2013年4月29日星期一

Yahoo! News: World News

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: World News


Syrian prime minister survives Damascus bombing, six die

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 03:04 PM PDT

Firefighters work at the site of an explosion at al-Mezze neighbourhood in DamascusBy Dominic Evans BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's prime minister survived a bomb attack on his convoy in Damascus on Monday, as rebels struck in the heart of President Bashar al-Assad's capital. Six people were killed in the blast, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Previous rebel attacks on government targets included a December bombing which wounded Assad's interior minister. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the bombing, which he described as a "terrorist attack. ...


Venezuela opposition leader charged with spurring violence

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 03:17 PM PDT

To match interview VENEZUELA-GENERAL/CARACAS (Reuters) - A Venezuelan court charged retired General Antonio Rivero on Monday with inciting post-election violence in the latest political flash point in the bitterly divided nation. Opposition leaders say Rivero, a member of the Popular Will movement that is a driving force of Venezuela's opposition coalition, became new President Nicolas Maduro's first political prisoner when he was arrested over the weekend. Authorities say he was one of those behind a wave of violence, on the day after Maduro's disputed April 14 election, that represented a coup attempt and killed nine people. ...


Muslim victims of Myanmar unrest face uncertain future

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:04 PM PDT

A woman carries tools as she collects bricks and useful items from burnt Muslim neighborhood in MeikhtilaBy Jared Ferrie MEIKHTILA, Myanmar, April 30 - In Myanmar's central heartlands, justice and security is elusive for thousands of Muslims who lost their homes in a deadly rampage by Buddhist mobs in March. Many are detained in prison-like camps, unable to return to neighborhoods and businesses razed in four days of violence in Meikhtila that killed at least 43 people, most of them Muslims, displaced nearly 13,000, and touched off a wave of anti-Muslim unrest fuelled by radical Buddhist monks. ...


Lawyers, public chant "hang him" as Bangladesh building owner led to court

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:27 PM PDT

Garment workers try to break gate of factory during protest to demand capital punishment for those responsible for collapse of Rana Plaza building in SavarBy Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladeshi lawyers and protesters chanted "hang him, hang him" on Monday as the owner of a factory building that collapsed last week killing nearly 400 people was led into court dressed in a helmet and bullet-proof jacket, witnesses said. The drama came as rescue officials said they were unlikely to find more survivors in the rubble of the building that collapsed on Wednesday, burying hundreds of garment workers in the country's worst industrial accident. ...


Italy's Letta wins confidence vote after pledging growth drive

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:12 PM PDT

Enrico Giovannini sits next to Maria Chiara Carrozza at the Lower house of the parliament in RomeBy James Mackenzie ROME (Reuters) - Italy's new Prime Minister Enrico Letta won his first vote of confidence in parliament on Monday after promising to press for a change to the European Union's focus on austerity and pursue economic growth and jobs. Letta said Italy could not afford to focus simply on trying to cut its huge public debt and needed a new emphasis on lifting the economy out of recession. The confidence motion in his right-left coalition government easily passed as expected, by 453 votes to 153 in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house. ...


Trapped in South Korea, veteran spies still believe in the North

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:00 PM PDT

Park Hee-sung, North Korean former agent, pose for a photograph during an interview with Reuters in SeoulBy Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - Park Hee-sung, a 78-year-old North Korean former agent who has been held in the enemy South for close to half a century, remains staunchly loyal to his homeland, the ruling Kim family and its Juche ideology of economic self-reliance. A trim, neat man, Park is one of around two dozen North Korean operatives trapped in exile in affluent South Korea. He lives in a charity house in central Seoul with another former agent, 79-year-old Kim Young-sik, and dreams of the day he can return freely to the northern part of a unified Korea. ...


Gun vote backlash: Five senators who said 'no' see ratings plunge

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 03:56 PM PDT

Five senators have seen their approval ratings drop after they voted against a measure to expand background checks to gun buyers online and at gun shows, according to recent surveys from Public Policy Polling, a Democratic-leaning firm.

Pre-K programs take biggest state funding hit ever

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 03:23 PM PDT

The 2011-12 school year was not a good one for pre-K funding, for enrollment, or for quality, according to a major new survey.

Michael Jackson wrongful death trial opens: Were tour organizers to blame?

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:44 PM PDT

The Michael Jackson wrongful death trial – which has begun with opening arguments Monday in a small Los Angeles courtroom – pits the family of one of the world's richest and most beloved pop stars against one of the world's largest entertainment companies.

Can cooperation on Boston bombings bridge US-Russia distrust? It will be hard

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:38 PM PDT

Recent developments in the investigation into the Boston bombings suggest an easing in the decades-old distrust that has marked US-Russia counterterrorism cooperation.

