Yahoo! News: World News

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• Ukraine prepares armed response as city seized by pro-Russia forces
• Fading signals add urgency to search for missing Malaysian jet
• Gunmen kidnap 100 Pakistani villagers in northwest, government says
• Strong quake hits near Solomon Islands; tsunami warning cancelled
• Thousands march in Paris, Rome against austerity, economic reforms
• France's Hollande approval at record low, prime minister far ahead
• Wealthy US doctor linked to senator back in news
• Uniformed men occupy Donetsk police HQ
• For Europe, balancing act on new Russian penalties
• FA Cup run can inspire top-four push: Wenger
• Support for eurosceptic UKIP hits 20%, Tories slip: poll
• Remaining cattle released to Nevada rancher after armed standoff: witness
• U.S. agency ends Nevada cattle roundup, releases herd after stand-off
• Biden to travel to Ukraine later this month
• Spieth, Watson tied for lead at the Masters
• French minister in Cuba as Europe seeks opening
• Barcelona loses again; Arsenal into FA Cup final
• Sharks stay atop Super Rugby after round 9
• Hungary's Orban retains two-thirds legislative majority
• Souvenir cups in high demand at Augusta National
• Tsunami warning follows strong quake near Solomons
• Monaco beats Rennes 1-0 in French league
• Barcelona loses, Madrid wins to move 2nd
• Poison gas claims complicate Syrian civil war
• Bubba Watson stumbles on moving day at the Masters
• Finance officials: Global economy turns the corner
• Wanderers finish 2nd in A-League behind Brisbane
• Pro-Russian separatists take Kramatorsk police HQ after firefight
• Sporting beats Gil Vicente 2-0 to stay in 2nd
• Biden to visit Kiev to show U.S. support for Ukraine unity: White House
• Bouteflika accuses Algeria poll rival of 'call to violence'
• Rory McIlroy beaten by amateur at the Masters
• Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT

Ukraine prepares armed response as city seized by pro-Russia forces Posted: 12 Apr 2014 02:54 PM PDT By Pavel Polityuk and Thomas Grove KIEV/SLAVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Armed separatists took control of a city in eastern Ukraine on Saturday and Kiev prepared troops to tackle what it called an "act of aggression by Russia", pushing the conflict between the neighbors into a dangerous new phase. Pro-Russian activists carrying automatic weapons seized government buildings in Slaviansk, a town about 150 km (90 miles) from the Russian border, and set up barricades on the outskirts of the city. Government buildings in several other towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions were attacked in what Washington said were moves reminiscent of the events that preceded Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. "We are very concerned by the concerted campaign we see under way in eastern Ukraine today by pro-Russian separatists, apparently with support from Russia," said Laura Lucas Magnuson, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council.

Fading signals add urgency to search for missing Malaysian jet Posted: 12 Apr 2014 07:24 AM PDT By Swati Pandey PERTH (Reuters) - The search for a missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner resumed on Saturday, five weeks after the plane disappeared from radar screens, amid fears that batteries powering signals from the black box recorder on board may have died. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott warned on Friday that signals picked up during the search in the remote southern Indian Ocean, believed to be "pings" from the black box recorders, were fading. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared soon after taking off on March 8 from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing with 227 passengers and 12 crew on board, triggering a multinational search that is now focused on the Indian Ocean. Search officials say they are confident they know the approximate position of the black box recorder, although they have determined that the latest "ping', picked up by searchers on Thursday, was not from the missing aircraft.

Gunmen kidnap 100 Pakistani villagers in northwest, government says Posted: 12 Apr 2014 12:33 PM PDT By Jibran Ahmad PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Gunmen stormed a village gathering in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday and kidnapped around 100 men, Pakistani government officials said. Officials said they suspected that the gunmen are Taliban who attacked because the villagers supported the government. Three local government officials told Reuters that the gunmen had initially taken around 100 villagers from a gathering in the remote region on the border of Orakzai and Khyber tribal areas, both of which border Afghanistan, but had later released around 40 of them. "The government has no writ in those areas between Orakzai and Khyber tribal region but we are hearing from the local people that tribal elders had sent (elders) to the Taliban to release the kidnapped villagers without any condition," one official said.

Strong quake hits near Solomon Islands; tsunami warning cancelled Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:27 PM PDT (Reuters) - A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near the Solomon Islands on Sunday morning, triggering a tsunami warning that was later cancelled, according to U.S. government agencies, and there were no immediate reports of damage. The quake was centered 100 km (60 miles) south of Kira Kira on the island of Makira at a depth of 29 km (18 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. "So far we have received no reports of damage," said Constable Taylor Fugo from Kira Kira police. They all went up the hills and have been watching and waiting for advice." A tsunami warning for the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu was cancelled after only very small tsunami wave activity, just a couple of centimetres, had been measured at two reading stations near the epicentre, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Thousands march in Paris, Rome against austerity, economic reforms Posted: 12 Apr 2014 10:56 AM PDT PARIS/ROME (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people took part in protests in central Paris and Rome on Saturday organized by hard-left parties against government economic reform plans and austerity measures. The protest in Rome turned violent when a large splinter group - many wearing masks and helmets - threw rocks, eggs, firecrackers and oranges at riot police in front of the industry ministry. Riot police with batons charged the group, with protesters fighting back with rocks and firecrackers. In Paris, protestors marched from the Place de la Republique, some carrying banners attacking President Francois Hollande with slogans such as "Hollande, that's enough" and "When you are leftist you support employees." French police said that about 25,000 joined the protest, which came after new Prime Minister Manuel Valls unveiled planned tax and spending cuts on Tuesday, vowing to bring down France's public deficit and following on the heels of pro-business reforms announced earlier this year by Hollande.

