2013年6月18日星期二

Yahoo! News: World News

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: World News


Optimism fading, Brazil protests put leaders on alert

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:45 PM PDT

Brazil's President Rousseff attends a ceremony announcing Brazil's new mining bill at Planalto Palace in BrasiliaBy Paulo Prada RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - When more than 200,000 protesters took to the streets across Brazil on Monday night, they demanded a dizzying array of improvements - from halting the fast rise of prices to cleaning up government corruption. If one message stood out, it was that Brazilians are no longer willing to accept the rosy outlook that politicians in Latin America's biggest country have been painting for years. Until recently, Brazil was one of the world's most envied economies. ...


Four from U.S. forces killed in attack in Afghanistan

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 03:54 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four from U.S. forces were killed in an attack on Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity, just as the United States prepares for talks this week with the Taliban. The official said insurgents attacked the base with some kind of indirect fire, leaving open the possibility it was hit by rockets or mortar rounds. No further details were immediately available. (Reporting by David Alexander, writing by Phil Stewart)

Argentine court throws out key part of judicial reform law

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 03:04 PM PDT

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a key part of a judicial reform law championed by President Cristina Fernandez that would have mandated the election of members of the board that chooses federal judges. The reform - which Fernandez said was needed to "democratize the judiciary" - passed Congress last month and has been a lightning rod for criticism of the president as talk swirls of a possible bid by her supporters to seek a constitutional change to allow her to seek a third term. ...

Montreal mayor resigns, says will fight corruption charges

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:24 PM PDT

Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum announces his resignation during a news conference in MontrealBy David Ljunggren (Reuters) - Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum resigned on Tuesday, a day after he was charged with fraud and corruption in the latest major Canadian municipal scandal. "I am going to put my energies into my defense and into my family," said Applebaum, who had promised to clean up Canada's second-largest city when he was named to the post in November. Declaring his innocence, he added in a statement to reporters: "This is why I am resigning as mayor of Montreal - it is the responsible thing to do. ...


Russia's Putin torpedoes G8 efforts to oust Assad

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 12:50 PM PDT

Leaders walk together at the G8 Summit in Northern IrelandBy Andrew Osborn and Maria Golovnina ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Russia's Vladimir Putin derailed Barack Obama's efforts to win backing for the downfall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad at a G8 summit on Tuesday, warning the West that arms supplied to the rebels could be used for attacks on European soil. After two days of intense talks that fell far short of what Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron had been hoping for, Putin fumed against Western moves to supply weapons to rebels while defending his own supplies of arms for Assad. ...


Nigeria Islamists kill 9 students in school attack: medic

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:00 PM PDT

MAIDUGURI (Reuters) - Suspected Islamist militants opened fire on a school in Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri on Tuesday, killing nine students, witnesses and a medical worker said, the second deadly attack on schools in three days. Witness Ibrahim Mohammed said he was taking exams in a classroom at Ansarudeen School when gunmen stormed the building, opening fire at random. "I saw five students sitting the exams killed on the spot. Four others were killed as they were entering the school premises," he said by telephone, still shaking with fear. ...

Immigration reform: Senate Republicans appear on the cusp of buying in

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 04:43 PM PDT

Two pragmatic Senate Republicans are working furiously with Senate immigration reformers to strike a compromise on a package of amendments to the bipartisan reform bill, offering up the Senate's most realistic chance of passing a reform bill with the slew of GOP votes that the bill's authors have long coveted.

Immigration reform tying House Republicans in knots

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 03:46 PM PDT

The House GOP is tied up in knots over immigration reform.

Taliban peace talks hold glimmer of hope, but also unanswerable questions

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 03:05 PM PDT

The announcement by US officials Tuesday of imminent peace talks between the Afghan government and representatives of the Taliban adds an additional hopeful note to a day when NATO formally announced the full turnover of security leadership to Afghan forces.

Whitey Bulger defense: Star witness lied before, could be lying now

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:29 PM PDT

A gangster's warped code of honor came to the forefront Tuesday at the trial of crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger.

