Yahoo! News: World News

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• Ukraine forces kill up to five rebels, Russia starts drill near border
• Israel suspends peace talks after Palestinian unity bid
• Three Americans killed in Kabul hospital attack
• Chemical weapons watchdog weighs chlorine attack probe in Syria: sources
• Obama reaffirms commitment to Japan on tour of Asia allies
• Former U.S. test site sues nuclear nations for disarmament failure
• EU should halve meat, dairy consumption to cut nitrogen-report
• Bolivia fires hundreds of protesting soldiers
• Vanska returns as Minnesota Orchestra music head
• Kerry: window closing for Russia to change course in Ukraine
• Kerry warns Russia of expensive new sanctions
• Landslide threatening Wyoming resort town slows to a crawl
• US unwilling to give up Mideast peace process yet
• US threatens to pull aid to Haiti over late vote
• US OKs first-ever DNA alternative to Pap smear
• Former Rangers star Jardine dies, aged 65
• US ski coach gets 4 months for money laundering
• Sevilla takes 2-0 lead against Valencia in Europa
• Gunman kills 3 Americans at Kabul hospital
• Top Asian News at 10:00 p.m. GMT
• Report: Ex-Barcelona coach Vilanova in hospital
• Puerto Rico to free certain inmates 60 and older
• Hagel says Russian military exercises up tensions
• Gang leader gets life in US consulate slayings
• S.Africa's ruling ANC offices torched in Marikana
• Kerry to make statement on Ukraine at 6 p.m. ET
• Hagel says Russian actions on Ukraine border worrisome
• Czech man faces fine after near miss with train
• Internet co-creator Cerf debunks 'myth' that US runs it
• Ukraine moves against insurgents in the east
• Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT
• Benfica beats Juventus 2-1 in Europa League semis
• US wants money linked to South Korea dictator
• Puerto Rico govt seeks to lure wealthy investors
• Sharapova advances to Stuttgart quarterfinals
• Panama presidential candidates battle for top spot in final polls
• Ukraine forces kill up to five rebels, Russia starts drill near border

Ukraine forces kill up to five rebels, Russia starts drill near border Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:23 PM PDT By Aleksandar Vasovic and Alexei Anishchuk SLAVIANSK, Ukraine/ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow rebels on Thursday as they closed in on the separatists' military stronghold in the east, and Russia launched army drills near the border in response, raising fears its troops would invade. The Ukrainian offensive amounts to the first time Kiev's troops have used lethal force to recapture territory from the fighters, who have seized swathes of eastern Ukraine since April 6 and proclaimed an independent "People's Republic of Donetsk". Ukraine's acting president accused Moscow of supporting "terrorism at the state level" against his country for backing the rebels, who the government blames for kidnapping and torturing a politician found dead on Saturday. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said its forces backed by the army had removed three checkpoints manned by armed groups in the separatist-controlled city of Slaviansk.

Israel suspends peace talks after Palestinian unity bid Posted: 24 Apr 2014 01:50 PM PDT By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel on Thursday suspended U.S.-sponsored peace talks with the Palestinians in response to President Mahmoud Abbas's unexpected unity pact with the rival Islamist Hamas group. The United States had been struggling to extend the talks beyond an original April 29 deadline for a peace accord. "The government of Israel will not hold negotiations with a Palestinian government that is backed by Hamas, a terror organization that calls for Israel's destruction," an official statement said after a six-hour meeting of the security cabinet. Asked to clarify whether that meant the talks were now frozen or would be called off only after a unity government was formed, a senior Israeli official said: "They are currently suspended." In Washington, a U.S. official said the United States would have to reconsider its assistance to Abbas's aid-dependent Palestinian Authority if the Western-backed leader and Hamas formed a government.

Three Americans killed in Kabul hospital attack Posted: 24 Apr 2014 10:41 AM PDT Three Americans were killed on Thursday when a security guard opened fire at a Kabul hospital funded by a U.S. Christian charity, the latest in a spate of attacks on foreign civilians in Afghanistan. A fourth American was wounded, the Afghan Health Ministry said. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for similar attacks this year, but made no comment about Thursday's shooting. Those killed included a doctor, and a father and son visiting the hospital, Health Minister Suriya Dalil said.

