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BBC news 2012-07-24

BBC News with Jerry Smit

US President Barack Obama has warned that the Syrian President Bashar Assad will be making a tragic mistake if he would use the stockpile of chemical weapons as Syria has now admitted possessing. Mr Obama added that the Syrian leader will be held accountable if chemical weapons were used. The president's comment followed a similar warning from the State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

"Any talk about any use of any kind of a weapon like that in this situation is horrific and chilling. The Syrian regime has a responsibility to the world, has a responsibility, first and foremost, to its own citizens to protect and safeguard those weapons. And that kind of loose talk just speaks to the kind of regime that we're talking about.

The US warning came after Syria's foreign ministry spokesman acknowledged for the first time that Syria has chemical weapons. But he said they would only be used in the event of a foreign attack.

Multiple attacks across Iraq, many targeting the security forces, have killed more than 100 people. It's one of the worst states of violence in Iraq since American forces withdrew last December. Rami Ruhayem reports from Baghdad.

Rescue workers scrambled to multiple blast scenes as Iraq reeled from yet another day of coordinated attacks. The northern city of Kirkuk and its suburbs were struck by no fewer than eight car bombs. Several police checkpoints came under assault; and in one incident, an army base was attacked by mortars and then machinegun fire, killing 15 soldiers. Security forces bore the brunt of the casualties, but many civilians were also hit in attacks on markets, roads and local government buildings.

The man accused of killing 12 people in a shooting at a midnight screening of the new Batman film in Colorado last week has appeared in court. The suspect, James Holmes, faces more than 70 charges. Alastair Leithead is in Colorado.

James Holmes looked tired – almost slipping into sleep and seemingly unaware of his surroundings as he made his first court appearance since 12 people were killed and 58 injured in the shooting at the cinema on Friday. His hair was dyed a bright red – said to resemble Batman's evil on-screen enemy, the Joker. This initial hearing was to show the court police had enough evidence that he was the lone gunman, to keep him in custody and solitary confinement, and to outline to him the gravity of the accusations.

One of the most successful college football teams in the United States Penn State has been fined $16m by the sports governing body. This follows an investigation showing that officials at the university had colluded in concealing child sex abuse allegations against the team's former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. He was found guilty of molesting a number of boys for over a decade.

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South Sudan has proposed a deal to neighboring Sudan worth billions of dollars to compensate it for economy losses caused by the south's independence. It's one of a range of measures being put forward by South Sudan to try to resolve a bitter dispute between the two sides since their separation over a year ago. James Copnall reports from Khartoum.

South Sudan's offering includes more than $3.2bn over a 3.5-year period to compensate Sudan in part for the economic losses South Sudan's independence has caused it. Juba also says it will waive its claims to nearly $5bn it believes it is owed by Khartoum. The 67-page document outlined security and border arrangements, including arbitration mechanisms for determining which country several disputed areas belong to.

A far-reaching ban on alcohol advertising has gone into effect in Russia – that's part of a campaign to tackle the country's drink problem. Jason Caffrey has the details.

Alcohol consumption in Russia is amongst the highest in the world, and the new ban is designed to help change that. It prohibits the advertising of alcohol on TV, on radio, on public transport and on billboards. It also applies to the internet. And from January next year, it will cover up print media. Only shops and kiosks will still be allowed to advertise alcohol. One expert told the BBC the ban would hit legitimate producers, but leave black market traders untouched. Others have defended it as a tough but necessary measure to reduce Russia's high levels of alcohol consumption.

European financial markets have had a turbulent day driven by continuing concerns about Spain's national debt. The German, French and Italian stock markets dropped sharply by 3%. Observers say the Spanish debt situation is appearing increasingly precarious , and further financial assistance may be needed from the eurozone.

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