A neighbor says she heard trouble before Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend – Child porn charges rock Number 10 – Time is running out for an endangered species – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

The murder trial of Olympic track star Oscar Pistorius began with one of his neighbors saying that she heard “bloodcurdling screams” shortly before Reeve Steenkamp was shot and killed in the Pistorius home.  Pistorius doesn’t deny shooting Steenkamp, but claims he mistook her for a burglar.  There are no juries in South Africa, the judge will decide this case – and she has a reputation for tough sentences on those who commit violence against women.

Jury selection has begun in New York City in the trial of Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law.  48-year old Sulaiman Abu Ghaith has pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiring to kill Americans and providing material support for terrorists.  If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Police arrested a close aide to British Prime Minister David Cameron for allegedly possessing child porn.  62-year old Patrick Rock is a veteran Tory operative who despite not being a household name has been influential ever since he started as a protege of the late PM Margaret Thatcher and was being considered for peerage.  He resigned last month.  Detectives searched his office and Number 10 and examined the entire Downing Street IT system.

US President Barack Obama welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, trying to nudge him towards a peace plan with the Palestinians that would end with the Two State Solution.  Netanyahu pushed back against suggestions that Israel should try harder to make progress.  Meanwhile, Israel’s military confirms an air strike into Gaza, ostensibly to prevent a militant missile attack.  Gaza officials confirm it killed a 21-year old man and injured two others.

Laos appears to be going ahead with construction of a dam on the Mekong River that conservationists will kill off the last of the Mekong Dolphins.  Only 85 of the close relatives to the Orca with their distinctive rounded snouts still exist in the Mekong.  The World Wildlife Fund says construction on the 260-megawatt Don Sahong dam will entail massive excavation, explosive blasts, and increased boat traffic.

Nepal has a solution to the problem of increasing numbers of international climbers tramping up and down the world’s highest peak.  From now on, anyone climbing up Mount Everest will be required to bring eight kilograms of garbage down with them.  If not, climbers can expect no return of their A$4,850 deposit to climb Everest.

Singapore replaces Tokyo at the top of the world’s most expensive cities.  The Economist Intelligence Unit cites Singapore’s strong currency, the high cost of automobile ownership, and soaring utility bills as contributing factors. Other cities making up the top five most expensive cities to live in are Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney, with Tokyo falling to sixth place.

Bill Gates has returned to the top of Forbes billionaire’s list, the Microsoft founder’s US$76 billion fortune ended the four-year reign of Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim.  Despite giving away $28 Billion to charity in recent years, Gates’ fortune grew by $9 Billion last year.  The number of women in the group of the world’s wealthiest climbed 25 percent to 172.