Yahoo! News: World News

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• U.S.-led air strikes focus on Islamic State Kobani in Syria
• Putin says Russia economy will be cured, offers no remedy
• Despite billions in aid, U.S. unable to get Pakistan to confront militants
• Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnap 172 women, children in Nigeria
• China tightens grip on Macau as dissent rises in gambling hub
• Special Report: Depleted oil field is window into China's corruption crackdown
• Report: Australian lawmaker's adviser detained
• IMF withholds bailout money for Cyprus
• Security experts fear Sony attack to fuel more company extortion
• Sony film took aim at North Korea's biggest taboo
• Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT
• Boston suspect makes rare court appearance
• Hope and some fear in Cuba amid thaw with US
• Think Cuban-Americans all think alike? Think again
• China oil giant probes 'worthless' deals in Indonesia
• Jilted man finds travel partner with ex-fiancee's name
• U.S. considers 'proportional' response to Sony hacking attack
• US women rout Argentina 7-0 in Brasilia Tournament
• EU needs long-term Russia strategy lasting 'years': Tusk
• Colombia rebuffs FARC's 'thorny' ceasefire
• 'Thug' ties up, robs 101-year-old Canadian veteran
• Tsarnaev appears in court for 1st time since 2013
• Dutch PM agrees to change health bill to avoid government collapse
• UN Experts: Taliban radicals against peace gain prominence
• EU cannot just be reactive in response to Russia: EU's Tusk
• US brands movie studio hack a national security breach
• US-Cuba ties thaw, White House open to Castro visit
• Russia is a strategic problem for the EU: Tusk
• Latin America cheers US-Cuba rapprochement
• EU leaders agree to fund for jumpstarting growth
• Plea hearing set for ex-manager in halal food case
• Atletico sets up Copa del Rey clash with Real
• Sony hacking fallout puts all companies on alert
• Bolivia settles oil deal with Pan American
• New broom ends EU summit a day early
• Dow industrials have their best day in three years
• Obama tells Sisi of US concern over Egypt mass trials
• Contractors ill-equipped for secret Cuba programs
• EU must work with Russia to push Russia out of Ukraine: Italy's Renzi

U.S.-led air strikes focus on Islamic State Kobani in Syria Posted: 18 Dec 2014 01:53 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S.-led air strikes in Syria focused on the contested city of Kobani near the Turkish border on Thursday, with six air strikes that destroyed seven Islamic State fighting positions, a building and a tactical unit, the U.S. military said. U.S. and partner nations also conducted five air strikes in Iraq on Thursday, targeting Islamic State militants in Tal Afar, Mosul and Ramadi, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement. (Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bill Trott)

Putin says Russia economy will be cured, offers no remedy Posted: 18 Dec 2014 09:07 AM PST By Timothy Heritage and Alexei Anishchuk MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin assured Russians on Thursday that the economy would rebound after the ruble's dramatic slide this year but offered no remedy for a deepening financial crisis. Defiant and confident at a three-hour news conference, Putin blamed the economic problems on external factors and said the crisis over Ukraine was caused by the West, which he accused of building a "virtual" Berlin Wall to contain Russia. ...

Despite billions in aid, U.S. unable to get Pakistan to confront militants Posted: 18 Dec 2014 01:47 PM PST By David Rohde WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Since 2001 the United States has tried virtually every strategy available to persuade Pakistan's army to take the threat of militancy more seriously, but 12 years and $28 billion in aid later, all the American approaches are widely viewed as having failed. First, the Bush administration heaped praise on former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, agreed to reimburse the Pakistani army for anti-Taliban military operations and launched drone strikes that killed al Qaeda leaders and militants wanted by the Pakistani government. ...

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnap 172 women, children in Nigeria Posted: 18 Dec 2014 02:33 PM PST By Lanre Ola MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped 172 women and children and killed 35 other people on Sunday during a raid on the northeast Nigerian village of Gumsuri, residents said on Thursday. Although no one has claimed responsibility, the attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which abducted more than 200 women in April from a secondary school in Chibok, only 24 km (15 miles) from this latest attack. ...

