Israeli tanks struck a Syrian artillery launcher Monday after a stray mortar shell flew into Israel-held territory, the first direct clash between the neighbors since the Syrian uprising began nearly two years ago. Putin suggests some flexibility on anti-dissent laws
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Pu tin said on Monday he was ready to review or move more slowly on a clutch of recent laws that rights campaigners say are aimed at silencing his critics. Since Putin's re-election in March, preceded by the largest protests in his 12 years in power, parliament has rushed through laws tightening controls on the Internet, increasing the penalties for defamation and expanding the definition of high treason, among others. … UN nuclear security body sees new rules finally in place by 2014
GENEVA (Reuters) – New global rules aimed at stopping terrorists getting hold of nuclear materials should finally come into force in 2014 – nine years after countries agreed they were sorely needed, a senior U.N. official said on Monday. An amendment to the 1980 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) was agreed in 2005 but has not yet been ratified by two-thirds of parties to the CPPNM needed for it to come into force. …
EU Commission wants 900 million permits withheld to boost CO2 market
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission proposed postponing the auction of 900 million pollution allowances in the next phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, to prop up the carbon market. The plan would push back allowances from the first three years of the 2013-2020 phase of the ETS, a scheme meant to reduce the output of climate-changing gases. The market has lost its effectiveness because of a glut of allowances unused in the regional economic slowdown. …
Man arrested at Heathrow airport in Syria "terrorist" inquiry
LONDON (Reuters) – Police arrested a 24-year-old man at Heathrow airport on Monday as part of an investigation into people travelling to Syria for "alleged terrorist activity". The man, who had arrived in the UK on a plane from Ba hrain, was held "on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism", said the force. He was taken to a police station in south London for questioning by officers from Counter Terrorism Command, the police added in a statement. … FSA investigates claims of gas market manipulation
LONDON (Reuters) – British energy regulators on Monday said they are investigating claims made by a whistleblower that UK traders have manipulated wholesale prices on Europe's biggest gas market. The allegation was made by a whistleblower to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on November 9, who claimed to show that gas traders were seeking to rig the price of wholesale gas prices, according to an article in the Guardian newspaper. … Shootout throws spotlight on Lebanon's sectarian tinderbox
SIDON, Lebanon (Reuters) – If the war in Syria does tip its precariously balanced neighbor Lebanon into sectarian conflict, as many fear, this could be the way it starts. A year ago, a few Shi’ite flags in a mostly Sunni Muslim part of the port city of Sidon might not have caused much reaction. But on Sunday, when supporters of the Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Assir tried to tear down religious and political banners put up by Shi’ites to mark their holy day of Ashura this week, they triggered a shootout in which three people were killed. …
MP slam Starbucks, Amazon and Google on tax
LONDON (Reuters) – MPs criticised executives of Starbucks, Google and Amazon on Monday for not paying more tax in Britain and Amazon said it had received a $252 million (158.7 million pounds) demand for bac k taxes from France. Britain's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is charged with monitoring government financial affairs, invited the companies to give evidence amid mounting public and political concern about tax avoidance by big international companies. … Israeli tanks hit inside Syria, but Israel not eager to enter conflict
Israeli tanks on the Golan Heights fired on and hit a Syria artillery battery on Monday in response to cross-border mortar fire, marking the first time after 18 months of watching the Syrian conflict from the sidelines that the Jewish state has allowed itself to participate.
Ukraine opposition warns Yanukovich, vows to free Tymoshenko
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine's re-energized opposition on Monday threatened President Viktor Yanukovich with impeachment and vowed to work to free ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko from jail as they set out an action program for the new parliament. The three parties, which include Tymoshenko's Batkivshchyna (Fatherland), far-right nationalists and a liberal party headed by boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, made their call in a joint statement in which they grudgingly accepted the results of the disputed October 28 election. … 
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