Yahoo! News: World News

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• Armed standoff in pro-Russian region raises Ukraine tension
• Baghdad motorbike blast, other attacks kill 52 in Iraq
• Carnival holiday may take heat out of Venezuela crisis
• Syria says two attempted attacks on chemical weapons convoys: U.N.
• Dissident warns China sending spies to U.S. in scholarly guise
• Russian spy ship makes surprise visit to Havana
• Venezuela pursues second opposition figure
• New Zealand to back Super Rugby expansion
• Mexican president 'indignant' at U.S. deportations
• Japan CPI at 1.3 percent, factory output steady
• Court: School can ban US flag shirts for safety
• PARIS: Rihanna eyes up French fashion industry
• Group offers plan to meet new EPA power plant emission rules
• Egyptian Islamic preacher to testify at NY trial
• UK tabloid ex-editor tells of payments to public officials
• Egypt army 'AIDS detector' instead finds ridicule
• US awards tower contract for border with Mexico
• World Bank postpones Uganda loan over anti-gay law
• Russian moves raise stakes in Ukraine conflict
• Venezuela opposition struggles to expand appeal
• UN chief: 20 years after Rwanda, Syria shameful
• U.S. Navy eyes greater presence in Arctic from 2025
• Virgin Australia posts $75 million half-year loss
• World Bank holds up Uganda loan over anti-gay law
• Hodgson defends United's under-fire Cleverley
• Former NBA star Odom makes debut in Spain
• Boston, NYC mayors to skip St. Pat's parades
• England flyhalf Farrell cleared in ticket resale
• Yanukovych emerges as Ukraine leaders warn Russia over Crimea
• Top Asian News at 11:00 p.m. GMT
• Defoe retained by England, Shaw gets 1st call-up
• Expelled China professor warns US universities
• Spurs are 1st EPL team to win Europe match in 2014
• French couple's murderer gets 30 years jail in Bolivia

Armed standoff in pro-Russian region raises Ukraine tension Posted: 27 Feb 2014 02:53 PM PST By Alessandra Prentice and Alissa de Carbonnel SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (Reuters) - The United States told Russia to demonstrate in coming days that it was sincere about its promise not to intervene in Ukraine, after armed men seized the regional parliament in a mainly ethnic Russian region and raised the Russian flag. Crimea, the only Ukrainian region with an ethnic Russian majority, is the last big bastion of opposition to the new leadership in Kiev since pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted at the weekend.

Baghdad motorbike blast, other attacks kill 52 in Iraq Posted: 27 Feb 2014 01:14 PM PST By Kareem Raheem BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 52 people were killed Wednesday as a motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated in Baghdad's Sadr City and militants targeted mostly Shi'ite neighborhoods around the country. Blood covered the ground, storefront windows were shattered and shoes and motorcycle parts were strewn around the market, according to a Reuters correspondent at the scene. "I was hit in my face and my hands and when I got up, everyone was screaming and running towards me away from the blast." It was not clear who was behind the bombing but violence against Shi'ites is often blamed on the Sunni Muslim Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an al Qaeda-linked group. Baghdad has been hit by wave after wave of bombings since April as the precarious peace enjoyed since the end of Iraq's sectarian war in 2008 has unraveled.

Carnival holiday may take heat out of Venezuela crisis Posted: 27 Feb 2014 12:18 PM PST By Andrew Cawthorne and Daniel Wallis CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelans began a week-long national holiday on Thursday as some protests still simmered but President Nicolas Maduro's government was hoping the break will take the heat out of the nation's worst unrest for a decade. The 51-year-old successor to Hugo Chavez brought forward by two days a long weekend national holiday for Carnival when Venezuelans traditionally abandon cities and head for Caribbean coast beaches to relax and party. In the capital Caracas, which has seen most of the at least 13 fatalities from this month's unrest, opposition supporters gathered in wealthy eastern neighborhoods. In familiar scenes from the last two weeks, when one group of demonstrators tried to block a six-lane highway that runs nearby, security forces fired teargas to disperse them.

