Yahoo! News: World News

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• Analysis: Is Syria now a direct threat to the U.S.?
• Turkish forces seize suspected hijacker on plane in Istanbul
• In standoff, Libyans protest over parliament extension
• Syria evacuates civilians from besieged Homs centre
• Two abducted Italians freed in Libya
• NZ 15-4, 316 ahead of India in 1st test
• University studies if quakes in North Texas linked to fracking
• German tourist, 76, shot dead on Venezuelan island
• Bolivia floods kill 38, more heavy rains forecast
• Chevy's Olympic ads feature gay couple
• Svendsen, Fourcade battle for 1st biathlon gold
• Sochi’s Opening Ceremony Fiddles With History, Plays to the Home Crowd
• White House giving Boehner room on immigration
• 5 things to watch for in 5,000 meters speedskating
• India all out for 202 on day 3 vs. New Zealand
• 5 Things: Finally, women on Olympic ski jump hill
• Owner jailed after puppies saved from Vegas arson
• Labor Department opens new American Samoa office
• Ecclestone expecting F1 bribery case to collapse
• Pharma data play larger role in Olympic drug tests
• Goalie gives Finland potential to upset top teams
• Japan assures US of calm response to China tension
• Top Asian News at 11:00 p.m. GMT
• Shiels treble sends Rangers into last eight
• Russia kicks off Sochi Games with hope and hubris
• White House giving House chief room on immigration
• NYC mayor welcomes Pussy Riot to City Hall
• Pellegrini hits back at Mourinho
• Top-seeded Fognini reaches semifinals in Chile
• American jailed in N. Korea returned to labor camp
• Egypt's top satirist back on air after suspension
• A cultural guide to Sochi opening ceremony
• Attempt to hijack Turkish plane to Sochi foiled
• Olympic greats Tretiak, Rodnina light cauldron
• Key South Sudan towns looted, deserted: UN
• Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT

Analysis: Is Syria now a direct threat to the U.S.? Posted: 07 Feb 2014 11:06 AM PST Over the last two weeks, Obama administration officials have signaled - sometimes intentionally, sometimes not - that a worst-case scenario is emerging in Syria. An emboldened President Bashar al-Assad has missed two deadlines to turn over his deadliest chemical weapons. And radical extremists who have fought in Syria are carrying out attacks in Egypt and allegedly aspire to strike the United States as well. Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper told members of Congress last week that Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda aligned group in Syria, "does have aspirations for attacks on the homeland." American and Egyptian officials expressed alarm this week at signs that Egyptians who fought in Syria have returned home to mount an insurgency.

Turkish forces seize suspected hijacker on plane in Istanbul Posted: 07 Feb 2014 01:57 PM PST By Evrim Ergin ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish security forces on Friday seized a Ukrainian man who officials said made a bomb threat and tried to hijack a passenger plane, demanding to go to the Winter Olympics venue of Sochi just as the opening ceremony was taking place. The suspect, a 45-year-old man, had a small bag containing electronic goods but no bomb, Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu told reporters after the operation to capture him.

In standoff, Libyans protest over parliament extension Posted: 07 Feb 2014 01:25 PM PST By Patrick Markey and Ghaith Shennib TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Several thousand Libyans marched in Tripoli and Benghazi to demand the dissolution of the interim national parliament, whose mandate had originally been due to expire on Friday with the country deeply split over its future. The parliament dispute has exposed Libya's continued fragility nearly three years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, with rival Islamist and nationalist parties, former rebels and regional tribes all pushing their own political visions. Elected in 2012 and without popular backing, the General National Congress (GNC) was to end its term on February 7. Waving Libyan flags and posters with "No to the extension", protesters filled Martyrs' Square in the capital and main square in the eastern city of Benghazi in peaceful rallies.

Syria evacuates civilians from besieged Homs centre Posted: 07 Feb 2014 01:05 PM PST By Khaled Hariri HOMS, Syria (Reuters) - Syria evacuated 83 civilians on Friday who had lived under government siege in the devastated city of Homs for a year and a half, the first concrete result of talks launched two weeks ago to try to end the country's civil war. Buses ferried dozens of weary-looking evacuees, accompanied by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, to a meeting point outside Homs where aid workers, soldiers and police were gathered. The World Food Programme said many appeared malnourished. "They were living on leaves and grass and olives and whatever they could find," WFP spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said.

Two abducted Italians freed in Libya Posted: 07 Feb 2014 11:57 AM PST Two Italian construction workers abducted three weeks ago in Libya have been released after joint efforts by the two governments, Italian and Libyan officials said on Friday. The two men were kidnapped last month in Derna, east of Benghazi, where they had been working at a cement factory. But a local political activist said the men may have been snatched as part of a tribal dispute over jobs at the cement factory. Nearly three years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's government is struggling to impose its authority on former rebels, armed groups and militants who once battled Gaddafi and now refuse to disarm.

