Yahoo! News: World News

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• German, French leaders take Ukraine peace plan to Moscow
• Jordan releases leading al Qaeda mentor: security source
• U.S. moves rescue assets to Iraq in fight against Islamic State
• Jordan military jets pound Islamic State as king comforts pilot's family
• Heavy fighting in Libya's Benghazi as army pushes to take port
• U.S. defense chief voices fear of north-south NATO divide
• Police raid Bosnian village that displayed IS flag
• Arum: Mayweather-Pacquiao TV issues resolved, others remain
• Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT
• Land rights activist killed in Mexican state; 4 detained
• French, German leaders push new peace plan for east Ukraine
• Austria's Reichelt wins super-G at worlds; Miller gashes leg
• Florida scientists develop way to detect mislabeled fish
• North Korea defector to world: Look beyond 'beatings, camps'
• Man, 19, accused of lying to FBI agents in terrorism probe
• Clean-up at fiery ethanol train derailment site in Iowa starts
• Jordan minister on Islamic State strike: 'beginning of our retaliation'
• Tiger Woods withdraws because of tightness in lower back
• Argentina calls ex-spy chief to testify in prosecutor death
• 3 House Democrats to skip Netanyahu speech
• Fenninger wins downhill training run at world championships
• Fiery debate continues in Senate over Guantanamo prison
• Brooke Pancake takes lead in suspended first round
• NATO beefs up response force to face Russia, Islamic threats
• U.S. pressing Cuba to restore diplomatic ties before April: officials
• Obama poised to ask Congress for new war authorization
• Haiti demonstrators protest against gas prices in capital
• Pope says it's OK to spank kids, if their dignity is kept
• Nicaragua canal developers collect 15,000 relics along route
• UN chief wants more peacekeepers for CAR
• Argentina fails to find ex-spy chief tied to dead prosecutor case
• Nigeria's election body insists no need for vote delay
• France and Egypt negotiating Rafale fighter jet deal: newspaper
• 'Dodo the Pimp', key to Strauss-Kahn case, says he's not a pimp
• Captive Syria reporter's family steps up release bid
• US moves pilot-rescue aircraft closer to battlefields
• 13 hospitalized after gas explosion in Trinidad; 3 critical
• Jordan frees ex-mentor of killed Iraq Qaeda chief
• American Samoa couple gets home confinement for fraud

German, French leaders take Ukraine peace plan to Moscow Posted: 05 Feb 2015 12:37 PM PST By Richard Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk KIEV (Reuters) - The leaders of Germany and France announced a new peace plan for Ukraine on Thursday, flying to Kiev with a proposal they would then take on to Moscow. The coordinated trip by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande comes as rebels advanced on a railway hub held by Ukrainian troops after launching an offensive that scuppered a five-month-old ceasefire. The importance of reaching a deal was demonstrated by a dramatic collapse in Ukraine's hryvnia currency, which lost nearly a third of its value after the central bank halted daily auctions at which it sold hard currency to banks. With Washington moving toward a decision soon on arming Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also visited Kiev on Thursday.

Jordan releases leading al Qaeda mentor: security source Posted: 05 Feb 2015 10:58 AM PST Jordanian authorities released an imprisoned spiritual leader linked to al Qaeda, Sheikh Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, on Thursday, a security source said. There was no immediate announcement of the reason for his release two days after the al Qaeda offshoot Islamic State issued a video showing a captive Jordanian pilot being burned alive. The self-taught intellectual was seen as the spiritual guide of al Qaeda's late leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, but later disowned him for killing civilians indiscriminately.

U.S. moves rescue assets to Iraq in fight against Islamic State Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:07 PM PST The United States has sent search and rescue assets to northern Iraq in recent days, bolstering its ability to recover coalition personnel in the U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria, U.S. officials said on Thursday. The deployments follow a decision by the United Arab Emirates to suspend its participation in coalition air strikes in December over pilot safety concerns after a Jordanian pilot was captured by the group in Syria. The United Arab Emirates had called on the United States to establish better search-and-rescue capability. A source familiar with the views of governments in the region said the Emirates were keen on re-engaging in combat operations against Islamic State and likely to resume flights once an enhanced rescue capability is operational.

Jordan military jets pound Islamic State as king comforts pilot's family Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:44 PM PST By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordanian fighter jets pounded Islamic State targets in Syria on Thursday, before roaring over the hometown of the pilot killed by the militants while King Abdullah consoled the victim's family. A statement from the Jordanian armed forces said tens of jets were deployed in the attacks, which destroyed ammunition depots and training camps run by the Islamic State. Witnesses overheard the monarch telling the pilot's father the planes were returning from the militant-held city of Raqqa. The show of force came two days after the ultra-hardline Islamic State released a video showing captured Jordanian pilot Mouath al-Kasaesbeh being burned alive in a cage as masked militants in camouflage uniforms looked on.

