Yahoo! News: World News

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• Missing Malaysian jet may have disintegrated in mid-air: source
• Merkel raps Putin as Russian forces tighten grip on Crimea
• Japan, U.S. differ on China in talks on 'grey zone' military threats
• Libyan rebels warn of 'war' if navy attacks oil tanker
• Nuns yet to reach Syria after reported release by rebels
• Save the Children describes healthcare disaster in Syria
• Syrian rebels release nuns held since December
• Ex-rebel favorite to win El Salvador presidential election
• Family of Texas man on flight comforted by faith
• Syria's Maalula nuns freed
• Orthodox NYC Jews protest proposed Israeli draft
• Mexico kills drug kingpin reported dead years ago: official
• Obama meets with Ukraine prime minister Wednesday
• Arab League, Abbas reject recognizing Israel as 'Jewish state'
• Haiti's new cardinal celebrates first Mass
• British yachtsman rescued by Chile's navy
• Mexico govt says it's slain capo 'killed' in 2010
• Biden says Venezuela 'concocting' bogus stories
• FBI not in on Malaysia crash probe; other U.S. agencies to arrive on Monday
• Bayern president Hoeness on trial for tax evasion
• Man City ousted from FA Cup, Madrid rolls in Spain
• National hero Shevchenko fails to unite Ukrainians and Russians
• AP Interview: Jihadi head says Gaza groups growing
• Juventus beats Fiorentina 1-0 for 14-point lead
• Vietnam says it may have found missing jet's door
• Ronaldo helps Madrid win to reclaim sole lead
• 42 African migrants drown off Yemen coast
• Benfica wins to increase lead in Portugal
• Lille beats Montpellier 2-0 to stay in 3rd place
• Leading scorers in Spain's La Liga
• The children of Japan's Fukushima battle an invisible enemy
• Lack of passport checks expose air security flaw
• Maldives' court sacks elections commissioners

Missing Malaysian jet may have disintegrated in mid-air: source Posted: 09 Mar 2014 02:28 PM PDT By Siva Govindasamy and Nguyen Phuong Linh KUALA LUMPUR/PHU QUOC ISLAND, Vietnam (Reuters) - Officials investigating the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines jetliner with 239 people on board suspect it may have disintegrated in mid-flight, a senior source said on Sunday, as Vietnam reported a possible sighting of wreckage from the plane. International police agency Interpol confirmed that two passengers on the flight had used stolen Austrian and Italian passports, raising suspicions of foul play. An Interpol spokeswoman said a check of all documents used to board the plane had revealed more "suspect passports" that were being further investigated. Malaysia's state news agency quoted Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying the passengers using the stolen European passports were of Asian appearance, and criticizing border officials who let them through.

Merkel raps Putin as Russian forces tighten grip on Crimea Posted: 09 Mar 2014 12:56 PM PDT By Andrew Osborn SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine (Reuters) - Germany's Angela Merkel delivered a rebuke to President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, telling him that a planned Moscow-backed referendum on whether Crimea should join Russia was illegal and violated Ukraine's constitution. Putin defended breakaway moves by pro-Russian leaders in Crimea, where Russian forces tightened their grip on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula by seizing another border post and a military airfield. As thousands staged rival rallies in Crimea, street violence flared in Sevastopol, when pro-Russian activists and Cossacks attacked a group of Ukrainians.

Japan, U.S. differ on China in talks on 'grey zone' military threats Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:43 PM PDT By Nobuhiro Kubo, Linda Sieg and Phil Stewart TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As Japan and the United States start talks on how to respond to armed incidents that fall short of a full-scale attack on Japan, officials in Tokyo worry that their ally is reluctant to send China a strong message of deterrence. Tokyo hopes to zero in on specific perceived threats, notably China's claims to Japanese-held islands in the East China Sea, while Washington is emphasizing broader discussions, officials on both sides say. Washington takes no position on the sovereignty of the islands, called the Senkaku by Japan and the Diaoyu by China, but recognizes that Japan administers them and says they fall under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, which obligates America to come to Japan's defense.