NZ 15-4, 316 ahead of India in 1st test Posted: 07 Feb 2014 04:11 PM PST AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand was 316 runs ahead with six wickets in hand in its second innings at lunch on the third day of the first test against India at Eden Park:

University studies if quakes in North Texas linked to fracking Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:49 PM PST By Jana Pruet DALLAS (Reuters) - A team of scientists has launched a study of seismic activity in North Texas to determine if fracking may be the cause of a series of earthquakes that have rattled two towns in the region since November. The seismic activity in Azle and Reno, northwest of Fort Worth, has national implications, with opponents of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, saying what is happening in the towns points to the dangers of the energy source extraction method. "It's important that we don't rush to conclusions," Heather DeShon, associate professor of geophysics at Southern Methodist University and leader of the research team, told a news conference in Dallas on Friday. DeShon said the start of the earthquake series has coincided with start of injection wells used for fracking in the area.

German tourist, 76, shot dead on Venezuelan island Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:47 PM PST CARACAS (Reuters) - A gunman shot dead an elderly German tourist on Venezuela's Margarita island on Friday, authorities said, in the latest incident illustrating the country's rampant crime. Goldhahm Hors Kurt, 76, was killed outside a shopping center on the Caribbean island, the Public Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Venezuela's murder rate is one of the highest in the world, and the South American nation's reputation for violence is a big hindrance to efforts to develop tourism. Venezuelan media said Kurt had arrived on a cruise ship and was shot during an attempted robbery. ...

Bolivia floods kill 38, more heavy rains forecast Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:47 PM PST Torrential rain and floods in Bolivia have killed 38 people and left many homeless, said the government on Thursday, as forecasters predicted more heavy rainfall with the north of the Andean country again likely to be the worst affected. The Ministry of Defense said it had flown in food aid and the army was evacuating families from the worst affected regions, such as the Amazonian and cattle-rearing department of Beni, northeast of the capital La Paz. Around 100,000 head of cattle are threatened and some 6,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed, around 0.2 percent of Bolivia's total, the government said.

Chevy's Olympic ads feature gay couple Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:40 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Chevrolet is rolling out two ads that feature gay couples during the U.S. broadcast of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony Friday.

Svendsen, Fourcade battle for 1st biathlon gold Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:37 PM PST KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — Ole Einar Bjoerndalen will have a first shot at his seventh career Olympic gold medal Saturday, though fellow Norwegian Emil Hegle Svendsen and France's Martin Fourcade will start as favorites in the men's 10-kilometer sprint.

Sochi’s Opening Ceremony Fiddles With History, Plays to the Home Crowd Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:35 PM PST In the span of an hour, it tried to pack a highlight reel of Russian history and culture onto a single stage, and considering the many tumultuous years that Russians have faced – often thanks to their own leaders – the task of condensing it was bound to include some airbrushing.

White House giving Boehner room on immigration Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:34 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — As Republican leaders dampen expectations for overhauling immigration laws this year, the White House is hoping that the GOP resistance is temporary and tactical, and it's resisting pressure from some political allies for President Barack Obama to take matters into his own hands and ease his administration's deportation record.

5 things to watch for in 5,000 meters speedskating Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:30 PM PST SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Sven Kramer is searching for the peace of mind that has often eluded him at the Winter Olympics.

India all out for 202 on day 3 vs. New Zealand Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:20 PM PST AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — India was all out for 202 in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 503 on the third day of the first cricket test at Eden Park:

5 Things: Finally, women on Olympic ski jump hill Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:20 PM PST KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — The gold medal presentations are still more than three days away, but the world's best female ski jumpers will finally get a chance to show the Olympics they belong when they hold their first official training session Saturday.

Owner jailed after puppies saved from Vegas arson Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:20 PM PST LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Las Vegas pet shop owner from South Korea who prosecutors say was seen on security cameras torching her store with 27 puppies inside was handcuffed and taken to jail on Friday after a judge raised her bail by more than $250,000.

Labor Department opens new American Samoa office Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:15 PM PST PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Labor is opening a new office in American Samoa to help employers comply with federal labor law.

Ecclestone expecting F1 bribery case to collapse Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:13 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is still expecting his bribery case in Germany to be thrown out before the trial starts.

Pharma data play larger role in Olympic drug tests Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:12 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Some of the world's biggest drugmakers are playing a larger role in anti-doping efforts at this year's Winter Olympics: They're providing information on drugs that once would have been considered proprietary trade secrets.

Goalie gives Finland potential to upset top teams Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:12 PM PST SOCHI, Russia (AP) — The American shots came in rapid succession: 59 of them in all when Finnish goalie Noora Raty faced the United States at the home of the "Miracle on Ice."

Japan assures US of calm response to China tension Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:04 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Japan assured the U.S. Friday that it will respond calmly to actions by China that have increased tensions between the two Asian powers.