Heavy fighting in Libya's Benghazi as army pushes to take port Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:22 PM PST By Ayman al-Warfalli BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Clashes erupted in the center of Libya's main eastern city Benghazi on Thursday as pro-government forces pushed to take the port district from Islamist militants, and seven soldiers were killed, witnesses and military officials said. The fighting mirrors a wider struggle in the oil-producing North African state where two governments and parliaments, allied to rival armed groups, are vying for control almost four years after Muammar Gaddafi fell to an armed uprising. Backed by forces led by General Khalifa Haftar, army special forces in mid-October launched an offensive against Islamists in Benghazi, expelling them from the airport area and from several camps the army had lost during the summer.

U.S. defense chief voices fear of north-south NATO divide Posted: 05 Feb 2015 09:37 AM PST By David Alexander and Adrian Croft BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel expressed concern on Thursday about a possible north-south divide in NATO and urged the alliance to tackle multiple security issues at once rather than focusing on only one. Hagel, making his final appearance at NATO as U.S. defense chief, said the alliance faced several challenges, including violent extremism on its southern rim, Russian aggression in Ukraine and training security forces in Afghanistan. "And I worry about the potential for division between our northern and southern allies." Hagel's remarks came as NATO allies, especially along the northern tier of Europe, are concerned about responding to Russian aggression in Ukraine and Moscow's threatening moves along its northwestern frontier. In southern Europe, countries like Spain and Italy worry about threats from Africa and the Middle East and believe NATO needs to focus more energy there to deal with extremism and trafficking in drugs, weapons and people.

Police raid Bosnian village that displayed IS flag Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:39 PM PST Police special forces carried out a raid Thursday in a Bosnian village home to Muslim fundamentalists, after media published photos of local houses displaying the flag of the Islamic State group. By the time forces arrived "the flags were no longer hanging" in the northeastern village of Gornja Maoca, said Kristina Jozic, a spokeswoman for state police agency SIPA. Local television station FTV had on Wednesday broadcast photos showing the black and white flags of the IS jihadists hanging from the roof of a house, saying the images were taken in Gornja Maoca. Bosnian officials also carried out several raids at the end of 2014 against local Wahhabis, leading to the arrest of 26 people suspected of being members of IS or other jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq, or of having recruited fighters in Bosnia.

Arum: Mayweather-Pacquiao TV issues resolved, others remain Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:34 PM PST HBO and Showtime have agreed on how they would broadcast a fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, promoter Bob Arum said on Thursday, leaving only two remaining issues to be settled before the much anticipated May 2 fight can be signed.

Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:32 PM PST TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — From the start of the flight in Taiwan's capital, survivor Huang Jin-sun suspected trouble. "There was some sound next to me. It did not feel right shortly after takeoff. The engine did not feel right," the 72-year-old man told ETTV television Thursday from his hospital bed.

Land rights activist killed in Mexican state; 4 detained Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:27 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Police in Mexico have detained four men suspected of involvement in the killing of a land rights activist from the state of Morelos.

French, German leaders push new peace plan for east Ukraine Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:18 PM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Carrying a peace plan that reportedly incorporates proposals from Russia, the leaders of Germany and France met Thursday with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in a hastily arranged mission to bring an end to the accelerated fighting in the east of the country.

Austria's Reichelt wins super-G at worlds; Miller gashes leg Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:14 PM PST BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Bode Miller smacked a gate so hard he crashed, opening a deep gash on his right calf. Norway's Kjetil Jansrud later hit another panel and had to have his left shoulder checked out.

Florida scientists develop way to detect mislabeled fish Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:10 PM PST By Zachary Fagenson MIAMI (Reuters) - A pair of Florida scientists have developed a device they say can genetically verify whether imported fish destined for dining tables are grouper or less expensive, potentially harmful Asian catfish often passed off for the popular firm-fleshed fillets. By early summer, Tampa-based PureMolecular LLC hopes to begin selling the fist-sized machines for about $2,000 apiece, said John Paul, the company's chief executive and a marine science professor at the University of South Florida. Retailers trying to profit from mislabeling cheaper seafood as more expensive varieties have come under increasing fire from consumer and environmental activists and from seafood vendors who find it harder to charge the full price for properly labeled fish. One group estimates that up to a third of the fish consumed in the United States could be mislabeled.

North Korea defector to world: Look beyond 'beatings, camps' Posted: 05 Feb 2015 04:10 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A North Korean defector whose memoir describes his meeting with Kim Jong Il says the world's intense focus on the regime's human rights record fails to see the full scope of its inhumanity to its people.

Man, 19, accused of lying to FBI agents in terrorism probe Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:54 PM PST ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) — A 19-year-ol man is accused of lying to the FBI during a terrorism investigation after authorities say he and three other young men from Minnesota took a bus to New York City and tried to board flights overseas.

