2014年2月13日星期四

Yahoo! News: World News

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: World News


Syria 'failure' looms, mediator seeks U.S., Russian help

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 01:06 PM PST

By Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - Warning that "failure" was staring him in the face, the Syria peace talks mediator said on Thursday that the United States and Russia had promised renewed support to keep their rival Syrian allies talking. U.N. diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi met senior diplomats from Washington and Moscow in Geneva, hoping the co-sponsors of the three-week-old negotiating process could bury their own deep differences over Syria and prevail respectively on the opposition and government to move ahead and compromise. Asked after his two-hour meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov whether the whole process had failed, he said: "Failure is always staring at us in the face.

Italian PM Letta to resign after party withdraws support

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 11:28 AM PST

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta gestures during a news conference at Chigi Palace in RomeBy James Mackenzie ROME (Reuters) - Italian centre-left leader Matteo Renzi forced party rival Enrico Letta to resign as prime minister on Thursday after criticizing his government's failure to pass major reforms, opening the way for Italy's third administration in a year. Letta's decision to quit came after the Democratic Party (PD), the largest party in the ruling coalition, supported a call by its 39-year-old leader Renzi for a more ambitious government to pull Italy out of its economic slump. "Italy cannot live in a situation of uncertainty and instability. Letta plans to tender his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano on Friday.


Attack on prison in Yemeni capital kills 11

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 12:46 PM PST

Security forces arrive at the central prison after an attack, in SanaaBy Khaled Abdullah SANAA (Reuters) - Eleven people were killed when attackers mounted a bomb, grenade and gun assault on the main prison in Yemen's capital on Thursday to try to free inmates, security sources and witnesses said. Explosions and gunfire could be heard several kilometers away from the prison in northern Sanaa, which has al Qaeda members among its inmates. "A terrorist group attacked the central prison," an Interior Ministry official said, according to comments published by the state news agency, adding there had been a car bomb followed by a gun attack on the facility. Eleven people were killed, a security source said.


Three journalists and a union leader released in Niger

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 02:52 PM PST

Authorities in Niger released on Thursday three journalists from a private radio station one day after they were detained with a union leader who criticized President Mahamadou Issfouou on air, the station's director-general told Reuters. Police on Wednesday arrested the Anfani radio station's editor in chief Abdoul-Razak Idrissa, and two journalists, Haoua Maigari and Moussa Hassane as well as union leader Ismael Salifou.

Cuba hopes EU talks will lead to U.S. gesture: commissioner

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:56 PM PST

Vassiliou European Commissioner for Education and Schneider-Ammann Switzerland's Economy minister listens to CERN Director General Heuer during a visit to CERN in CessyBy Daniel Trotta HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba hopes the opening of negotiations on a new political agreement with the European Union could lead to similar talks with the United States, a visiting EU commissioner said Cuba's foreign minister told her on Thursday. EU Education Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said she, too, hoped the launching of an EU-Cuba dialogue would lead to better relations between Cuba and the United States, which severed diplomatic ties with the communist island in 1961 and imposed an economic embargo a year later.


Volcanic eruption in Indonesia closes 3 airports

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 05:03 PM PST

Villagers walk as they are evacuated from their homes on the slope of Mount Kelud in Kediri, East Java, Indonesia, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. Indonesia's mount Kelud in densely populated Java Island has erupted, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. Head of volcano monitoring agency Muhammad Hendrasto, said the mountain in Kediri regency erupted late Thursday, just about 90 minutes after authorities raised its status to the highest level. (AP Photo)SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — Volcanic ash from a major eruption in Indonesia closed three international airports on Friday and darkened skies across a large swath of the country's most densely populated island.


France wants faster UN deployment in C.Africa

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:39 PM PST

Boys sit in a market in the centre of Bangui on February 13, 2014French President Francois Hollande Thursday called on the United Nations to fast-track the deployment of peacekeepers in the Central African Republic to help quell a bloody sectarian conflict. In a telephone call to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Hollande said UN troops were needed to help restore peace and prop up the administration of new interim president Catherine Samba Panza. "The UN Security Council set a clear mandate (for peacekeepers) which must be quickly and firmly implemented. It's a question mainly of speeding up the preparation for a peacekeeping operation, in close partnership with the African Union," said a statement from the French presidency.


Snowstorm brings drudgery and tragedy to US east

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:37 PM PST

A man jumps over a puddle on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, February 13, 2014A deadly winter storm swept the eastern United States on Thursday spelling drudgery for millions and tragedy for a few, including an expectant mother killed by a snowplow. US media counted at least 11 dead as a result of the storm, which dropped a thick blanket of snow over eastern cities overnight and shut down federal government operations in Washington. One of the casualties was a 36-year-old pregnant woman, struck and killed by a snowplow in a New York parking lot. Thousands of travelers were stranded as major air hubs such as Atlanta and New York, were closed down.


