Yahoo! News: World News

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• New Ukraine ministers proposed, Russian troops on alert
• Russian military action in Ukraine would be 'grave mistake': U.S.
• U.S. needs to do more in approach to North Korea talks: report
• Pope, U.N. urge calm and dialogue amid Venezuela unrest
• Amnesty says some Israeli West Bank killings may be war crimes
• NATO chief still hopes to salvage new Afghan mission
• Spain: Flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia dies at 66
• Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT
• Mexico files gun charge against 'El Chapo's aide
• Qantas posts $211m half-year loss, cuts 5,000 jobs
• Tommy Haas reaches quarterfinals of Brazil Open
• Russia war games over Ukraine prompt US warning
• Lawyer tied to Ukraine's Yanukovich says he's cooperating with authorities
• Party votes to quit Cyprus government coalition
• UK gets more time to quiz Guantanamo man over Syria 'terror'
• Real outclasses Schalke 6-1
• Syrian state media say army killed 175 rebels
• Science academies explain global warming reality
• Paris: Jessica Alba's main street high fashion
• US lawmaker backs UN on NKorea court referral
• Amnesty: Jamaica panel needs to be strengthened
• Air New Zealand's half-year profit up 40 percent
• Assad holding kin of opposition peace talks team: US
• Man executed for pipe bomb death of US trooper
• Mexico drops gun charges against 'El Chapo's aide
• Reputed Guzman lieutenant to plead guilty
• 5 from domestic spy agency arrested in Venezuela
• Early losses raise pressure on Super Rugby coaches
• New killings spark protests in Libya's Benghazi
• Guangzhou downs Melbourne to open title defense
• Qantas posts $211 M half-year loss, cuts 5000 jobs
• Thai leader's supporters chain anti-graft agency
• YouTube ordered to take down anti-Muslim film
• Ex-F1 racer Villeneuve back to Indy at 42
• Big utilities shunned green energy at their peril: Greenpeace

New Ukraine ministers proposed, Russian troops on alert Posted: 26 Feb 2014 02:15 PM PST By Alessandra Prentice and Richard Balmforth SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine/KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's protest leaders named the ministers they want to form a new government following the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovich, as an angry Russia put 150,000 troops on high alert in a show of strength. President Vladimir Putin's order on Wednesday for soldiers to be ready for war games near Ukraine was the Kremlin's boldest gesture yet after days of sabre rattling since its ally Yanukovich was ousted at the weekend. Moscow denied that the previously unannounced drill in its western military district was linked to events in its neighbor but it came amid a series of increasingly strident statements about the fate of Russian citizens and interests. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Moscow that "any kind of military intervention that would violate the sovereign territorial integrity of Ukraine would be a huge - a grave mistake".

Russian military action in Ukraine would be 'grave mistake': U.S. Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:13 PM PST By Arshad Mohammed and Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States warned Russia on Wednesday it would be a "grave mistake" to intervene militarily in Ukraine and said it was considering $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees and additional funding to help Kiev. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the warning after Russian President Vladimir Putin put 150,000 combat troops on high alert for war games near Ukraine, Moscow's boldest gesture since the ouster of ally Viktor Yanukovich as president in Kiev.

U.S. needs to do more in approach to North Korea talks: report Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:01 PM PST By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. foreign policy and North Korea experts said in a report released on Wednesday that the United States should engage more with North Korea as a way to revive talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear-weapons program. The joint report from two think tanks, National Security Network and the National Committee on North Korea, said Washington needs to shift from an "all or nothing" approach requiring Pyongyang to meet conditions for the resumption of nuclear talks with major powers that were suspended in 2009. The current approach, in which U.S.-North Korean contact generally has been limited to a channel via the North Korean mission at the United Nations, effectively gave the initiative to Pyongyang when Washington should be aiming to set the agenda, the report argued.

