South Korean marines patrol Yeonpyeong Island. The U.S. supports South Korea's decision to conduct war games in its own territory. (Yonhap, Reuters / December 19, 2010)S. Korea Reaffirms Intent to Conduct Live Fire Drill; North Vows Retaliation -- Voice of America
South Korea's military says it is waiting for better weather to start a controversial live-firing artillery exercise. North Korea is threatening retaliation if the artillery drill goes ahead on
Yeonpyeong island. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the high tension on the Korean peninsula.
South Korean defense officials say it is unfavorable weather, not diplomatic restraint, that is delaying a planned artillery drill on Yeonpyeong island.
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MIDDLE EAST
Arab states preparing UN resolution against Israeli settlements.
U.S. tourist killed in Israel.
Iran to cut fuel subsidy.
Iraq's main Sunni bloc to participate in government.
Thousands of Christians flee central Iraq after attacks.
Shi'ite Muslims flagellate themselves to commemorate Ashura.
Report: 5 Palestinians killed after Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
Officer at center of Abu Ghraib scandal vows to clear name.
ASIA
Afghan official: Daylong firefight in north over.
Sri Lanka lifts ban on U.N. war crime panel visit.
China signs $35bn in deals with Pakistan.
China-India row over Kashmir escalates, raising fears of military tensions.
SKorea military maneuvers scuttled by bad weather. N.Korea predicts 'disaster' if S.Korea drill goes ahead.
Top CIA spy in Pakistan pulled amid threats after public accusation over attack.
35 people killed in boat capsize in Bangladesh.
Japan shifts defense strategy toward N. Korea, China.
UN head's get-out-of-jail offer to Mugabe.
Defiant Gbagbo orders UN out of Ivory Coast. Fears of fresh civil war in Ivory Coast as world calls for "losing" president to quit.
WikiLeaks: Sudan's president 'stashed $9 billion'.
Southern Sudan awaits independence, perhaps more violence.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe: Party ready to regain dominance.
Russian police detain 2,100 to prevent ethnic clash.
Belarus' authoritarian leader seeks new term.
German Chancellor Merkel in surprise Afghan visit.
Moscow police arrest hundreds ahead of nationalist rallies.
Strongman Lukashenko aims to win another Belarus poll.
Snow and ice ground flights in Europe. Coldest December since records began as temperatures plummet to minus 10C bringing travel chaos across Britain.
Bolivia charges 39 over alleged plot to kill Morales.
Bolivian president says he'll recognize Palestine.
In historic vote, U.S. Senate moves to end 'don't ask, don't tell'.
"Dream Act" immigration bill blocked in U.S. Senate.
Cuban president says economic changes will help sustain socialism. Raul Castro says Cubans must back economic reforms.
Obama raises push for deal on arms pact.
Bank of America cuts off WikiLeaks payments.
Mexico hunts 151 prison escapees. Mother shot dead at anti-crime vigil in Chihuahua.
Venezuela parliament gives Hugo Chavez more powers.
U.S. official: Al Qaeda in Yemen bigger threat than in Pakistan.
Holiday terror warning cites car bombs and small arms attack.
Has al-Qaida
SKorea military maneuvers scuttled by bad weather. N.Korea predicts 'disaster' if S.Korea drill goes ahead.
Top CIA spy in Pakistan pulled amid threats after public accusation over attack.
35 people killed in boat capsize in Bangladesh.
Japan shifts defense strategy toward N. Korea, China.
AFRICA
UN head's get-out-of-jail offer to Mugabe.
Defiant Gbagbo orders UN out of Ivory Coast. Fears of fresh civil war in Ivory Coast as world calls for "losing" president to quit.
WikiLeaks: Sudan's president 'stashed $9 billion'.
Southern Sudan awaits independence, perhaps more violence.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe: Party ready to regain dominance.
EUROPE
Russian police detain 2,100 to prevent ethnic clash.
Belarus' authoritarian leader seeks new term.
German Chancellor Merkel in surprise Afghan visit.
Moscow police arrest hundreds ahead of nationalist rallies.
