Yahoo! News: World News

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• More air strikes near Tripoli in struggle between Libya's rival groups
• U.S. discloses failed attempt to rescue American in Yemen
• U.S., Britain pledge to support Afghanistan as combat troops withdraw
• Putin says foes hope to dismember Russia; ruble falls
• German accused of fighting for Islamic State to be sentenced
• Communist comeback fears hang over German state vote
• Stocks slip on ECB stimulus speculation
• Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT
• Couple cleared in daughter's death arrives in US
• Mexican president visits state of missing students
• Swedish PM sees chance of broad cooperation after March vote
• Arms dealer associate in NY gets 5 years in prison
• UN urges speedy formation of new Kosovo government
• Prosecutors: AC/DC's Rudd threatened man, daughter
• Emirates police make arrest in American's stabbing
• Yemen's al-Qaida threatens US hostage in new video
• Woods stumbles to a 77 in his return
• 'England DNA' inspired by Germany, Belgium issued
• ECB puts off stimulus decision amid oil slump
• German student's killing: Teens detail burglaries
• Puerto Rico greets one of world's largest cruises
• More rain on the way for California, but drought may not be over
• Briton denies plot to attack soldiers
• Russian arms dealer's accused associate gets five years in U.S. prison
• Britain eyes nuclear overhaul despite French delays
• Valencia beats Rayo 2-1 in Spanish Copa del Rey
• Canada approves Burger King, Tim Hortons merger
• Dirty deeds: Soil degradation costs African farmers $68 billion yearly
• Illegal gambling machines seized in Puerto Rico
• UN chief hoping for draft of global climate deal
• Australia creates temporary visas for refugees
• British drugmaker cutting hundreds of US jobs
• Lyon beats Reims 2-1 to move back into 3rd
• Brazil govt gets initial OK to miss surplus target
• Who can help reduce the high cost of violence against women?
• US women's soccer team to play 2 games in Europe
• Melting of glaciers at famed U.S. park threatens rare water bug
• Scholars: China gov't gets foothold on US campuses

More air strikes near Tripoli in struggle between Libya's rival groups Posted: 04 Dec 2014 10:16 AM PST TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Forces allied to one of two rival governments vying for power in Libya launched an air strike near Tripoli on Thursday, officials and residents said, in a struggle that began when one group seized the capital in August and set up its own cabinet. Libya is caught in fighting between two sides, each with its own government and parliament. One is a self-declared government created after fighters from a group known as Libya Dawn took over Tripoli in August. ...

U.S. discloses failed attempt to rescue American in Yemen Posted: 04 Dec 2014 11:54 AM PST WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday for the first time publicly disclosed a failed attempt last month to rescue a U.S. citizen held hostage by al Qaeda's Yemen branch, and the group threatened to kill him in a new video posted on the Internet. U.S. officials said President Barack Obama last month authorized a secret raid to rescue Luke Somers, a 33-year-old journalist who was kidnapped in Yemen's capital Sanaa in September 2013. Somers was not at the targeted location, although other hostages were freed, the officials said. "As soon as the U.S. ...

U.S., Britain pledge to support Afghanistan as combat troops withdraw Posted: 04 Dec 2014 12:05 PM PST By Lesley Wroughton and Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - The United States and Britain pledged on Thursday to support Afghanistan's new unity government as foreign combat troops withdraw from the country after a 13-year involvement. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said President Ashraf Ghani's new government had already made moves to combat money laundering and corruption since taking office in September in the first democratic transfer of power in Afghan history. ...

Putin says foes hope to dismember Russia; ruble falls Posted: 04 Dec 2014 05:38 AM PST By Timothy Heritage and Alexei Anishchuk MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin accused Russia's enemies on Thursday of seeking to carve it up and destroy its economy to punish it for becoming strong, but said his country would rise to any challenge. In a fiercely patriotic state of the union speech, the Kremlin leader trumpeted his annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula, praised the Russian people for their strength, accused the West of "pure cynicism" in Ukraine and said economic sanctions must drive Russians to develop their own economy. ...

German accused of fighting for Islamic State to be sentenced Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:03 PM PST FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Judges will give their verdict on Friday and sentence a 20-year-old German accused of fighting for Islamic State in Syria in the first case of its kind in Germany, where dozens of suspected home-grown jihadis are awaiting trial. Prosecutors are asking for a jail term of four years and three months for the man, known only as Kreshnik B., who was born in Germany to Kosovan parents. They say he spent six months in Syria last year fighting and being trained by the insurgents. ...