China tightens grip on Macau as dissent rises in gambling hub Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:41 PM PST By Farah Master and James Pomfret MACAU (Reuters) - By night, Ieong Man Teng was dealing baccarat to gamblers at the Wynn Macau casino. By day, he was mobilizing thousands of fellow dealers to protest on the street for better working conditions and higher pay. That made him one of the people on Beijing's watch list earlier this year in Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub. ...

Special Report: Depleted oil field is window into China's corruption crackdown Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:05 PM PST By Charlie Zhu, David Lague and Fergus Jensen LIMAU, Indonesia (Reuters) - In a muddy clearing in southern Sumatra, a portable diesel power plant hammers away alongside a wellhead, struggling to extract crude from a depleted reservoir that lies below farmland and rubber plantations. It was much easier to extract cash from a state-owned Chinese oil giant. When PetroChina Daqing announced the deal, it didn't disclose the seller, the price or any other financial details. "We all know it is a ridiculous investment, but I have no idea where the money has actually ended up," says a senior Chinese oil industry official who has seen budget figures for the Limau wells.

Report: Australian lawmaker's adviser detained Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:54 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — Australian media are reporting that the media adviser to eccentric Australian lawmaker Clive Palmer has been detained in relation to an alleged kidnapping.

IMF withholds bailout money for Cyprus Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:54 PM PST NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The International Monetary Fund says it won't release $108 million (88 million euros) in rescue money for bailed-out Cyprus after the country's parliament voted to hold a key foreclosure law from taking effect at the end of December.

Security experts fear Sony attack to fuel more company extortion Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:38 PM PST By Jennifer Saba NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sony Pictures' decision to shelve the film "The Interview" in the face of cyber attacks has set a worrying precedent and is sending companies scrambling to guard sensitive data, security experts said on Thursday. Sony's capitulation could mean that more businesses will be targeted for cyber warfare and extortion, they said. ...

Sony film took aim at North Korea's biggest taboo Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:37 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — If the U.S. government's claim is correct that North Korea was involved in the unprecedented hack attack on Sony Pictures that scuttled Seth Rogen's latest comedy, no one can say they weren't warned. The movie, "The Interview," pushed all of North Korea's buttons.

Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:32 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — How do you say "damage control" in Japanese? Sony Corp. is sealed within a hermetic cone of silence as executives try to prevent the slow motion train wreck at Sony Pictures from damaging the rest of the sprawling business empire. Sony's miseries with its television and smartphone businesses were bad enough. Now its American movie division, a trophy asset, is facing tens of millions of dollars in losses from leaks by hackers that attacked the company over a movie that spoofs an assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Boston suspect makes rare court appearance Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:28 PM PST Shaggy-haired, bearded and attentive, accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev made his first public appearance in 17 months Thursday, at a brief court hearing before his trial next month. Tension was high at the US federal court in the northeastern city where the April 15, 2013 attack killed three people and wounded 264 -- the worst such incident in the United States since 9/11. On the way into court, one of the victims angrily showed his artificial leg to demonstrators proclaiming the suspect's innocence. The attacks plunged Boston's world-famous marathon into mourning and revived fears of terrorism in the United States more than a decade after the Al-Qaeda hijackings.

Hope and some fear in Cuba amid thaw with US Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:27 PM PST HAVANA (AP) — The restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States unleashed expectations Thursday of even more momentous changes on an island that often seems frozen in a past of classic cars and crumbling Art Deco buildings.

Think Cuban-Americans all think alike? Think again Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:08 PM PST MIAMI (AP) — Anyone who thinks Cuban-Americans think alike on Cuba hasn't taken a close look at the community lately, poet Richard Blanco says.

China oil giant probes 'worthless' deals in Indonesia Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:06 PM PST By Charlie Zhu and David Lague HONG KONG (Reuters) - It is particularly difficult to monitor smaller offshore investments in high risk oil and gas exploration, say current and former officials at China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Alongside the investigation into the Limau deal, CNPC officials are also probing two other suspect oil deals in Indonesia in which the group paid a combined $350 million. "Basically, they are worthless," says an oil industry official who also investigated the Limau deal. After reviewing internal records, senior Chinese oil industry officials say the purchase price for exploration and development rights for this field was $120 million.