Syrian prime minister escapes bombing in Damascus

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 01:08 PM PDT

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows Syrian fire fighters extinguishing burning cars after a car bomb exploded in the capital's western neighborhood of Mazzeh, in Damascus, Syria, Monday, April. 29, 2013. State-run Syrian TV says the country's prime minister has escaped an assassination attempt when a bomb went off near his convoy. The TV says Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi was unhurt in the attack in the capital's western neighborhood of Mazzeh. (AP Photo/SANA)DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in the heart of the heavily defended capital Monday, state media said, laying bare the vulnerability of President Bashar Assad's regime.


Surviving hell in a Bangladesh factory collapse

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:14 PM PDT

Merina, a survivor of the garment factory building collapse, is comforted by family members in hospital on Saturday April 27, 2013 in Savar, near Dhaka, Bangladesh. Merina was trapped under rubble for three days, surviving with nothing to eat and only a few sips of water. The building collapse was the worst disaster to hit Bangladesh's $20 billion a year garment industry.(AP Photo/Gillian Wong)SAVAR, Bangladesh (AP) — Merina was so tired. It had been three days since the garment factory where she worked had collapsed around her, three days since she'd moved more than a few inches. In that time she'd had nothing to eat and just a few sips of water. The cries for help had long since subsided. The moans of the injured had gone silent.


Iraq instability tested further with bombing wave

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 10:28 AM PDT

A bombing victim, Bashar Muhsin, 28, is taken for burial in Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, April. 29, 2013. Five car bombs exploded Monday in predominantly Shiite cities and districts in central and southern Iraq, killing and wounding dozens of people, police said. (AP Photo/Alaa al-Marjani)BAGHDAD (AP) — A wave of car bomb blasts tore through Shiite areas south of Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 36 and deepening fears that Iraq is rapidly spiraling back out of control.


Euro mayors try to keep youths from going to Syria

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:55 PM PDT

In this photo taken Tuesday, April 16, 2013, mayor of Mechelen Bart Somers speaks to The Associated Press at the city hall of Mechelen, Belgium. Through much of western Europe, scores of Islamic youths have heeded the call to take up arms for a cause that is only a few hours away by plane. The phenomenon has alarmed authorities amid signs that the insurgency is becoming increasingly radicalized, with strong infiltration by al-Qaida. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)MECHELEN, Belgium (AP) — From his city hall under Belgium's most imposing cathedral, Mayor Bart Somers is wracking his brains trying to figure out how to keep young Muslims from going to fight "holy war" in Syria against the Assad regime.


Netherlands' Queen Beatrix gives farewell speech

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:40 PM PDT

Dutch Queen Beatrix and her son Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander pose for photographers as they arrive for a banquet hosted by the Dutch Royal family at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Monday, April 29, 2013. Queen Beatrix has announced she will relinquish the crown on April 30, 2013, after 33 years of reign, leaving the monarchy to her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Netherlands' Queen Beatrix thanked her people Monday and urged them to support her son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, in a final address before she abdicates and he takes over as king.


Mandela appears an ailing man in video

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:43 PM PDT

In this image taken from video, the ailing anti-apartheid icon Nelson Madela is filmed Monday April 29, 2013, more than three weeks after being released from hospital. Mandela was treated in hospital for a recurring lung infection. South African President Jacob Zuma visited the former leader on Monday, but Mandela does not appear to speak during the televised portion of the visit, as he sits in an armchair, his head propped up by a pillow with his cheeks showing what appear to be marks from a recently removed oxygen mask, although Zuma said he found Nelson Mandela JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Jacob Zuma said he found Nelson Mandela "in good shape and in good spirits" Monday, but a video of his encounter with the ailing anti-apartheid icon belies those cheery words, showing him with a vacant look on his face.


Cyprus parliament decides on bailout, thin majority to vote yes

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 04:31 PM PDT

Cypriot Finance Minister Harris Georgiades speaks to Reuters in an interview in NicosiaBy Michele Kambas NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cyprus's parliament decides on Tuesday whether to back a bailout imposed by its EU partners, with approval likely from a thin majority against mounting calls for the island to exit the euro. Lawmakers were due to meet in an extraordinary session at 4 p.m. (1300 GMT) to ratify the terms of the aid, which is conditional on Cyprus winding down its second-largest bank and slapping heavy losses on uninsured depositors in another. ...


Greek Parliament Votes to Cut 15,000 Civil Service Jobs

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:57 PM PDT

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Greek parliament on Monday to show their outrage over a packet of legislative changes passed by politicians on Sunday. The legislation covered a wide range of issues, from civil service layoffs to addressing the need to enforce repayment of back taxes, as noted by Deutsche Welle.

UN urges Syria to let in chemical weapons experts

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:34 PM PDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed to Syria again Monday to allow experts into the country without delay or conditions to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use, saying this is a "crucial moment" to get the team on the ground.

Mexican official's daughter gets restaurant closed

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:34 PM PDT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican official's daughter has caused a scandal by sending inspectors to shut down a restaurant that didn't give her the table she wanted.