Pope, U.N. urge calm and dialogue amid Venezuela unrest Posted: 26 Feb 2014 02:30 PM PST By Daniel Wallis and Andrew Cawthorne CARACAS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Pope Francis called on Wednesday for an end to violence in Venezuela that has killed at least 13 people and urged politicians to take the lead in calming the nation's worst unrest in a decade. Both political camps demonstrated in cities round Venezuela. In the capital Caracas, female opposition supporters rallied, while agricultural workers marched to the presidential palace in support of the Socialist government. Students and other opponents of President Nicolas Maduro are demanding that he quit over grievances including high inflation, shocking levels of violent crime, shortages of basic food, and what they say is his repression of political rivals.

Amnesty says some Israeli West Bank killings may be war crimes Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:04 PM PST By Crispian Balmer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli forces are using excessive, reckless violence in the occupied West Bank, killing dozens of Palestinians over the past three years in what might constitute a war crime, Amnesty International said on Thursday. In a report entitled "Trigger Happy", the human rights group accused Israel of allowing its soldiers to act with virtual impunity and urged an independent review of the deaths. The Israeli army dismissed the allegations, saying security forces had seen a "substantial increase" in Palestinian violence and that Amnesty had revealed a "complete lack of understanding" about the difficulties soldiers faced. According to U.N. data, 45 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between 2011-2013, including six children.

NATO chief still hopes to salvage new Afghan mission Posted: 26 Feb 2014 01:21 PM PST By Adrian Croft and Phil Stewart BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO's chief said on Wednesday he still hoped plans to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond this year could be salvaged despite objections by President Hamid Karzai that have called the mission into question. NATO plans to keep a scaled-down training mission with around 8,000 to 12,000 soldiers in Afghanistan after international troops end combat operations by year-end. But both the United States and NATO have said that Karzai's refusal to sign an agreement setting the legal framework for U.S. troops to stay could jeopardise the plan and prompt a complete pullout, dubbed the "zero option". President Barack Obama has told the Pentagon to prepare for the possibility that no U.S. troops will be left in Afghanistan because of Karzai's refusal to sign the accord, the White House said on Tuesday.

Spain: Flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia dies at 66 Posted: 26 Feb 2014 05:03 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Paco de Lucia, one of the world's greatest guitarists who dazzled audiences with his lightning-speed flamenco rhythms and finger work, has died in Mexico, officials said Wednesday. He was 66.

Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 26 Feb 2014 05:03 PM PST HONG KONG (AP) — The former editor of a Hong Kong newspaper whose abrupt dismissal in January sparked protests over press freedom is in critical condition after being hacked Wednesday by an assailant with a meat cleaver, police said. Police said a man wearing a motorcycle helmet attacked Kevin Lau in a residential neighborhood and then fled on a motorcycle driven by another man.

Mexico files gun charge against 'El Chapo's aide Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:56 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — The self-described "assistant" to drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was charged Wednesday with possessing illegal weapons when he was captured this weekend with the Sinaloa cartel boss, a Mexican federal official said.

Qantas posts $211m half-year loss, cuts 5,000 jobs Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:55 PM PST CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Qantas Airways Ltd. on Thursday posted a first-half loss of 235 million Australian dollars ($211 million) amid tougher competition and announced plans to cut 5,000 jobs.

Tommy Haas reaches quarterfinals of Brazil Open Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:45 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — Top-seeded Tommy Haas defeated qualifier Potito Starace 7-6 (2), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the clay-court Brazil Open on Wednesday.

Russia war games over Ukraine prompt US warning Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:31 PM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia ordered 150,000 troops to test their combat readiness Wednesday in a show of force that prompted a blunt warning from the United States that any military intervention in Ukraine would be a "grave mistake."

