Reuters World News Highlights 1800 GMT July 5

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Tuesday July 05, 2011 12:00:18 AM GMT

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AMMAN - Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad shot dead six people on Tuesday in the Syrian city of Hama, activists said, and France called for the United Nations to stand up against the latest “ferocious armed repression."

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TRIPOLI - Muammar Gaddafi is sounding out the possibility of handing over power, a Russian newspaper said on Tuesday, but the Libyan government denied it was in talks about the veteran leader stepping down.

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KABUL - British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Tuesday Afghanistan's Taliban could have a future as part of a government, as former militants did in Northern Ireland, but warned that those who did not lay down arms risked being killed.

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CARACAS - Venezuela celebrated the 200th anniversary of its independence on Tuesday with President Hugo Chavez back in his palace after a triumphant return from cancer surgery in Cuba that has left him weakened but defiant.

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KARLSRUHE, Germany - Germany's top court began hearing legal challenges on Tuesday against last year's bailouts of debt-stricken euro zone peers in a move that could affect Berlin's room for manoeuvre in future rescue packages.

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PARIS - Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn inched closer on Tuesday to having U.S. sex assault charges against him dropped although a complaint of assault in France could pose a further hurdle to any political comeback.

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SANAA/ADEN - Yemeni warplanes bombed southern cities held by militants on Tuesday while a top general called in a television interview for foreign intervention to help avert a regional security crisis.

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BANGKOK - Thailand's prime minister elect, Yingluck Shinawatra, said on Tuesday it was too early to decide on her cabinet as jockeying for posts started and investors expressed concern her populist policies would fuel inflation, forcing interest rates up.

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FROSLEV, Denmark - Denmark reinforced its borders on Tuesday by stationing more customs officers at crossings in an effort to halt illegal goods which has angered Germany and stirred debate about free travel in Europe.

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TOKYO - Beleaguered Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan took another blow on Tuesday when his reconstruction minister resigned after barely a week in the job over criticism for remarks that offended victims of the March earthquake and tsunami.

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