Chemical weapons watchdog weighs chlorine attack probe in Syria: sources Posted: 24 Apr 2014 07:53 AM PDT By Anthony Deutsch AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The head of the global chemical weapons watchdog overseeing the destruction of Syria's toxic stockpile is considering launching a fact-finding mission on his own initiative to investigate reports of chlorine gas attacks there, sources said. Syria became a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) last year as part of a deal with Russia and the United States to destroy its chemical weapons program. OPCW head Ahmet Uzumcu has the authority to launch an investigation into alleged use of chemical weapons in member states, including Syria, without the need to seek a formal request from a member state, sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Obama reaffirms commitment to Japan on tour of Asia allies Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:22 AM PDT By Mark Felsenthal and Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama assured ally Japan on Thursday that Washington was committed to its defense, including of tiny isles at the heart of a row with China, but denied he had drawn any new "red line" and urged peaceful dialogue over the islands. His comments drew a swift response from China, which said the disputed islets were Chinese territory. Obama also urged Japan to take "bold steps" to clinch a two-way trade pact seen as crucial to a broad regional agreement that is a central part of the U.S. leader's "pivot" of military, diplomatic and economic resources towards Asia and the Pacific. U.S. and Japanese trade negotiators failed to resolve differences in time for Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to shake hands on a deal at the summit.

Former U.S. test site sues nuclear nations for disarmament failure Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:22 PM PDT By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The tiny Pacific republic of the Marshall Islands, scene of massive U.S. nuclear tests in the 1950s, sued the United States and eight other nuclear-armed nations on Thursday, accusing them of failing in their obligation to negotiate nuclear disarmament. The Pacific country accused all nine nuclear-armed states of "flagrant violation of international law" for failing to pursue the negotiations required by the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It filed one suit specifically directed against the United States, in the Federal District Court in San Francisco, while others against all nine countries were lodged at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, capital of the Netherlands, a statement from an anti-nuclear group backing the suits said. The action was supported by South African Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation said.

EU should halve meat, dairy consumption to cut nitrogen-report Posted: 24 Apr 2014 04:10 PM PDT By Nina Chestney LONDON (Reuters) - People in the European Union, who according to a United Nations body eat way more protein than necessary, could prompt big cuts in nitrogen pollution if they halved their meat and dairy consumption, a U.N.-backed report said on Friday. Nitrogen is used in fertilizer to replace nutrients which are removed by soils during plant growth but excess nitrogen can harm the environment by polluting water, air and soil. That represents around 80 percent of nitrogen emissions from all sources, said the study by the United Nations' Economic Commission for Europe's (UNECE) Task Force on Reactive Nitrogen. "If all people within the EU would halve their meat and dairy consumption, this would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 25 to 40 percent, and nitrogen emissions by 40 percent," lead author Henk Westhoek, program manager for Agriculture and Food at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, said in a statement.

Bolivia fires hundreds of protesting soldiers Posted: 24 Apr 2014 04:05 PM PDT LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia's military leaders on Thursday ordered the dismissal for sedition of 702 enlisted men who had been protesting to demand they have the option of rising to the rank of officer.

Vanska returns as Minnesota Orchestra music head Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:58 PM PDT MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Finnish conductor Osmo Vanska is returning as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Kerry: window closing for Russia to change course in Ukraine Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:49 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry suggested on Thursday that the United States is drawing closer to imposing more sanctions on Russia by saying time was running out for Moscow to change its course in Ukraine. "The window to change course is closing," he told reporters. "(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin and Russia face a choice. If Russia chooses the path of de-escalation ... all of us will welcome it. But if Russia does not, the world will make sure that the costs for Russia will only grow." (Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Kerry warns Russia of expensive new sanctions Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:46 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry is accusing Russia of failing to live up to commitments it made to ease the crisis in Ukraine.

Landslide threatening Wyoming resort town slows to a crawl Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:38 PM PDT A Wyoming landslide menacing houses and businesses in an upscale resort town has slowed to a crawl, giving crews time to prevent the rupture of a water main, although one official cautioned on Thursday that the respite could prove temporary. The slow collapse of the East Gros Ventre Butte in Jackson, a popular international ski destination and gateway to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, has torn a house in two, buckled roads, displaced dozens of residents from their homes and shuttered several businesses. George Machan of Landslide Technology, a geotechnical firm that provides landslide evaluation and mitigation services, said the slide had "a significant slowing" amid efforts to reinforce the bottom of the butte with six million pounds of concrete and other materials. Jackson Police Lieutenant Cole Nethercott said it was possible some residents might be able to use a temporary road as early as next week to gain access to their houses.