Belgium gives ill children of any age right-to-die

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:36 PM PST

The results of a vote for euthanasia for children in Belgium is seen on February 13, 2014Twelve years after legalising euthanasia for adults, Belgium's parliament extended the right to die to terminally ill children of any age Thursday, despite opposition from the Church and some pediatricians. After months of heated debate, the lower House of Representatives adopted legislation making the largely Catholic country the second after the Netherlands to allow mercy-killing for children, and the first to lift all age restrictions. Belgium is one of three countries in Europe to allow euthanasia for adults. Unlike the Dutch across the border, where euthanasia is allowed for children over 12, the law states that any incurably sick child may request to end their suffering if "conscious", and if equipped with "a capacity of discernment".


Brazil protesters march against bus fare hike

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:36 PM PST

Demonstrators participate in a march organized by the Rural Workers Landless Movement or MST, most waving the red MST banners along with Brazilian national flags and Pernambuco state flags, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014. The MST, one of the globe's biggest agrarian reform movements, called the protest to demand that the government hand over more unused land to impoverished farmers who have none of their own. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Hundreds of protesters are demonstrating in Rio de Janeiro's streets against a 10-cent hike in bus fares.


New Zealand 51-4 at lunch on day 1 vs. India

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:35 PM PST

India's Ishant Sharma, centre, takes his third wicket, that of New Zealand's Tom Latham for 0 on the 1st day of the 2nd cricket test, Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand, Friday, February 14, 2014. (AP Photo/SNPA, Ross Setford) NEW ZEALAND OUTWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Ishant Sharma claimed three wickets as New Zealand stumbled to 51-4 at lunch Friday first day of the second cricket test against India.


Italian PM Letta to resign, opening way for Renzi

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:35 PM PST

Centre-left Democratic Party party leader Matteo Renzi (C) leaves the party's headquarters at the end of a party leaders meeting in Rome on February 13, 2014Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta announced his resignation on Thursday after his own party voted against his leadership, with 39-year-old leftist Matteo Renzi now expected to replace him. Letta said he will submit his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano on Friday after less than a year at the head of an uneasy left-right coalition and just as Italy is beginning to emerge from a painful recession. Members of the centre-left Democratic Party's governing directorate voted 136 in favour and 16 against a motion requesting a change of government submitted by Renzi in a dramatic climax to a weeks-long feud with Letta. Renzi called on the Democratic Party to back a new "radical programme" and a government that could last until the end of the legislature in 2018.


Report: US success in immigration court drops

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:31 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly half of immigrants facing deportation from the U.S. are now winning their cases before an immigration judge, their highest success rate in more than 20 years, according to a new analysis of court data published Thursday.

Mexico City mulls legalizing sale of marijuana

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:29 PM PST

In this Aug. 4, 2013 photo, a man identified only as Pedro holds a leaf from a marijuana plant at his home in Mexico City. A group of leftist Mexico City lawmakers have introduced a bill, Thursday Feb 13, 2014, to legalize the sale of marijuana in the nation's capital. Since 2009, Mexico has allowed the possession of 5 grams of marijuana, about four joints, for personal use. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)MEXICO CITY (AP) — Leftist lawmakers in Mexico City's legislature introduced a bill Thursday that would legalize the sale of marijuana within the capital, expanding on a national law that already decriminalizes the possession by users of small amounts of pot throughout the country.


Students launch fresh protests in Venezuela

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:26 PM PST

Students demonstrate against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along a main highway in Caracas on February 13, 2014About 2,000 students took the streets of the Venezuelan capital to protest the leftist government Thursday, a day after three people were shot dead and dozens injured. Walking a few hundred meters (yards) to the west, where a young opposition protester died Wednesday, they complained of government violence and "oppression." A day earlier, thousands protested against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to President Nicolas Maduro since he took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year. Top opposition figure Henrique Capriles insisted a coup was out of the question.


Cologna goes for 2nd gold in Sochi in 15K race

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:15 PM PST

Switzerland's Dario Cologna celebrates winning the gold medal as Norway's Martin Johnsrud Sundby, second from right, and Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin are to cross the finish line during the men's cross-country 30k skiathlon at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — Dario Cologna only finished second the last time he competed in a 15-kilometer classical-style race, less than two weeks ago.