US, Taliban to start talks on ending Afghan war

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 04:18 PM PDT

Muhammad Naeem a representative of the Taliban speaks during a press conference at the official opening of their office in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. In a major breakthrough, the Taliban and the U.S. announced Tuesday that they will hold talks on finding a political solution to ending nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan as the Islamic militant movement opened an office in Qatar. American officials with the Obama administration said the office in the Qatari capital of Doha was the first step toward the ultimate U.S.-Afghan goal of a full Taliban renouncement of links with al-Qaida. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban and the U.S. said Tuesday they will hold talks on finding a political solution to ending nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan, as the international coalition formally handed over control of the country's security to the Afghan army and police.


AP EXCLUSIVE: US war games send signal to Assad

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:18 PM PDT

U.S. Navy sailors stand in formation aboard the USS Stockdale before maneuvers with the Jordanian Navy in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan as part of Eager Lion, a multinational military exercise, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Under the watchful eye of stern-faced American advisers, hundreds of U.S.-trained Jordanian soldiers are holding war games that could eventually form the basis of an assault in Syria. There is fear of spillover from the Syrian war in this U.S.-allied kingdom, and the potential for a Jordanian role in securing Syria's chemical stockpiles should Bashar Assad's regime lose control. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)ZARQA, Jordan (AP) — Under the watchful eye of stern-faced American advisers, hundreds of U.S.-trained Jordanian commandos fanned across this dusty desert plain, holding war games that could eventually form the basis of an assault in Syria.


Brazil protesters clash with police in Sao Paulo

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 03:10 PM PDT

Protestors gather in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Some of the biggest demonstrations since the end of Brazil's 1964-85 dictatorship have broke out across this continent-sized country, uniting multitudes frustrated by poor transportation, health services, education and security despite a heavy tax burden. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine)SAO PAULO (AP) — Protesters surrounding the city hall of Brazil's biggest city have clashed with police when a small group of demonstrators tried to force their way into the building.


Cuban dissident: Repression forced family to flee

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:01 PM PDT

Rosa Maria Paya, left, the daughter of a prominent Cuban dissident who died in a car crash, and her mother, Ofelia Acevedo, right, talk to the media about her family's decision to seek refuge in the U.S during a Tuesday, July 18, 2013 press conference in Miami. Paya traveled through Europe and the U.S. in April to push for an international investigation into her father's death. Oswaldo Paya was killed in a car crash alongside another dissident in 2012. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)MIAMI (AP) — One of several Cuban dissidents recently allowed to visit Europe and the U.S. after Cuba changed its travel laws said Tuesday she decided to seek refuge in Miami after facing continued repression on the island.


Syrian pound tumbles on US plans to arm rebels

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:03 PM PDT

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Many exchange shops closed in Damascus on Tuesday, fearing more chaos a day after the Syrian currency plunged to a new record low, reflecting growing fears in the capital following a U.S. decision to arm rebel groups fighting to topple President Bashar Assad's regime.

A look at US-Taliban relations

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 12:13 PM PDT

Word that the Taliban and U.S. will hold formal talks to find a political solution to end nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan comes after years of failed efforts at peace talks. A look at the evolution of U.S. relations with the Taliban:

Republican-led House passes bill restricting abortion

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 04:54 PM PDT

By Rachelle Younglai WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation that would ban late-term abortions, a move that could alienate women from the conservative party. The bill, which would exempt women who are victims of rape or incest as long as they first report the crime to authorities, has no chance of becoming law with Democrats controlling the Senate and the White House threatening to veto it. ...

Brazil protesters keep up pressure on government

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 04:57 PM PDT

A demonstrator holds up a Brazilian flag in front of a group of protestors gathered in the main plaza of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Some of the biggest demonstrations since the end of Brazil's 1964-85 dictatorship have broke out across this continent-sized country, uniting multitudes frustrated by poor transportation, health services, education and security despite a heavy tax burden. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine)SAO PAULO (AP) — Thousands of demonstrators flooded a square in Brazil's economic hub, Sao Paulo, on Tuesday evening for the latest in a historic wave of protests against the shoddy state of public transit, schools and other public services in this booming South American giant.