Jilted man finds travel partner with ex-fiancee's name Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:00 PM PST Dumped by his fiancee last month, Jordan Axani lost not just his future bride, but a travel companion for the round-the-world trip he had been planning to leave on next week. Six weeks after placing the ad, news reports said the Toronto resident had received replies from not just one Elizabeth Gallagher, but 18 -- all eager to accompany him on the trip.

U.S. considers 'proportional' response to Sony hacking attack Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:57 PM PST By David Brunnstrom and Jim Finkle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday a cyber attack on Sony Pictures was a serious national security matter and the Obama administration was considering a proportional response, although the White House stopped short of blaming North Korea. U.S. government sources said on Wednesday that investigators had determined the attack was "state sponsored" and that North Korea was the government involved. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he was not in a position to say that North Korea was responsible, but the investigation was ...

US women rout Argentina 7-0 in Brasilia Tournament Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:55 PM PST BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Christen Press scored four goals and Carli Lloyd had a hat trick as the United States women's soccer team routed Argentina 7-0 in the four-team Brasilia Tournament on Thursday, keeping alive its hopes of reaching the final.

EU needs long-term Russia strategy lasting 'years': Tusk Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:49 PM PST New EU president Donald Tusk said Thursday the bloc needs a strategy on Russia lasting years, not just weeks or months, to cope with the problems raised by its intervention in Ukraine. We need to be realistic, we have to treat this as a long-term game," Tusk said after chairing his first European Union leaders summit, which reviewed relations with Russia. "We must go beyond being reactive and defensive," he said, calling on Europeans to "regain our self-confidence and realise our own strength" when dealing with Russia. Russia's intervention in Ukraine and especially its annexation of Crimea in March has sparked the worst crisis in Europe since the end of the Cold War.

Colombia rebuffs FARC's 'thorny' ceasefire Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:49 PM PST Colombia's president on Thursday rebuffed a ceasefire by the FARC guerrillas, calling it a gift with "thorns," as an attack by rival rebel group ELN dashed hopes of a respite from the conflict. President Juan Manuel Santos welcomed Wednesday's declaration of an indefinite unilateral ceasefire by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), but stuck to his refusal to declare a bilateral truce. He underlined that the ceasefire is not unconditional: The FARC have said they will retaliate if their fighters come under attack.

'Thug' ties up, robs 101-year-old Canadian veteran Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:47 PM PST Police in the Canadian capital of Ottawa were on the hunt Thursday for a man who broke into a 101-year-old World War II veteran's home, tied him up and robbed him. The man demanded money at the door, then forced his way into the victim's apartment and bound him, Ottawa police said in a statement. "This thug should go to jail," Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino said of the alleged assailant in a Twitter message.

Tsarnaev appears in court for 1st time since 2013 Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:44 PM PST BOSTON (AP) — Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev returned to court Thursday for the first time since he was arraigned in July 2013. Security was tight, tensions ran high and one bombing victim had a testy exchange with protesters outside.

Dutch PM agrees to change health bill to avoid government collapse Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:42 PM PST By Anthony Deutsch AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a letter to parliament late Thursday that his party would revise a health bill that was blocked in the senate, potentially staving off the collapse of his fragile center-right coalition government. Earlier on Thursday Rutte was forced to pull out of an EU summit to deal with a mounting political crisis over the bill, which has highlighted a deep divide between his Liberal party and the left-of-center Labour, with which he shares power. ...

UN Experts: Taliban radicals against peace gain prominence Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:20 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Radical splinter groups within the Taliban movement that oppose any negotiation with Afghanistan's new government are gaining prominence, U.N. experts said in a report circulated Thursday.

EU cannot just be reactive in response to Russia: EU's Tusk Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:20 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's response to Moscow after Russia's annexation of Crimea cannot solely be driven by events, European Council President Donald Tusk said. "It is obvious we will not find a long-term perspective for Ukraine without an adequate, consistent and united European strategy toward Russia," Tusk told a news conference at the end of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels. Tusk, the former Polish prime minister chairing his first EU summit, said a modern, safe and independent Ukraine was the most important element of such a strategy. ...

US brands movie studio hack a national security breach Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:19 PM PST With the Hollywood scandal threatening to escalate into geopolitical crisis, Sony defended its decision to cancel the release of "The Interview," a movie about a fictional CIA plot to kill Kim Jong-Un. White House spokesman Josh Earnest declined to confirm reports that North Korea had attacked the movie giant, which pulled the the film after hackers invoked 9/11 in threatening attacks on cinemas.

