a complex near harasta. explosions could be heard. syrian activists say more than 9 # people have been killed in protests over the past two days. cnn cannot confirm these reports. hamid karzai has summoned 2,000 leaders and elders to kabul for a meeting. the grand council session will discuss the country s future peace plans and its relations with the united states. mr. karzai will also announce the next areas where afghan troops will take control from nato forces. italy could begin to see its new government take shape in just a few hours when the prime minister-designate mario monti is expected to lay out his cabinet choices. his first order of business, working to cut italy s massive debt. those are the top stories. i m monita rajpal. world business today starts right now. good morning from cnn london, i m nien that dos santos. good afternoon from cnn hong kong. welcome. these are our top stories wednesday, november the 16th. and caution remains the watch word among