Italian court says Knox murder acquittal had inconsistencies

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 04:15 PM PDT

Knox holds hands with her mother Mellas and her younger sister at Sea-Tac International Airport, WashingtonBy Catherine Hornby ROME (Reuters) - Italy's top court said on Tuesday it had ordered a retrial of American Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher because their acquittals contained "shortcomings, contradictions and inconsistencies." Knox and Italian Raffaele Sollecito were initially found guilty of killing the 21-year-old Leeds University student in 2007 during what was described as a drug-fuelled sexual assault, but both were cleared on appeal in 2011. ...


Military plans would put women in most combat jobs

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 04:04 PM PDT

FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2012 file photo, female soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division train on a firing range while testing new body armor in Fort Campbell, Ky., in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan. Women may be able to begin training as Army Rangers by mid-2015, and as Navy SEALs a year later under broad plans Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is approving that would slowly bring women into thousands of combat jobs, including those in the country's elite special operations forces, according to details of the plans submitted to Hagel that were obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)WASHINGTON (AP) — Declaring "the days of Rambo are over," a top general said Tuesday that cultural, social and behavioral concerns may be bigger hurdles than tough physical fitness requirements for women looking to join the military's special operations units.


Rousseff salutes Brazil protests, cities cut bus fares

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 03:10 PM PDT

Demonstrators shout anti-government slogans behind a banner during one of many protests around Brazil's major cities in Sao PauloBy Todd Benson SAO PAULO (Reuters) - President Dilma Rousseff on Tuesday sought to defuse a massive protest movement sweeping Brazil, acknowledging the need for better public services and more responsive governance as demonstrations continued in some cities around the country. Speaking the morning after more than 200,000 Brazilians marched in over a half-dozen cities, Rousseff said her government remains committed to social change and is listening attentively to the many grievances expressed at the demonstrations. "Brazil woke up stronger today," Rousseff said in a televised speech in ...


Star-studded party for Israeli president's 90th

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:51 PM PDT

Israeli President Shimon Peres , center, sits flanked by former US President Bill Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, in a Jerusalem convention center as Peres' 90th birthday gala gets underway, Tuesday June 18 2013. (AP Photo/ Jim Hollander, pool)JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli and global leaders, local celebrities and Hollywood superstars celebrated under one roof Tuesday to honor Israeli President Shimon Peres for his upcoming 90th birthday, reflecting world respect for one of the country's peace pioneers.


Ammunition fire rages at Russian military base

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:25 PM PDT

MOSCOW (AP) — Exploding shells set off a fire that was triggering explosions Wednesday at a military depot in southern Russia, injuring about 30 people and causing the evacuation of more than 6,000 from a nearby village, investigators and emergency workers said.

Clashes erupt in Egypt over Islamist governors

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:23 PM PDT

Tourism workers and activists in Luxor protest a newly appointed Islamist governor and block his office Tuesday June 18, 2013. Adel el-Khayat was named to the provincial governor's post Sunday by President Mohammed Morsi, causing outrage because of his links to Gamaa Islamiya, which waged an armed insurgency against the state starting in 1992 and attacked police, Coptic Christians and tourists. Tourism is the lifeblood of Luxor but it has been hit hard by the downturn in foreign visitors since the Arab Spring unleashed political turmoil since 2011. Signs in Arabic read, "The plot you are hatching, we will undo" and "leave terrorist." (AP Photo/Ibrahim Zayed)CAIRO (AP) — Clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of Egypt's president and his Muslim Brotherhood Tuesday over his appointment of new Islamist governors, some in areas where opponents are strong.


The G-8 Clamps Down on Tax Evasion, But Critics Say Plan Falls Short

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:20 PM PDT

Leaders of the G-8 nations have agreed on a series of measures designed to clamp down on tax evasion and tax avoidance. A communiqué released from the summit of eight of the world's largest economies sets out 10 points aimed at promoting "fair taxes" and "increased transparency," including that shell companies (companies which serve as a vehicle for business transactions without having any significant assets or operations themselves, and are often used to exploit tax loopholes and invest money anonymously) should identify their effective owners.

