Yahoo! News: World News

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• West to send Syrian rebels aid, not arms
• Iran nuclear talks show progress, Western diplomat says
• Van Rompuy tells Britain: leaving EU "not free"
• Hungary PM seen picking his "right hand" to head central bank
• Donors step up ties with Somalia; praise rebuilding efforts
• Sudan sends more troops to volatile border state
• Bombs kill at least 22 in Iraqi capital
• Israel, Turkey row over Zionism deepens rift between ex-allies
• African leaders call for U.N. mandate for Mali mission
• Exclusive: China plans bond overhaul to fund $6 trillion urbanization - sources
• Benedict becomes 1st pope in 600 years to resign
• Syrian rebel put his dreams on hold in civil war
• Syrians find makeshift homes in ancient structures
• South African police, a force in turmoil
• WHO: Slight cancer risk after Japan nuke accident
• Rodman tells Kim Jong Un he has 'friend for life'
• Study: Daisies sprout in King Richard I's heart
• Officials: France in Mali until July or later
• Many Venezuelans believe in Chavez recovery
• Lawmakers push measure on Israel's self-defense
• Titanic II: Billionaire launches plans for replica of doomed ship
• Report: UK stripping terrorism suspects of citizenship, US killing some of them
• South Africa police face scrutiny after video of dragging goes viral
• Will limited US aid to Syria rebels hasten the end of war, or prolong it?
• Ethiopia makes help difficult for world donors advocating civil society, rights
• Friends forever: Rodman warms to North Korean dictator
• Syrians are receiving US aid - they just don't know it
• Spain's economic crisis has an unexpected victim: journalism
• Benedict XVI pledges support to successor on his last day as pope
• Egypt quietly stifles NGOs by cutting off foreign cash flow
• Circling the wagons? Putin urges 'drastic upgrade' to Russia's military
• 10 quotes about 'People Making a Difference'
• Iran hails 'softer' and 'smarter' approach to its nuclear program
• Pakistan textbooks raise debate about 'curriculum of hate'
• US will send nonlethal aid directly to Syrian rebels

West to send Syrian rebels aid, not arms Posted: 28 Feb 2013 11:43 AM PST ROME (Reuters) - Western powers pledged aid for Syrian rebels on Thursday but stopped short of offering them weapons, disappointing opponents of President Bashar al-Assad clamoring for more arms. More than 70,000 Syrians have been killed in a fierce conflict that began with peaceful anti-Assad protests nearly two years ago. Washington has given $385 million in humanitarian aid for Syria but U.S. President Barack Obama has so far refused to give arms, arguing it is difficult to prevent them from falling into the hands of militants who could use them on Western targets. ...

Iran nuclear talks show progress, Western diplomat says Posted: 28 Feb 2013 03:05 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers this week were more constructive and positive than in the past, but Iran's willingness to negotiate seriously will not become clear until an April meeting, a senior Western diplomat said on Thursday. The diplomat was more upbeat about the talks in Kazakhstan than other Western officials have been, suggesting there could be a chance of diplomatic progress in the long standoff over Iran's nuclear activities. ...

Van Rompuy tells Britain: leaving EU "not free" Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:57 PM PST LONDON (Reuters) - One of Europe's most powerful officials cautioned Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday that leaving the European Union could cost Britain dear and that the bloc's other leaders do not want to renegotiate Europe's founding treaties. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said Britain had a chance to play a leading role in building the European economy now the euro zone had the "artillery" of economic tools to get itself out of the worst crisis in its history. ...

Hungary PM seen picking his "right hand" to head central bank Posted: 28 Feb 2013 04:04 PM PST BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to nominate the man he calls his "right hand" to head Hungary's central bank on Friday, a move that could prompt cheap money being pumped into the economy ahead of elections in 2014. Orban, who has often been at loggerheads with the European Union, banks and the International Monetary Fund, is widely seen as appointing Economy Minister Gyorgy Matolcsy, one of his closest allies, to replace hawkish Governor Andras Simor, whose six-year mandate is expiring. ...

Donors step up ties with Somalia; praise rebuilding efforts Posted: 28 Feb 2013 04:45 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Major Western donors have stepped up efforts in recent weeks to reengage with Somalia, opening the way for increased development assistance to a country trying to shake off years of conflict. A senior British official said in Washington that London will host a conference with the new Somali government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on May 7. The meeting will focus on rebuilding the security forces, police, and justice system and discuss resuming relations with the World Bank. ...

