Yahoo! News: World News

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• Mursi offers constitution change before protests
• Mandela still critical, Zuma cancels Mozambique trip
• Snowden still at airport, Ecuador asylum decision could take months
• Syria death toll tops 100,000, rebels lose border town
• Israel approves more East Jerusalem housing before Kerry talks
• Armed groups clash in Libyan capital for second day
• Kevin Rudd sworn in as Australian prime minister
• Fresh protests in Brazil despite government concessions
• EU agrees on bank failure rules to avoid bailouts
• Egypt president defends 1st year in speech
• U.S. judge throws out Abu Ghraib detainees' torture case
• Rudd to be sworn in as Australian prime minister
• Pope signals Legion of Christ reform to continue
• Mursi invites parties to amend constitution
• Australia to swear in Rudd as PM, Bowen as Treasurer
• Speculation mounts on early arrival for Britain's royal baby
• Brazil protesters, police clash near match
• Egypt president admits mistakes before mass rally
• Coup leader asks forgiveness from Malian people
• Obama in Senegal for first leg of Africa trip
• Snowden mystery deepens: All eyes on airport
• Analysis: Big poll win for Japan PM Abe's party could defeat bold economic reform
• Sentence lifted over topless Tunisia protest
• SAfrica president cancels trip amid Mandela worry
• Pope names commission of inquiry into Vatican bank
• Israeli memorial honors rescuers of Jews in WWII
• At center of Egypt protest: Morsi's legitimacy
• Ecuador denies giving Snowden a travel document: report
• Khodorkovsky supporters rally to mark birthday, arrests reported
• Manila plans air, naval bases at Subic with access for U.S., officials say
• Al-Qaida said to be changing its ways after leaks
• EU agrees on green-friendly farm reform outline
• Sierra Leone slaps travel ban on bank workers, taxmen in corruption probe
• Egypt's president admits mistakes
• Insight: Kuwaitis campaign privately to arm Syrian rebels
• Carlos the Jackal loses appeal in French bombings
• Repsol rejects $5BN compensation from Argentina

Mursi offers constitution change before protests Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:52 PM PDT By Alastair Macdonald and Yasmine Saleh CAIRO (Reuters) - President Mohamed Mursi offered opponents a say on Wednesday in amending a controversial new constitution and a forum to seek "national reconciliation", as he sought to avert a violent showdown in the streets. In a televised address lasting more than two and a half hours, the Islamist head of state blamed loyalists of fallen dictator Hosni Mubarak for the "paralysis" that has marked his first year in office but also offered an olive branch to opponents that also seemed to address demands from the army. ...

Mandela still critical, Zuma cancels Mozambique trip Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:29 PM PDT By Ed Cropley JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma canceled a trip to neighboring Mozambique on Thursday, intensifying speculation about a deterioration in the health of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, who remains critically ill in hospital. Zuma made his decision not to leave the country after visiting the 94-year-old late on Wednesday in the Pretoria hospital where he has been receiving treatment for a lung infection for nearly three weeks. ...

Snowden still at airport, Ecuador asylum decision could take months Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:44 PM PDT By Alessandra Prentice and Steve Gutterman MOSCOW (Reuters) - A former U.S. spy agency contractor facing charges of espionage remained in hiding at a Moscow airport on Wednesday while the prospect grew of a protracted wrangle over his fate. Ecuador, where Edward Snowden has requested asylum, said a decision could take months and asked Washington to argue its case for extradition. Russia said Snowden, whose flight is proving a growing embarrassment for President Barack Obama, was still in the transit area of Sheremetyevo airport. A leading U.S. ...

Syria death toll tops 100,000, rebels lose border town Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:51 PM PDT By Dominic Evans and Oliver Holmes BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces have retaken a town on the Lebanese border as they press an offensive against rebels in a conflict that has now cost more than 100,000 lives, activists said on Wednesday. The army took full control of Tel Kalakh, driving out insurgents and ending an unofficial truce under which it had allowed a small rebel presence to remain for several months. ...

Israel approves more East Jerusalem housing before Kerry talks Posted: 26 Jun 2013 12:05 PM PDT JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel on Wednesday authorized construction of 69 housing units in a Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem, a decision that may upset U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's push to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Kerry, in the region for the fifth time since March, is due to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Thursday to try to win agreement to renew negotiations that broke down in 2010. ...

Armed groups clash in Libyan capital for second day Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:31 PM PDT By Ghaith Shennib TRIPOLI (Reuters) - At least two people were killed and 24 wounded in clashes between militias in Libya's capital on Wednesday, highlighting the rivalries behind heavily armed groups that have plagued the country since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Loud explosions and gunfire rocked Tripoli's southern neighborhoods - the second day of violence in the battle-scarred city. ...

Kevin Rudd sworn in as Australian prime minister Posted: 26 Jun 2013 05:04 PM PDT CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as Australian prime minister, three years and three days after he was ousted from the same job in an internal government showdown.