US unwilling to give up Mideast peace process yet Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:29 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The suspension of peace talks between Israel and Palestinians on Thursday delivered the harshest blow yet to Secretary of State John Kerry's ambitious, if perhaps quixotic, hope of ending the decades-long impasse at the cost of focusing on other crises around the world. But Kerry refused to accept defeat, saying "we will never give up our hope or our commitment for the possibilities" of Mideast peace.

US threatens to pull aid to Haiti over late vote Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:21 PM PDT PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The U.S. government has warned Haiti that it risks losing aid if it doesn't hold elections that are more than two years overdue.

US OKs first-ever DNA alternative to Pap smear Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:20 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. government health regulators have cleared a genetic test from Roche as a first-choice screening option for cervical cancer. It was a role previously reserved for the Pap smear, the decades-old mainstay of women's health.

Former Rangers star Jardine dies, aged 65 Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:18 PM PDT Former Rangers and Scotland defender Sandy Jardine has died at the age of 65 after losing his battle with cancer. Jardine, one of Rangers' most decorated players, was diagnosed with liver cancer 18 months ago and the Glasgow club announced his death on Thursday. Jardine, who also played for Hearts and served as joint manager of the Edinburgh outfit from 1986 to 1988, established himself as an Ibrox legend in more than 400 appearances for Rangers. He won the European Cup Winners Cup with Rangers in 1972 and also helped the team win the Scottish title three times, the Scottish Cup on five occasions and the Scottish League Cup five times.

US ski coach gets 4 months for money laundering Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:14 PM PDT VIENNA (AP) — The head coach of the U.S. Alpine speed team, Andreas Evers, was fired by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association on Thursday, hours after the Austrian was sentenced to four months in prison plus 20 months on probation for money laundering.

Sevilla takes 2-0 lead against Valencia in Europa Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:13 PM PDT SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Stephane Mbia and Carlos Bacca scored within four minutes of each other as Sevilla beat Valencia 2-0 in the first leg of an all-Spanish Europa League semifinal on Thursday.

Gunman kills 3 Americans at Kabul hospital Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:10 PM PDT KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Three Americans — a pediatrician and a father and son — were killed by an Afghan government security officer at a hospital Thursday, the latest in a series of attacks on foreign civilians that has rattled aid workers, contractors and journalists.

Top Asian News at 10:00 p.m. GMT Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:02 PM PDT TOKYO (AP) — When President Barack Obama arrives in South Korea on Friday, he will be thrust anew into the role of consoler in chief in a time of crisis, a responsibility he has become all too accustomed to in the United States. South Korea is reeling from the ferry disaster that has left more than 300 dead or missing, with the vast majority of the victims students from a high school near the capital of Seoul. The tragedy has consumed South Korean President Park Geun-hye in the lead-up to Obama's visit and could distract from the security and economic agenda she had been expected to highlight during her meetings with the U.S. president.

Report: Ex-Barcelona coach Vilanova in hospital Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:01 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish media is reporting former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova is in hospital again because of a recurrence of the throat cancer he has been fighting for more than two years.

Puerto Rico to free certain inmates 60 and older Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:00 PM PDT SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor has signed a law that will free certain elderly inmates from prison as a cost-saving measure.

Hagel says Russian military exercises up tensions Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:58 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says Russian military exercises on its border with Ukraine increase tensions and run counter to a diplomatic agreement it signed just last week.

Gang leader gets life in US consulate slayings Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:56 PM PDT EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A Mexican gang leader has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 2010 slayings in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, of a U.S. consulate employee, her husband and the husband of another employee.

S.Africa's ruling ANC offices torched in Marikana Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:50 PM PDT Unknown arsonists Thursday torched a small office of the ruling ANC in Marikana, where police killed 34 miners in 2012, as campaigning for the May 7 election hot up, police said. "Police are investigating a case of arson," police spokesman Sabata Mokgwabona told SAPA news agency. The ANC confirmed its office in Nkaneng informal settlement had been burnt. In less than two weeks, South Africa goes to the polls in which President Jacob Zuma is seeking a second term.