Clean-up at fiery ethanol train derailment site in Iowa starts Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:47 PM PST Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd on Thursday started clearing the site of a train derailment in a remote location north of Dubuque, Iowa, that spilled ethanol from carriages and set three cars on fire, a spokesman for the railway said. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation asked the White House to review a proposal that would set new standards for tank car design as officials aim to prevent fiery derailments. The U.S. ethanol industry has pushed back on the new rules, saying regulators should distinguish between corn-based biofuel and crude oil. All the fires at the derailment have burned out and two cars have been put back on the rails and removed from the site, but 13 cars and 2 engines - including three cars sitting on the frozen Mississippi River - were still off the rails, the spokesman said.

Jordan minister on Islamic State strike: 'beginning of our retaliation' Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:37 PM PST Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said his country's strike against Islamic State in Syria on Thursday was just the start of its response to the militant group's immolation of its captured pilot last month. He said his country was "upping the ante" and going after the militants "with everything that we have." Jordan's military said it had deployed tens of fighter jets against Islamic State in Syria, which included bombing ammunition depots and training camps.

Tiger Woods withdraws because of tightness in lower back Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:34 PM PST SAN DIEGO (AP) — In an ominous start to his season, Tiger Woods walked off the course after 11 holes Thursday at the Farmers Insurance Open because of tightness in his lower back that he attributed to a fog delay.

Argentina calls ex-spy chief to testify in prosecutor death Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:33 PM PST BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The spy novel-like drama that has gripped Argentina since the mysterious death of President Cristina Fernandez's nemesis took a critical new twist Thursday when investigators called one of the country's most enigmatic spy chiefs to testify before them.

3 House Democrats to skip Netanyahu speech Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:30 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Three prominent US House Democrats are vowing to skip Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress next month, saying they disapprove of House Speaker John Boehner's decision to invite the Israeli leader without consulting President Barack Obama.

Fenninger wins downhill training run at world championships Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:28 PM PST BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Anna Fenninger of Austria remains fast on this course, winning a downhill training run Thursday at world championships.

Fiery debate continues in Senate over Guantanamo prison Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:26 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The fiery debate over whether to close the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison sparked anew Thursday as the Obama administration pushed back against a bill to restrict it from transferring terror subjects to other countries, while protesters in orange jumpsuits shouted it should be shuttered posthaste.

Brooke Pancake takes lead in suspended first round Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:23 PM PST PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Brooke Pancake shot a 6-under 67 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the suspended first round of the Bahamas LPGA Classic.

NATO beefs up response force to face Russia, Islamic threats Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:21 PM PST BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO defense ministers agreed Thursday to more than double the size of the alliance's Response Force and create a new quick-reaction force of 5,000 troops to meet simultaneous challenges from Russia and Islamic extremists.

U.S. pressing Cuba to restore diplomatic ties before April: officials Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:15 PM PST By Lesley Wroughton and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is pressing Cuba to allow the opening of its embassy in Havana by April, U.S. officials told Reuters, despite the Communist island's demand that it first be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. A refusal by Cuba to allow the United States to quickly establish an official embassy for the first time in half a century could complicate talks between the Cold War foes, reflecting enduring mistrust as they move to end decades of confrontation. Striking Cuba from the terrorism list could take until June or longer, although the White House is pushing officials to move quickly, said two U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the State Department's review to take Cuba off the list.

Obama poised to ask Congress for new war authorization Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:07 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is poised in coming days to ask Congress for new authority to use U.S. military force against Islamic State militants, the White House said Thursday. But the top Republican in Congress warned it won't be easy to pass the measure and that it will be up to Obama to rally support from lawmakers and the public.

Haiti demonstrators protest against gas prices in capital Posted: 05 Feb 2015 03:02 PM PST PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Demonstrators in Haiti's capital have burned a pickup truck and a car during a protest over gasoline prices and are threatening disrupt Carnival celebrations if the costs don't come down more.

Pope says it's OK to spank kids, if their dignity is kept Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:55 PM PST VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis says it's OK to spank your children to discipline them - as long as their dignity is maintained.

Nicaragua canal developers collect 15,000 relics along route Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:54 PM PST MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — A Chinese company granted a concession to build a transoceanic canal across Nicaragua has handed over more than 15,000 pre-Columbian relics to the government, a consultant said Thursday.

UN chief wants more peacekeepers for CAR Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:54 PM PST UN chief Ban Ki-moon is seeking to boost the UN force in the Central African Republic by 1,030 peacekeepers as the country prepares for elections, according to a letter released Thursday. Ban asked the Security Council in the letter to authorize the additional 750 military personnel and 280 police for MINUSCA, which stands at about 8,600.