Canada, Sweden look for strong position in hockey

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:09 PM PST

Canada defenseman Shea Weber, center, celebrates with forward Sidney Crosby, left, and forward Patrice Bergeron after scoring a goal against Norway in the second period of a men's ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Sidney Crosby is pretty sure Canada shook off all of its jet lag in its Olympic hockey opener.


White House sees longer wait for Afghan agreement

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 04:01 PM PST

In this photo taken late Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 and released by the Turkish Presidency Press Office, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, right, greets his Afghan counterpart President Hamid Karzai in Ankara, Turkey. The White House is dropping its insistence that Afghanistan sign a crucial security pact within weeks, suggesting it could be willing to wait and see whether Karzai's successor might be easier to work with in deciding how many U.S. and international troops remain in Afghanistan when combat concludes at the end of the year. (AP Photo/Turkish Presidency Press Office, Mustafa Oztartan)WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is dropping its insistence that Afghanistan sign a crucial security pact within weeks, suggesting it could be willing to wait to see whether Afghan President Hamid Karzai's successor might be easier to work with in deciding how many U.S. and international troops remain in Afghanistan when combat concludes at the end of the year.


China aims for top of podium in women's aerials

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:59 PM PST

China's Xu Mengtao, center, chats with compatriot Qi Guangpu at the end of a freestyle skiing aerials training session at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — When China decided to hand over its fledgling aerials program to Peter Judge 11 years ago, the Canadian helped unleash what former Chinese coach Dustin Wilson called a "Pandora's Box."


Russia in talks on Syria aid draft, U.N. aid chief urges action

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:52 PM PST

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. aid chief Valerie Amos urged the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to act to increase humanitarian access in Syria as the United States, France and Britain tried to find common ground with Russia and China on a draft resolution on the situation. The United States, France, Britain, Russia and China, the council's five veto-wielding powers, began negotiations on Thursday with Australia, Luxembourg and Jordan. The United Nations has said that some 9.3 million Syrians, or nearly half the country's population, need help.

Bode and Ted top the list of super-combi favorites

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:48 PM PST

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — The men's super-combined on Friday opens a stretch of three Alpine skiing races in three days at the Sochi Olympics.

Salvador castaway never wants to see ocean again

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:47 PM PST

.SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Doctors say the Salvadoran fisherman who apparently drifted at sea for more than a year is vowing never to return to the ocean and even plans to avoid the beach.


Storms taking toll on families, schools in Northeast

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:29 PM PST

By Victoria Cavaliere and Chris Francescani NEW YORK (Reuters) - A winter storm that froze the U.S. southeast in its tracks pushed north on Thursday, with driving winds and heavy snow snarling travel and closing many schools from Washington to Connecticut, creating havoc for winter-weary parents. More than 700,000 people, including residents of Georgia and South Carolina hit by a heavy blast of ice a day earlier, were without power as the storm made its way up the coast, closing much of Washington and threatening to drop up to 18 inches of snow in some areas. Jane Mills, a former teacher from Nashville, Tennessee, who was walking with her 6-year-old granddaughter in Brooklyn, said it was "absolutely ridiculous" that public schools were open. About 1,000 people spent the night on cots and mats at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, the airport said.

1st-time Olympic gold medalist likely

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:26 PM PST

Patrick Chan of Canada acknowledges the crowd after completing his routine in the men's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Barring a shocking result in the free skate, a country will celebrate its first men's Olympic gold medal in figure skating Friday night.


US rappers Odd Future banned from New Zealand

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:24 PM PST

FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2011 file photo, Tyler, The Creator, center, holds the award for best new artist as he poses with other members of Odd Future at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. New Zealand immigration authorities have banned Los Angeles rappers Odd Future from entering the country after deciding they pose a threat to public order. Tyler, The Creator vented his frustration on Twitter on Thursday, Feb 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The manager for banned U.S. rap group Odd Future says Tyler, The Creator, and his fellow members in the collective have changed over time and aren't being given credit for growing up.


IAAF appeals Turkey decision to clear Alptekin

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:17 PM PST

FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 10, 2012 file photo, Turkey's Asli Cakir Alptekin celebrates her gold medal in the women's 1500-meter during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London. The international track and field association has appealed the Turkish Athletics Federation's decision to clear Olympic 1,500-meter champion Asli Cakir Alptekin of doping, and has re-imposed her ban, it was reported on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. The TAF cleared Alptekin in December, saying it found no violations of doping rules by the 28-year-old, who won gold at the 2012 London Olympics. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)MONACO (AP) — The IAAF has appealed the Turkish Athletics Federation's decision to clear Olympic 1,500-meter champion Asli Cakir Alptekin of doping, and has re-imposed her ban.


