Yahoo! News: World News

---

• Powers to offer Iran sanctions relief at nuclear talks
• Syria says ready to talk with armed opposition
• Tunisia arrests suspect in killing that sparked unrest
• Obama urged to back tough arms trade treaty at U.N. talks
• Analysis: Castro successor lacks charisma but is experienced manager
• After election win, Anastasiades tackles Cyprus bailout
• Thousands mourn Palestinian prisoner, revolt fears grow
• Main suspect in Spain graft scandal has passport seized
• California couple vanishes during cycling trip in Peru
• Huge protest vote pushes Italy towards deadlock
• Syria says it's prepared to talk with armed rebels
• Italy faces political gridlock after crucial elex
• British cardinal will skip upcoming papal conclave
• Sanctions relief offered in Iranian nuclear talks
• South Africa: will Pistorius train while on bail?
• Cuba's new heir apparent has work cut out for him
• Ikea withdraws meatballs in more than 20 countries
• Egypt's Morsi uses TV interview to burnish image
• Video claims Nigeria sect holds 7 French hostages
• Ex-Canada ambassador pleased Affleck thanks Canada
• Raul Castro promises an end of an era in Cuba
• Big tally for Berlusconi throws wrench into Italy's election
• Hamid Karzai is mad as heck and he isn't going to take it anymore
• Good reads: the meteors we miss, Tesla's frigid review, car-buying woes, bionic eyes
• Egypt's economy is collapsing, and no one is stopping it
• Amid mounting pressures, some see potential for new Palestinian uprising
• Afghan president orders US troops out of volatile province on Kabul's flank
• South Korea's first female president innagurated today. Will she bring change?
• Newly Russian, Gérard Depardieu tours his adopted homeland
• Karen Olson taps religious groups to help the homeless
• Why Bangkok struggles to bring peace to Thailand's 'Deep South'
• 'Life of Pi’s' Oscars give limelight to Taiwan
• In shift, Syrian regime says it's ready to talk to rebels

Powers to offer Iran sanctions relief at nuclear talks Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:31 PM PST ALMATY (Reuters) - Major powers will offer Iran some sanctions relief during talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan, this week if Tehran agrees to curb its nuclear program, a U.S. official said on Monday. But the Islamic Republic could face more economic pain if it fails to address international concerns about its atomic activities, the official said ahead of the February 26-27 meeting in the central Asian state, speaking on condition of anonymity. "There will be continued sanctions enforcement ... ...

Syria says ready to talk with armed opposition Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:21 PM PST MOSCOW (Reuters) - Syria is ready for talks with its armed opponents, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Monday, in the clearest offer yet to negotiate with rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad. But Moualem said at the same time Syria would pursue its fight "against terrorism", alluding to the conflict in which the United Nations says 70,000 people have been killed. His offer of talks drew a dismissive response from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who was starting a nine-nation tour of European and Arab capitals in London. ...

Tunisia arrests suspect in killing that sparked unrest Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:31 PM PST TUNIS (Reuters) - A hardline Islamist has been arrested in connection with the killing of a Tunisian opposition politician whose death earlier this month touched off protests across the country, a security source said on Monday. Tunisia was plunged into political crisis when the secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid was gunned down outside his house on February 6, igniting the biggest street protests since the overthrow of strongman Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali two years ago. "The police arrested a Salafist suspected of killing Belaid," the source told Reuters without giving more details. ...

Obama urged to back tough arms trade treaty at U.N. talks Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:02 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Three dozen arms control and human rights groups have written to U.S. President Barack Obama ahead of new arms-trade negotiations at the United Nations next month, urging him to back a tough treaty that would end loopholes in international weapons sales. Arms control campaigners say one person every minute dies worldwide as a result of armed violence and a convention is needed to prevent the unregulated and illicit flow of weapons into conflict zones and fueling wars and atrocities. The U.N. ...

Analysis: Castro successor lacks charisma but is experienced manager Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:37 PM PST HAVANA (Reuters) - When Cuban President Raul Castro named former engineering professor and long-time Communist Party insider Miguel Diaz-Canel as his first vice president and potential successor on Sunday, he chose managerial skills over flair. Diaz-Canel, 52, is the youngest non-military man to come so close to the pinnacle of power in Cuba since the Castro brothers took power in 1959. He was appointed first vice president on Sunday at a meeting of the National Assembly where Castro also announced he would step down in 2018 at the end of his second five-year term as president. ...

