Yahoo! News: World News

U.S. says China's island-building erodes security; Beijing angered
U.S. and Iran address obstacles to nuclear deal as deadline nears
Venezuelan opposition holds rallies for imprisoned leaders
Islam center stage as Turkish election campaign enters final week
Italy votes on Sunday in test for PM Renzi's reform agenda
Thousands protest graft in Guatemala, raising pressure on president
Morgan Pressel keeps lead in ShopRite LPGA Classic
Munoz wins rain-shortened IndyCar race in Detroit
Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT
Italian PM says 800 victims of trawler will be given burial
Messi gets 2 to lead Barcelona past Bilbao 3-1 in cup final
Player, 22, dies of heart attack in Australian Rules match
Suriname president's party protests election results
US women complete World Cup prep with 0-0 tie vs South Korea
Brook retains IBF welterweight belt, Joshua wins again
More flooding in Texas after storms, death toll hits 23
Thousands of Venezuelans protest for dissidents' release
Brisbane, Cowboys stay on top in National Rugby League
Wolfsburg beats Dortmund 3-1 in German Cup final
French Open Lookahead: Federer vs. Monfils highlights Sunday
FIFA's Blatter comes out fighting despite scandal and divisions
Hurricane Andres Category 2 storm; no threat to land
Juventus draws 2-2 at Verona in final Serie A match
Report: At least 4 Americans held by Yemen's rebels
Small clubs, youth teams feel victimized by FIFA scandal
Fremantle remains undefeated in Australian Rules football
Venezuelans mass for year's largest anti-government protests
PSG wins French Cup after 1-0 win against Auxerre
Activists say Syrian army strikes kill 70 people in Aleppo
French Open at a glance
Four arrested in Argentina smuggling more than ton of meteorites
What would happen if Western powers boycotted World Cup?
No. 1 Williams edges Azarenka in French Open's 3rd round
Stormers, Highlanders win big in Super Rugby
Strong quake off Japanese islands: USGS
Hungary's far-right Jobbik aims to govern in 2018
Virgin Islands governor gives up state-funded residence
Powerful quake strikes off Japan; no tsunami warning
The Latest: Williams-Azarenka fight and make up at French

U.S. says China's island-building erodes security; Beijing angered

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:07 AM PDT

By David Alexander and Rachel Armstrong SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Saturday that China's island-building in the South China Sea was undermining security in the Asia-Pacific, drawing a scathing response from the foreign ministry in Beijing. Carter, speaking to top defense officials from the Asia-Pacific at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, acknowledged that several countries had created outposts in the region's disputed islands, but he said the scope of China's activity created uncertainty about its future plans. "China has reclaimed over 2,000 acres, more than all other claimants combined ... and China did so in only the last 18 months," Carter told the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum.

U.S. and Iran address obstacles to nuclear deal as deadline nears

Posted: 30 May 2015 10:09 AM PDT

By Lesley Wroughton GENEVA (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif for six hours on Saturday trying to overcome obstacles to a final nuclear agreement, a month ahead of a deadline for a deal between Tehran and six world powers. "Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Zarif, along with their teams, had a thorough and comprehensive discussion of all of the issues today," a senior State Department official said, without elaborating.

Venezuelan opposition holds rallies for imprisoned leaders

Posted: 30 May 2015 12:48 PM PDT

Thousands of Venezuelan opposition sympathizers rallied on Saturday in support of leaders jailed last year in connection with months of violent protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, arrested for leading the protests, called for the rally in a prison-filmed video in which he also announced a hunger stike and issued a set of demands including the release of other anti-government activists. "The regime wants to divide us, I vow unity," said Lilian Tintori, Lopez's wife told the crowd of demonstrators, many of whom were clad in white to symbolize non-violent protest.

Islam center stage as Turkish election campaign enters final week

Posted: 30 May 2015 01:04 PM PDT

By Daren Butler and Humeyra Pamuk ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Evoking the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and vowing the Muslim call to prayer would forever ring out, President Tayyip Erdogan put religion center stage on Saturday as campaigning for Turkey's parliamentary election entered its final week. Persuading religious conservatives, including pious Kurds and nationalists, to back the Islamist-rooted AK Party will be key in an election Erdogan hopes will bring him stronger presidential powers that opponents see as a threat to democracy. Turkey's most dominant politician for more than a decade and founder of the AK Party, Erdogan draws much of his support from the pious masses.

Italy votes on Sunday in test for PM Renzi's reform agenda

Posted: 30 May 2015 03:06 PM PDT

By Gavin Jones ROME (Reuters) - Italians go to the polls on Sunday in local elections that will be the biggest test for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi since his center-left Democratic Party (PD) triumphed in a vote for the European parliament a year ago. Some 22 million voters will elect new governments in seven of Italy's 20 regions and more than 1,000 municipalities following a campaign dominated by corruption allegations against one of Renzi's most prominent candidates. If Renzi maintains or improves on that tally against a divided opposition he will continue to look unassailable some 15 months after he come to office following an internal party coup.

