Yahoo! News: World News

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• More objects found in AirAsia wreck hunt, but no sign of black box
• Watchdog offers more proof Syria government used chemical arms: U.S.
• Dozens of Islamist fighters killed as battle of Kobani rages on
• U.S. investigating civilian casualty claims in Iraq, Syria
• U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua voices concerns over Chinese-led canal
• Mexico's Pena Nieto plans no mea culpa in house scandal: spokesman
• Snow snarls traffic in Washington; U.S. Midwest braces for more cold
• Inspectors confident chlorine gas used in Syrian villages
• Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT
• Cameron, Merkel set for talks on EU, immigration
• Divers enter water in search of wreckage from AirAsia jet
• Sri Lanka 110-5 at lunch on day 5, 2nd test vs. NZ
• Polish rider dies in Argentina during Dakar Rally
• Merkel to give little ground to Cameron over EU reform on visit
• US Navy commander pleads guilty in massive bribery case
• Slaves freed from SKorean salt farms face misery in shelters
• Mozambique's opposition Renamo spokesman arrested
• 'The Interview' digital grosses total $31 million, Sony says
• Syria used chlorine gas in attacks: OPCW
• U.S. Coast Guard responds to surge of Cuban migrants
• US judge delays terror trial a week after co-defendant dies
• US probing 2 airstrikes alleged to have killed civilians
• Deal near to deport detained Al-Jazeera journalist: Canada
• US appeals court lets NY trial proceed over PLO objections
• Paraguay officials to talk with protesters nailed to crosses
• For some Russians, mortgage costs soaring due to ruble slide
• Mali at the UN makes case for Libya intervention
• Priest arrested in Florida; accused of child porn on phone
• Cutrale and Safra Group complete takeover of Chiquita
• Obama, Mexico's president meet under shadow of abductions
• Oil price woes: Ecuador gets $5.3 billion China credit
• 9 die in confrontations with Mexican forces in Michoacan
• Lebanese-born porn star stirs debate back home
• Gambian leader hands journalists government posts in reshuffle
• In or out? Controversial goal gives Roma 1-0 win at Udinese
• Gerrard appears set for Hollywood ending
• Bonds rally as stocks and oil prices extend slumps
• Lukaku earns Everton late draw with West Ham in FA Cup

More objects found in AirAsia wreck hunt, but no sign of black box Posted: 06 Jan 2015 06:03 AM PST By Wilda Asmarini and Eveline Danubrata JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Search teams scouring the ocean for the wreckage of an AirAsia jet found two new metal objects on Tuesday, but nine days after the plane crashed officials say there is still no sign of the crucial black box flight recorders. Bad weather continued to hamper the search, and while conditions eased slightly on Tuesday, high waves and strong currents prevented divers from going deep into the waters to look for the plane's wreckage on the bottom of the Java Sea. ...

Watchdog offers more proof Syria government used chemical arms: U.S. Posted: 06 Jan 2015 01:57 PM PST By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The latest report on Syria by the global chemical weapons watchdog offers further evidence that the Syrian government repeatedly attacked its own citizens with poison gas, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said on Tuesday. The 117-page report by a fact-finding mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) includes eyewitness accounts of helicopters dropping barrel bombs with toxic chemicals. The findings are consistent with two previous reports by the mission but offer much more detail. ...

Dozens of Islamist fighters killed as battle of Kobani rages on Posted: 06 Jan 2015 11:07 AM PST BEIRUT (Reuters) - Forty-one Islamic State militants were killed in the Syrian border town of Kobani on Tuesday as U.S.-led air strikes helped local forces push the group to the city's edges, a monitoring group said. The predominantly Kurdish town, known as Ayn al-Arab in Arabic, close to the Turkish border, has become a symbol in the international fight against the hardline Islamist group that broke away from al Qaeda. The U.S. military said it or its coalition partners had conducted 10 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, mostly on Kobani, since Monday. ...

U.S. investigating civilian casualty claims in Iraq, Syria Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:18 PM PST By David Alexander WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Tuesday it had received 18 complaints of civilian casualties in air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, but concluded that 13 of the cases were not credible and was still reviewing the other five. The Pentagon has said it takes allegations of civilian casualties seriously and investigates them, but in the past military officials had played down such reports. "We ... ...

U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua voices concerns over Chinese-led canal Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:26 PM PST MANAGUA (Reuters) - The U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua said on Tuesday it was concerned by a lack of information surrounding the planned $50 billion, Chinese-led canal that would bisect the poor Central American nation. Work began in late December on the 172-mile (278-km) waterway, which its Hong Kong-based developer HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Co Ltd (HKND Group) says will be operational by 2020, but so far it has been met with widespread skepticism. HKND Group is controlled by a little-known Chinese mogul, Wang Jing, who said the Chinese government is not behind the project. ...

