Yahoo! News: World News

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• Kerry urges flexibility in U.S. war powers against Islamic State
• Ukraine accuses rebels of violating 'Day of Silence'; Russian gas flows resume
• Man charged with trying to take U.S. military documents to China
• Iraq presses Hagel for more U.S. air strikes, weapons
• Last French hostage freed by Al Qaeda's north African arm
• Tension mounts in Haiti as clock ticks on electoral impasse
• Taxes, smoking ban blamed for demise of British pubs
• Michael Clarke resumes innings in 1st test
• Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT
• British royals crown New York visit with lavish dinner
• UN diplomats: Report says Iran buying for reactor
• Senate OKs Obama ambassador pick for Afghanistan
• Governments turn up the heat on atheists: report
• Haiti commission seeks new consensus government
• Gulf Arab states close ranks with navy, police
• New Zealand lawmakers pass anti-terrorism measures
• Australia pledges $200 million to Green Climate Fund
• Liverpool exits Champs League, Juve advances
• Madrid beats Ludogorets 4-0 in Champions League
• Basel advances, Liverpool out of Champions League
• Last French hostage freed, reviving policy debate
• US to play Denmark, Swiss, Dutch, Germans
• Obama thanks Afghans for approving treaty
• Monaco beats Zenit 2-0 in Champions League
• Olympiakos beats Malmo 4-2 with late surge
• Girl power: Friends shot with Malala share her joy
• Charges in theft of US military aircraft documents
• Arsenal beats Galatasaray 4-1 in Champions League
• Yemeni Guantanamo prisoner told he can be released
• Juventus joins Atletico in last 16 after 0-0 draw
• No terror link seen in NYC Jewish center stabbing
• Gender equality must guide 2015 climate deal, U.N. envoy says: TRFN
• Ramsey double silences Wenger's critics for now
• Dortmund draws 1-1 with Anderlecht
• Leverkusen draws 0-0 at Benfica in Champs League
• Kerry: New flexible war powers needed to fight IS
• Mexico vows to sell dollars to halt peso's slide

Kerry urges flexibility in U.S. war powers against Islamic State Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:56 PM PST By Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Any congressional authorization of U.S. military force against Islamic State should be flexible and not limit the fight to Iraq and Syria, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday. The authorization should also not restrict U.S. President Barack Obama in deploying combat troops against the militant group if needed, Kerry told a Senate committee debating the need for an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, or AUMF. ...

Ukraine accuses rebels of violating 'Day of Silence'; Russian gas flows resume Posted: 09 Dec 2014 10:51 AM PST By Richard Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's military accused separatists of violating an agreed "Day of Silence" in the country's embattled east on Tuesday, an initiative that was seen as an attempt to forge a durable ceasefire paving the way to a new round of peace talks. In a step toward normalization, Russia resumed shipments of natural gas to Ukraine on Tuesday after a six-month shut-off caused by a dispute over price and debt that ran parallel to the war waged by pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine. ...

Man charged with trying to take U.S. military documents to China Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:02 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former Connecticut resident and Chinese citizen who allegedly worked on the F135 engine was charged with trying to take sensitive documents about military technology to China, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesday. Yu Long was en route to China in November via Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey where customs officers found proprietary documents in his luggage that included equations and test results used to develop titanium for U.S. military aircraft, prosecutors said. Yu Long was arrested two days later in Ithaca, New York. U.S. ...

Iraq presses Hagel for more U.S. air strikes, weapons Posted: 09 Dec 2014 06:51 AM PST By Phil Stewart BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi pressed outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday for more air strikes and weaponry to accelerate what he called the "descent" of Islamic State. The plea underscored tension in the U.S.-Iraqi relationship, with Baghdad pushing for more aggressive assistance than Washington has provided so far, four months after President Barack Obama launched air strikes against IS in Iraq. ...

Last French hostage freed by Al Qaeda's north African arm Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:10 PM PST By John Irish and Abdoulaye Massalaki PARIS/NIAMEY (Reuters) - Serge Lazarevic, a Frenchman who was kidnapped in northern Mali and was France's last hostage abroad, has been freed after being held by al Qaeda's North African wing for nearly three years. The freeing of France's last hostage is a boost for President Francois Hollande but questions linger over a reported prisoner exchange and a possible ransom payment that led to Lazarevic being freed by the Sahara-based group. The 50-year-old spoke on Tuesday to reporters at the French embassy in Niamey. ...

