Yahoo! News: World News

---

• Assad forces advance; West, Russia exchange barbs ahead of talks
• Turkish police fire tear gas in worst protests in years
• Biden says U.S. and Brazil ready for deeper relationship
• Tehran says U.S., not Iran, sponsors terrorism
• Lebanese parliament delays June election, deepening drift
• Sudanese rebels say shoot down army helicopter in oil area
• Social Security and Medicare: time running out to fix them, trustees say
• Iran's presidential candidates debate justice and a 'resistance economy'
• Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi speaks out
• Arab Idol: No Bieber fever in Gaza
• Balance of power in Syria shifting Assad's way
• Turkish police raid sit-in against tree removal
• Poetry and bickering at Iran's presidential debate
• Toronto mayor won post on conservative discontent
• Radical monks, prejudice fuel Myanmar violence
• South African enclave raises old race questions
• Wedding bells for Van der Sloot in Peru prison
• Family stunned, confused over U.S. woman's death in Syria
• Liberty Reserve's money laundering spotted in 2009
• British businessmen await Cuba's verdict as graft trial ends
• OPEC keeps oil output target at 30 million barrels
• Woman's jailing in Mexico highlights tourist risks
• IRS faces more heat from watchdog report amid Tea Party fracas
• 2 Mexico kidnap victims sons of drug traffickers
• NKorean farmers planting rice with profits in mind
• Toronto mayor rode wave of conservative discontent
• Egyptian tourist critically injured in Istanbul protests: medics
• Eurogroup head: Greece to wait on debt relief
• Lawyer: Van der Sloot getting married in Peru
• Guards at Libyan oil field protest, force shutdown
• U.S. imposes sanctions on Iran's petrochemical industry
• Ex-president blames Yemen leaders for power outage
• Iran denounces US sentencing over Saudi envoy Plot
• Protests spread after Turkish police raid sit-in

Assad forces advance; West, Russia exchange barbs ahead of talks Posted: 31 May 2013 12:01 PM PDT By Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad tightened their siege of rebels in a strategic town on Friday, in a counter-offensive that is shifting the balance of the Syrian war ahead of a peace conference next month. Rebels said they had managed to infiltrate new fighters into the town of Qusair on the Lebanese frontier, where they are encircled by Assad's army and his allies in Lebanon's Hezbollah militia who have openly joined the war on his behalf. ...

Turkish police fire tear gas in worst protests in years Posted: 31 May 2013 03:29 PM PDT By Ayla Jean Yackley ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannon on Friday at demonstrators in central Istanbul, wounding scores of people and prompting rallies in other cities in the fiercest anti-government protests in years. Thousands of demonstrators massed on streets surrounding Istanbul's central Taksim Square, long a venue for political unrest, while protests erupted in the capital, Ankara, and the Aegean coastal city of Izmir. Broken glass and rocks were strewn across a main shopping street near Taksim. ...

Biden says U.S. and Brazil ready for deeper relationship Posted: 31 May 2013 12:19 PM PDT By Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden wound up a visit to Brazil on Friday saying it was high time the two largest economies in the Americas became closer partners in trade, investment and energy. "We're ready for a deeper, broader relationship across the board on everything from the military to education, trade and investment," Biden told reporters after meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. ...

Tehran says U.S., not Iran, sponsors terrorism Posted: 31 May 2013 01:58 PM PDT By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran on Friday rejected a U.S. State Department report that accused Tehran of increasing its support for terrorism overseas to levels not seen for two decades, saying it is the United States that backs terrorists in the Middle East. "Iran itself has been the victim of state-sponsored terrorism, which has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Iranian people," said Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman for Iran's U.N. mission. ...

Lebanese parliament delays June election, deepening drift Posted: 31 May 2013 03:00 PM PDT By Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese lawmakers decided on Friday to extend their term by 16 months until November next year, postponing a scheduled June parliamentary election, because of political deadlock and violence spilling over from neighboring Syria's civil war. The move, criticized by the United States and the United Nations, provoked a protest in a main square near the parliament. Demonstrators garbed in black carried signs saying they were in mourning for the democratic process in Lebanon and some threw tomatoes at convoys of politicians driving past. ...

Sudanese rebels say shoot down army helicopter in oil area Posted: 31 May 2013 01:00 PM PDT KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese insurgents said they brought down a military helicopter and attacked a government convoy when the army's chief of staff visited a flashpoint in Sudan's main oil region on Friday, rebels said. A witness also reported seeing clashes, but the government denied a helicopter had been brought down, or that there had been any fighting. Gibril Adam, spokesman for the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), one of the biggest rebel groups, said its fighters had attacked a government convoy carrying Sudan's army chief of staff, Ismat Abdelrahman, just outside Abu Kershola. ...