Libyan rebels warn of 'war' if navy attacks oil tanker Posted: 09 Mar 2014 01:22 PM PDT By Ulf Laessing and Ayman al-Warfalli TRIPOLI/BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Armed protesters in eastern Libya traded threats with the government on Sunday in a tense stand-off over the unauthorized sale of oil from a rebel-held port. A North Korean-flagged tanker, the Morning Glory, docked on Saturday at the port of Es Sider and local daily al-Wasat said it had loaded $36 million of crude oil. Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has said the military will bomb the 37,000-tonne vessel if it tries to leave. The rebels said any attack on the tanker would be "a declaration of war." The escalating conflict over the country's oil wealth is a sign of mounting chaos in Libya, where the government has failed to rein in fighters who helped oust veteran ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and who now defy state authority.

Nuns yet to reach Syria after reported release by rebels Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:09 PM PDT By Alexander Dziadosz BEIRUT (Reuters) - An operation to release about a dozen nuns held by rebels in Syria for more than three months began on Sunday, security sources and church officials said, but hit an unexplained delay. A Lebanese security source had said the nuns had been taken to the Lebanese town of Arsal earlier in the week and would head to Damascus on Sunday accompanied by the head of a Lebanese security agency and a Qatari intelligence official. By late Sunday, however, they had not arrived at the Syrian border.

Save the Children describes healthcare disaster in Syria Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:41 PM PDT Newborns freezing to death in hospital incubators, doctors cutting off limbs to stop patients from bleeding to death, surging cases of polio: a new report published on Monday paints a dire picture of Syria's collapsing healthcare system. The report, issued by charity Save the Children, said some 60 percent of Syria's hospitals have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the three-year-old conflict and nearly half of its doctors have fled the country. Over 140,000 people have died in the war, which started as a peaceful protest movement against President Bashar al-Assad and degenerated into civil conflict fuelled by regional and international rivalries. In its report, Save the Children described the fallout from the collapse of the medical system as "horrific," as remaining hospitals and medical staff struggle to treat hundreds of thousands of people wounded by the fighting.

Syrian rebels release nuns held since December Posted: 09 Mar 2014 05:11 PM PDT MASNA, Lebanon (AP) — Rebels in Syria freed more than a dozen Greek Orthodox nuns on Monday, ending their four-month captivity in exchange for Syrian authorities releasing dozens of female prisoners.

Ex-rebel favorite to win El Salvador presidential election Posted: 09 Mar 2014 05:08 PM PDT By Nelson Renteria and Michael O'Boyle SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - A former Marxist guerrilla leader is expected to win El Salvador's presidency on Sunday after vowing to expand welfare programs for the poor and fending off his opponent's claims that he will impose radical policies. Recent polls showed Salvador Sanchez Ceren of the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), the rebel group in the country's 1980-92 civil war, with about 55 percent support heading into the second round run-off vote on Sunday. One of the wartime leaders of the FMLN, Sanchez Ceren faces conservative rival Norman Quijano, the former mayor of the capital, San Salvador, who trailed in polls with about 45 percent support as voting got under way. A Sanchez Ceren win would give the FMLN a second consecutive term and the affable, media-shy 69-year-old has vowed to build on its social programs, which include a glass of milk a day for children and free school uniforms, shoes and supplies.

Family of Texas man on flight comforted by faith Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:56 PM PDT KELLER, Texas (AP) — The brothers of a North Texas man who was aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight that went missing over the South China Sea said Sunday their family is leaning on faith and holding out hope for good news about the man they last saw about a week ago.

Syria's Maalula nuns freed Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:56 PM PDT Jdeidet Yabus (Syria) (AFP) - A group of nuns kidnapped by rebels in the Syrian town of Maalula in December were released early Monday thanks to Lebanese-Qatari mediation and handed to the Syrian authorities, an AFP journalist said. A monitoring group said the release was secured in exchange for some 150 women prisoners who were being held in Syria's regime jails. The 13 nuns and three maids were kidnapped from the famed Christian hamlet of Maalula and taken to the nearby Syrian rebel town of Yabrud, where they were held by Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front. They arrived at Jdeidet Yabus on the Syrian side of the border with Lebanon after an arduous nine-hour journey that took them from Yabrud into Lebanon, and then back into Syria.