Communist comeback fears hang over German state vote Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:07 PM PST By Erik Kirschbaum BERLIN (Reuters) - The Cold War has flared up again in Germany ahead of a tight and unpredictable state assembly vote on Friday in the eastern state of Thuringia, where the reform communist Left party is yearning to take control of a regional government for the first time. The prospect of a Left politician leading a state coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens has unsettled Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats and put strains on her grand coalition with the SPD over fears it could be a blueprint for a future left-wing alliance at the national level. ...

Stocks slip on ECB stimulus speculation Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:39 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market posted slight losses Thursday after European Central Bank officials decided to delay any stimulus for the struggling continent until next year. Investors also braced for the release of Friday's closely watched U.S. jobs report.

Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:32 PM PST CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's Senate on Friday narrowly passed a law that creates a new class of temporary visas for refugees allowing them to stay and work in the country for three to five years but prevent them from making Australia their permanent home. Emotional debate ended with the contention legislation passing 34 votes to 32. The bill became law later in the House of Representatives where Prime Minister Tony Abbott's conservative government holds a clear majority.

Couple cleared in daughter's death arrives in US Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:23 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — An American couple has arrived in Los Angeles after being cleared in the death of their adopted 8-year-old daughter in Qatar.

Mexican president visits state of missing students Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:15 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's president on Thursday announced measures to boost the economy in Guerrero, making his first visit to the tumultuous state since 43 students disappeared there more than two months ago and set off the biggest crisis of his administration.

Swedish PM sees chance of broad cooperation after March vote Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:08 PM PST STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Thursday he expected the country's mainstream parties to be able to cooperate to exclude the far right after a snap election in March if no bloc wins a majority. Lofven was forced to call a new vote just two months into his term after the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who with 49 seats in he 349-seat parliament nevertheless hold the balance of power, blocked the Social Democrat-led coalition's first budget this week. ...

Arms dealer associate in NY gets 5 years in prison Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:08 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — A Syrian associate of international arms dealer Viktor Bout who served in the U.S. Army was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison on conspiracy and wire fraud charges.

UN urges speedy formation of new Kosovo government Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:04 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. envoy for Kosovo urged the parties to a power-sharing agreement to speedily form a new government, saying six months of political squabbling following elections in June has damaged the country.

Prosecutors: AC/DC's Rudd threatened man, daughter Posted: 04 Dec 2014 04:00 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand prosecutors for the first time publicly outlined their case against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd, saying Friday that he called a man who had worked for him for three years and threatened to kill him and his daughter.

Emirates police make arrest in American's stabbing Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:55 PM PST ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Police in the United Arab Emirates have arrested a woman they say is behind the stabbing death of an American teacher and a separate plot to bomb another American's house, a top official said Thursday as authorities moved swiftly to calm fears of instability in the normally peaceful Gulf nation.

Yemen's al-Qaida threatens US hostage in new video Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:54 PM PST SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Al-Qaida's branch in Yemen threatened an American hostage who was the target of a rescue attempt by U.S. special forces last month, warning Washington in a video released Thursday not to try again, and giving it three days to meet unspecified demands.

Woods stumbles to a 77 in his return Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:36 PM PST WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods took on any shot without pain or worry Thursday, a feeling he hasn't had on the golf course in a long time.

'England DNA' inspired by Germany, Belgium issued Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:32 PM PST LONDON (AP) — The English Football Association released proposals on Thursday designed to enhance England's prospects which have been inspired by models from Germany and Belgium.

ECB puts off stimulus decision amid oil slump Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:30 PM PST FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank is getting ready to offer more stimulus for the struggling eurozone economy — but expects to make a decision only early next year after it assesses the impact of sharply lower oil prices, President Mario Draghi said Thursday.

German student's killing: Teens detail burglaries Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:28 PM PST MISSOULA, Montana (AP) — Two teenagers testified Thursday that they had stolen items from the garage of a Montana man accused of killing a student in that very place weeks later, and one of the teens said that may have been one factor that led to the German exchange student's death.

Puerto Rico greets one of world's largest cruises Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:25 PM PST SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico on Thursday welcomed one of the world's largest cruise ships, a vessel that can carry more than 6,000 people.

More rain on the way for California, but drought may not be over Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:22 PM PST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - This week's California storms dumped up to three inches (7.6 cm)of rain on the parched state and more wet weather is on the way, but it is too soon to know whether there will be enough precipitation this winter to remedy three years of drought, forecasters said. Although the sun came out on Thursday, the torrents pouring down overnight and earlier in the week opened up sinkholes in San Francisco, stranded motorists in their cars near Los Angeles and led to mudslides near San Diego. ...

