| U.S., EU override Australia to put climate change on G20 agenda Posted: 15 Nov 2014 04:51 PM PST  By Lincoln Feast and Jane Wardell BRISBANE Australia (Reuters) - The G20 communique will include a significant passage on climate change, EU officials said on Sunday, as the United States and other heavyweight nations override host Australia's attempts to keep the issue off the formal agenda. Much of the meeting of world leaders in Australia has been overshadowed by the crisis in Ukraine, with Western leaders warning Russian President Vladimir Putin that he risked more economic sanctions if he failed to end Russian backing for separatist rebels. ...
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| U.S. military chief says battle with IS starting to turn Posted: 15 Nov 2014 01:41 PM PST  By Phil Stewart BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States' top military officer told American troops on a surprise visit to Baghdad on Saturday that the momentum in the battle with Islamic State was "starting to turn", but predicted a drawn-out campaign lasting several years. General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was visiting Iraq for the first time since President Barack Obama responded to Islamic State advances this summer by ordering troops back into a country they left in 2011. ...
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| UK looking into reports IS beheading suspect wounded Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:28 PM PST LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Saturday it was investigating reports that a man believed to be a British national suspected of carrying out beheadings in videos released by Islamic State (IS) had been wounded in a U.S.-led air strike last week. The man, dubbed "Jihadi John" by the British media, was believed to have been injured in an air attack on a summit of IS leaders in an Iraqi town close to the Syrian border last Saturday, Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper reported. The group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was also said to have been wounded in the attack, the paper added. ... |
| Comet lander shuts down after sending data Posted: 15 Nov 2014 10:07 AM PST By Irene Klotz (Reuters) - A pioneering robotic spacecraft shut down on Saturday after radioing results of its first and probably last batch of scientific experiments from the surface of a comet, scientists said. Batteries aboard the European Space Agency's Philae comet lander drained, shutting down the washing machine-sized probe after an adventurous and largely unscripted 57-hour mission. Carried aboard the orbiting Rosetta mothership, Philae floated to the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko on Thursday, but failed to deploy anchoring harpoons. ... |
| Chinese team arrives in Liberia to staff Ebola clinic Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:12 PM PST  MONROVIA (Reuters) - About 160 Chinese health workers arrived on Saturday in Liberia, where they are due to staff a new $41 million Ebola clinic that, unlike most other foreign interventions, is being built and fully run by Chinese personnel. China, Africa's biggest trade partner, had come under fire for the level of its response to the Ebola crisis. But it said this week it would send 1,000 personnel to help fight an outbreak that has killed over 5,000 people in West Africa. ...
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| Ukraine to close state offices, bank services in rebel-held east Posted: 15 Nov 2014 07:57 AM PST  By Alessandra Prentice and Pavel Polityuk KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko issued several decrees on Saturday to shut state institutions and banking services in pro-Russian eastern regions, pressing a move to cut links with the rebel-held territory. Ukraine has cut all state funding to separatist parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions after separatists held elections in late October which Poroshenko condemned as illegal and in violation of a ceasefire agreement made in September. ...
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| US, Japan, Australia agree to deepen security ties Posted: 15 Nov 2014 05:03 PM PST  BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Eyeing Chinese aggression, President Barack Obama and the prime ministers of Japan and Australia committed Sunday to deepen their military cooperation and work together on strengthening maritime security in the Asia Pacific.
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| Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 15 Nov 2014 05:02 PM PST BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — World leaders on Sunday prepared to release details of a plan aimed at injecting life into the world's listless economy, with infrastructure investment and the lowering of trade barriers flagged as key components of the initiative. Leaders of the world's 20 largest economies, wrapping up a two-day gathering in the Australian city of Brisbane, were hammering out the final components of a plan to boost global GDP by more than 2 percent above expected levels over the next five years, which amounts to around $2 trillion. |
| Stars record new charity Band Aid single to fight Ebola Posted: 15 Nov 2014 04:54 PM PST  Bob Geldof, One Direction, Bono and some 30 other stars gathered in a studio in London on Saturday to record a 30th anniversary version of the Band Aid charity single to raise money to fight Ebola. The Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 5,000 lives since last December, according to the World Health Organization -- almost all in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone -- while the number of infected cases registered worldwide has soared to more than 14,000.
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| Christina Kim leads Lorena Ochoa Invitational Posted: 15 Nov 2014 04:27 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Christina Kim shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to increase her lead to five strokes in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. |
| NHL Capsules Posted: 15 Nov 2014 04:22 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jarret Stoll scored his first goal of the season 2:19 into overtime, and the Los Angeles Kings rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday in the Freeway Faceoff. |
| Refugees fleeing Boko Haram flood Cameroon camp Posted: 15 Nov 2014 04:05 PM PST  Everyday they cross the border from Nigeria on motorbikes, donkeys or even on foot, and all are looking for safe haven from the Islamist militants of Boko Haram. They arrive at the already teeming refugee camp in Minawao in northern Cameroon, where they join the thousands of Nigerians who have fled the insurgency in their home country that's killed some 10,000 people. "Sometimes 70 of us sleep here, sometimes 80," refugee Apollos Luka said, pointing at the tent that he has lived in with family for the past three months. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that 4,000-5,000 more arrive each week in the far north of Cameroon, which butts up against Boko Haram's fiefdom of Borno state.