After election win, Anastasiades tackles Cyprus bailout Posted: 25 Feb 2013 11:46 AM PST NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cypriot president-elect Nicos Anastasiades, armed with a clear mandate from voters to spare the island from insolvency, said on Monday he was committed to reforms in return for a financial bailout. The Conservative Anastasiades won decisive backing in a presidential election on Sunday for an aggressive approach to resolving the island's worst financial crisis in four decades. ...

Thousands mourn Palestinian prisoner, revolt fears grow Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:46 PM PST SE'EER, West Bank (Reuters) - Masked Palestinian gunmen fired in the air and youths clashed with police on Monday as thousands marched at the West Bank funeral of a prisoner following days of rioting that have stoked Israeli fears of a new uprising. Israeli police shot and wounded five Palestinian youths during confrontations in Bethlehem and outside a West Bank prison, leaving one 15-year-old boy in a critical condition, Israeli and Palestinian medical sources said. ...

Main suspect in Spain graft scandal has passport seized Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:30 PM PST MADRID (Reuters) - A former treasurer of Spain's ruling party, at the heart of a corruption scandal that has hurt Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, was ordered to surrender his passport on Monday while judges investigate millions of euros he deposited in Swiss banks. Luis Barcenas is accused of using his position to take bribes, evade taxes by hiding the proceeds in Switzerland and launder money through shell companies, charges that carry prison sentences of up to six years and fines. ...

California couple vanishes during cycling trip in Peru Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:09 PM PST (Reuters) - Authorities in Peru have launched a search for a California couple reported missing while on a cycling trip through the Andean country in an area where U.S. citizens have been warned of kidnapping risks, U.S. Embassy officials in Lima said on Monday. Families of the couple, Garrett Hand and Jamie Neal, said they last heard from the pair on January 25, a day before they were expected to arrive in Lima after a journey of several hundred miles from Cusco, in the country's mountainous interior southeast of the capital, the embassy said in a statement. "Embassy officers are ... ...

Huge protest vote pushes Italy towards deadlock Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:54 PM PST ROME (Reuters) - A huge protest vote by Italians enraged by economic hardship and political corruption pushed the country towards deadlock after an election on Monday, with voting projections showing no coalition strong enough to form a government. With more than two thirds of the vote counted, the projections suggested the center left could have a slim lead in the race for the lower house of parliament. ...

Syria says it's prepared to talk with armed rebels Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:43 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — Syria said Monday it is prepared to hold talks with armed rebels bent on overthrowing President Bashar Assad, the clearest signal yet that the regime is growing increasingly nervous about its long-term prospects to hold onto power as opposition fighters make slow but persistent headway in the civil war.

Italy faces political gridlock after crucial elex Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:09 PM PST ROME (AP) — Italy faced political paralysis Monday as near-complete results in crucial national elections showed no clear front-runner and raised the possibility of a hung parliament. The uncertainty bodes ill for the nation's efforts to pass the tough reforms it needs to snuff out its economic crisis and reassure jittery markets.

British cardinal will skip upcoming papal conclave Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:33 PM PST VATICAN CITY (AP) — In a season of startling change for the Catholic Church, the latest break with tradition was as unexpected as it was a wake-up call to the 115 men who will elect the next pope.

Sanctions relief offered in Iranian nuclear talks Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:19 PM PST ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP) — World powers, fearful of scuttling negotiations beginning this week with Iran, are offering the Islamic republic some small new sanctions relief in return for curbing its nuclear program. But officials warned Monday that it's unlikely that any compromise will be reached soon.

South Africa: will Pistorius train while on bail? Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:56 PM PST JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Oscar Pistorius on Monday informed South African authorities that he wants to resume athletic training while on bail for the murder case against him, a government official said.

Cuba's new heir apparent has work cut out for him Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:46 PM PST HAVANA (AP) — Miguel Diaz-Canel has five years to get started and a lot of work to do.

Ikea withdraws meatballs in more than 20 countries Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:12 PM PST STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish furniture giant Ikea became entangled in Europe's widening meat scandal Monday, forced to withdraw meatballs from stores across Europe amid suspicions that they contained horse meat.

Egypt's Morsi uses TV interview to burnish image Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:02 AM PST CAIRO (AP) — During a more than 2-hour television interview, Egypt's Islamist president sought to depict himself as a man of the people, his voice rising and tears welling in his eyes as he spoke of the country's poor and portrayed the masses protesting against his rule as "thugs" and "outlaws."