Briton denies plot to attack soldiers Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:18 PM PST London (AFP) - A man accused of plotting an extremist attack on British soldiers using a knife and a hammer pleaded not guilty on Thursday, while seven others were arrested in unconnected raids by anti-terrorism police.

Russian arms dealer's accused associate gets five years in U.S. prison Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:15 PM PST By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S.-Syrian citizen was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday for conspiring with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to buy aircraft in violation of sanctions imposed on them by the U.S. government. Richard Chichakli, 55, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge William Pauley in New York to pay $1.77 million in forfeitures and restitution after a jury last year found him guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud charges. He faced up to nine years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. ...

Britain eyes nuclear overhaul despite French delays Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:11 PM PST London (AFP) - Britain is pressing ahead with an overhaul of its ageing nuclear plants despite trouble at home with the French firms leading the drive and doubts after the Fukushima disaster, officials said on Thursday.

Valencia beats Rayo 2-1 in Spanish Copa del Rey Posted: 04 Dec 2014 03:05 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Valencia rallied to beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in a first-leg match of the last of 16 in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

Canada approves Burger King, Tim Hortons merger Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:54 PM PST Canada's industry minister approved Thursday fast-food giant Burger King's takeover of coffee and donut chain Tim Hortons, with conditions such as maintaining staffing levels at Tim stores across this country. In a statement Minister James Moore said following a review of the proposed acquisition under Canada's foreign investment rules that Burger King has agreed to the conditions. "The result of this transaction is this new global company, with sales of more than Can$23 billion (US$20 billion) annually, which will now be based in Canada," he said. Its new headquarters will be in Oakville, Ontario, and the new company will seek a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Dirty deeds: Soil degradation costs African farmers $68 billion yearly Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:48 PM PST By Chris Arsenault ROME (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Soil degradation holds back African farmers, costing them $68 billion annually and threatening to stall vital food production, a leading agriculture expert said on Thursday. "The problem is certainly getting worse," Sir Gordon Conway, director of the group Agriculture for Impact and a professor at Imperial College London, said in an interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Poor farmers don't have the money, time or labor to prevent degradation or improve their soils," Conway said. ...

Illegal gambling machines seized in Puerto Rico Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:43 PM PST SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities in Puerto Rico have seized 431 illegal gambling machines in raids on several businesses across the U.S. territory.

UN chief hoping for draft of global climate deal Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:42 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday he will travel to the climate conference in Peru next week and is hopeful that delegates will draft an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming.

Australia creates temporary visas for refugees Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:33 PM PST CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's Senate on Friday narrowly passed a law that creates a new class of temporary visas for refugees allowing them to stay and work in the country for three to five years but prevent them from making Australia their permanent home.

British drugmaker cutting hundreds of US jobs Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:33 PM PST TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Hundreds of British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline's 17,000 U.S.-based employees will lose their jobs by the end of next year under the pharmaceutical industry's latest restructuring.

Lyon beats Reims 2-1 to move back into 3rd Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:26 PM PST LYON, France (AP) — Lyon moved back into third place in the French league after Alexandre Lacazette scored the winning goal in a 2-1 defeat of Reims on Thursday.

Brazil govt gets initial OK to miss surplus target Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:13 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — Lawmakers approved the main text of a bill that will allow Brazil's government to miss its legally mandated budget surplus for this year.

Who can help reduce the high cost of violence against women? Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:06 PM PST By Maria Caspani WASHINGTON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The huge negative impact of violence against women and girls on the global economy gives international financial institutions a unique role to play in ending it, a new guide on the issue said. The cost of violence against women amounts to at least 5 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP), according to a recent study by the Copenhagen Consensus Center. "Development organizations, financial institutions and increasingly the private sector are recognizing these costs... ...

US women's soccer team to play 2 games in Europe Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:02 PM PST CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. women's national team will play France and England in February in World Cup warmup matches.

Melting of glaciers at famed U.S. park threatens rare water bug Posted: 04 Dec 2014 02:01 PM PST By Laura Zuckerman (Reuters) - The expected disappearance of the famed glaciers at Montana's Glacier National Park by 2030 could spell doom for a rare aquatic insect confined to high mountain streams that are warming due to climate change, U.S. scientists said on Thursday. The western glacier stonefly lives only in a few streams at Glacier National Park. First identified in 1963, the bug's population has declined sharply along with the park's glaciers, U.S. Geological Survey researchers said in a study in the journal Freshwater Science. ...

Scholars: China gov't gets foothold on US campuses Posted: 04 Dec 2014 01:57 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — China's authoritarian government is gaining a foothold on American campuses by funding dozens of institutes that project a rose-tinted view of the Asian nation that compromises the academic integrity of U.S. universities, a congressional hearing was told Thursday.

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