France's Hollande approval at record low, prime minister far ahead Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:00 PM PDT French President Francois Hollande's popularity fell sharply in April to the lowest levels since he was elected in May 2012, taking his rating below that of the Prime Minister Manuel Valls to the largest gap ever calculated between the two titles. Only 18 percent are satisfied with Hollande's performance, five points less than last month, after his Socialist party was routed in local elections for a failure to turn around the euro zone's second largest economy and combat an unemployment rate stuck at more than 10 percent. Hollande reshuffled it cabinet in early April, putting former Interior Minister Valls to head the government after local elections in March resulted in a victory of the far-right National Front in a record number of towns. Valls won an approval rating of 58 percent in a poll carried out during April 4 to April 12, gaining the strongest popularity of a French Prime Minister at the beginning of the mandate.

Wealthy US doctor linked to senator back in news Posted: 12 Apr 2014 05:07 PM PDT WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — A wealthy Florida doctor from the Dominican Republic whose offices were raided by the FBI and who allowed a U.S. senator to use his private jet is again under scrutiny for receiving more money from the taxpayer-funded Medicare program than any other doctor in the U.S.

Uniformed men occupy Donetsk police HQ Posted: 12 Apr 2014 05:07 PM PDT DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — Men in the uniforms of Ukraine's now-defunct riot police on Saturday occupied police headquarters in Donetsk, the eastern city that is one of the flashpoints of a wave of pro-Russia protests, hours after armed men seized local police headquarters and a local branch of the Security Service in a nearby city.

For Europe, balancing act on new Russian penalties Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:54 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is working to convince a reluctant Europe of the need to punish Russia more severely for its meddling in Ukraine while at the same time warning Moscow to step back or take more financial hits.

FA Cup run can inspire top-four push: Wenger Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:46 PM PDT Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has encouraged his players to carry the momentum from their run to the FA Cup final into the battle for a Premier League top-four finish. The Frenchman saw his side beat holders Wigan Athletic 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday, taking them into an FA Cup final for the first time since they last won a trophy in 2005. It was a day of mixed fortunes for the London club, however, as Everton's 1-0 victory at Sunderland in the league took them into the Champions League places at Arsenal's expense. With five games to play, Everton lead Arsenal by two points, but now that his side have an FA Cup final date with either Hull City or Sheffield United to look forward to, Wenger wants them to go for broke in the league.

Support for eurosceptic UKIP hits 20%, Tories slip: poll Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:41 PM PDT Support for the eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP) has spiked to 20 percent while Britain's ruling Conservatives have hit their lowest rating this year, according to a poll published Sunday. The ComRes survey for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror newspapers showed Nigel Farage's UKIP up four points since last month to achieve its highest ever result in a poll by the consultancy. Support for the Conservatives was down 3 percent at 29 percent, the poll showed. Farage also saw his personal approval rating leap seven points since last month to 27 percent, level with Prime Minister David Cameron, the survey showed.

Remaining cattle released to Nevada rancher after armed standoff: witness Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:39 PM PDT The U.S. Bureau of Land Management released on Saturday the remaining cattle of a Nevada ranching family that the agency had seized in a dispute over grazing on federal land, according to a Reuters witness. The close to 300 cattle were led through a wash under Interstate-15 near Bunkerville, Nevada, and back onto the grazing land where rancher Cliven Bundy's herds have grazed for decades. The action by U.S. officials, who had earlier ended a roundup of Bundy's cattle, followed the arrival of armed supporters of the ranching family.

U.S. agency ends Nevada cattle roundup, releases herd after stand-off Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:39 PM PDT By Jennifer Dobner BUNKERVILLE, Nevada (Reuters) - U.S. officials ended a stand-off with hundreds of armed protesters in the Nevada desert on Saturday, calling off the government's roundup of cattle it said were illegally grazing on federal land and giving about 300 animals back to the rancher who owned them. The dispute less than 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas between rancher Cliven Bundy and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management had simmered for days. Bundy had stopped paying fees for grazing his cattle on the government land and officials said he had ignored court orders. The bureau had called in a team of armed rangers to Nevada to seize the 1,000 head of cattle on Saturday but backed down in the interests of safety.

Biden to travel to Ukraine later this month Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:38 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden will visit Ukraine later this month to meet with government and citizen leaders.

Spieth, Watson tied for lead at the Masters Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:29 PM PDT AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Young and old. Even without Tiger Woods, this Masters has a little bit of everything.