Fresh protests in Brazil despite government concessions Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:55 PM PDT By Anthony Boadle and Tatiana Ramil BRASILIA/BELO HORIZONTE (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets on Wednesday in new demonstrations calling for a crackdown on corruption and better public services, just a day after Congress ceded to some of the key demands galvanizing protests across the country. In Belo Horizonte, authorities said 40,000 people gathered to demand improved education and healthcare as Brazil's third-largest city hosted a Confederations Cup semi-final soccer game between Brazil and Uruguay in a warm-up for the 2014 World Cup. ...

EU agrees on bank failure rules to avoid bailouts Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:52 PM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — A diplomat says the European Union has struck a deal on joint rules establishing who will pay for bank bailouts in the future without having taxpayers foot the bill.

Egypt president defends 1st year in speech Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:44 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's Islamist president told his opponents to use elections not protests to try to change the government and said the military should focus on its role as the nation's defenders in a nationally televised address on Wednesday, days before the opposition plans massive street rallies aimed at removing him from office.

U.S. judge throws out Abu Ghraib detainees' torture case Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:37 PM PDT By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - CACI International Inc has won the dismissal of a lawsuit accusing it of conspiring to torture detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, as the defense contractor benefited from a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision over alleged human rights abuses on foreign soil. In a decision made public on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee in Alexandria, Virginia said he lacked jurisdiction to hear claims brought by the four Iraqi plaintiffs under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), and separate claims by one plaintiff that he said were barred under Iraqi law. ...

Rudd to be sworn in as Australian prime minister Posted: 26 Jun 2013 04:30 PM PDT CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Kevin Rudd will be sworn in as Australian prime minister on Thursday, three years and three days after he was ousted from the nation's leadership in an internal government showdown.

Pope signals Legion of Christ reform to continue Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:55 PM PDT VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is signaling the reform process of the troubled Legion of Christ religious order will stretch beyond next year's target date amid continued reservations about whether it has truly changed its ways following revelations its founder was a pedophile.

Mursi invites parties to amend constitution Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:52 PM PDT CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said on Wednesday he was forming an all-party committee to propose amendments to the constitution and was inviting party leaders to start work on it on Thursday. The move to address complaints about the constitution, pushed through a referendum by Mursi and his Islamist supporters against vocal complaints from the opposition, appeared to be a key point in his speech and seemed to address a call from the army for political factions to forge a new consensus. Mursi also said he would form a second committee to work on "national reconciliation". ...

Australia to swear in Rudd as PM, Bowen as Treasurer Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:41 PM PDT CANBERRA (Reuters) - Kevin Rudd will be sworn in as Australian prime minister at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday (2330 GMT Wednesday), with Chris Bowen to be sworn in as treasurer, the office of Governor-General Quentin Bryce said on Thursday. Rudd toppled Julia Gillard on Wednesday, taking back the top job with an election due within three months and with the party's poll standing in the doldrums. (Reporting by Lincoln Feast in Sydney; Editing by Eric Beech)

Speculation mounts on early arrival for Britain's royal baby Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:33 PM PDT LONDON (Reuters) - British bookmakers are taking money on speculation that the royal baby could come sooner than expected with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge fudging the date to retain some privacy and shake off the world's media. Prince William and Kate's first child is officially due in mid-July with the couple saying they have no idea of the sex of the baby who will be third in line to the British throne. ...

Brazil protesters, police clash near match Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:11 PM PDT BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Brazilian protesters and police clashed Wednesday near a stadium hosting a Confederations Cup soccer match, as thousands of demonstrators trying to march on the site were met by tear gas and rubber bullets.

Egypt president admits mistakes before mass rally Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:08 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's Islamist president has underlined that he is the supreme commander of the armed forces and says the military should focus on the defense of the nation.

Coup leader asks forgiveness from Malian people Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:55 PM PDT BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — The officer who led a coup last year that plunged Mali into chaos asked for forgiveness from the Malian people during a ceremony meant to heal the rift between soldiers who supported the putsch and the presidential guard who fought to defend the former president.

Obama in Senegal for first leg of Africa trip Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:50 PM PDT DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — President Barack Obama opened a weeklong trip to Africa on Wednesday, a three-country visit aimed at overcoming disappointment on the continent over the first black U.S. president's lack of personal engagement during his first term.

Snowden mystery deepens: All eyes on airport Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:49 PM PDT MOSCOW (AP) — Moscow's main airport swarmed with journalists from around the globe Wednesday, but the man they were looking for, National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, was nowhere to be seen.

Analysis: Big poll win for Japan PM Abe's party could defeat bold economic reform Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:48 PM PDT By Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - Will the real Shinzo Abe please stand up? Abe, back as Japan's premier in a rare second term, is expected to lead his ruling bloc to victory in a July upper house election, but what he will do with the mandate is a puzzle. Pessimists fear too decisive a win will weaken commitment to reforms needed to end the stagnation that has long plagued the economy. The risks are twofold. ...