Strongman Lukashenko aims to win another Belarus poll.
Snow and ice ground flights in Europe. Coldest December since records began as temperatures plummet to minus 10C bringing travel chaos across Britain.
AMERICAS
Bolivia charges 39 over alleged plot to kill Morales.
Bolivian president says he'll recognize Palestine.
In historic vote, U.S. Senate moves to end 'don't ask, don't tell'.
"Dream Act" immigration bill blocked in U.S. Senate.
Cuban president says economic changes will help sustain socialism. Raul Castro says Cubans must back economic reforms.
Obama raises push for deal on arms pact.
Bank of America cuts off WikiLeaks payments.
Mexico hunts 151 prison escapees. Mother shot dead at anti-crime vigil in Chihuahua.
Venezuela parliament gives Hugo Chavez more powers.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. official: Al Qaeda in Yemen bigger threat than in Pakistan.
Holiday terror warning cites car bombs and small arms attack.
Has al-Qaida
Russian police detain 2,100 to prevent ethnic clash.
Belarus' authoritarian leader seeks new term.
German Chancellor Merkel in surprise Afghan visit.
Moscow police arrest hundreds ahead of nationalist rallies.
Strongman Lukashenko aims to win another Belarus poll.
Snow and ice ground flights in Europe. Coldest December since records began as temperatures plummet to minus 10C bringing travel chaos across Britain.
Bolivia charges 39 over alleged plot to kill Morales.
Bolivian president says he'll recognize Palestine.
In historic vote, U.S. Senate moves to end 'don't ask, don't tell'.
"Dream Act" immigration bill blocked in U.S. Senate.
Cuban president says economic changes will help sustain socialism. Raul Castro says Cubans must back economic reforms.
Obama raises push for deal on arms pact.
Bank of America cuts off WikiLeaks payments.
Mexico hunts 151 prison escapees. Mother shot dead at anti-crime vigil in Chihuahua.
Venezuela parliament gives Hugo Chavez more powers.
U.S. official: Al Qaeda in Yemen bigger threat than in Pakistan.
Holiday terror warning cites car bombs and small arms attack.
Has al-Qaida targeted Christmas?
Taliban leader linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Islam captured in Afghan east.
Smart phone rivalry plays out in patent suits.
Google faces German publishers' complaints of discrimination in EU probe.
Eurozone plans economic integration move.
Deal recovers $7.2 billion for Madoff fraud victims.
Markets sanguine on Moody's big Ireland downgrade.
Cash-rich IMF plans to refurbish its 'opulent' headquarters.
Belarus' authoritarian leader seeks new term.
German Chancellor Merkel in surprise Afghan visit.
Moscow police arrest hundreds ahead of nationalist rallies.
Strongman Lukashenko aims to win another Belarus poll.
Snow and ice ground flights in Europe. Coldest December since records began as temperatures plummet to minus 10C bringing travel chaos across Britain.
AMERICAS
Bolivia charges 39 over alleged plot to kill Morales.
Bolivian president says he'll recognize Palestine.
In historic vote, U.S. Senate moves to end 'don't ask, don't tell'.
"Dream Act" immigration bill blocked in U.S. Senate.
Cuban president says economic changes will help sustain socialism. Raul Castro says Cubans must back economic reforms.
Obama raises push for deal on arms pact.
Bank of America cuts off WikiLeaks payments.
Mexico hunts 151 prison escapees. Mother shot dead at anti-crime vigil in Chihuahua.
Venezuela parliament gives Hugo Chavez more powers.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
U.S. official: Al Qaeda in Yemen bigger threat than in Pakistan.
Holiday terror warning cites car bombs and small arms attack.
Has al-Qaida targeted Christmas?
Taliban leader linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Islam captured in Afghan east.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Smart phone rivalry plays out in patent suits.
Google faces German publishers' complaints of discrimination in EU probe.
Eurozone plans economic integration move.
Deal recovers $7.2 billion for Madoff fraud victims.
Markets sanguine on Moody's big Ireland downgrade.
Cash-rich IMF plans to refurbish its 'opulent' headquarters.