Mexico's Pena Nieto plans no mea culpa in house scandal: spokesman Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:21 PM PST By Ana Isabel Martinez and Simon Gardner MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto, embroiled along with his wife and finance minister in a scandal over homes bought from and financed by a government contractor, plans no mea culpa, his spokesman said on Tuesday, dismissing any conflict of interest. In November, the government abruptly canceled a $3.75 billion rail contract awarded to a consortium that included a unit of a group headed by businessman Juan Armando Hinojosa, which owned a luxury house that Pena Nieto's wife was acquiring. ...

Snow snarls traffic in Washington; U.S. Midwest braces for more cold Posted: 06 Jan 2015 05:07 PM PST By Ian Simpson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Heavier than expected snow snarled traffic in Washington on Tuesday, forcing Attorney General Eric Holder to cancel a trip to New York for the funeral of former Governor Mario Cuomo, while the U.S. Midwest prepared for brutal cold. The Washington region got up to 5 inches of snow, well above initial forecasts. Hundreds of car crashes were reported in the morning commute and some area schools closed. Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at local airports. In the Midwest, residents were bracing for another round of harsh winter conditions. ...

Inspectors confident chlorine gas used in Syrian villages Posted: 06 Jan 2015 05:02 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Chemical weapons investigators concluded "with a high degree of confidence" that chlorine gas was used as a weapon against three opposition-controlled villages in Syria last year, affecting between 350 and 500 people and killing 13, according to a report obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 06 Jan 2015 05:02 PM PST SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea said Tuesday that rival North Korea has a 6,000-member cyber army dedicated to disrupting the South's military and government, a dramatic increase from an earlier estimate of 3,000 such specialists. Without elaborating, Seoul's Defense Ministry also said in a report that North Korea may also have gained the ability to strike the U.S. mainland because of its progress in missile technology demonstrated in recent long-range missile tests. It also said North Korea is advancing in efforts to miniaturize nuclear warheads to mount on such missiles.

Cameron, Merkel set for talks on EU, immigration Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:58 PM PST London (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are set to thrash out his plans for renegotiating Britain's relationship with the EU when they hold talks on Wednesday.

Divers enter water in search of wreckage from AirAsia jet Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:52 PM PST PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia (AP) — At least two divers plunged into the choppy waters early Wednesday during a break in the bad weather to search for two large objects suspected of being chunks of the fuselage of the AirAsia plane that crashed more than one week ago, an Indonesian official said.

Sri Lanka 110-5 at lunch on day 5, 2nd test vs. NZ Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:31 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The contentious dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara on Wednesday's final day of the second test thrust New Zealand closer to a win over Sri Lanka and a 2-0 series whitewash.

Polish rider dies in Argentina during Dakar Rally Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:06 PM PST LA RIOJA, Argentina (AP) — Organizers say that a Polish motorcyclist competing in the Dakar Rally has died of unknown causes.

Merkel to give little ground to Cameron over EU reform on visit Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:04 PM PST By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel will give little ground on Wednesday as British Prime Minister David Cameron seeks her help in curbing EU migration, insisting that free movement of workers is crucial to the bloc. Cameron, whose Conservatives are losing support to the Eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP) before an election in May, plans to raise his proposals on reforming the European Union when he meets Merkel in London to discuss Germany's presidency of the G7. ...

US Navy commander pleads guilty in massive bribery case Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:02 PM PST SAN DIEGO (AP) — A U.S. Navy commander pleaded guilty Tuesday in a massive bribery scheme involving a longtime military contractor in Asia who allegedly offered luxury travel, prostitutes and other bribes to Navy officers in exchange for confidential information.

Slaves freed from SKorean salt farms face misery in shelters Posted: 06 Jan 2015 04:01 PM PST MOKPO, South Korea (AP) — Life as a salt-farm slave was so bad Kim Jong-seok sometimes fantasized about killing the owner who beat him daily. Freedom, he says, has been worse.

Mozambique's opposition Renamo spokesman arrested Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:57 PM PST Police in Mozambique arrested a senior official of Renamo, the country's largest opposition party, Tuesday on charges of inciting violence amid renewed political tension between the former rebel group and the government. Police said Antonio Muchanga was arrested at a gas station in Matola, a town on the outskirts of the capital Maputo. Muchanga, who is Renamo's spokesman, was released a few hours later. He is accused of making speeches "inciting violence" and of organising an "illegal demonstration" after Renamo staged countrywide protests at the weekend.

'The Interview' digital grosses total $31 million, Sony says Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:57 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Sony Pictures' "The Interview" has made more than $31 million from its online and on-demand release, according to the studio.

Syria used chlorine gas in attacks: OPCW Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:54 PM PST A report by the OPCW chemical watchdog has concluded "with a high degree of confidence" that chlorine gas was used in attacks on three villages in Syria last year. At least 13 people died among the 350 to 500 casualties from the attacks, according to the report by a fact-finding mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, obtained by AFP on Tuesday. The UN Security Council discussed the report on Tuesday, prompting a clash between Britain, France, the United States, which raised concerns over the findings, and Russia, diplomats said.

U.S. Coast Guard responds to surge of Cuban migrants Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:52 PM PST By Letitia Stein TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard has intensified patrols off the Florida coast in response to a surge of Cuban migrants trying to flee the island on makeshift vessels, apparently spurred by rumors that the U.S. immigration policy could soon change, officials said. A cold snap on Tuesday was slowing the activity at least temporarily, said Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Mark Barney, but the rush could resume when the weather improved. ...