Tension mounts in Haiti as clock ticks on electoral impasse Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:37 PM PST By David Adams and Amelie Baron MIAMI/PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - The Obama administration and the United Nations are pressuring Haiti's government to resolve a long-festering dispute over postponed elections in the face of anti-government protests across the impoverished Caribbean country. U.S. and U.N. diplomats are in talks with Haiti's government and opposition politicians aimed at reaching agreement in the next few weeks, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry may visit Haiti later this week, officials told Reuters. ...

Taxes, smoking ban blamed for demise of British pubs Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:38 PM PST London (AFP) - Taxation and a smoking ban are to blame for the "decimation" of the British pub industry, according to a study released Wednesday that said 10,000 pubs had closed since 2006.

Michael Clarke resumes innings in 1st test Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:36 PM PST ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Australia captain Michael Clarke has resumed his innings in the first cricket test against India after being forced to retire hurt with a back injury on the opening day.

Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:32 PM PST HONG KONG (AP) — Police warned Hong Kong pro-democracy activists that they have until Thursday to leave a sprawling protest camp which has blocked traffic in the Chinese financial hub for more than two months. Authorities are set to move in after a court order authorized the removal of barricades, tents and other obstructions from the protesters' main camp in the downtown Admiralty district, setting the stage for a possible last showdown with activists demanding greater democracy.

British royals crown New York visit with lavish dinner Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:28 PM PST New York (AFP) - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate were to crown their whirlwind tour of New York on Tuesday with a gala dinner to honor the university where they fell in love.

UN diplomats: Report says Iran buying for reactor Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:25 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Iran is being accused of illicitly stepping up purchases for its heavy water reactor, which if completed will produce enough plutonium for several nuclear weapons a year, U.N. diplomats said Tuesday.

Senate OKs Obama ambassador pick for Afghanistan Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:20 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved President Barack Obama's nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.

Governments turn up the heat on atheists: report Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:06 PM PST By Robert Evans GENEVA (Reuters) - Amid a global decline in religious belief, some governments are stepping up efforts to portray atheists and secularists as a danger to society and even as terrorists, according to a report issued on Wednesday. The study, by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), pointed to "hate campaigns" launched by public figures against those who renounce the dominant or state religion in Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Egypt. ...

Haiti commission seeks new consensus government Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:03 PM PST PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A commission recently appointed by Haitian President Michel Martelly is calling for his prime minister to resign so a new consensus government can be formed, according to a report obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

Gulf Arab states close ranks with navy, police Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:02 PM PST DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, which is concerned about Shiite Iran's regional influence and the rise of Sunni extremist groups, agreed on Tuesday to create a joint naval force based out of Bahrain and announced a police force based out of the United Arab Emirates' capital of Abu Dhabi.

New Zealand lawmakers pass anti-terrorism measures Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:00 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand lawmakers passed anti-terrorism measures Tuesday that increase domestic surveillance powers and attempt to stop nationals from traveling abroad to fight for groups like Islamic State.

Australia pledges $200 million to Green Climate Fund Posted: 09 Dec 2014 04:00 PM PST By Matt Siegel SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will contribute A$200 million over four years into a U.N. fund to help poor nations cope with global warming, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Wednesday, despite earlier having said it did not intend to contribute to the fund. The pledge to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the latest in a string of stinging policy reversals for former climate-change skeptic Abbott, whose struggling conservative government has hit record low approval ratings. ...

Liverpool exits Champs League, Juve advances Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:44 PM PST GENEVA (AP) — Liverpool's decline and fall from the European elite was confirmed on Tuesday, as Basel held the hosts to a 1-1 draw at Anfield to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Madrid beats Ludogorets 4-0 in Champions League Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:36 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Ludogorets Razgrad on Tuesday and a clean sweep of six wins in Group C of the Champions League.

Basel advances, Liverpool out of Champions League Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:30 PM PST LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Steven Gerrard's latest moment of inspiration failed to prevent Liverpool from dropping out of the Champions League on Tuesday, with Basel securing a 1-1 draw to advance to the knockout stage at the expense of the five-time champions.