Video claims Nigeria sect holds 7 French hostages Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:18 PM PST LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A video posted online Monday apparently shows seven French hostages kidnapped from northern Cameroon, with a masked militant claiming the radical Islamic group Boko Haram from neighboring Nigeria holds them.

Ex-Canada ambassador pleased Affleck thanks Canada Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:39 PM PST TORONTO (AP) — The former Canadian ambassador to Iran who protected Americans at great personal risk during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis said Monday it was good to hear Ben Affleck thank Canada after Affleck's film "Argo" won the Oscar for best picture.

Raul Castro promises an end of an era in Cuba Posted: 25 Feb 2013 03:11 PM PST Cuban President Raul Castro made the strongest statement yet that the island nation is preparing for a post-Castro era in announcing yesterday that he will step down in five years with plans to institute term limits.

Big tally for Berlusconi throws wrench into Italy's election Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:20 PM PST Silvio Berlusconi pulled off a Lazarus-like rise from political oblivion on Monday by securing enough support in Italy's general election to hobble, or block altogether, the formation of a new government.

Hamid Karzai is mad as heck and he isn't going to take it anymore Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:26 PM PST Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been on a roll recently in attacking the professionalism and ability of the US military – the people most responsible for his run as Afghanistan's leader.

Good reads: the meteors we miss, Tesla's frigid review, car-buying woes, bionic eyes Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:00 PM PST A meteor blazed over Siberia on Feb. 15. As the rock punched through Earth's atmosphere, it lit up the morning sky and produced a powerful shock wave. The meteor – the largest recorded space rock to hit Earth in more than a century – injured nearly 1,500 people and created a 20-foot crater near the Russian town of Chebarkul.

Egypt's economy is collapsing, and no one is stopping it Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:58 AM PST Egypt's economy has a political problem. And its politics have an economic problem. And the two are feeding each other in dangerous and toxic ways that makes fixing either or both harder with each passing day.

Amid mounting pressures, some see potential for new Palestinian uprising Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:17 AM PST Less than a month before President Obama is to visit Jerusalem and Ramallah, raising hopes he will help bring Israelis and Palestinians back to the peace table, some see the West Bank heading in a very different direction.

Afghan president orders US troops out of volatile province on Kabul's flank Posted: 25 Feb 2013 09:54 AM PST The Afghan government has demanded that US Special Forces leave a strategic province that lies just to the west of Kabul, claiming in a written statement that American soldiers operating in the region have been "torturing and even murdering innocent people." The US-led coalition denies the claims.

South Korea's first female president innagurated today. Will she bring change? Posted: 25 Feb 2013 09:41 AM PST South Korea's first female president, Park Geun-hye, was sworn in today, taking the helm of the dynamic northeast Asian state at a tumultuous time – both for the economy and for relations with North Korea.

Newly Russian, Gérard Depardieu tours his adopted homeland Posted: 25 Feb 2013 08:33 AM PST Freshly-minted Russian citizen, French actor, and tax-hopper Gérard Depardieu returned to Russia over the weekend to get his "propiska," the registration of residency that every Russian must have stamped into his passport.

Karen Olson taps religious groups to help the homeless Posted: 25 Feb 2013 08:15 AM PST In the early 1980s Karen Olson was in a job she enjoyed, working on marketing projects for a pharmaceutical company.

Why Bangkok struggles to bring peace to Thailand's 'Deep South' Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:31 AM PST Southern Thailand has not gotten any calmer since a Feb. 13 raid on a Thai military base left 19 insurgents dead. Instead, fellow Malay Muslim insurgents have carried out dozens of arson, bomb, and gun attacks across the violence-wracked southernmost parts of the country.

'Life of Pi’s' Oscars give limelight to Taiwan Posted: 25 Feb 2013 06:36 AM PST When the hero of "Life of Pi" is staring desperately out at the endless, picturesque ocean as a shipwreck castaway somewhere between India and Mexico, he wasn't actually there.

In shift, Syrian regime says it's ready to talk to rebels Posted: 25 Feb 2013 05:42 AM PST For the first time since the Syrian civil war began almost two years ago, a top member of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government today offered to engage in talks with rebel leaders to find a diplomatic resolution to the fighting. But the opposition leadership has reportedly dismissed the offer, insisting that the president must first step down.

You are subscribed to email updates from World News Headlines - Yahoo! News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610