US judge delays terror trial a week after co-defendant dies Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:39 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The trial of a man extradited from Great Britain to face trial in New York in the 1998 deadly bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa has been delayed a week because of the death of a co-defendant.

US probing 2 airstrikes alleged to have killed civilians Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:38 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military disclosed Tuesday that it is investigating alleged civilian casualties from two airstrikes in Syria and Iraq last year, and that it has dismissed 13 other allegations of civilian casualties from airstrikes.

Deal near to deport detained Al-Jazeera journalist: Canada Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:31 PM PST Ottawa's top diplomat said Tuesday he is close to reaching a deal with Egypt on deporting to Canada one of three imprisoned Al-Jazeera journalists. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said he was working to free Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy. "We've been working closely at senior levels of the Egyptian government," he said. The diplomacy is at a "critical phase," said Baird, who is scheduled to make an official visit to Egypt later this month.

US appeals court lets NY trial proceed over PLO objections Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:29 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court has chosen not to block a New York trial next week over a $1 billion lawsuit brought by U.S. terrorism victims against the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Paraguay officials to talk with protesters nailed to crosses Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:28 PM PST ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — The Paraguayan government agreed Tuesday to meet with former workers who have nailed themselves to wooden crosses over a wage dispute, an increasingly common form of protest in Paraguay that has been condemned by the Roman Catholic Church but has often been successful.

For some Russians, mortgage costs soaring due to ruble slide Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:24 PM PST ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — When they took out a mortgage on a small two-room apartment seven years ago, Oksana Li and her husband hoped to make a new home for themselves and their young son.

Mali at the UN makes case for Libya intervention Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:21 PM PST Mali's foreign minister told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that an international force could help stabilize Libya and the entire Sahel region and check the threat from Islamist groups. Mali is among five countries that launched an appeal to the United Nations and the African Union for foreign intervention to fight Libyan armed groups and to help build stable institutions.

Priest arrested in Florida; accused of child porn on phone Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:18 PM PST WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — A Catholic priest from India was jailed after asking a 14-year-old boy to help him delete dozens of images of child pornography from his phone, authorities said.

Cutrale and Safra Group complete takeover of Chiquita Posted: 06 Jan 2015 03:07 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Safra Group and Brazil's Cutrale completed their acquisition of Chiquita Brands International Inc. Tuesday, taking the banana producer private.

Obama, Mexico's president meet under shadow of abductions Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:48 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama pledged to stand with Mexico against "the scourge of violence and the drug cartels" as he met Tuesday with President Enrique Pena Nieto amid concern over the unsolved abduction of 43 Mexican college students last September.

Oil price woes: Ecuador gets $5.3 billion China credit Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:46 PM PST QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador's state-run news agency says the Andean country has secured a $5.3 billion line of credit from China to help it cope with a budget shortfall caused by plunging oil prices.

9 die in confrontations with Mexican forces in Michoacan Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:44 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Federal troops and police engaged in two clashes with armed civilians in a western Mexico city Tuesday, and nine civilians were killed, the federal security commissioner for Michoacan state said.

Lebanese-born porn star stirs debate back home Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:40 PM PST A Lebanese-born porn star living in the US has stirred fierce debate back home after her rise to fame split social media users in liberal-yet-conservative Lebanon. Mia Khalifa, 21, who was born in Lebanon but lives in Miami, last week became the most searched star on adult movie site Porn Hub, with more than 1.5 million views, prompting a mix of scorn and praise from Lebanese commenters. You are only a sex object," posted one Facebook user, alongside an image of the half-naked Khalifa. "You don't represent Lebanon!" another commenter said on Twitter, where the buxom brunette actress has attracted more than 78,000 followers.

Gambian leader hands journalists government posts in reshuffle Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:33 PM PST Less than a week after an abortive coup attempt, Gambian president Yahya Jammeh handed the foreign and communications portfolios to journalists in a government reshuffle, officials said Tuesday. Sheriff Bojang, publisher of The Standard newspaper, enters government as minister of information and communications, according to a presidential decree.

In or out? Controversial goal gives Roma 1-0 win at Udinese Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:27 PM PST ROME (AP) — A controversial goal helped Roma to a 1-0 win at Udinese on Tuesday, highlighting the need for goal-line technology and moving the Giallorossi within one point of Serie A leader Juventus.

Gerrard appears set for Hollywood ending Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:27 PM PST Los Angeles (AFP) - A Hollywood ending for Steven Gerrard's storied career seemed all but set Tuesday, with the Liverpool captain's move to the Los Angeles Galaxy widely reported to be an all-but-done deal.

Bonds rally as stocks and oil prices extend slumps Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:25 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. economy ended last year on a tear, but financial markets are saying the outlook for this year is less bright.

Lukaku earns Everton late draw with West Ham in FA Cup Posted: 06 Jan 2015 02:23 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Everton striker Romelu Lukaku scored in injury time to earn his side a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham in the FA Cup third round on Tuesday.

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