Orthodox NYC Jews protest proposed Israeli draft Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:55 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Lower Manhattan turned into a human river of black-garbed people on Sunday as tens of thousands ultra-Orthodox Jews took to the streets, their anguished prayers booming through loudspeakers in protest of Israel's proposal to draft strictly religious citizens into its military.

Mexico kills drug kingpin reported dead years ago: official Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:49 PM PDT A Mexican drug lord who had been reported dead more than three years ago was killed in a shootout with federal forces in western Mexico early on Sunday, a government official said. Nazario Moreno, a leader of a powerful criminal gang that has ravaged the western state of Michoacan, had been reported killed by the government in a firefight in December 2010. The death of Moreno, who was known as "El Mas Loco," or "The Craziest One," marks another major victory for President Enrique Peña Nieto's government in its campaign to bring Mexico's powerful drug gangs to heel.

Obama meets with Ukraine prime minister Wednesday Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:49 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will meet this week with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the White House said Sunday, in a prominent show of U.S. support for Ukraine's fledgling new government.

Arab League, Abbas reject recognizing Israel as 'Jewish state' Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:46 PM PDT The Arab League on Sunday endorsed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's rejection of Israel's demand for recognition as a Jewish state, as U.S.-backed peace talks approach a deadline next month. The United States want Abbas to make the concession as part of efforts to reach a "framework agreement" and extend the talks aimed at settling the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "The council of the Arab League confirms its support for the Palestinian leadership in its effort to end the Israeli occupation over Palestinian lands, and emphasizes its rejection of recognizing Israel as a 'Jewish state'," Arab foreign ministers said in a statement in Cairo.

Haiti's new cardinal celebrates first Mass Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:41 PM PDT PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's new Roman Catholic cardinal has celebrated his first Mass, telling an audience of several thousand people there is a need to show compassion for others.

British yachtsman rescued by Chile's navy Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:35 PM PDT SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A British yachtsman who was trying to sail by himself non-stop around the world has been rescued by Chile's navy.

Mexico govt says it's slain capo 'killed' in 2010 Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:31 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Forensic evidence indicates a man killed in an early morning shootout with marines in western Mexico was a leader of the Knights Templar Cartel who the government reported slain in 2010, Mexican officials said Sunday.

Biden says Venezuela 'concocting' bogus stories Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:28 PM PDT CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden calls Venezuela's situation alarming in remarks published Sunday, suggesting its government is using "armed vigilantes" against peaceful protesters and accusing it of "concocting false and outlandish conspiracy theories" about the United States.

FBI not in on Malaysia crash probe; other U.S. agencies to arrive on Monday Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:21 PM PDT The FBI has not sent agents to Kuala Lumpur to assist in the investigation of a Malaysian Airlines plane that went missing on Saturday, according to a senior U.S. law-enforcement official, though representatives from other U.S. agencies and plane-maker Boeing are expected to arrive on Monday. So far, Malaysia has not asked for help from the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security, and the agencies have not sent investigators, a second official said. The FBI and other U.S. law-enforcement agencies have offered to help, the second official said, and they have forensic and analytic tools and criminal investigation expertise that likely could help the probe.

Bayern president Hoeness on trial for tax evasion Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:13 PM PDT BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness goes on trial Monday over a tax evasion case that could land the German footballing legend in prison.

Man City ousted from FA Cup, Madrid rolls in Spain Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:10 PM PDT Manchester City suffered an unceremonious exit from the FA Cup on Sunday, three days before it tries to overturn a 2-0 deficit at Barcelona in the Champions League.