Social Security and Medicare: time running out to fix them, trustees say Posted: 31 May 2013 02:58 PM PDT The underlying financial condition of Social Security and Medicare did not change greatly in 2012 and both are still on borrowed time, trustees of the massive, politically sensitive programs said in separate annual reports issued Friday.

Iran's presidential candidates debate justice and a 'resistance economy' Posted: 31 May 2013 01:09 PM PDT Iran's eight presidential candidates sought to energize a lackluster election in the first debate of this election cycle, as each tried to stand out among the crowd of approved contenders in the June 14 vote.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi speaks out Posted: 31 May 2013 12:35 PM PDT In an unexpected turnaround Aung San Suu Kyi openly criticized aspects of the government's policies this week, resulting in a bit of head scratching among Myanmar-watchers.

Arab Idol: No Bieber fever in Gaza Posted: 31 May 2013 12:10 PM PDT Mohammed Assaf, who grew up in this crowded refugee camp performing with his pianist sister, has suddenly become one of the Arab world's hottest singing sensations.

Balance of power in Syria shifting Assad's way Posted: 31 May 2013 12:50 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — As hopes for a Syrian peace conference fade and the opposition falls into growing disarray, President Bashar Assad has every reason to project confidence.

Turkish police raid sit-in against tree removal Posted: 31 May 2013 03:08 PM PDT ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish riot police used tear gas and water cannon Friday to end a peaceful sit-in by hundreds of people trying to prevent trees from being uprooted in an Istanbul park. The dawn raid ignited a furious anti-government protest that took over the city's main square and spread to other cities.

Poetry and bickering at Iran's presidential debate Posted: 31 May 2013 01:56 PM PDT TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's ailing economy, hit hard by international sanctions over its disputed nuclear program, was supposed to be the center of the first debate Friday between eight hopefuls running for president — but the biggest fight on stage was over the format of the debate itself.

Toronto mayor won post on conservative discontent Posted: 31 May 2013 04:40 PM PDT TORONTO (AP) — Mayor Rob Ford stomped to victory in Toronto's elections three years ago on a wave of discontent simmering in the outlying neighborhoods of Canada's quiet, efficient financial capital.

Radical monks, prejudice fuel Myanmar violence Posted: 31 May 2013 08:27 AM PDT LASHIO, Myanmar (AP) — When a huge mob of Buddhist thugs crawled on the roof of Ma Sandar Soe's shop, doused it with gasoline and set it ablaze, the Buddhist businesswoman didn't blame them for burning it to the ground despite seeing it happen with her own eyes.

South African enclave raises old race questions Posted: 31 May 2013 09:25 AM PDT KLEINFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) — There are no signs that say "Whites Only."

Wedding bells for Van der Sloot in Peru prison Posted: 31 May 2013 05:01 PM PDT LIMA, Peru (AP) — Convicted Dutch murderer Joran van der Sloot is in love and planning to marry a Peruvian woman in the prison where he's serving a 28-year sentence, his lawyer said Friday.

Family stunned, confused over U.S. woman's death in Syria Posted: 31 May 2013 04:59 PM PDT By Steve Neavling FLINT, Michigan (Reuters) - The daughter of a 33-year-old Michigan woman who converted to Islam and was killed in fighting in Syria this week insisted on Friday her mother was "NOT a terrorist," although the woman's father said he had expressed concerns about her to the FBI. Syrian state media said Nicole Mansfield, a single mother from the Midwestern city of Flint, was killed with two others in an ambush by Syrian government forces on an opposition mission in northwestern Syria. Syrian media also showed the passport of a British man, Ali alManasfi, 22. ...

Liberty Reserve's money laundering spotted in 2009 Posted: 31 May 2013 04:56 PM PDT SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rican officials say the currency transfer firm Liberty Reserve first raised red flags in the Central American country in 2009 when authorities detected money laundering activities.

British businessmen await Cuba's verdict as graft trial ends Posted: 31 May 2013 04:50 PM PDT By Marc Frank HAVANA (Reuters) - The two-day trial of two top executives of a British investment fund ended in Havana on Friday with a five judge panel expected to deliver its verdict within 10 days. The sentences of two other foreigners tried a week ago have yet to be announced, as the government presses forward with an unprecedented crackdown on corruption. In this week's trial on the communist-run island, Amado Fakhre, a Lebanese-born British citizen and chief executive officer of Coral Capital Group Ltd, faced various bribery charges related mainly to the fund's import business. ...