US-Cuba ties thaw, White House open to Castro visit Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:19 PM PST A US visit by Cuban President Raul Castro is not out of the question, the White House said Thursday a day after he and US President Barack Obama announced a historic bilateral rapprochement. Obama, who said Washington will move to "end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests," on Wednesday raised the previously unthinkable possibility of his visiting the island.

Russia is a strategic problem for the EU: Tusk Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:18 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia's approach to Ukraine and to the European Union is a challenge to the 28-nation bloc, which does not make European leaders too optimistic, but rather realistic, the new president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said on Thursday. "In fact Russia is today our strategic problem, not Ukraine," the former Polish prime minister told a news conference after chairing a summit at which EU leaders discussed Russia and its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. ...

Latin America cheers US-Cuba rapprochement Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:17 PM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Latin America is welcoming the renewal of ties between Cuba and the United States, but the rapprochement may complicate matters for Havana's chief ally, Venezuela, which has been moving in the opposite direction, becoming more stridently anti-American.

EU leaders agree to fund for jumpstarting growth Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:16 PM PST BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders agreed Thursday to create a strategic investment fund that could generate up to 315 billion euros ($386 billion) in private- and public-sector money to upgrade infrastructure, jumpstart the EU's sluggish economies and ignite job growth.

Plea hearing set for ex-manager in halal food case Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:11 PM PST IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former manager at an Iowa-based halal food supplier is expected to plead guilty as part of a federal criminal investigation into the company's exporting and marketing practices, according to court documents filed Thursday.

Atletico sets up Copa del Rey clash with Real Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:04 PM PST BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Atletico Madrid set up a crosstown Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid despite drawing 2-2 with third-division Hospitalet on Thursday, advancing 5-2 on aggregate.

Sony hacking fallout puts all companies on alert Posted: 18 Dec 2014 03:03 PM PST ATLANTA (AP) — Companies across the globe are on high alert to tighten up network security to avoid being the next company brought to its knees by hackers like those that executed the dramatic cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Bolivia settles oil deal with Pan American Posted: 18 Dec 2014 02:55 PM PST LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia's government says it will pay $357 million to Argentina-based Pan American Energy for the nationalization of one of its subsidiaries over five years ago.

New broom ends EU summit a day early Posted: 18 Dec 2014 02:54 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - In a striking symbol of changed leadership, European Union leaders wrapped up their last summit of the year a day early after agreeing to launch an investment fund and maintain sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. New European Council President Donald Tusk, chairing his first summit, made a point of keeping the meeting short and political, without the customary wrangling over the wording of a rambling final statement, known in EU jargon as "conclusions". "European Council finished. ...

Dow industrials have their best day in three years Posted: 18 Dec 2014 02:46 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The Dow Jones industrial average had its biggest surge in three years Thursday, its second straight triple-digit gain following the Federal Reserve's reassurance that it was in no hurry to raise interest rates.

Obama tells Sisi of US concern over Egypt mass trials Posted: 18 Dec 2014 02:39 PM PST US President Barack Obama spoke to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday and expressed concern over mass trials and the continued detention of journalists and peaceful activists. "President Obama also expressed concern about mass trials, the status of NGOs, and the continued imprisonment of journalists and peaceful activists in Egypt," the statement said. In early December, an Egyptian court sentenced 188 people to death for the murder of 13 police officers -- the latest in a series of mass trials launched by authorities amid a crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

Contractors ill-equipped for secret Cuba programs Posted: 18 Dec 2014 02:38 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — When the U.S. government's global-aid agency launched secret plans to undermine Cuba's communist government, it didn't turn to the CIA for help. Instead, it used little-known contractors to carry out the operations — leading to multiple detentions and the high-profile arrest of American Alan Gross.

EU must work with Russia to push Russia out of Ukraine: Italy's Renzi Posted: 18 Dec 2014 02:38 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union must work with Russia to make it withdraw from Ukraine, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who holds the rotating presidency of the 28-nation bloc, said on Thursday. "We have to work with Russia to push Russia out of Ukraine and come back to the table," Renzi told a news conference after a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels. (Reporting By Jan Strupczewski and Paul Taylor)

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