Sudan sends more troops to volatile border state Posted: 28 Feb 2013 04:13 PM PST KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan is sending reinforcements to Blue Nile state to fight rebels near the border to South Sudan, state-linked media said on Thursday. Last week, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) said it had launched an offensive to take Kurmuk near the border to South Sudan and Ethiopia. Sudan's army has been fighting rebels of the SPLM-North in Blue Nile and nearby South Kordofan state since around the time of South Sudan's secession in July 2011 under a 2005 deal which ended decades of civil war. ...

Bombs kill at least 22 in Iraqi capital Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:18 AM PST BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 22 people were killed in a series of blasts in Shi'ite neighborhoods of Baghdad on Thursday, police sources said, as Iraq's precarious sectarian balance comes under growing strain. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Sunni Muslim insurgents have been redoubling their efforts to undermine the Shi'ite-led government and spark deeper intercommunal fighting since the start of the year. ...

Israel, Turkey row over Zionism deepens rift between ex-allies Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:51 PM PST JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's prime minister accused his Turkish counterpart on Thursday of making a "dark and false" statement by calling Zionism a crime against humanity - a comment likely to hit efforts to repair ties between the two former allies. The Turkish premier's statement, made at a U.N. meeting in Vienna a day earlier, was also condemned by the head of Europe's main rabbinical group who called it a "hateful attack" on Jews. ...

African leaders call for U.N. mandate for Mali mission Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:11 PM PST YAMOUSSOUKRO (Reuters) - West African leaders on Thursday called for a regional military operation against al Qaeda-linked rebels in north Mali to be transformed into a U.N. peacekeeping mission as quickly as possible to secure desperately needed funding. France sent troops into its former colony last month to drive out Islamist fighters, claiming their seizure of Mali's north last year posed a threat to international security. ...

Exclusive: China plans bond overhaul to fund $6 trillion urbanization - sources Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:19 PM PST BEIJING (Reuters) - China plans major bond market reform to raise the money the ruling Communist Party needs for a 40 trillion yuan ($6.4 trillion) urbanization program to buoy economic growth and close a chasm between the country's urban rich and rural poor. The Party aims to bring 400 million people to cities over the next decade as the new leadership of president-in-waiting Xi Jinping and premier-designate Li Keqiang seek to turn China into a wealthy world power with economic growth generated by an affluent consumer class. ...

Benedict becomes 1st pope in 600 years to resign Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:02 PM PST CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) — Benedict XVI left the Catholic Church in unprecedented limbo Thursday as he became the first pope in 600 years to resign, capping a tearful day of farewells that included an extraordinary pledge of obedience to his successor.

Syrian rebel put his dreams on hold in civil war Posted: 28 Feb 2013 11:36 AM PST BEIRUT (AP) — Abdullah Qadi stood apart from his fellow rebel fighters — an educated young man from a poor farming town who managed to make it through veterinary school.

Syrians find makeshift homes in ancient structures Posted: 28 Feb 2013 04:07 PM PST THE JEBEL AL-ZAWIYA HILLS, Syria (AP) — Like countless other Syrians fleeing their country's civil war, Sami was eager to escape the bombs and artillery shells falling on his village. But instead of taking his family to another country, he simply brought them underground.

South African police, a force in turmoil Posted: 28 Feb 2013 11:30 AM PST JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The job of the South African police is to fight one of the highest crime rates in the world. Instead, the force stands accused of contributing to it.

WHO: Slight cancer risk after Japan nuke accident Posted: 28 Feb 2013 12:22 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Two years after Japan's nuclear plant disaster, an international team of experts said Thursday that residents of areas hit by the highest doses of radiation face an increased cancer risk so small it probably won't be detectable.

Rodman tells Kim Jong Un he has 'friend for life' Posted: 28 Feb 2013 12:04 PM PST SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman hung out Thursday with North Korea's Kim Jong Un on the third day of his improbable journey with VICE to Pyongyang, watching the Harlem Globetrotters with the leader and later dining on sushi and drinking with him at his palace.

Study: Daisies sprout in King Richard I's heart Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:15 AM PST PARIS (AP) — King Richard I, the 12th-century warrior whose bravery during the Third Crusade gained him the moniker Lionheart, ended up with a heart full of daisies, as well as myrtle, mint and frankincense.