Top Asian News at 11:00 p.m. GMT Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:02 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — When top Western leaders decided to stay away from Russian President Vladimir Putin's Winter Olympics, he wasn't exactly left friendless: he has the heads of leading Asian nations and others to help show the world that not everyone is put off by his human rights record and the anti-gay law he championed. Unlike President Barack Obama, who declined to attend the Sochi Olympics, the leaders of China and Japan — the world's second and third largest economies — are attending. Both say they hope their visits will boost relations with Moscow.

Shiels treble sends Rangers into last eight Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:01 PM PST Dean Shiels grabbed a hat-trick as Rangers booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a 4-0 thrashing of Dunfermline at Ibrox on Friday. The fallen Glasgow giants were far too strong for their League One rivals and can now look forward to a first appearance in the last eight of the competition since 2010. Shiels took just eight minutes to break the deadlock as he capitalised on some poor defending to fire past Ryan Scully. The Northern Ireland international added a second in the 24th minute before a superb solo goal from David Templeton made it 3-0 eight minutes before the break.

Russia kicks off Sochi Games with hope and hubris Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:58 PM PST SOCHI, Russia (AP) — A Russia in search of global vindication kicked off the Sochi Olympics looking more like a Russia that likes to party, with a pulse-raising opening ceremony about fun and sports instead of terrorism, gay rights and coddling despots.

White House giving House chief room on immigration Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:58 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — As Republican leaders dampen expectations for overhauling U.S. immigration laws this year, the White House is hoping that the party's resistance is temporary and tactical, and it's resisting pressure from political allies for President Barack Obama to take matters into his own hands and ease his administration's deportation record.

NYC mayor welcomes Pussy Riot to City Hall Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:56 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is welcoming the Russian protest punk band Pussy Riot to City Hall.

Pellegrini hits back at Mourinho Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:54 PM PST Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on Friday took aim at Jose Mourinho as he ridiculed the Chelsea manager's claim that the London club are the "little horse" in the title race. Mourinho's side drew level with second-placed City thanks to a 1-0 victory at Eastlands on Monday, but afterwards the Portuguese coach said Chelsea were still third favourites for the Premier League crown behind Pellegrini's men and leaders Arsenal. Pellegrini has rarely engaged in verbal jousting since moving to City in the close-season, but the Chilean was quick to poke fun at Mourinho's mind games, while pointing out that Chelsea have been one of the one of heaviest spenders of recent times so should accept the pressure of having to win trophies.

Top-seeded Fognini reaches semifinals in Chile Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:54 PM PST VINA DEL MAR, Chile (AP) — Top-seeded Fabio Fognini of Italy defeated fifth-seeded Jeremy Chardy of France 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Royal Guard Open clay-court tournament in Chile.

American jailed in N. Korea returned to labor camp Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:53 PM PST SEATTLE (AP) — A U.S. citizen detained in North Korea for 15 months has been returned to a labor camp, prompting worries about his health, his sister said Friday.

Egypt's top satirist back on air after suspension Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:53 PM PST CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's popular satirist Bassem Youssef was back on air on Friday, true to his style of mocking the nationalist fervor gripping Egyptians after the overthrow of the country's Islamist president in a coup last July and the subsequent euphoria surrounding the military chief who is widely expected to run for president.

A cultural guide to Sochi opening ceremony Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:50 PM PST MOSCOW (AP) — Wondering about some of the Russian culture featured Friday in the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics? Here's a guide to the history, literature and art that made up a big part of the show.

Attempt to hijack Turkish plane to Sochi foiled Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:36 PM PST ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Ukrainian man tried to hijack a Turkey-bound flight to Sochi, Russia, as the Winter Olympics were kicking off Friday, but the pilot tricked him and landed in Istanbul instead, where he was stealthily detained after a four-hour stand-off on a plane full of passengers, an official said.

Olympic greats Tretiak, Rodnina light cauldron Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:38 PM PST SOCHI, Russia (AP) — One of the greatest goaltenders of all time and an innovative figure skater who won three straight Olympic pairs titles lit the cauldron together Friday night at the opening ceremony of the Sochi Games.

Key South Sudan towns looted, deserted: UN Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:38 PM PST United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations mission in South Sudan reported widespread looting after a patrol in the strategic market town of Bor, which has changed hands several times in the conflict, officials said Friday. The peacekeepers also found that the northeastern oil town of Malakal was "deserted and generally quiet," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Had told reporters.

Top Asian News at 10:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:32 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — When top Western leaders decided to stay away from Russian President Vladimir Putin's Winter Olympics, he wasn't exactly left friendless: he has the heads of leading Asian nations and others to help show the world that not everyone is put off by his human rights record and the anti-gay law he championed. Unlike President Barack Obama, who declined to attend the Sochi Olympics, the leaders of China and Japan — the world's second and third largest economies — are attending. Both say they hope their visits will boost relations with Moscow.

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