Lawyer tied to Ukraine's Yanukovich says he's cooperating with authorities Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:28 PM PST By Mark Hosenball and Stella Dawson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Reinhard Proksch, an Austrian lawyer with financial dealings linked to leaders in former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich's government, said on Wednesday he is eager to cooperate with international authorities to freeze their assets. In a telephone interview with Reuters, Proksch said he is happy to provide information and has already made contact with the U.S. tax authority, the Internal Revenue Service, and with the Financial Intelligence Unit in Liechtenstein, which investigates money laundering and financial crimes. "I am not a crook," Proksch said in explaining his readiness to cooperate regarding his past work with top officials from the government of Yanukovich, who was ousted from power last weekend. Authorities are investigating how Yanukovich could have lived a lavish lifestyle, which included a luxury estate outside Kiev, on his state salary.

Party votes to quit Cyprus government coalition Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:26 PM PST NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A party voted late Wednesday to pull its four ministers out of Cyprus' 11-member Cabinet to protest the president's handling of talks to unify the ethnically-divided country.

UK gets more time to quiz Guantanamo man over Syria 'terror' Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:22 PM PST British police were on Wednesday given an extra five days to question former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg and three other people arrested for suspected terror offences relating to Syria. Begg had written in a blog earlier this month about making two trips to Syria in 2012 to investigate allegations of western complicity in torture. A 44-year-old woman and her son aged 20 were held on suspicion of facilitating terror abroad, as was a 36-year-old man at a separate address, police said.

Real outclasses Schalke 6-1 Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:21 PM PST GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — Real Madrid staked its claim as the main challenger to Bayern Munich's supremacy in Europe with a 6-1 rout of Schalke on Wednesday.

Syrian state media say army killed 175 rebels Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:17 PM PST DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian army troops on Wednesday killed 175 rebels, many of them al-Qaida-linked fighters, in an ambush described as one of the deadliest attacks by government forces against fighters near Damascus, according to state media.

Science academies explain global warming reality Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:16 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Man-made global warming is worsening and will disrupt both the natural world and human society, warns a joint report of two of the world's leading scientific organizations.

Paris: Jessica Alba's main street high fashion Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:14 PM PST PARIS (AP) — The first full day of Paris' frenzied ready-to-wear shows mixed up iconic fashion veterans like Dries Van Noten with a whole new sort of fashion player: H&M.

US lawmaker backs UN on NKorea court referral Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:11 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Democratic lawmaker says he supports referring North Korea to the International Criminal Court after a U.N. commission of inquiry found evidence of crimes against humanity.

Amnesty: Jamaica panel needs to be strengthened Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:05 PM PST KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Amnesty International said Wednesday that Jamaica must strengthen a recently appointed fact-finding panel if it's to provide conclusive answers about a deadly 2010 security operation and deliver justice to people who lost relatives.

Air New Zealand's half-year profit up 40 percent Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:04 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's national airline on Thursday posted a record first-half profit on slightly lower revenues.

Assad holding kin of opposition peace talks team: US Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:04 PM PST The Syrian regime has arrested relatives of the opposition's delegation to the Geneva peace talks, a US official said Wednesday, calling for their immediate release. Washington was "outraged" by reports that the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "has arrested family members of the Syrian opposition coalition delegation to the Geneva II peace talks, designated delegates as terrorists, and seized delegates' assets," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. Among those held was Mahmoud Sabra, the brother of Geneva delegation member, Mohammed Sabra.

Man executed for pipe bomb death of US trooper Posted: 26 Feb 2014 04:00 PM PST STARKE, Florida (AP) — A drug trafficker who placed a pipe bomb in a gift-wrapped microwave oven in a plot to kill two potential murder witnesses was executed Wednesday for the 1992 death of a Florida highway trooper who became the unintended victim.

Mexico drops gun charges against 'El Chapo's aide Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:57 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — The self-described "assistant" to drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was charged Wednesday with possessing illegal weapons when he was captured this weekend with the Sinaloa cartel boss, a Mexican federal official said.