Syria says two attempted attacks on chemical weapons convoys: U.N. Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:52 PM PST By Michelle Nichols and Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - There were two attempted attacks on Syrian convoys transporting chemical weapons late last month, Syrian authorities told the international mission overseeing the removal and destruction of its toxic arsenal, according to a U.N. report on Thursday. The monthly report to the U.N. Security Council of the joint mission of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said the attempted attacks were on January 27. "In addition, Syrian authorities indicated that ongoing military activities rendered two sites inaccessible during most of the reporting period," the five-page report said. This delayed "in-country destruction of the final quantities of isopropanol, preventing some activities to consolidate chemical material into a reduced number of locations, and preventing the physical verification of chemical material prior to movement on 27 January 2014." Isopropanol is one of two key ingredients for sarin.

Dissident warns China sending spies to U.S. in scholarly guise Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:09 PM PST By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A prominent Chinese dissident who moved to the United States after being fired by Peking University last year warned on Thursday of the dangers of academic exchanges with China, saying Beijing sent spies as visiting scholars. Xia Yeliang, an economics professor, was expelled from Peking University in October amid a broader crackdown on dissent, having drawn the ire of school officials for blog posts calling for democratic reforms and rule of law in China. At his first public event at the think tank, Xia said that the fact so many high-ranking Chinese officials sent their children to study abroad showed a lack of trust in China's own education system and a desire to "borrow the good fame and name" from prestigious U.S. universities such as Harvard and Stanford. "I just have the warning for all those top universities in the U.S.A.: you think you've got some benefits through cooperation with China, but who will win in the future?

Russian spy ship makes surprise visit to Havana Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:17 PM PST By Rosa Tania Valdés HAVANA (Reuters) - A Russian spy ship slipped into Havana Bay for an unannounced visit during a period of turmoil in Ukraine and displays of military strength elsewhere in the world. The Viktor Leonov SSV-175, part of the Vishnya class of intelligence ships, quietly entered Cuban waters earlier this week and was docked at a cruise ship terminal on Thursday, its crew casually taking in the view of the old colonial section of the Cuban capital as passers-by gawked. Russian warships have come and gone in Cuba since the collapse of the Soviet Union, usually with much publicity and the opportunity for Cubans to visit the ship. Russia has been stung by recent unrest in Ukraine, where a pro-Russian government was ousted in favor of one seeking an alliance with the West, and where Russia has a major naval base near Sevastopol on the Black Sea.

Venezuela pursues second opposition figure Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:56 PM PST Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for a second opposition figure, ramping up the pressure on protesters who have staged nationwide rallies this month in the biggest threat to President Nicolas Maduro since he came to power. Leopoldo Lopez, of the opposition Voluntad Popular (Popular Will), turned himself in last week after a warrant went out for his arrest and the party said Thursday that Maduro's underpressure government was now seeking Carlos Vecchio, the party's national political coordinator. Students and the opposition have hit the streets of the capital Caracas and other cities demanding better safety and protesting over shortages of basic goods and inflation, as well as against the government's crackdown on demonstrators. They were at it again on Thursday in Caracas, though in fewer numbers, as revelers prepare for Carnaval celebrations.

New Zealand to back Super Rugby expansion Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:56 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew says the expansion of the Super Rugby competition from 15 to 17 teams in 2016 will not result in a longer season or more travel for competing teams.

Mexican president 'indignant' at U.S. deportations Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:34 PM PST By Julia Symmes Cobb MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said he is "indignant" at the United States' deportation of Mexican migrants and described U.S. lawmakers as demonstrating a "lack of conscience" in failing to pass immigration reform. In a television interview aired late on Wednesday Pena Nieto said he and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed the issue during their meeting at a North American leaders' summit held last week in Mexico. His emboldened comments to U.S. Spanish language channel Univision followed days after his administration announced it had captured Mexico's most wanted man, drug lord Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman. Pena Nieto has said any extradition of Guzman to the United States is likely to take time, underscoring the fact the drug lord still has outstanding time to serve in Mexico after a daring 2001 jail break, reportedly in a laundry cart.

Japan CPI at 1.3 percent, factory output steady Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:30 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — Japan's consumer price index rose 1.3 percent in January, as inflation picked up pace though most of the increase was due to higher energy costs.

Court: School can ban US flag shirts for safety Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:23 PM PST SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Officials at a Northern California high school acted appropriately when they ordered students wearing American flag T-shirts to turn the garments inside out during the Mexican heritage celebration Cinco de Mayo, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

PARIS: Rihanna eyes up French fashion industry Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:18 PM PST PARIS (AP) — She may sing "Please Don't Stop The Music," but the music at the Balmain show had well and truly stopped when seven-time Grammy Award-winner Rihanna sneaked in the back door, after everyone had left.