National hero Shevchenko fails to unite Ukrainians and Russians Posted: 09 Mar 2014 04:09 PM PDT By Natalia Zinets and Timothy Heritage KIEV (Reuters) - When President Vladimir Putin visited Ukraine a decade ago, he recited four lines of verse by national poet Taras Shevchenko to show his love of Russia's fellow Slavs and neighbors. Two years ago, Putin announced with great fanfare after talks with Ukraine's president that their two countries would celebrate the 200th anniversary of Shevchenko's birth together. As recently as December, Putin said preparations for the anniversary were in full swing and declared: "Taras Shevchenko was such a seer, who foresaw and bequeathed us so much." On Sunday, the anniversary passed, without any sign that Putin noticed. Celebrations of the poet, artist and writer - as revered in Ukraine as William Shakespeare is in Britain - were cast into the shadows by events further down the Black Sea Coast - in Crimea, where Russian forces have seized control from Ukraine.

AP Interview: Jihadi head says Gaza groups growing Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:55 PM PDT GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A leader of one of Gaza's secretive jihadi groups says the al-Qaida-inspired movement now has several thousand armed fighters in the seaside strip, posing a formidable threat to both Israel and the area's Hamas rulers.

Juventus beats Fiorentina 1-0 for 14-point lead Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:54 PM PDT MILAN (AP) — Juventus took a giant step towards a third straight Serie A title after beating Fiorentina 1-0 on Sunday to extend its lead at the top of the standings to 14 points with second-placed Roma losing 1-0 at Napoli.

Vietnam says it may have found missing jet's door Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:53 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Vietnamese aircraft spotted what they suspected was one of the doors of a missing Boeing 777 on Sunday, while troubling questions emerged about how two passengers managed to board the ill-fated aircraft using stolen passports.

Ronaldo helps Madrid win to reclaim sole lead Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:48 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid reclaim sole possession of the Spanish league on Sunday, scoring one goal and setting up another in a dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu.

42 African migrants drown off Yemen coast Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:42 PM PDT Forty-two illegal African migrants drowned when their boat overturned off Yemen's southern coast late on Sunday, the defence ministry reported. The boat smuggling dozens of African migrants "overturned off the coast of Beer Ali," in the southern Shabwa province, the ministry said in a brief statement on its news website 26sep.net. African migrants, especially Ethiopians and Somalis fleeing poverty and unrest at home, generally slip into southern Yemen by boat before heading north towards the Saudi frontier.

Benfica wins to increase lead in Portugal Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:37 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Benfica beat Estoril 2-0 at home to increase its lead of the Portuguese league on Sunday after Sporting Lisbon drew 2-2 at Setubal.

Lille beats Montpellier 2-0 to stay in 3rd place Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:34 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Center back Marko Basa and striker Nolan Roux scored a goal each as Lille beat Montpellier 2-0 on Sunday to strengthen its grip on third place in the French league.

Leading scorers in Spain's La Liga Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:29 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Leading scorers Sunday in Spanish first-division football (penalties in parentheses):

The children of Japan's Fukushima battle an invisible enemy Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:24 PM PDT By Toru Hanai and Elaine Lies KORIYAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Some of the smallest children in Koriyama, a short drive from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, barely know what it's like to play outside -- fear of radiation has kept them in doors for much of their short lives. Though the strict safety limits for outdoor activity set after multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in 2011 have now been eased, parental worries and ingrained habit mean many children still stay inside. And the impact is now starting to show, with children experiencing falling strength, lack of coordination, some cannot even ride a bicycle, and emotional issues like shorter tempers, officials and educators say. "There are children who are very fearful.

Lack of passport checks expose air security flaw Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:15 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — When you travel, airport security agents may pat you down, inspect your deodorant and scan your body from head to toe. But there's a good chance that no one's checking whether you're using someone's lost or stolen passport.

Maldives' court sacks elections commissioners Posted: 09 Mar 2014 03:14 PM PDT MALE, Maldives (AP) — The highest court of the Maldives on Sunday sacked the country's elections commissioner and gave him a suspended jail term for contempt of court after a months-long confrontation.

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