Reputed Guzman lieutenant to plead guilty Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:56 PM PST CHICAGO (AP) — A reputed lieutenant and longtime friend of recently captured drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman indicated in a U.S. courtroom Wednesday that he will change his plea to guilty in a $1 billion trafficking conspiracy that prosecutors say was masterminded by his infamous boss.

5 from domestic spy agency arrested in Venezuela Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:54 PM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Five more members of a Venezuelan national intelligence agency were arrested on murder charges related to the shooting deaths of two people during anti-government protests, the country's chief prosecutor said Wednesday.

Early losses raise pressure on Super Rugby coaches Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:50 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Coaches of teams beaten in last weekend's first full round of Super Rugby have reacted with unsual swiftness and severity, meeting poor performances with a raft of selection changes.

New killings spark protests in Libya's Benghazi Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:46 PM PST The killings of two policemen in Libya's second city Benghazi on Wednesday sparked protests by angry residents who blocked roads and burned tyres. The fatal shootings of the two officers -- one serving, one retired -- came just a day after the UN mission in Libya voiced "deep concern" over the near-daily violence plaguing the North African country, particularly the east. Benghazi, cradle of the 2011 uprising that toppled veteran Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi, has seen near-daily attacks on security and other targets in recent months as the weak central government has tried to rein in former rebel brigades turned militias. On Tuesday, the UN Support Mission in Libya called on authorities to make every effort to rein in the rampant violence, which has hit not only security personnel, but also civilians, including foreigners.

Guangzhou downs Melbourne to open title defense Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST GUANGZHOU, China (AP) — Italy midfielder Alessandro Diamanti scored two of Guangzhou Evergrande's four second-half goals as the reigning champions made an emphatic start to their Asian Champions League defense with a 4-2 win over Australia's Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.

Qantas posts $211 M half-year loss, cuts 5000 jobs Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:29 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — Qantas Airways Ltd. on Thursday posted a first-half loss of 235 million Australian dollars ($211 million) amid tougher competition and announced plans to cut 5,000 jobs.

Thai leader's supporters chain anti-graft agency Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:24 PM PST BANGKOK (AP) — Supporters of Thailand's embattled prime minister chained shut the headquarters of the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday, a day before it plans to charge her with mishandling a government rice subsidy program.

YouTube ordered to take down anti-Muslim film Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:24 PM PST SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A U.S. appeals court ordered YouTube on Wednesday to take down an anti-Muslim film that sparked violent riots in parts of the Middle East and death threats to the actors.

Ex-F1 racer Villeneuve back to Indy at 42 Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:10 PM PST Former Formula One and IndyCar champion Jacques Villeneuve will attempt a comeback at this year's Indianapolis 500 at the age of 42, race team co-owners San Schmidt and Ric Peterson said Wednesday. The Canadian driver was the 1994 IndyCar Rookie of the Year and 1995 Indy 500 winner and IndyCar season champion, setting the stage for a successful F1 career that saw him win the 1997 world championship a year after he was runner-up to Britain's Damon Hill. "I've been fortunate enough to compete in several of the world's top racing series and nothing excites me more than entering the IndyCar Series at its current level of competitiveness," Villeneueve said. "To have the opportunity to return to IndyCar racing and the Indianapolis 500 is something I never thought possible.

Big utilities shunned green energy at their peril: Greenpeace Posted: 26 Feb 2014 03:04 PM PST BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's 10 biggest utilities, produce more than half of Europe's power, but only a tiny percentage is from the new green energy sources that could revive their profits, a report from campaign group Greenpeace said on Thursday. Traditionally profitable utility companies have been hurt by an EU-wide shift towards renewable power that has created pro-sumers - or consumers with their own sources, such as solar panels, which enable them to sell back power to the grid. While the uptake in renewables has been spurred by EU policy and subsidies, the top 10 utilities largely stuck to old business models for which they are now paying the price, Greenpeace's report said. It calculates the big 10 generated 58 percent of power within Europe, but only 4 percent of this was from non-hydro renewable sources, such as solar and wind, in 2012.

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