Ford will attempt to coax Syria away from Iran and its support of Hezbollah and Hamas. He will also press for a peace deal between Israel and Syria. Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak said Wednesday without a deal with Syria there could be “full-fledged war.” Read more

Israel threatens to 'use force' against Iran

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Yaalon says Israel might use force to prevent Iran from developing "nuclear weapons." Israel has consistently voiced its determination to stop Iran's nuclear program even through military options. Israel, believed to be the only possessor of nuclear arms in the Middle East, accuses Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program. The UN nuclear watchdog has said repeatedly it has found no evidence to support allegations Iran is seeking to develop nuclear arms.