Yahoo! News: World News

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• Thai forces out to stifle unrest after army chief sets election plan
• U.S. and China square off at Asia security forum
• Sudanese death sentence woman to be freed soon: government official
• Eyeing Pakistan and China, India's Modi bolsters security team
• How a private commemoration of the Tiananmen protests riled Chinese police
• Exclusive: Syria bomber was Florida-born, raised in middle-class family
• Boko Haram attack four villages in northeast Nigeria
• Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT
• US congratules new Malawi president
• Wilkinson, O'Driscoll retire as champions
• Conchita Wurst steals show at AIDS charity event
• Newspaper alleges corruption in 2022 WCup vote
• US congressman says jailed Marine OK in Mexico
• U.S. soldier freed in Afghanistan, five Taliban prisoners leave Guantanamo
• 3 people killed at Scottish road rally
• US soldier freed from captivity in Afghanistan
• Little known about American suicide bomber
• Alexander out of France tests due to neck injury
• Sharks stumble in Super Rugby playoffs race
• American suicide bomber grew up in Central Florida
• James and Merritt in photo finish in the Pre 400
• Jailed Venezuela police chief ending hunger strike
• Qatari paid millions for World Cup bid support
• Montes scores before injury as Mexico tops Ecuador
• Obama: Qatar gave security guarantees on transferred prisoners
• Company defends US men detained in Honduras
• Soliman beats Sturm to win IBF middleweight title
• Italy's Montolivo, Mexico's Montes to miss WCup
• Juncker 'confident' of securing top EU job, but Paris opposed
• Work on Olympic golf course could be halted
• U.S. soldier freed in Afghanistan, five Taliban prisoners to leave Guantanamo
• Italy hurting after 0-0 draw with Ireland
• Froch beats Groves, retains WBA, IBF titles

Thai forces out to stifle unrest after army chief sets election plan Posted: 31 May 2014 04:08 AM PDT By Simon Webb and Martin Petty BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police and soldiers flooded downtown Bangkok on Saturday to pre-empt further protests against a May 22 coup after the army chief said a return to democracy would take more than a year. In a televised address late on Friday, General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the military would need time to reconcile Thailand's antagonistic political forces and to engineer reforms. Prayuth, who ousted the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after months of sometimes violent protests, appealed for patience from Thailand's international allies after outlining his reform plan to the Southeast Asian nation. At a conference in Singapore on Saturday, U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel urged the Thai armed forces to release detainees, end censorship and "move immediately to restore power to the people of Thailand, through free and fair elections".

U.S. and China square off at Asia security forum Posted: 31 May 2014 05:06 AM PDT By David Brunnstrom and Lee Chyen Yee SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States and China squared off at an Asian security forum on Saturday, with the U.S. defense secretary accusing Beijing of destabilizing the region and a top Chinese general retorting that his comments were "threat and intimidation". Using unusually strong language, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel took aim at Beijing's handling of territorial disputes with its Asian neighbors. "In recent months, China has undertaken destabilizing, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea," Hagel said. He warned Beijing that the United States was committed to its geopolitical rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and "will not look the other way when fundamental principles of the international order are being challenged".

Sudanese death sentence woman to be freed soon: government official Posted: 31 May 2014 01:23 PM PDT A Sudanese woman sentenced to death for converting to Christianity is expected to be released soon, a government official said on Saturday, after Khartoum came under diplomatic pressure to halt her execution. "The related authorities in the country are working to release Mariam (Yahya Ibrahim), who was sentenced to death for apostasy, through legal measures," Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdelah Al-Azrak told Reuters. A Sudanese court this month imposed the death sentence on the pregnant 27-year-old woman, who is married to a Christian American, and ordered her to return to Islam.