Fears of violence as Egypt nears June 30 protests

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:04 PM PDT

FILE - In this Friday, May 17, 2013 file photo, An Egyptian activist covers her face with an applications for "Tamarod", Arabic for "rebel", a campaign calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and for early presidential elections, during a protest in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, Egypt. Opponents of Egypt's Islamist president are convinced that nationwide protests planned for June 30 are their last opportunity to drive him from power. They say they have tapped into widespread public discontent over shortages, broken infrastructure, high prices and lack of security, and can bring that anger into the streets. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)CAIRO (AP) — Massive nationwide protests that Egypt's opposition plans for June 30 are taking on a dangerous edge.


Syrian warplanes strike rebel posts in Aleppo

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:53 PM PDT

Gunmen and followers of hardline Sunni cleric Sheik Ahmad al-Assir pass in front of Lebanese army soldiers in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Heavy clashes erupted Tuesday between unknown gunmen and followers of a radical Sunni cleric in south Lebanon, security officials said, killing two people in the latest apparent outbreak of violence between Lebanese factions supporting opposing sides in the civil war in neighboring Syria. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian warplanes struck rebel positions near a besieged military air base and other rebel-held areas in the country's north Tuesday as regime forces stepped up attacks against opposition fighters in the key province of Aleppo, activists said.


G-8 seeks unity on Syrian peace talks, tax evasion

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:47 PM PDT

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a media conference after a G-8 summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The final day of the G-8 summit of wealthy nations is ending with discussions on globe-trotting corporate tax dodgers, a lunch with leaders from Africa, and suspense over whether Russia and Western leaders can avoid diplomatic fireworks over their deadlock on Syria's civil war. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (AP) — President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other G-8 leaders attempted to speak with one voice Tuesday on seeking a negotiated Syrian peace settlement — yet couldn't publicly agree on whether this means President Bashar Assad must go.


Red Cross' Guantanamo reports sought in 9/11 case

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:45 PM PDT

In this pool photo of a sketch by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. Department of Defense, attorney James Connell, center, Pentagon-appointed defense lawyer for Sept. 11 co-conspirator Ammar al Baluchi, questions retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Bruce MacDonald, who last served as the 40th Judge Advocate General of the Navy, via video conference during the pretrial hearings at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in Cuba, Monday, June 17, 2013. Five Guantanamo Bay prisoners accused of helping orchestrate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks returned to court Monday as arguments resumed over the preparations for a trial that remains distant. At far right is the self-proclaimed terrorist mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. (AP Photo/Janet Hamlin, Pool)GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) — The International Committee of the Red Cross urged a military judge Tuesday to refuse a request to open its confidential communications with U.S. officials about conditions at Guantanamo Bay to the lawyers for the prisoners charged in the Sept. 11 terror attack.


G-8 NOTEBOOK: Cameron Tweets WWII bomb at G-8 site

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:42 PM PDT

British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during a media conference at the G-8 summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The final day of the G-8 summit of wealthy nations is ending with discussions on globe-trotting corporate tax dodgers, a lunch with leaders from Africa, and suspense over whether Russia and Western leaders can avoid diplomatic fireworks over their deadlock on Syria's civil war. (AP Photo/Matt Cardy, Pool)ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (AP) — Well, that was close. Or was it? Shortly after wrapping up one of the most peaceful Group of Eight summits in recent memory, Prime Minister David Cameron let a cat out of the bag.


G-8 advances on Syrian peace talks, tax evasion

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:23 PM PDT

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a media conference after a G-8 summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The final day of the G-8 summit of wealthy nations is ending with discussions on globe-trotting corporate tax dodgers, a lunch with leaders from Africa, and suspense over whether Russia and Western leaders can avoid diplomatic fireworks over their deadlock on Syria's civil war. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (AP) — President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other G-8 leaders attempted to speak with one voice Tuesday on seeking a negotiated Syrian peace settlement — yet couldn't publicly agree whether this means President Bashar Assad must go.


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