Sentence lifted over topless Tunisia protest Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:46 PM PDT TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A Tunisian court on Wednesday suspended prison sentences for three European feminist activists who were jailed after a topless courthouse protest last month, their lawyer said.

SAfrica president cancels trip amid Mandela worry Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:39 PM PDT JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's president visited a gravely ill Nelson Mandela in the hospital on Wednesday night, and canceled a visit planned for the next day to Mozambique, an indication of heightened concern over the deteriorating health of the man widely considered the father of the country.

Pope names commission of inquiry into Vatican bank Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:25 PM PDT VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis' new commission of inquiry into the troubled Vatican bank has a brand new money-laundering case to look into: How a Holy See monsignor withdrew more than a half-million euros in charitable donations from the bank without any flags being raised, walked out of Vatican City with the cash, and then used the money to pay off his personal mortgage.

Israeli memorial honors rescuers of Jews in WWII Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:25 PM PDT JERUSALEM (AP) — In the spring of 1943, the friend of a Polish-Catholic family discovered a naked, Jewish baby in a nearby dark, cold cellar. The child, not even 2 years old, could neither walk nor talk. Her Jewish parents had been murdered and the family they paid to protect her had abandoned her.

At center of Egypt protest: Morsi's legitimacy Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:14 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — In abstract terms, Sunday's planned protests aimed at forcing out Islamist President Mohammed Morsi would seem to violate a basic principle of democracy: If a fair vote is conducted, even if the majority is slim or the turnout modest, all must respect the results. Otherwise it's political chaos.

Ecuador denies giving Snowden a travel document: report Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:11 PM PDT QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador has not given a temporary travel document to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, the South American nation's acting foreign minister told local media on Wednesday. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has said that Snowden, wanted by the United States for leaking secret information about a spying program, had received a refugee document from Ecuador. "That's not true. ...

Khodorkovsky supporters rally to mark birthday, arrests reported Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:09 PM PDT MOSCOW (Reuters) - Supporters of jailed ex-oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky gathered in Moscow on Wednesday to mark his fiftieth birthday and one news website reported that 46 people were arrested. Chanting: "Freedom for political prisoners!," some 200 protesters rallied amid speculation that the fierce Putin critic could face a fresh criminal case that would prevent his scheduled release in October 2014. There was no immediate confirmation from the police of the arrest of 46 people, reported by the popular Lenta.ru news site. ...

Manila plans air, naval bases at Subic with access for U.S., officials say Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:04 PM PDT By Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that American forces could use to counter China's creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea, senior navy officials said. The proposed bases in the Philippines, a close U.S. ally, coincides with a resurgence of U.S. warships, planes and personnel in the region as Washington turns its attention to a newly assertive China and shifts its foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia. ...

Al-Qaida said to be changing its ways after leaks Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:03 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence agencies are scrambling to salvage their surveillance of al-Qaida and other terrorists who are working frantically to change how they communicate after a National Security Agency contractor leaked details of two NSA spying programs. It's an electronic game of cat-and-mouse that could have deadly consequences if a plot is missed or a terrorist operative manages to drop out of sight.

EU agrees on green-friendly farm reform outline Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:55 PM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — In what's being cast as a major breakthrough, the European Union agreed Wednesday on an outline for a major farm reform program that seeks to boost environment-friendly agriculture.

Sierra Leone slaps travel ban on bank workers, taxmen in corruption probe Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:54 PM PDT FREETOWN (Reuters) - Sierra Leone has banned the country's bank workers, tax officers and some shipping officials from travelling abroad without permission in a wide-scale crackdown on tax fraud. Authorities in the West African state have arrested 13 people working in banks and the tax authority as part of an investigation that has underscored deep-rooted corruption in a country attracting investment as it recovers from years of war. ...

Egypt's president admits mistakes Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:53 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's embattled president on Wednesday acknowledged making mistakes during his first year in office.

Insight: Kuwaitis campaign privately to arm Syrian rebels Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:44 PM PDT By Sylvia Westall and Mahmoud Harby KUWAIT (Reuters) - At a traditional evening meeting known as a "diwaniya", Kuwaiti men drop banknotes into a box, opening a campaign to arm up to 12,000 anti-government fighters in Syria. A new Mercedes is parked outside to be auctioned off for cash. They are Sunni Muslim and mainly Islamist like many Syrian rebels who have been trying for two years to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the minority Alawite sect that is a branch of Shi'ite Islam. ...

Carlos the Jackal loses appeal in French bombings Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:41 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — The man known as Carlos the Jackal lost an appeal on Wednesday of his conviction in four bombings in France three decades ago that killed 11 people and wounded some 140. A panel of judges in a special anti-terrorism court upheld his life sentence.

Repsol rejects $5BN compensation from Argentina Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:39 PM PDT MADRID (AP) — The board of Spanish energy giant Repsol has rejected a $5 billion offer of compensation from Argentina for the company's YPF unit that the country seized last year.

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