Last French hostage freed, reviving policy debate Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:22 PM PST PARIS (AP) — France's last hostage was freed Tuesday after being held for more than three years by al-Qaida's North Africa branch — rekindling debate over whether countries should negotiate with extremists or stick to a muscular, uncompromising policy that runs the risk of a beheading or a botched rescue attempt.

US to play Denmark, Swiss, Dutch, Germans Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:16 PM PST CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. will play exhibition games next spring at Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany as it prepares to defend its title at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Obama thanks Afghans for approving treaty Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:09 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has thanked Afghanistan's leaders for ratifying a bilateral security agreement allowing U.S. troops to stay in the country after this year.

Monaco beats Zenit 2-0 in Champions League Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:08 PM PST MONACO (AP) — Monaco qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League by defeating Zenit St. Petersburg 2-0 to finish top of Group C Tuesday.

Olympiakos beats Malmo 4-2 with late surge Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:02 PM PST PIRAEUS, Greece (AP) — Kostas Mitroglou and Ibrahim Afellay scored late goals to grab a 4-2 win for Olympiakos over Malmo in the Champions League Tuesday.

Girl power: Friends shot with Malala share her joy Posted: 09 Dec 2014 03:02 PM PST OSLO, Norway (AP) — Malala Yousafszai wasn't alone when she was shot by the Taliban for having the temerity to demand an education.

Charges in theft of US military aircraft documents Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:59 PM PST BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut (AP) — A Chinese-born engineer who worked for a defense contractor has been charged with attempting to travel to China with stolen documents on the development of advanced titanium for U.S. military aircraft, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Arsenal beats Galatasaray 4-1 in Champions League Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:57 PM PST ISTANBUL (AP) — Aaron Ramsey and Lukas Podolski each scored twice to give Arsenal a 4-1 victory over Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the London side came short of its aim of finishing top of Group D.

Yemeni Guantanamo prisoner told he can be released Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:47 PM PST MIAMI (AP) — A Guantanamo Bay prisoner who was accused of being a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden is now eligible for release from the prison on the U.S. Navy base in Cuba, a Pentagon review board said Tuesday.

Juventus joins Atletico in last 16 after 0-0 draw Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:41 PM PST TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus progressed to the knockout stage of the Champions League as it drew 0-0 at home to already qualified Atletico Madrid, which went through as group winner.

No terror link seen in NYC Jewish center stabbing Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:40 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — A man with a history of mental illness slipped into the headquarters of a major Jewish organization in Brooklyn in the middle of the night Tuesday and stabbed an Israeli student in the head as he was studying in the library.

Gender equality must guide 2015 climate deal, U.N. envoy says: TRFN Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:25 PM PST By Megan Rowling LIMA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Gender equality must be a key part of a new global climate change deal due to be reached in Paris next year even though achieving it will be a struggle, U.N. climate envoy Mary Robinson said on Tuesday. The former Irish president said the 2015 agreement should drive climate policies that take both women's and men's needs into account and must include gender equality as a guiding principle. "It's not there yet, but it has to be," she told a gathering on the sidelines of U.N. climate talks in Lima. ...

Ramsey double silences Wenger's critics for now Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:24 PM PST Istanbul (AFP) - Aaron Ramsey got Arsenal back on track with a brilliant double in Tuesday's 4-1 win at Galatasaray, but there was still frustration for under-fire boss Arsene Wenger as the Gunners were unable to clinch top spot in Champions League Group D.

Dortmund draws 1-1 with Anderlecht Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:22 PM PST DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund won Group D of the Champions League despite conceding a late goal to settle for a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht on Tuesday.

Leverkusen draws 0-0 at Benfica in Champs League Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:19 PM PST LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen drew 0-0 at Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday, advancing in the competition but surrendering top spot in Group C to Monaco which beat Zenit St. Petersburg 2-0.

Kerry: New flexible war powers needed to fight IS Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:17 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry asked Congress on Tuesday for new war powers to provide the legal grounding for U.S. military operations against the Islamic State, but said any new authorization should not limit the fight to Iraq and Syria and should not bind President Barack Obama from ever deploying ground troops against the group if necessary.

Mexico vows to sell dollars to halt peso's slide Posted: 09 Dec 2014 02:07 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico is ready to intervene in currency markets to fight the peso's fall against the dollar amid concerns over dropping oil prices and a possible increase in U.S. interest rates.

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