Argentina fails to find ex-spy chief tied to dead prosecutor case Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:51 PM PST By Sarah Marsh and Richard Lough BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine investigators failed on Thursday to track down a former spymaster wanted for questioning over the death of a prosecutor who had accused President Cristina Fernandez of covering up Iran's alleged role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center. Prosecutors were unable to locate ex-counterintelligence boss Antonio Stiusso at three different addresses held in his name. One top official acknowledged the government did not know if Stiusso, who had been regarded as one of the most powerful operatives in Argentina's leading spy agency, was even in the country. Alberto Nisman was found dead in his apartment on Jan. 18, a day before he was due to testify about his claim that Fernandez sought to whitewash his findings that Iran was behind the attack on the Jewish center, run by the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, that killed 85 people in Buenos Aires.

Nigeria's election body insists no need for vote delay Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:49 PM PST Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan held talks Thursday on postponing next week's presidential election over mounting attacks by the radical Boko Haram group, but the election commission insisted on maintaining the date, a governor said. Jonathan held seven hours of talks with security officials, state governors, the election commission and former heads of state on whether to proceed with the vote in the face of growing bloodshed in the northeast, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha told journalists. Among those attending the meeting of the Council of State was Jonathan's main challenger in the election, General Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, who led Nigeria between 1983 and 1985.

France and Egypt negotiating Rafale fighter jet deal: newspaper Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:48 PM PST France is in advanced talks to sell Dassault Aviation-built Rafale fighter jets to Egypt for around 6 billion euros ($6.88 billion), Les Echos newspaper reported on Thursday. Despite exclusive negotiations with India for the last three years, Dassault has still not found a foreign buyer for its multi-role jet, the Rafale, billed to be one of the most effective and sophisticated fighter jets in the world, but also one of the most expensive. Paris and Cairo have enjoyed close economic ties in the past but turmoil in the north African state since president Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011 left Western governments wary of signing contracts, especially in the defense sector. With the recent rise to power of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ties have improved and both sides are concerned by the rise of jihadist groups in Libya and Egypt.

'Dodo the Pimp', key to Strauss-Kahn case, says he's not a pimp Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:47 PM PST The man nicknamed Dodo the Mackerel, the French slang for pimp, denied being a pimp when he gave evidence on Thursday in the case of ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, himself accused of procuring women. Strauss-Kahn has said that he never met brothel owner Dodo, real name Dominique Alderweireld, who is charged with providing women for paid services in France. The disgraced former International Monetary Fund chief, widely known in France as DSK, is due to take the stand next week. The trial is the latest in a series of cases offering a peek behind the bedroom door of a man once tipped as a potential challenger to former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Captive Syria reporter's family steps up release bid Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:44 PM PST The family of journalist Austin Tice, missing in Syria since mid-2012, said Thursday they believe he is alive as they stepped up a campaign to win his release. "After almost two and a half years, we feel like we need to let everybody know our son is missing and can you please help us get him home," said Debra Tice, who appeared with husband Marc Tice at a news conference at the National Press Club organized by the media rights group Reporters Without Borders. Tice, 33, abducted near Damascus on August 14, 2012, is not believed to be held by the Islamic State group which has claimed killing Japanese journalist Kenji Goto last month and American James Foley last year, according to Reporters Without Borders. Tice's parents were in Washington to participate in a White House-ordered review of policies to help families of Americans who are taken hostage overseas.

US moves pilot-rescue aircraft closer to battlefields Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:42 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The gruesome killing of a Jordanian pilot who had crashed in Islamic State territory laid bare a problem of the U.S.-led coalition — there is no sure way to rescue an airman who is down behind enemy lines. Now, in response, the U.S. has moved search-and-rescue aircraft closer to the battlefield, defense officials said Thursday.

13 hospitalized after gas explosion in Trinidad; 3 critical Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:40 PM PST PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — A gas explosion that caused a fire near Trinidad's capital has injured 13 people, including three reported in critical condition.

Jordan frees ex-mentor of killed Iraq Qaeda chief Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:36 PM PST Jordan on Thursday released from jail a key Salafist figure and former Al-Qaeda mentor arrested in October for allegedly propagating "terrorist" ideas, a judicial source said. The decision to free Issam Barqawi, who was once mentor to slain Al-Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was taken by the head of the state security court, a military tribunal. He ruled against a decision by the state prosecutor to put Barqawi on trial and ordered "his immediate release", the source said. When Barqawi was arrested, the prosecutor general accused him of "using the Internet to propagate the ideas of the terrorist group Al-Nusra Front", Al-Qaeda's Syria branch.

American Samoa couple gets home confinement for fraud Posted: 05 Feb 2015 02:33 PM PST PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — An American Samoa couple accused of stealing nearly $400,000 from a low-income housing project to pay off their credit cards, fund other businesses and help pay off a condo in Hawaii has been sentenced to home confinement and ordered to pay restitution.

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