Kerry to make statement on Ukraine at 6 p.m. ET Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:49 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will make a statement on Ukraine at 6 p.m. on Thursday, a U.S. official said, without providing details. (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Hagel says Russian actions on Ukraine border worrisome Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:41 PM PDT U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday that reports of military activity along the Russian-Ukrainian border were worrisome and that he was trying to arrange a call with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. They make it more difficult to try to find a diplomatic, peaceful resolution to that issue," Hagel told reporters during a visit to Mexico City. Hagel pointed to the agreement signed by Russia and Ukraine a week ago in Geneva to try to de-escalate the situation and told a news conference: "This goes the other way from what the Russians signed and the agreement they signed last Thursday." (Reporting by David Alexander;

Czech man faces fine after near miss with train Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:40 PM PDT PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Czech police say a man faces a fine after having a near miss with a train while walking over a level crossing.

Internet co-creator Cerf debunks 'myth' that US runs it Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:40 PM PDT The Google executive considered to be one of the fathers of the Internet on Thursday debunked what he called the "myth" that it is controlled by the United States. While America played an outsized role in how the Internet was run when it was founded decades ago, that has long since ceased to be the case, Vint Cerf told AFP on the sidelines of NetMundial, a conference in Brazil on Internet governance. "The USA doesn't control the Internet -- that's a myth," Cerf said in Sao Paulo. Cerf said the United States does still play a dominant role in the domain name system but that is one "they have said they are prepared to eliminate," he said.

Ukraine moves against insurgents in the east Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:34 PM PDT SLOVYANSK, Ukraine (AP) — Russia announced new military exercises Thursday involving ground and air forces near its border with Ukraine, swiftly responding to a Ukrainian operation to drive pro-Russia insurgents out of occupied buildings in the country's tumultuous east.

Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:32 PM PDT TOKYO (AP) — When President Barack Obama arrives in South Korea on Friday, he will be thrust anew into the role of consoler in chief in a time of crisis, a responsibility he has become all too accustomed to in the United States. South Korea is reeling from the ferry disaster that has left more than 300 dead or missing, with the vast majority of the victims students from a high school near the capital of Seoul. The tragedy has consumed South Korean President Park Geun-hye in the lead-up to Obama's visit and could distract from the security and economic agenda she had been expected to highlight during her meetings with the U.S. president.

Benfica beats Juventus 2-1 in Europa League semis Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:30 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Substitute Lima scored six minutes from the end to give Benfica a 2-1 win over Juventus in the Europa League first-leg semifinals on Thursday.

US wants money linked to South Korea dictator Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:24 PM PDT NEWPORT BEACH, California (AP) — U.S. officials on Thursday sought court permission to seize more than $700,000 from the sale of a Southern California home they allege was bought with corrupt money provided by South Korean's former dictator.

Puerto Rico govt seeks to lure wealthy investors Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:21 PM PDT SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico hopes to persuade wealthy investors to bet on the U.S. territory at a two-day conference aimed at attracting new money amid the island's struggles to recover from a nearly eight-year recession.

Sharapova advances to Stuttgart quarterfinals Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:08 PM PDT STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Defending champion Maria Sharapova defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday to set up a Porsche Grand Prix quarterfinal with top seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Panama presidential candidates battle for top spot in final polls Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:08 PM PDT Panamanians can expect a tight finish when they go to the polls to elect their next president, according to two polls published on Thursday, the last allowed before next week's vote. The winner of the race will inherit a strong but slowing growth rate in the Central American country and will oversee the completion of a multibillion-dollar expansion of the Panama Canal, which was disrupted this year by a dispute over cost overruns. One of the surveys gave moderate leftist Democratic Revolution Party candidate Juan Navarro the lead over Jose Arias, his rival from the conservative Democratic Change party of outgoing President Ricardo Martinelli. Current Vice President Juan Varela, who leads an alliance between the center-right Panamenista party and the Popular Party, placed third in the poll with 29.1 percent of the vote.

Ukraine forces kill up to five rebels, Russia starts drill near border Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:07 PM PDT By Aleksandar Vasovic and Alexei Anishchuk SLAVIANSK, Ukraine/ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - U krainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow rebels on Thursday as they closed in on the separatists' military stronghold in the east, and Russia launched army drills near the border in response, raising fears its troops would invade. The Ukrainian offensive amounts to the first time Kiev's troops have used lethal force to recapture territory from the fighters, who have seized swathes of eastern Ukraine since April 6 and proclaimed an independent "People's Republic of Donetsk". Ukraine's acting president accused Moscow of supporting "terrorism at the state level" against his country for backing the rebels, who the government blames for kidnapping and torturing a politician found dead on Saturday. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said its forces backed by the army had removed three checkpoints manned by armed groups in the separatist-controlled city of Slaviansk.

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