Institute: More digging at NKorea nuke test site

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:15 PM PST

These Jan. 4, 2014, and Feb. 3, 2014, satellite image taken by Astrium and annotated and distributed by 38 North, shows satellite images showing that North Korea has accelerated excavation at a site used for underground nuclear test explosions according to the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. The findings, based on satellite photographs, were released as Secretary of State John Kerry and his South Korean counterpart warned the North against any possible aggression. The institute said that the North likely started work last May on a new tunnel at the northeastern test site at Punggye-ri, where it has conducted its three previous nuclear explosions, the latest in February 2013. The institute estimates that the pile of earth excavated from it has doubled since the start of the year. (AP Photo/Astrium - 38 North) MANDATORY CREDITWASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. research institute said Thursday North Korea has accelerated excavation at a site used for underground nuclear test explosions, though a test doesn't appear imminent.


England weighing up Januzaj case - Hodgson

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:09 PM PST

Manchester United's Belgian midfielder Adnan Januzaj (C) battles with Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Ramires (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on January 19, 2014England are still assessing the possibility of calling up Manchester United's Belgium-born winger Adnan Januzaj, manager Roy Hodgson has revealed. Hodgson first expressed an interest in Januzaj last October after he scored two goals in a 2-1 win at Sunderland and the 19-year-old has continued to impress despite United's on-pitch struggles. Januzaj is of Kosovan descent and also qualifies to play for countries including Belgium, Albania and Turkey, but he is uncapped at youth level and has yet to pledge his allegiance to any particular nation. He could one day qualify to play for England on residency grounds and an FA spokesman has confirmed that England are liasing with world governing body FIFA over the issue of Januzaj's eligibility.


Drug policy must change in U.S., Europe -Uruguay president

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:04 PM PST

UUruguay's President Mujica holds a news conference in MontevideoBy Malena Castaldi and Felipe Llambias MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - The United States and Europe need a new strategy in the war on drugs and should look at alternatives such as the regulated sale of marijuana, says Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, whose country recently legalized the production and sale of cannabis. "For a small country, it's possible to experiment with this, but it's also very possible for a developed country because of the resources it has." In December, Uruguay's parliament approved a bill to legalize and regulate the sale and production of marijuana. Until things change there, it will be very difficult to change elsewhere," said Mujica from his home on the outskirts of Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, where he lives in a simple cottage with his wife and dogs. Mujica pointed to changing laws in other places, including those of U.S. states that have taken steps to decriminalize and even legalize marijuana use, as evidence of an "undeniable evolution" in attitudes.


Top Asian News at 11:00 p.m. GMT

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:03 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is dropping its insistence that Afghanistan sign a crucial security pact within weeks, suggesting it could be willing to wait and see whether Afghan President Hamid Karzai's successor might be easier to work with in deciding how many U.S. and international troops remain in Afghanistan when combat concludes at the end of the year. Karzai further exacerbated tensions with Washington on Thursday by releasing 65 accused militants from a former U.S. prison near Kabul. The American military angrily denounced the move, saying the men are Taliban fighters who will likely return to the battlefield to kill coalition and Afghan forces.

Tora Berger aims for 1st gold in Olympic biathlon

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 03:00 PM PST

Norway's Tora Berger skis on her way to win the silver medal in the women's biathlon 10k pursuit, at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — Tora Berger of Norway is after her first gold medal at the Sochi Olympics when women's biathlon continues with the 15-kilometer individual race on Friday.


Quebec opens up untamed Anticosti to oil exploration

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 02:59 PM PST

Deer dash across forest waters August 13, 2013 on Anticosti Island, CanadaQuebec announced Thursday it will open up the pristine wilderness haven of Anticosti Island to oil and gas exploration, forming a joint venture with French energy firm Maurel et Prom to scour its vast wilds. The Canadian province of Quebec and Maurel et Prom have committed a total of Can$100 million initially to fund the search for energy resources due to begin mid-2014. They will be helped by juniors Corridor Resources and Petrolia, which hold exploration licenses on the island and have agreed to transfer them to the joint venture in exchange for shares. The exploration work involving drilling of a dozen and a half test wells is expected to continue over the following two years.


Regulator: Sands hackers didn't steal credit cards

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 02:55 PM PST

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada gambling regulator said Thursday that the hackers who knocked down all Las Vegas Sands websites for three days and counting did not steal any patron data, including credit card information.

Latvia's Martins Dukurs man to catch in skeleton

Posted: 13 Feb 2014 02:52 PM PST

Martins Dukurs of Latvia starts a run during the men's skeleton training at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — He's the scariest slider in skeleton, bar none.


0 条评论:

发表评论

订阅 博文评论 [Atom]

<< 主页

bnzv