Eyeing Pakistan and China, India's Modi bolsters security team Posted: 31 May 2014 05:17 PM PDT By Sanjeev Miglani NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen a daring former spy with years of experience in dealing with Pakistan as his national security adviser, a move officials say signals a more muscular approach to New Delhi's traditional enemy. The choice of Ajit Doval, alongside former Indian army chief General V.K. Singh as a federal minister for the northeast region, underscores plans to revamp national security that Modi says became weak under the outgoing government. The two top-level appointments, reporting directly to Modi, point to a desire to address what are arguably India's two most pressing external security concerns - Pakistan and China, both of which, like India, have nuclear arms.

How a private commemoration of the Tiananmen protests riled Chinese police Posted: 31 May 2014 05:14 PM PDT By Sui-Lee Wee BEIJING (Reuters) - Early last month, 15 people went to a Beijing apartment to mark the 25th anniversary of the crushing of pro-democracy protests around Tiananmen Square. Among them were scholars, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer, writers and the mother of a student who was killed by soldiers on June 4, 1989. A few days later, five were in police detention after a photograph of the gathering circulated on the Internet. It's the first time authorities have charged anyone for commemorating the Tiananmen crackdown privately in a home, activists said, showing China's determination to snuff out any mention of an event that riveted the world and convulsed the ruling Communist Party.

Exclusive: Syria bomber was Florida-born, raised in middle-class family Posted: 31 May 2014 04:02 PM PDT By Zachary Fagenson SEBASTIAN Fla. (Reuters) - The man believed to be the first American suicide bomber in Syria was born in Florida and loved to play basketball. The family of Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha, 22, on Saturday declined to comment or to open their door as a small group of reporters gathered outside their home in a gated community in Sebastian, on Florida's east coast. Neighbor Mark Hill, 46, said he knew little about the family across the street, who moved in around 2006 at the same time he did, but they seemed to be "very nice people, always pleasant." Hill described Abu-Salha as a "normal boy" who wore T-shirts and walked around the neighborhood with a basketball looking for someone to join him in a game. The family, who have owned a string of local Middle Eastern grocery stores, were a visible presence in the community and often left the garage doors open, Hill added.

Boko Haram attack four villages in northeast Nigeria Posted: 31 May 2014 06:04 PM PDT Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - A series of suspected Boko Haram attacks in four villages in Nigeria's restive northeast killed several people, residents said Sunday, in the latest violence blamed on the Islamist insurgents. The military was not immediately available to comment on the raids in Borno state, the hardest hit area during Boko Haram's five-year extremist uprising, which has killed thousands. All of the targeted villages are in the Gamboru Ngala district near the border with Cameroon, where Boko Haram killed hundreds in a gruesome attack earlier this month.

Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 31 May 2014 06:03 PM PDT LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Police arrested a third suspect Saturday in the gang rape and slaying of two teenage cousins found hanging from a tree in northern India, as a top state official said he was recommending a federal investigation into a case that has triggered national outrage. The three suspects detained in the attack in Uttar Pradesh state are cousins in their 20s from an extended family, and they face murder and rape charges, crimes punishable by the death penalty, said police officer N. Malik. Two other suspects from the same village are also being sought, he said.

US congratules new Malawi president Posted: 31 May 2014 05:57 PM PDT The US government offered congratulations to Malawi's new President Peter Mutharika, hailing active and peaceful elections. Mutharika, the brother of the late president Bingu wa Mutharika who died in office in 2012, appealed earlier to the other 11 presidential candidates to "join me in rebuilding the country" as he took the oath of office with Vice President Saulos Chilima. "The United States congratulates Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Mr Saulos Chilima on being elected the new president and vice president, respectively, of the Republic of Malawi," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

Wilkinson, O'Driscoll retire as champions Posted: 31 May 2014 05:41 PM PDT Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O'Driscoll, two of Britain's greatest rugby players, ended glittering careers by winning domestic titles in their final games for their clubs on Saturday.

Conchita Wurst steals show at AIDS charity event Posted: 31 May 2014 05:36 PM PDT VIENNA (AP) — Party-goers dressed in little more than body paint rubbed shoulders with men in tuxedoes and cross-dressers in wild costumes on Saturday, transforming Vienna's City Hall into a fantasy land. But in the end, Conchita Wurst stole the show.