Thousands protest graft in Guatemala, raising pressure on president

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:13 PM PDT

Thousands gathered in the main square of Guatemala's capital on Saturday to protest against corruption after a wave of graft scandals prompted a Cabinet shake-up and the resignation of the vice president. "We don't want Otto Perez in power any more," said dentist Otto Chojolan amid the crowd in Constitution Square. The day before the reshuffle, Guatemala's central bank chief Julio Suarez and 14 other people were arrested, accused of rigging a multi-million dollar contract from the country's Social Security Institute in favor of a pharmaceutical firm.

Morgan Pressel keeps lead in ShopRite LPGA Classic

Posted: 30 May 2015 05:08 PM PDT

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Morgan Pressel kept her patience Saturday despite a steady breeze and greens that grew bumpy in the afternoon, shooting a 2-under 69 to maintain a one-stroke lead in the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Munoz wins rain-shortened IndyCar race in Detroit

Posted: 30 May 2015 05:05 PM PDT

DETROIT (AP) — Carlos Munoz understands that his first IndyCar victory comes with a footnote.

Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT

Posted: 30 May 2015 05:03 PM PDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — After the Korean War ended in 1953, Kim Myeong Bok and 75 other North Korean prisoners of war detained in South Korea opted to live abroad rather than risk hostile welcomes in either half of their homeland. Now he wants to come home, though he may find little more than rejection and suspicion. Amid the Koreas' intense Cold War rivalry, they were labeled traitors, opportunists or fence-sitters. The fates of several North Korean POWs who voluntarily returned home are unknown. Many others have died abroad one by one, and now less than a dozen are believed to be alive.

Italian PM says 800 victims of trawler will be given burial

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:26 PM PDT

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Saturday repeated his commitment to refloat the wreck of the trawler which sank in April with the deaths of around 800 migrants and lay to rest the victims. "When this boat capsized and sank, we committed ourselves to go and check if there really were as many bodies as the survivors said," Renzi said after talks with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in the northern Italian town of Trento. "I made this commitment and I would like to confirm it once again," Renzi said.

Messi gets 2 to lead Barcelona past Bilbao 3-1 in cup final

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:24 PM PDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi scored a stunning opener before adding a second goal to lead Barcelona to the Copa del Rey title with a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, giving the Catalan club its second of three possible trophies before it turns to the Champions League final.

Player, 22, dies of heart attack in Australian Rules match

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:20 PM PDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A 22-year-old Australian Rules football player has died of an apparent heart attack during a reserve-grade match in Melbourne.

Suriname president's party protests election results

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:16 PM PDT

Suriname's ruling party National Democratic Party (NDP), led by president Desi Bouterse, has disputed results in several districts of the capital, which now will be recounted Sunday, authorities said. The NDP alleged there were problems with polling at 20 stations, its spokesman Winston Lackin told reporters Saturday. Unofficial results from Monday's general parliamentary elections give the NDP 26 seats, a small margin of the majority in the 51-seat National Assembly.

US women complete World Cup prep with 0-0 tie vs South Korea

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:06 PM PDT

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — The United States wrapped up its World Cup warmup matches with a listless 0-0 draw against South Korea on Saturday, a result that highlighted the Americans' struggle to regain top form going into next month's tournament.

Brook retains IBF welterweight belt, Joshua wins again

Posted: 30 May 2015 04:02 PM PDT

LONDON (AP) — Kell Brook won his second defense of the IBF welterweight belt to stay undefeated, while fellow British boxer Anthony Joshua enhanced his burgeoning reputation in the heavyweight division with a second-round stoppage of experienced American Kevin Johnson.

More flooding in Texas after storms, death toll hits 23

Posted: 30 May 2015 03:56 PM PDT

By Lisa Maria Garza and Jim Forsyth DALLAS/SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - Rain caused flooding on roads in parts of Texas on Saturday, an official said, after severe weather killed at least 23 people during the week and prompted U.S. President Barack Obama to declare a disaster in the state. Texas has endured record rainfall in May. This week, flooding turned streets into rivers, ripped homes off foundations, swept over thousands of vehicles and trapped people in cars and houses. Obama signed a disaster declaration late on Friday to free up federal funds to help rebuild areas of Texas slammed by the storms.

Thousands of Venezuelans protest for dissidents' release

Posted: 30 May 2015 03:22 PM PDT

Caracas (AFP) - Thousands of demonstrators took to Caracas' streets on Saturday to press for the release of imprisoned foes of President Nicolas Maduro's government.

Brisbane, Cowboys stay on top in National Rugby League

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:54 PM PDT

SYDNEY (AP) — State rivals the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys remained on top of the National Rugby League with 12th-round wins, including the Cowboys' ninth victory in a row.

Wolfsburg beats Dortmund 3-1 in German Cup final

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:44 PM PDT

BERLIN (AP) — Wolfsburg defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-1 to win the German Cup for the first time Saturday, denying Juergen Klopp the perfect sendoff in his final game as Dortmund coach.

French Open Lookahead: Federer vs. Monfils highlights Sunday

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:39 PM PDT

PARIS (AP) — Roger Federer and Gael Monfils know each other — and each other's games — quite well.

