Yahoo! News: World News

Taliban extend hold, advance near Pakistan capital (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 06:01 PM PDT

AP - Taliban militants have extended their grip in northwestern Pakistan, pushing out from a valley where the government has agreed to impose Islamic law and patrolling villages as close as 60 miles from the capital. Police and officials appear to have fled as armed militants also broadcast radio sermons and spread fear in Buner district, just 60 miles from Islamabad, officials and witnesses said Wednesday.

SAfrica president's dilemma: 2 wives, 1 first lady (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 02:36 PM PDT

AP - There's little question who will lead South Africa after Wednesday's national election. The real mystery lies in who will be the country's first lady.

ANC expects big win in South African elections (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 01:19 PM PDT

AP - Lines of South African voters snaked around dusty fields, up misty hills and around gritty urban neighborhoods Wednesday, all for an election expected to propel Jacob Zuma to power despite sex and corruption scandals that would have buried a less wily populist.

AP IMPACT: Textbooks bogged down in Afghanistan (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 11:35 AM PDT

AP - Millions of new textbooks promised and paid for by the U.S. and other foreign donors have not been delivered to schools in Afghanistan, The Associated Press has found. Other books were so poorly made they are already falling apart.

Rights groups cry whitewash over army's Gaza probe (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 12:59 PM PDT

AP - Human rights activists, some charging whitewash, demanded an independent war crimes probe after Israel's military on Wednesday cleared itself of wrongdoing over civilian deaths in the Gaza war.

Lions put their faith in rugby 'beasts' (AFP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 06:29 PM PDT

AFP - The British and Irish Lions aim to make sure they at least match the power threat of world champions South Africa after selecting a group of forwards branded "beasts" by scrum coach Graham Rowntree.

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,275 (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 05:13 PM PDT

AP - As of Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at least 4,275 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Rape accusation riles Mexican Indian-ruled town (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 06:48 PM PDT

AP - An accusation that a woman was gang-raped by traditional authorities has rattled a Mexican town still ruled by ancient Indian customs.

Sri Lankan army squeezes rebels as 2 leaders quit (AP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 06:54 PM PDT

AP - Sri Lankan troops closed in on separatist rebels in an ever-shrinking coastal war zone Wednesday, as two prominent guerrillas surrendered and tens of thousands of refugees clutching their belongings fled the fighting in boats.

Obama to host talks amid US concern over Taliban (AFP)

Posted: 22 Apr 2009 06:50 PM PDT

AFP - Taliban advances in Pakistan pose "an existential threat" to the country, US officials have warned as President Barack Obama prepared to hold talks in May with Afghan and Pakistani leaders.