Newspaper alleges corruption in 2022 WCup vote Posted: 31 May 2014 05:16 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — A former member of FIFA's executive committee was accused Sunday of making payments totaling $5 million to senior football officials in return for support for Qatar's successful bid for the 2022 World Cup.

US congressman says jailed Marine OK in Mexico Posted: 31 May 2014 05:14 PM PDT PHOENIX (AP) — U.S. Congressman Matt Salmon says a Marine veteran who has been in a Mexico prison on weapons charges is doing well.

U.S. soldier freed in Afghanistan, five Taliban prisoners leave Guantanamo Posted: 31 May 2014 05:10 PM PDT By Warren Strobel WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The last U.S. prisoner of war from America's waning Afghan war was handed over to U.S. Special Operations forces in Afghanistan on Saturday in a dramatic swap for five Taliban detainees who were released from Guantanamo Bay prison and flown to Qatar. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl had been held for nearly five years by Afghan militants and his release followed years of on-and-off negotiations. President Barack Obama hailed the release in a brief appearance with Bergdahl's parents, Bob and Jani, in the White House Rose Garden, saying that "while Bowe was gone, he was never forgotten." Bergdahl was on his way to an American military hospital in Germany, a U.S. defense official said. U.S. special forces took custody of Bergdahl in a non-violent exchange with 18 Taliban members in eastern Afghanistan, senior U.S. officials said, adding that he was believed to be in good condition.

3 people killed at Scottish road rally Posted: 31 May 2014 05:02 PM PDT EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Police say three people were killed and six injured at a road rally in Scotland after two cars collided with spectators in separate accidents.

US soldier freed from captivity in Afghanistan Posted: 31 May 2014 04:53 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The only American soldier held prisoner in Afghanistan has been freed by the Taliban in exchange for the release of five Afghan detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Obama administration officials said Saturday.

Little known about American suicide bomber Posted: 31 May 2014 04:52 PM PDT VERO BEACH, Florida (AP) — The American man who launched a suicide bombing against Syrian government troops grew up in Florida and attended several colleges before dropping out and moving abroad.

Alexander out of France tests due to neck injury Posted: 31 May 2014 04:51 PM PDT SYDNEY (AP) — Tighthead prop Ben Alexander will miss Australia's three-test series against France with of a nerve compression injury.

Sharks stumble in Super Rugby playoffs race Posted: 31 May 2014 04:48 PM PDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Sharks stumbled but held their place atop the championships table as Super Rugby headed into its month-long break for June tests, while the New South Wales Waratahs and Crusaders headed into the break with winning momentum.

American suicide bomber grew up in Central Florida Posted: 31 May 2014 04:36 PM PDT VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The American man who launched a suicide bombing against Syrian government troops grew up in Central Florida and attended several colleges in the state before dropping out and moving abroad.

James and Merritt in photo finish in the Pre 400 Posted: 31 May 2014 04:34 PM PDT EUGENE, Oregon (AP) — Kirani James of Grenada edged American Lashawn Merritt in a photo finish to win the men's 400 meters Saturday at the 40th annual Prefontaine Classic.

Jailed Venezuela police chief ending hunger strike Posted: 31 May 2014 04:27 PM PDT CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A former police chief whose decade-long imprisonment has been taken up as a cause by Venezuela's opposition is ending a hunger strike after five days.

Qatari paid millions for World Cup bid support Posted: 31 May 2014 04:13 PM PDT A British newspaper alleged on Sunday that a former top Qatari football official paid $5 million to get support for the emirate's campaign to host the 2022 World Cup. The Sunday Times said it had obtained millions of emails and other documents relating to alleged payments made by Mohamed Bin Hammam, the then FIFA executive member for Qatar. It alleged that Bin Hammam, who is also the ex-Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president, used slush funds to pay out the cash to top football officials to win a "groundswell" of support for Qatar's World Cup bid. Bin Hammam, who launched an abortive challenge against incumbent FIFA president Sepp Blatter, resigned from his FIFA and AFC posts in 2012, shortly before he was banned for life from football administration by the global governing body's ethics committee.