Group offers plan to meet new EPA power plant emission rules Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:16 PM PST By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Swapping power generated from the dirtiest coal plants with that from under-used natural gas plants would help U.S. states meet new regulations for greenhouse gas emissions, according to a plan released by an environmental group on Thursday. The proposal by the Boston-based Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is the latest to be presented as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prepares new emissions standards for existing power plants, due for release on June 1. President Barack Obama last June directed the EPA to propose the national standards to lower carbon emissions that states could meet through their own tailored plans.

Egyptian Islamic preacher to testify at NY trial Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:08 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — An Egyptian Islamic preacher awaiting trial in New York after his extradition from Great Britain says he will testify at his April trial.

UK tabloid ex-editor tells of payments to public officials Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:58 PM PST Rebekah Brooks, who edited Rupert Murdoch's British tabloids, told her trial Thursday that she had sanctioned payments to public officials for stories with an "overwhelming public interest". Brooks told the phone-hacking trial that she had permitted such payments on a "handful" of occasions between 1998 and 2009, when she edited global media baron Murdoch's daily The Sun and its weekly sister title News of the World. At England's Old Bailey central criminal court in London, Brooks was asked by her defence lawyer if she ever sanctioned payments to public officials, as she gave testimony.

Egypt army 'AIDS detector' instead finds ridicule Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:57 PM PST CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's military leaders have come under ridicule after the chief army engineer unveiled what he described as a "miraculous" set of devices that detect and cure AIDS, hepatitis and other viruses.

US awards tower contract for border with Mexico Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:50 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Homeland Security Department has awarded a $145 million contract for a series of border security towers to be built along the Mexican border in Arizona.

World Bank postpones Uganda loan over anti-gay law Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:50 PM PST By Anna Yukhananov WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The World Bank on Thursday postponed a $90 million loan to Uganda's health system over a law that toughened punishment for gays, an unusual move for an institution that typically avoids wading into politics. "We have postponed the project for further review to ensure that the development objectives would not be adversely affected by the enactment of this new law," World Bank spokesman David Theis said in an email. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed an anti-gay bill earlier this week that strengthens already strict laws against homosexuals by imposing a life sentence for certain violations and making it a crime to not report anyone who breaks the law. The World Bank, a poverty-fighting institution based in Washington, usually refrains from getting involved in countries' internal politics or in issues such as gay rights to avoid antagonizing any of its 188 member countries.

Russian moves raise stakes in Ukraine conflict Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:49 PM PST SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Masked gunmen stormed parliament in Ukraine's strategic Crimea region Thursday as Russian fighter jets scrambled to patrol borders, the stirrings of a potentially dangerous confrontation reminiscent of Cold War brinksmanship.

Venezuela opposition struggles to expand appeal Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:44 PM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — It is hard to find toilet paper or flour in oil-rich Venezuela these days and the country is plagued by some of the highest inflation, murder and kidnapping rates in the world. Clashes between protesters and security forces loyal to the president have left 16 dead, and a telegenic opposition leader has been thrown in jail.

UN chief: 20 years after Rwanda, Syria shameful Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:37 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that 20 years after the Rwanda genocide the international community's collective failure to prevent atrocities in Syria is "a shameful indictment.

U.S. Navy eyes greater presence in Arctic from 2025 Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:36 PM PST We don't think we're going to have to do war-fighting up there, but we have to be ready," said Rear Admiral Jonathan White, the Navy's top oceanographer and navigator, and director of the Navy's climate change task force. The Navy this week released an "aggressive" update to its 2009 Arctic road map after a detailed analysis of data from a variety of sources showed that seasonal ice is disappearing faster than had been expected even three years ago. It also puts a big focus on cooperation with other Arctic nations and with the U.S. Coast Guard, which is grappling with the need to build a new $1 billion ice-breaking ship. The Navy is conducting a submarine exercise in the Arctic next month, and plans to participate in a joint training exercise with the Norwegian and Russian military this summer.

Virgin Australia posts $75 million half-year loss Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:33 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd., the country's No. 2 airline, posted on Friday a first-half loss of 83.7 million Australian dollars ($75 million), blamed in part on an increase in passenger seats in the Australian aviation market.