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| Palone sets world harness racing win record Posted: 15 Nov 2014 04:01 PM PST WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) — Dave Palone is the winningest harness racing driver in the world — for now. |
| IS executioner 'Jihadi John' injured in air strike: reports Posted: 15 Nov 2014 04:01 PM PST  The British government on Saturday said it had received reports that "Jihadi John", the British-accented Islamic State militant apparently responsible for the beheading of western hostages, had been injured in a US air strike. The Mail claimed that a nurse who treated some of those wounded in the attack said there was a man named Jalman on her list, referring to him as "the one who slaughtered the journalists".
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| France gains revenge, beats Wallabies 29-26 Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:56 PM PST  PARIS (AP) — France beat Australia 29-26 in a thriller at Stade de France on Saturday to avenge three losses against the Wallabies in June and earn a big fillip less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup.
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| ATP Finals: Djokovic vs Federer for title Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:55 PM PST  LONDON (AP) — Roger Federer saved four match points on Saturday to ensure the most successful player at the ATP Finals will take on the best player of the season in a mouthwatering final.
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| Obama, EU leaders to meet on Ukraine crisis Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:45 PM PST  BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — President Barack Obama is planning to huddle with European leaders to discuss the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, where officials say the security situation is worsening.
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| Jason Bohn takes lead into final round in Mexico Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:44 PM PST PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Jason Bohn looked out toward the ocean Saturday and knew it was going to be tough day at the OHL Classic. He kept it together long enough to take the lead. |
| Sarkozy says France's gay marriage law should be scrapped Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:38 PM PST  Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who has embarked on a political comeback, on Saturday said France's gay marriage law should be scrapped, in his strongest comment yet on the controversial issue. Sarkozy was pushed to take a firm stand when he spoke at an event in Paris for the three candidates vying to lead the centre-right UMP party into the 2017 presidential election. The same-sex marriage law, which came into force in May 2013 and also legalises gay adoption, "should be rewritten from the ground up," Sarkozy told audience members at the debate organised by Common Sense, a conservative movement within the main opposition UMP. He has in the past called for the contentious gay marriage law, which sparked huge street protests in France, to be "rewritten" but he has never before stated outright that he would want to cancel it.
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| Venezuela cooks world's largest Christmas hallaca Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:22 PM PST  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans may be struggling with shortages of basic food items, but Christmas treats were in abundant supply Saturday.
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| G20 communique to include climate change, anti-corruption plan: EU sources Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:17 PM PST BRISBANE Australia (Reuters) - The G20 communique will include a significant passage on climate change and an endorsement of an anti-corruption plan, European Union officials said on Sunday. "The most difficult discussion was on climate change," an EU official said on condition of anonymity. "This was really trench warfare, this was really step by step by step. In the end we have references to most of the things we wanted. ... |
| Klitschko floors Pulev in 5th round Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:17 PM PST  HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Wladimir Klitschko knocked out the previously unbeaten Kubrat Pulev in the fifth round to retain his four heavyweight belts on Saturday.
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| Spain beats Belarus 3-0, Slovakia keeps group lead Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:08 PM PST  HUELVA, Spain (AP) — Francisco "Isco" Alarcon scored early to spark Spain's placid 3-0 win over Belarus in a European Championship qualifier on Saturday.
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| Surgeon with Ebola arrives in US for treatment Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:02 PM PST  OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A surgeon who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone arrived in Nebraska Saturday for treatment at a biocontainment unit where two other people with the disease have been successfully treated.
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| All Blacks hold off Scotland 24-16 at Murrayfield Posted: 15 Nov 2014 03:00 PM PST  EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — New Zealand barely upheld its unbeaten record against Scotland as it overcame errors and the stubborn hosts to prevail 24-16 at Murrayfield on Saturday.
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| Centurion Rooney scores as England beats Slovenia Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:49 PM PST  LONDON (AP) — Wayne Rooney scored for England on his 100th appearance before Danny Welbeck's double secured a 3-1 victory over Slovenia in European Championship qualifying on Saturday.
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| Rooney's 100 for England, Ibra scores in return Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:48 PM PST  Wayne Rooney celebrated his 100th appearance for England by scoring in a 3-1 win over Slovenia, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted in his return for Sweden in a 1-1 draw at Montenegro in European Championship qualifiers on Saturday.