FIFA's Blatter comes out fighting despite scandal and divisions

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:39 PM PDT

By Brian Homewood ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA President Sepp Blatter came out fighting on Saturday as he began his fifth term in charge of soccer's governing body, implying that the United States timed the announcement of a major corruption probe to try to scupper his re-election bid. The 79-year-old Swiss comfortably won Friday's vote at a FIFA congress in Zurich, having secured the support of blocks of votes from Asia and Africa, which outweighed dissenters including Europe's powerful soccer body UEFA. Swiss police arrested seven leading soccer officials, including FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb, in a dawn swoop on a Zurich hotel on Wednesday.

Hurricane Andres Category 2 storm; no threat to land

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:39 PM PDT

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Andres remains a Category 2 storm in the eastern Pacific, but still poses no threat to land.

Juventus draws 2-2 at Verona in final Serie A match

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:36 PM PDT

MILAN (AP) — A last-gasp equalizer saw champion Juventus held to a 2-2 draw at Hellas Verona in its last Serie A match of the season while Luca Toni netted again to leave him on the verge of clinching the Italian league's top goalscorer award — at the age of 38.

Report: At least 4 Americans held by Yemen's rebels

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:34 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least four Americans are being held in Yemen by rebels who toppled the U.S- backed government, the Washington Post reported late Friday.

Small clubs, youth teams feel victimized by FIFA scandal

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:20 PM PDT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The accused in the FIFA scandal are easy to spot: globe-trotting executives charged with diverting millions meant to build the game to their personal accounts. Those who feel victimized aren't as obvious: Youth players with hand-me-down equipment, semi-pro clubs that can't afford to travel and developmental leagues that can't pay referees.

Fremantle remains undefeated in Australian Rules football

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:20 PM PDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Forward Michael Walters kicked three goals to lead Fremantle to a 10.8 (68) to 7.15 (57) win over Adelaide, keeping the Dockers the only unbeaten team in the Australian Football League this season.

Venezuelans mass for year's largest anti-government protests

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:16 PM PDT

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Thousands donned white and took to the streets in cities across the country Saturday in the biggest show of frustration with Venezuela's socialist administration since a wave of bloody anti-government protests a year ago.

PSG wins French Cup after 1-0 win against Auxerre

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:14 PM PDT

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain became the first French side to win the domestic treble after laboring to a 1-0 win against second-division side Auxerre in the French Cup final on Saturday.

Activists say Syrian army strikes kill 70 people in Aleppo

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:13 PM PDT

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian army airstrikes killed at least 70 people, most of them civilians, and wounded scores in attacks Saturday in the northern province of Aleppo that struck civilian areas, including a packed market in a town held by the Islamic State group, activists said.

French Open at a glance

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:10 PM PDT

PARIS (AP) — A look at the French Open on Saturday:

Four arrested in Argentina smuggling more than ton of meteorites

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:04 PM PDT

Buenos Aires (AFP) - Police nabbed four alleged smugglers in Argentina trying to steal more than a ton of protected meteorites, authorities said Saturday.

What would happen if Western powers boycotted World Cup?

Posted: 30 May 2015 02:00 PM PDT

NEW YORK (AP) — What would happen if Sepp Blatter hosts a World Cup and most of Europe, several South American powers and the United States don't show up?

No. 1 Williams edges Azarenka in French Open's 3rd round

Posted: 30 May 2015 01:55 PM PDT

PARIS (AP) — At the outset, Serena Williams was grimacing and cursing and, worst of all, losing by a lot.

Stormers, Highlanders win big in Super Rugby

Posted: 30 May 2015 01:47 PM PDT

The Stormers went second in Super Rugby with a five-try, 42-12 victory over the Cheetahs on Saturday, and the Highlanders also won convincingly to stay in the playoff hunt.

Strong quake off Japanese islands: USGS

Posted: 30 May 2015 01:40 PM PDT

A strong earthquake registering 6.4 occurred off Japan's Izu Islands on Sunday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The tremor followed a stronger quake of 8.5 magnitude on Saturday which had an epicenter off the Ogasawara islands, south of Tokyo, which caused no serious damage. The quake 398 Km (250 miles) south-east of the Izu Islands had a more shallow epicenter of 13.4 km (9.4 miles).

Hungary's far-right Jobbik aims to govern in 2018

Posted: 30 May 2015 01:38 PM PDT

The leader of Hungary's far-right Jobbik said Saturday he was determined to distance the party from radical elements and move it to the centre in a bid to win general elections in 2018. "We will win the election, take a deep breath and rebuild our country," Gabor Vona told the party's congress in Budapest. Jobbik, once considered a fringe, racist party, has been successfully shunning its bad image and Vona has toned down the party's rhetoric, which once stigmatised Roma as criminals.

Virgin Islands governor gives up state-funded residence

Posted: 30 May 2015 01:32 PM PDT

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — The governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands says he has renounced his state-funded residence on the island of St. Thomas out of economic concerns.

Powerful quake strikes off Japan; no tsunami warning

Posted: 30 May 2015 01:31 PM PDT

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful earthquake struck near remote Japanese islands and shook most of the country Saturday evening, but it occurred well beneath the earth's surface and did not trigger a tsunami warning. Several people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and there were no reports of deaths or major damage.