OPEC keeps oil output target at 30 million barrels Posted: 31 May 2013 04:46 PM PDT VIENNA (AP) — OPEC oil ministers reached quick agreement Friday on keeping output targets steady but deferred solutions on how to deal with surging U.S. shale oil production and internal rivalries denting the organization's image of unity.

Woman's jailing in Mexico highlights tourist risks Posted: 31 May 2013 04:46 PM PDT PHOENIX (AP) — The weeklong detention of an American woman after Mexican authorities said they found 12 pounds of marijuana under her bus seat illustrates just one of the perils Americans face while traveling in Mexico.

IRS faces more heat from watchdog report amid Tea Party fracas Posted: 31 May 2013 04:44 PM PDT By Kim Dixon WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The new chief of the Internal Revenue Service conceded on Friday there was "inappropriate" spending on a 2010 agency conference, a subject set to be the focus of one of three U.S. congressional hearings next week at which the IRS will likely face more criticism. The IRS is already embroiled in a major political scandal over extra scrutiny it gave to conservative groups seeking tax-free status, and Republicans in the House of Representatives are likely to keep the White House on the defensive over the agency's actions. ...

2 Mexico kidnap victims sons of drug traffickers Posted: 31 May 2013 04:38 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — The mothers of two of the 11 young people kidnapped from a Mexico City bar in a shocking, daylight abduction acknowledged Friday that the youths' fathers are serving prison sentences for drug-related crimes.

NKorean farmers planting rice with profits in mind Posted: 31 May 2013 03:46 PM PDT HAMHUNG, North Korea (AP) — North Korean farmers knee deep in muddy paddies across the country have a new incentive during this year's crucial rice planting season: possible bonuses that are part of an economic shift echoing ally China's steps three decades ago toward embracing capitalism.

Toronto mayor rode wave of conservative discontent Posted: 31 May 2013 03:35 PM PDT TORONTO (AP) — Mayor Rob Ford stomped to victory in Toronto's elections three years ago on a wave of discontent simmering in the outlying neighborhoods of Canada's quiet, efficient financial capital.

Egyptian tourist critically injured in Istanbul protests: medics Posted: 31 May 2013 03:21 PM PDT ISTANBUL (Reuters) - An Egyptian tourist is in a critical condition after being hit by a police gas canister in a crackdown on anti-government protests in Istanbul on Friday, a doctors' association said. The 34-year-old woman was undergoing an operation after suffering a brain haemorrhage, Istanbul Medical Chamber board member Huseyin Demirduzen told Reuters. A total of 12 people, including a pro-Kurdish MP, suffered trauma injuries and hundreds suffered respiratory problems due to the effects of tear gas during the clashes around Istanbul's central Taksim Square, Demirduzen said. ...

Eurogroup head: Greece to wait on debt relief Posted: 31 May 2013 02:41 PM PDT ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Eurozone countries will not consider possible debt relief for Greece until April 2014, the euro currency bloc's head said Friday on a visit to Athens.

Lawyer: Van der Sloot getting married in Peru Posted: 31 May 2013 02:23 PM PDT LIMA, Peru (AP) — Convicted Dutch murderer Joran van der Sloot is planning nuptials with a Peruvian woman in the prison where he's serving a 28-year sentence.

Guards at Libyan oil field protest, force shutdown Posted: 31 May 2013 02:11 PM PDT TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Guards at a southern Libyan oil field have shut down the facility in protest over back pay and are demanding better living conditions, an oil official said Friday.

U.S. imposes sanctions on Iran's petrochemical industry Posted: 31 May 2013 01:54 PM PDT By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States blacklisted on Friday eight companies in Iran's petrochemical industry, sending a warning to the Islamic Republic's global customers as Washington strives to cut off funds to the country's nuclear program. Petrochemical companies owned or controlled by the Iranian government that are on the Treasury Department list include Bandar Imam Petrochemical Co, Bou Ali Sina Petrochemical Co and Mobin Petrochemical Co. ...

Ex-president blames Yemen leaders for power outage Posted: 31 May 2013 01:51 PM PDT SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's ousted president is blaming the country's new government for widespread power outages that have hit the nation in the past weeks, saying the authorities are failing in their job.

Iran denounces US sentencing over Saudi envoy Plot Posted: 31 May 2013 01:02 PM PDT TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's foreign ministry has denounced the U.S. for sentencing an Iranian-American to 25 years in prison over a plot to kill the Saudi envoy to Washington.

Protests spread after Turkish police raid sit-in Posted: 31 May 2013 01:01 PM PDT ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish riot police used tear gas and water cannon Friday to end a peaceful sit-in by hundreds of people trying to prevent trees from being uprooted in an Istanbul park. The dawn raid ignited a furious anti-government protest that took over the city center and spread to other cities.

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