AFP 1900 GMT news advisory

News Editor: Dave Clark Tel: +1 202 414 0541

-- TOP STORIES --

+ UN sanctions North Korea after nuclear threat

+ Vatican conclave delays pope search

+ Venezuelans mourn Chavez

NKorea-nuclear-military-UN,3rdlead

UNITED NATIONS

The UN Security Council slams a fourth round of sanctions against North Korea amid escalating tensions as the North threatens a nuclear strike against the United States.

700 words 1930 GMT

Vatican-religion-pope,lead-WRAP

VATICAN CITY

Catholic cardinals from around the world put off a decision on when to begin a conclave to elect the next pope, instead debating Vatican finances and a reform of the bureaucracy.

700 words 1930 GMT by Dario Thuburn. Graphic. Picture. Video.

We have also moved a series of profiles on the possible contenders for pope.

Venezuela-politics-Chavez,4thlead-WRAP

CARACAS

Countless Venezuelans file past the remains of president Hugo Chavez, crying, making the sign of the cross and giving military salutes as an era ends and elections loom in the oil-rich nation.

950 words 2100 GMT by Isabel Sanchez. Picture. Graphic. Video

We have also moved: Venezuela-politics-Chavez-Palestinians,FOCUS

-- AMERICAS --

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WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama takes his charm offensive with Republicans up a notch, having lunch with budget hawk and former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan at the White House.

700 words 2130 GMT by Stephen Collinson

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NEW YORK

The trial of New York's alleged "cannibal cop" ends in a fiery clash between his lawyer, who insists his client is guilty of nothing more than "dirty thoughts," and prosecutors who dub the police officer a "sadist."

600 words 2100 GMT by Sebastian Smith

Lifestyle-US-IT-Internet-music-film-SXSW

AUSTIN, Texas

Everything's bigger in Texas, they say, and the 27th edition of the South By South West technology, film and music festival that kicks off Friday is mind-bogglingly big.

650 words 2000 GMT by Robert MacPherson. Picture

-- MIDDLE EAST --

Syria-conflict,3rdlead-WRAP

DAMASCUS

The UN presses on with negotiations to secure the release of 21 peacekeepers abducted in Syria as regime warplanes pound the northern city of Raqa after it fell into rebel hands.

750 words 2000 GMT. Graphic. Picture. Video

Egypt-vote-Morsi,FOCUS

CAIRO

A decision by an Egyptian court to cancel legislative polls due in April is a blow to Islamist President Mohamed Morsi who some analysts say has "failed" to steer the country's post-revolution transition.

650 words moved by Ines Bel Aiba

Iran-politics-vote-president,FOCUS

TEHRAN

With just 100 days to go until a presidential election in Iran, both conservative heavyweights and reformists weakened after the controversial 2009 poll are keeping their cards close to their chests.

700 words moved by Siavosh Ghazi. File picture

-- AFRICA -- 

 

Kenya-vote,2ndlead-WRAP

NAIROBI

The vote in Kenya's close election race has been "doctored", presidential hopeful and current runner-up Raila Odinga's camp says, calling for calm as counting continues.

700 words 1930 GMT by Daniel Wesangula. Graphic. Picture. Video

Also moved: ICC-unrest-Kenyatta-trial,2ndlead

 

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JOHANNESBURG

South African detective Hilton Botha resigns from the police force but denies it's over the bungled investigations in the murder case against Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, which he felt had left him to "hang out to dry".

450 words moved

-- EUROPE -- 

 

Italy-politics-crime-Berlusconi,WRAP

ROME

An Italian court sentences former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to a year in prison over the publication of leaked transcripts from a police wiretap in a newspaper in his media empire.

500 words moved by Dario Thuburn. File Picture

Also moved: Italy-politics-court-media-Berlusconi,PROFILE

 

Russia-ballet-crime-entertainment,WRAP

MOSCOW

Russia charges a leading Bolshoi dancer with grievous bodily harm after he admitted ordering an assault on the famed ballet troupe's chief while denying ever planning the use of acid.

700 words moved Anna Malpas. Picture. Video

 

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THE HAGUE

Prosecutors in the Netherlands say they will not pursue charges against three former Dutch UN commanders accused of failing to protect Bosnian Muslims during the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

550 words moved by Jan Hennop. File picture

-- ASIA --

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FELDA SAHABAT, Malaysia

Malaysia says clashes between intruding Filipino militants and its security forces have left 60 people dead, as it rejected a ceasefire offer from the fighters' leader.

700 words moved by M. Jegathesan. Picture. Graphic

Japan-disaster-accident-nuclear-anniversary,ADVANCER

TOKYO

In the dark months after a catastrophic tsunami smashed into Japan, killing almost 19,000 people and sparking a nuclear disaster, hopes for a rapid recovery and a national rebirth were frustrated by political paralysis.

850 words moved by Hiroshi Hiyama. Graphic. Picture. File video

Also moved: Japan-disaster-accident-nuclear-anniversary,FACTS

Environment-wildlife-species-bear-CITES,lead

BANGKOK

A major meeting of governments on threats to endangered species rejects a ban on international trade in polar bears amid fears it would distract from the bigger threat of global warming.

600 words moved by Amelie Bottollier-Depois. Picture

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