Montes scores before injury as Mexico tops Ecuador Posted: 31 May 2014 04:00 PM PDT ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Luis Montes scored the goal that put Mexico ahead of Ecuador for good in a World Cup tuneup. Two minutes later, he sustained an apparent leg fracture that will cost him a chance to play for El Tri in Brazil.

Obama: Qatar gave security guarantees on transferred prisoners Posted: 31 May 2014 03:56 PM PDT President Barack Obama said Saturday the Qatari government had given the United States security guarantees over five Guantanamo Bay prisoners transferred to secure the release of a US soldier in Afghanistan. Obama appeared at the White House with Bowe Bergdahl's parents Bob and Jani, saying "the Qatari government has given us assurances that it will put in place measures to protect our national security." The five prisoners were named by the Taliban as Mohammad Fazl, Norullah Noori, Mohammed Nabi, Khairullah Khairkhwa and Abdul Haq Wasiq.

Company defends US men detained in Honduras Posted: 31 May 2014 03:56 PM PDT MIAMI (AP) — Six U.S. men detained for weeks in Honduras were working on a project to aid local lobster divers, associates said Saturday, and they deny violating weapons laws by failing to declare a gun.

Soliman beats Sturm to win IBF middleweight title Posted: 31 May 2014 03:47 PM PDT KREFELD, Germany (AP) — Sam Soliman of Australia won the IBF middleweight title Saturday with a unanimous decision over Felix Sturm of Germany.

Italy's Montolivo, Mexico's Montes to miss WCup Posted: 31 May 2014 03:45 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Key Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo broke his left tibia during a friendly with Ireland on Saturday and will miss the World Cup.

Juncker 'confident' of securing top EU job, but Paris opposed Posted: 31 May 2014 03:41 PM PDT Luxembourg's former premier Jean-Claude Juncker is confident that he will be elected president of the executive European Commission, despite opposition from some countries, including France, German newspaper Bild reported Sunday. "In the European Council, a large majority of heads of state and Christian-Democrat and Socialist governments back me," Juncker told Bild, according to extracts of the interview released in advance by the newspaper. While he has the backing of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Juncker faces strong opposition from leaders of other major European economies, including Britain's David Cameron, and, according to Bild, French President Francois Hollande. "He put pressure for a large-scale investment programme and put (the name of) his former finance minister Pierre Moscovici on the table," said the newspaper.

Work on Olympic golf course could be halted Posted: 31 May 2014 03:30 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Like other delayed venues for the beleaguered Rio 2016 Olympics, work on the golf course has fallen behind schedule.

U.S. soldier freed in Afghanistan, five Taliban prisoners to leave Guantanamo Posted: 31 May 2014 03:15 PM PDT By Warren Strobel WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The last U.S. prisoner of war from America's waning Afghan war was handed over to U.S. Special Operations forces in Afghanistan on Saturday in a dramatic swap for five Taliban detainees who were released from Guantanamo Bay prison and flown to Qatar. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl had been held for nearly five years by Afghan militants and his release followed years of on-off negotiations. U.S. special forces took custody of Bergdahl in a non-violent exchange with 18 Taliban members in eastern Afghanistan, senior U.S. officials said, adding that he was believed to be in good condition.

Italy hurting after 0-0 draw with Ireland Posted: 31 May 2014 03:14 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Italy was held to a 0-0 draw by Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match Saturday that saw the Azzurri lose key midfielder Riccardo Montolivo to a broken leg which will rule him out of the tournament in Brazil.

Froch beats Groves, retains WBA, IBF titles Posted: 31 May 2014 03:13 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Carl Froch knocked out British rival George Groves in the eighth round to retain his WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles in a rematch in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

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