World Bank holds up Uganda loan over anti-gay law Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:32 PM PST The World Bank stalled a $90 million loan planned to help Uganda strengthen its health care system on Thursday after the country put in place a harsh anti-gay law. The World Bank loan had been slated for approval on Thursday. The move follows action by Norway and Denmark to freeze or change aid programs for Uganda and blunt criticism from the United States and Sweden after President Yoweri Museveni signed off Monday on one of the world's toughest anti-gay laws. Earlier Thursday, Uganda's government spokesman Ofwono Opondo brushed off the criticism.

Hodgson defends United's under-fire Cleverley Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:31 PM PST England manager Roy Hodgson has spoken out in defence of Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley after he became the focus of criticism over his club's current struggles. With United 15 points off the pace in the Premier League, out of both domestic cup competitions and now floundering in Europe, Cleverley has found himself singled out in the media and on social networking websites. However, he continues to be selected by United manager David Moyes and Hodgson has named him in his 30-man squad for England's friendly game at home to Denmark next week. "The strengths I see are the strengths that David Moyes sees as well, because he picks him on a fairly regular basis himself," Hodgson said on Thursday.

Former NBA star Odom makes debut in Spain Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:24 PM PST VITORIA, Spain (AP) — Former NBA star Lamar Odom lacked game shape and showed rust in his debut for Spanish club Baskonia, which lost 81-71 to Unicaja Malaga on Thursday.

Boston, NYC mayors to skip St. Pat's parades Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:22 PM PST BOSTON (AP) — Boston Mayor Martin Walsh is threatening to boycott the St. Patrick's Day parade unless organizers allow a group of gay military veterans to march, joining New York's mayor in protesting parade policies on gay groups.

England flyhalf Farrell cleared in ticket resale Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:05 PM PST LONDON (AP) — England removed a potential distraction in the run-up to the Six Nations showdown with Wales by clearing flyhalf Owen Farrell after his allocated ticket for the Ireland game ended up being sold on the Internet.

Yanukovych emerges as Ukraine leaders warn Russia over Crimea Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:04 PM PST Simferopol (Ukraine) (AFP) - Ukraine's ousted pro-Moscow president emerged defiant Thursday from five days in hiding as the country's new leaders issued a blunt warning to Russia against any aggression on the volatile Crimean peninsula. Anxious Western governments voiced fears about the "dangerous" situation in Crimea after dozens of pro-Kremlin gunmen in combat fatigues seized government buildings in the autonomous republic and pleaded with Moscow not to escalate tensions. News agencies in Moscow said fugitive president Viktor Yanukovych would hold a press conference in Russia on Friday in his first public appearance since fleeing Ukraine at the weekend.

Top Asian News at 11:00 p.m. GMT Posted: 27 Feb 2014 03:03 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Obama administration officials faced the prospect of contentious questioning Thursday from U.S. lawmakers about reports that China and India are significantly expanding imports of Iranian petroleum. When world powers reached an interim nuclear deal with Iran three months ago, U.S. officials stressed that they weren't easing oil trade restrictions against Tehran. This month, President Barack Obama threatened to come down like a "ton of bricks" on countries that circumvent those penalties.

Defoe retained by England, Shaw gets 1st call-up Posted: 27 Feb 2014 02:58 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Jermain Defoe retained his place in the England squad for the friendly against Denmark despite his impending move to Canada, but playing in Major League Soccer might harm his chances of making the World Cup.

Expelled China professor warns US universities Posted: 27 Feb 2014 02:52 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — A Chinese economist and champion of free speech who was recently expelled from Peking University said Thursday American universities are putting their academic principles at risk by cooperating with China.

Spurs are 1st EPL team to win Europe match in 2014 Posted: 27 Feb 2014 02:47 PM PST LONDON (AP) — After a gloomy start to 2014 for English Premier League teams in Europe, Tottenham achieved what five rivals failed to do — win.

French couple's murderer gets 30 years jail in Bolivia Posted: 27 Feb 2014 02:45 PM PST Trinidad (Bolivia) (AFP) - A Bolivian court sentenced a man to 30 years in jail without the possibility of parole Thursday for the murders of a young French couple whose bodies were never found. Jaime Martinez, the son of a wealthy dairy farmer was convicted of being the ringleader of a four-man group that killed the couple between August 28-29 in 2010, after sexually assaulting the woman. Tourists Jeremie Bellanger, 25, and Fannie Blancho, 23, went missing while traveling in the village of Guayaramerin in northern Bolivia. The other three defendants, Roberto Forero Molina, Rosmery Roca Suarez and Azar Martinez -- the father of Jaime Martinez -- were acquitted by the court in the northern city of Trinidad.

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