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| Countries wrestle with how to de-radicalise returning jihadists Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:28 PM PST  Countries around the globe are experimenting with de-radicalisation programmes to deal with the threat of jihadists returning from the wars of the Middle East, but experts remain sceptical about their prospects. With thousands of mostly young Muslim men flooding into Syria and Iraq to take part in the jihad, governments across the world are struggling with how best to deal with those who come home battle-hardened and indoctrinated. Other countries – from Indonesia to India to Britain – have set up similar de-radicalisation programmes in recent years, hoping a soft approach will yield better long-term results in tackling violent extremism. "Let's be clear, for the moment de-radicalisation does not work," a senior French counterterrorism official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
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| Spirited France hold on to beat Australia Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:16 PM PST  France held off a spirited Australia fightback to win their one-off international test match 29-26 at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday. Having dominated the first half with tries from scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde and wing Teddy Thomas's fourth score in two appearances for Les Bleus, France were relieved to hear the final hooter when down to 14 men as Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rob Simmons crossed the whitewash in reply. It was sweet revenge for the hosts who lost all three matches on their tour to Australia in June. Australia almost caught the hosts napping from the kick-off but they were denied a try on 30 seconds when Simmons knocked on.
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| Captain Wayne Rooney in 100th England appearance Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:16 PM PST  LONDON (AP) — Wayne Rooney left Wembley Stadium on Saturday with a golden commemorative cap as England's youngest centurion, and now six goals from becoming the country's all-time top scorer.
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| Scion of Pakistan's dynasty struggles to shake off father's legacy Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:11 PM PST  By Mehreen Zahra-Malik NAUDERO Pakistan (Reuters) - He was a 19-year-old Oxford undergraduate when his family named him chairman of Pakistan's oldest dynastic party. In the years that followed, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, now 26, has been groomed to take over the dynasty and bring his family's political party back to power. The young Bhutto officially launched his political career last month, telling hundreds of thousands of supporters at a rally in the city of Karachi he would fight for the revival of the Pakistan People's Party. ...
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| Migrant surge across Med continues as Italy rescues 900 Posted: 15 Nov 2014 02:02 PM PST  Italian authorities said Saturday that more than 900 people had been rescued at sea in 24 hours, in a blow to hopes that the approach of winter would stem the flow of migrants attempting perilous crossings of the Mediterranean. Most of the rescued were picked up from boats in the channel between Libya and Sicily, a narrow but treacherous strait in which thousands have drowned in recent years trying to reach Europe. A total of 477 migrants were delivered to Porto Empedocle on Sicily's southern coast by Panamanian tanker the Gaz Concord. The coastguard also intercepted a yacht with 80 would-be migrants on board off the port of Crotone on the southeastern "heel" of the Italian mainland.
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| Austria beats Russia 1-0 in Euro 2016 qualifier Posted: 15 Nov 2014 01:48 PM PST  VIENNA (AP) — Substitute Rubin Okotie scored the winner for Austria in a 1-0 victory over Russia on Saturday, bringing his team a step closer to qualifying for a European Championship for the first time.
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| Nigerian town looks to militias for salvation from Boko Haram Posted: 15 Nov 2014 01:32 PM PST  Residents in the Nigerian town of Chibok were looking to local militias -- and not the army -- for rescue just days after the Islamist Boko Haram militants seized control there. The town in the northeast Borno state has been under a global media spotlight since Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls there in April, most of whom are still being held. It was again the focus of attention when militants seized the community on Thursday after firefights with militia members that sent the Nigerian army fleeing. "They (Boko Haram) had a very intense battle with the local vigilantes there, throughout the town," Ayuba Chibok, uncle to one of the kidnapped girls, told AFP.
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| FDA approves Lemtrada for multiple sclerosis Posted: 15 Nov 2014 01:28 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Lemtrada, a treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis made by the drugmaker Genzyme. |
| German league president says UEFA could leave FIFA Posted: 15 Nov 2014 01:19 PM PST BERLIN (AP) — UEFA would have to consider leaving FIFA if world football's governing body does not publish in full American attorney Michael Garcia's report into bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, says German Football League President Reinhard Rauball. |
| Palestinians wounded in Jerusalem clashes Posted: 15 Nov 2014 01:18 PM PST  At least one Palestinian was wounded on Saturday evening in clashes between protesters and Israeli security forces during a demonstration in occupied east Jerusalem, police said. "Demonstrators threw rocks and fireworks at police, who used anti-disturbance measures to disperse them," police spokeswoman Luba Samri said. The Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City, a site holy to Jews and Muslims, has been the focus of months of unrest that recently spread to the occupied West Bank and Arab communities across Israel and raised fears of a new Palestinian uprising. On Friday, as part of a deal reached at the meeting in Amman, Israel lifted restrictions on Muslims praying at the mosque.
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