Gamblers not so anonymous: Beijing keeps closer eye on Macau

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:31 PM PDT

File photo of Li Gang holding a news conference in Hong KongBy Farah Master MACAU (Reuters) - With little fanfare, China is sending an official with a 'tough cop' reputation to be its top man in Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, as Beijing puts tackling corruption center stage. Li Gang, a veteran of handling contentious issues in Hong Kong, is slated to this year take control of China's liaison office in the former Portuguese colony - which like Hong Kong is a special administrative region under China's 'one country, two systems' principle. ...


Rise of young voters shifts Malaysia election balance

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:20 PM PDT

Young Malaysians show placards in support of Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak during the launch of a youth programme in Kuala LumpurBy Siva Sithraputhran and Anuradha Raghu KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak escaped a direct showdown with youth when a 23-year-old student gave up his bid to challenge him in his home constituency in the May 5 general election. But Mohammed Bukhairy Mohammed Sofian's quixotic plan to run against Najib -- which he dropped to avoid diverting votes from the main opposition candidate -- was a reminder of how young voters are shaping politics in the Southeast Asian nation as never before and unnerving the long-ruling coalition. He is one of 2. ...


Obama stresses Syria chemical weapons worries in call with Putin

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 02:18 PM PDT

By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama took U.S. concerns about Syrian chemical weapons to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, reaching out to one of the Syrian government's staunchest allies. The United States is trying to determine the facts around alleged Syrian use of chemical weapons. Last week U.S. officials said they had "varying degrees of confidence" that Syria had likely used the nerve agent sarin on a small scale against rebel fighters. If proved with certainty, the chemical weapons' usage could triggered unspecified U.S. ...

Western Sahara protesters clash with police over U.N. resolution

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 01:55 PM PDT

RABAT (Reuters) - Western Saharan demonstrators clashed with Moroccan police on Monday after the U.N. Security Council renewed a peacekeeping resolution that they said did not adequately address human rights abuses. Dozens of protesters and police have been injured since the protests started in Laayoune, the biggest city of the Moroccan-controlled territory, on Friday, a day after the U.N resolution was passed extending a peacekeeping mission for one year, human rights groups and local media said. ...

Rally against looting ancient Egyptian necropolis

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 01:47 PM PDT

Egyptian villagers hold a banner in front of the 4,500-year-old "bent" pyramid, of Pharaoh Sneferu known for its oddly shaped profile, outside the village of Dahshour, 50 miles (80 Kilometers) south of Cairo, Egypt, Monday, April 29, 2013. Protesters held a rally on Monday against the continued construction of a modern cemetery at the foot of Egypt's first pyramids and its oldest temples. Authorities have so far failed to stop the construction, despite earlier promises to do so. Looting has also spread in the site that has witnessed little excavation, in the absence of security or law enforcement. Arabic on the banner is translated into English at top. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)DAHSHOUR, Egypt (AP) — Egyptian youths protested Monday at a key historic site, demanding that authorities put a stop to looting and construction that threatens one of the nation's oldest pyramids and burial grounds.


Italy's new government wins 1st confidence vote

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 01:21 PM PDT

Italian Premier Enrico Letta, is flanked by Integration Minister Cecile Kyenge, left, and Agriculture Minister Nunzia De Girolamo, during the swearing in ceremony of the new government at the Quirinale Presidential Palace, in Rome, Sunday, April 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)ROME (AP) — Italy's new government easily passed its first confirmation vote Monday in Parliament after Premier Enrico Letta made concessions to his uneasy coalition allies, promising to ease part of a slate of austerity measures that have weighed on Italians impatient at the slow pace of economic recovery.


Armed protest in Libya prompts congress to postpone sitting

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:49 PM PDT

Al-Ghiryani, spokesperson of the Supreme Council of Libyan Revolutionaries, speaks to the media in TripoliTRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libya's foreign ministry remained surrounded on Monday by heavily armed protesters, a tense demonstration of militia force that prompted the legislature to postpone its next sitting. Militiamen surrounded the ministry on Sunday with pick-up trucks loaded with anti-aircraft guns and armed groups also tried unsuccessfully to storm the interior ministry and the state news agency, posing a challenge to state control of key parts of the capital. ...


Egypt pulls out of talks to protest Middle East nuclear arms

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:44 PM PDT

Egypt's President Mursi visits the tomb of ex-President al-Sadat and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the commemoration of Sinai Liberation Day in CairoCAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt said on Monday it was withdrawing from a second week of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) talks in Geneva in protest at what it called the failure to implement a 1995 resolution for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons. That was an implicit reference to Israel which neither confirms nor denies having nuclear arms and is not a signatory to the NPT. Arab states and Iran say Israel's presumed nuclear arsenal poses a threat to Middle East peace and security. ...


Syria access essential for credible chemical weapons inquiry: U.N.

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:27 PM PDT

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that investigators have been gathering and analyzing available information on alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria, but access to the war-torn country is essential for a "credible and comprehensive inquiry." A U.N. push for unconditional access for its inspection team gained fresh momentum after the United States and Britain said last week they had limited evidence that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's troops used the nerve agent sarin against rebels. U.S. ...
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