Officials: France in Mali until July or later Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:08 PM PST PARIS (AP) — French troops will stay in the West African country of Mali at least until July, amid tougher-than-expected resistance from Islamic fighters, officials have told The Associated Press, despite earlier government promises to begin a quick pullout within weeks.

Many Venezuelans believe in Chavez recovery Posted: 28 Feb 2013 04:15 PM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's vice president said Thursday that Hugo Chavez is still fighting for his life, yet a recent poll says three in five Venezuelans believe their president will return to power.

Lawmakers push measure on Israel's self-defense Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:21 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States would back Israel militarily if the Mideast ally were to attack Iran in self-defense, a bipartisan group of senators said Thursday in introducing a forceful resolution.

Titanic II: Billionaire launches plans for replica of doomed ship Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:58 PM PST An Australian billionaire is getting ready to build a new version of the Titanic that could set sail in late 2016.

Report: UK stripping terrorism suspects of citizenship, US killing some of them Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:43 PM PST From the UK, more fodder for the debate over the US drone assassination campaign and the acceptability of killing citizens:

South Africa police face scrutiny after video of dragging goes viral Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:39 PM PST When a South African tabloid posted a disturbing video on its Facebook page Thursday morning, it touched off raw anger at a local police force with a long rap sheet of corruption and brutality.

Will limited US aid to Syria rebels hasten the end of war, or prolong it? Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:29 PM PST Henry Kissinger allegedly said of the Iran-Iraq war that raged so bloodily in the 1980s that "it's too bad they both can't lose."

Ethiopia makes help difficult for world donors advocating civil society, rights Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:18 PM PST Of the many outreach programs run here by Germany's Heinrich Böll Foundation, one caused special alarm for an official new Ethiopian agency that is starting to block and restrict the promotion of civil society ideas.

Friends forever: Rodman warms to North Korean dictator Posted: 28 Feb 2013 01:02 PM PST Former Chicago Bulls basketball star and 1990s bad boy Dennis Rodman may not have run into K-Pop star Psy during his "basketball diplomacy" jaunt to North Korea this week, but he reportedly met secretive leader Kim Jong-un.

Syrians are receiving US aid - they just don't know it Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:57 AM PST At his tiny hospital in Turkey just a stone's throw from the Syrian border, Qussay Said Essa says he's all but given up on American assistance. Though he knows the US has pledged money both inside and outside of Syria, he says he doesn't know of anyone who has seen American aid.

Spain's economic crisis has an unexpected victim: journalism Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:39 AM PST In Spain's transformational economic crisis, no industry has escaped unscathed. But one of the biggest casualties is an unusual one: journalism.

Benedict XVI pledges support to successor on his last day as pope Posted: 28 Feb 2013 10:29 AM PST Pope Benedict XVI marks his historic last day on the throne of St. Peter today, before becoming the first to resign from the papacy in 600 years. Benedict gave his final public mass on Wednesday and today sent off his 39th and ultimate tweet from his official papal Twitter account before boarding a helicopter bound for Castel Gandolfo, where he will begin his retirement.

Egypt quietly stifles NGOs by cutting off foreign cash flow Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:52 AM PST Civil society organizations in Egypt are struggling to work, and sometimes even survive, as the government begins to cut off the foreign funding they rely on.

Circling the wagons? Putin urges 'drastic upgrade' to Russia's military Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:11 AM PST In a speech to Russia's top military brass, President Vladimir Putin has urged them to make a "drastic upgrade" to Russia's armed forces within the next five years to counter a series of emerging external threats and what he described as "systematic attempts to undermine the balance of power" by the United States.

10 quotes about 'People Making a Difference' Posted: 28 Feb 2013 08:49 AM PST Ever wonder how you can help create positive change? Here is advice from 10 outstanding people whose lives made a difference in the world.

Iran hails 'softer' and 'smarter' approach to its nuclear program Posted: 28 Feb 2013 06:39 AM PST Talks on Iran's nuclear program made unexpected progress in Kazakhstan, reaching what Iran called a potential "turning point" to limit its most sensitive nuclear work in exchange for modest sanctions relief.

Pakistan textbooks raise debate about 'curriculum of hate' Posted: 28 Feb 2013 06:24 AM PST In a public school located just outside the capital, a classroom of ninth-graders follows quietly along in their history textbooks as their teacher reads out loud about what happened shortly after the creation of Pakistan in 1947:

US will send nonlethal aid directly to Syrian rebels Posted: 28 Feb 2013 05:54 AM PST • A daily summary of global reports on security issues.

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