French minister in Cuba as Europe seeks opening Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:14 PM PDT HAVANA (AP) — A French foreign minister visited Cuba for the first time in more than 30 years Saturday, traveling to the communist-run nation at a time when it is seeking to attract more foreign investment and improve ties with the European Union.

Barcelona loses again; Arsenal into FA Cup final Posted: 12 Apr 2014 04:12 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Barcelona is not used to such demoralizing weeks. After being eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday, the Catalan giant made a miserable return to Spanish league action, losing 1-0 at Granada on Saturday and dropping to third place.

Sharks stay atop Super Rugby after round 9 Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:55 PM PDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The ACT Brumbies, defending champions the Chiefs and South Africa's Sharks posted ninth-round wins to stay atop their regional conferences but the hard-fought nature of those victories underlined the closeness of Super Rugby.

Hungary's Orban retains two-thirds legislative majority Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:52 PM PDT Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban retained his controlling two-thirds majority in parliament following last week's election, a final ballot count revealed early Sunday, giving him free legislative rein for the next four years. "(Orban's ruling) Fidesz party won a two-thirds parliamentary majority at the April 6 election," a statement published by state news agency MTI read. The result was based on 99.99 percent of votes counted by the national election office, MTI said. Orban's ruling right-wing Fidesz party was already the clear winner of the election hours after polls closed last Sunday.

Souvenir cups in high demand at Augusta National Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:50 PM PDT AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — On the course, it's all about going low. Outside the ropes, it's more about stacking high.

Tsunami warning follows strong quake near Solomons Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:47 PM PDT HONIARA, Solomon Islands (AP) — A tsunami warning was issued Sunday for some Pacific islands following a powerful magnitude-7.6 earthquake near the Solomon Islands.

Monaco beats Rennes 1-0 in French league Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:43 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Monaco consolidated second place and put leader Paris Saint-Germain's title celebrations on hold by winning 1-0 at Rennes in the French league on Saturday.

Barcelona loses, Madrid wins to move 2nd Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:41 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona compounded its exit from the Champions League by losing 1-0 at Granada on Saturday, letting Real Madrid move ahead into second place in the Spanish league with a 4-0 win over Almeria.

Poison gas claims complicate Syrian civil war Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:32 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — Both sides in Syria's bloody civil war said Saturday that a rural village fell victim to a poison gas attack, an assault that reportedly injured scores of people amid an ongoing international effort to rid the country of chemical weapons.

Bubba Watson stumbles on moving day at the Masters Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:26 PM PDT AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — After two rounds of stellar golf, Bubba Watson stumbled a bit on moving day at the Masters.

Finance officials: Global economy turns the corner Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:14 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The world's top finance officials expressed confidence Saturday that the global economy finally has turned the corner to stronger growth. This time, they may be right.

Wanderers finish 2nd in A-League behind Brisbane Posted: 12 Apr 2014 03:13 PM PDT SYDNEY (AP) — Western Sydney Wanderers beat Melbourne Heart 3-2 to clinch second place in the A-League and a bye in the first round of the playoffs and an Asian Champions League berth next season.

Pro-Russian separatists take Kramatorsk police HQ after firefight Posted: 12 Apr 2014 02:57 PM PDT KIEV (Reuters) - Pro-Russian militants armed with automatic weapons on Saturday took control of the police headquarters in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, 150 km (95 miles) from the Russian border, a Reuters witness said. An organized military unit of over 20 men wearing matching military fatigues and carrying automatic weapon took over the building around 1700 GMT after arriving on at least two buses. Video footage showed the men taking orders from a commander and shooting from automatic rifles as they approached the building. (Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Sporting beats Gil Vicente 2-0 to stay in 2nd Posted: 12 Apr 2014 02:52 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Sporting Gijon beat Gil Vicente 2-0 at home on Saturday to close on securing a second-place finish in the Portuguese league and resulting automatic Champions League berth.

Biden to visit Kiev to show U.S. support for Ukraine unity: White House Posted: 12 Apr 2014 02:48 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Kiev on April 22 to meet with government officials and civil society groups ahead of the Ukrainian presidential election in May, the White House said on Saturday. "The vice president will underscore the United States' strong support for a united, democratic Ukraine that makes its own choices about its future path," the White House said in a statement. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Will Dunham)

Bouteflika accuses Algeria poll rival of 'call to violence' Posted: 12 Apr 2014 02:36 PM PDT Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, seeking a fourth term in April 17 elections, accused his main rival Saturday of having called for violence during the campaign. That's "terrorism via the television," said Bouteflika, referring to his chief rival Ali Benflis, who has warned against electoral fraud. Bouteflika noted that "at certain moments," the electoral campaign that ends Sunday has "lacked elegance."

Rory McIlroy beaten by amateur at the Masters Posted: 12 Apr 2014 02:35 PM PDT AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy was hoping for a little sympathy on the 18th green.

Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 12 Apr 2014 02:33 PM PDT PERTH, Australia (AP) — A day after expressing optimism about the hunt for the missing Malaysian jet, Australia's leader warned Saturday that the massive search would likely continue "for a long time." ''No one should underestimate the difficulties of the task still ahead of us," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in Beijing, on the last day of his China trip.

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