04/13/12

* North Korea's failed rocket launch draws shame, anger North Korea's widely condemned rocket splintered into pieces over the Yellow Sea soon after takeoff Friday.

* West pushes UN Syria vote, despite Russian criticism Western powers brushed aside Russian criticism of a US-drafted Security Council resolution authorizing an advance team of UN observers to monitor Syria's fragile ceasefire.

* UN team ready for Syria deployment A United Nations team of 30 unarmed military observers is ready to deploy to Syria.

* Sudan, South Sudan on track for all-out war Sudan and its new southern neighbor have been advancing toward full-scale war.

* Waiting for a meltdown ahead of Iran talks Despite the dramatic media reports, don't get too excited about the next round of talks between Iran and six nations regarding Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

* Islamists rally in Cairo against Mubarak old guard Thousands of Egyptians packed into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to protest against a run for the presidency by former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.

* Former Astronauts and Employees to NASA: Stay Away from Global Warming A group of former NASA employees, including astronauts, has called on the agency to stop making "unproven and unsubstantiated remarks" regarding global climate change.

* US Officials: Drone Strikes Will Go on in Pakistan U.S officials say the White House has no intentions to end CIA drone strikes against militant targets on Pakistani soil.

* US aid to rebels aims to oust Assad President Barack Obama has ramped up US aid.

* Officials, diplomats want even more EU secrecy Most member states and EU institutions are keen to draw a new veil of secrecy over how they appoint top officials and enforce EU law.