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• More fighting, air strikes in Yemen, civilian death toll exceeds 550
• Hostage locations difficult to track - and may be getting harder
• U.N. aid chief urges Syria sanctions, Jolie pleads for refugee help
• Euro zone warns Greece no cash till full reform deal
• Israeli forces shoot and kill Palestinian armed with knives
• Killing of U.S. al Qaeda media frontman seen as big blow for militants
• Chileans moved after dangerous volcanic mudflows detected
• Court: Family of teen shot across border can't sue in US
• Benin votes in key test for president's controversial plans
• Former Buckeyes teammates Cook, Sindelar top Legends of Golf
• UN: Myanmar stability at risk if Rohingya issue not solved
• Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT
• Europe migrant military mission faces rough seas ahead
• Population of North American sage-grouse sharply declining: study
• Arctic nations to fight climate change despite Russia tensions
• Former Polish foreign minister Bartoszewski dies at 93
• Chill in the air as Arctic nations meet
• Niger battles deadly meningitis epidemic
• Conflict-hit Mali's economy returns to strong growth: IMF
• UN envoy sees slim chances for success of Syria talks
• Thousands turn out in Antipodes for Gallipoli centenary
• Former Yemen president calls for political dialogue to end war
• U.N. invites Syrian parties to Geneva peace talks in May
• Swafford, Weekley atop Zurich Classic leaderboard
• Canadian Henderson shoots tournament record for LPGA lead
• Angelina Jolie criticizes UN failures on Syria crisis
• Pentagon cites de-escalation of tensions over Iranian ships
• Man charged with making threats in Islamic State group case
• UN: High civilian toll in Yemen conflict; at least 550 dead
• Angelina Jolie rips world powers on Syria's refugee crisis
• Iran moves ships, reducing tensions near Yemen: Pentagon's Carter
• Despite tensions, US, Russia vow cooperation in the Arctic
• Review: Getting your Apple Watch? Here's how to use it
• Olympic sailing events may be moved from Rio's polluted bay
• Ton-up Brathwaite nudges Windies ahead
• Germany's Deutsche Bank changes tack on Postbank
• Kerry backs Saudi strikes in Yemen as long as Houthis fight
• Greece under fire from creditors as bailout talks drag

More fighting, air strikes in Yemen, civilian death toll exceeds 550 Posted: 24 Apr 2015 06:55 AM PDT By Mohammed Mukhashaf ADEN (Reuters) - Fighting between Yemen's warring factions raged in southern and central parts of the country and air strikes hit Houthi militia forces in Aden on Friday, but there were no fresh moves toward dialogue. Saudi Arabia says it is winding down its month-old bombing operation against the Iran-allied Houthis and forces loyal to Yemen's former president. The civilian death toll from the fighting and airstrikes since the bombing started on March 26 has reached an estimated 551 people, the United Nations said on Friday. Islamic State, which has had little presence in Yemen, released late on Thursday a video it said showed members of the group in the country conducting military exercises and pledging to attack the Houthis, who are from the Zaydi Shi'ite sect.

Hostage locations difficult to track - and may be getting harder Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:38 PM PDT By Warren Strobel and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. drone strike that accidentally killed two hostages in Pakistan exposes intelligence shortfalls that former and current U.S. officials say appear to be growing more frequent as militants expand their safe havens and as Washington gathers less on-the-ground human intelligence. Obtaining timely intelligence on hostages has always been difficult, especially in volatile regions where the United States has limited access and where militants have well-established operations.

U.N. aid chief urges Syria sanctions, Jolie pleads for refugee help Posted: 24 Apr 2015 12:49 PM PDT By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations aid chief on Friday urged the Security Council to impose an arms embargo and sanctions in Syria for violations of humanitarian law as special envoy Angelina Jolie pleaded with council members to visit millions of Syrian refugees. The aid official, Valerie Amos, also appealed to the council to mandate the United Nations' commission of inquiry on Syria to investigate besieged areas, the militarization of schools and hospitals, and attacks on those facilities. The United Nations says about 440,000 people are besieged in Syria's civil war, now in its fifth year.

Euro zone warns Greece no cash till full reform deal Posted: 24 Apr 2015 02:39 PM PDT By Robin Emmott and Ingrid Melander RIGA (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers warned Greece on Friday that its leftist government will get no more aid until it agrees a complete economic reform plan, as Athens lurches closer to bankruptcy. Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis faced a harsh morning in which euro zone ministers bemoaned talks they felt "were going nowhere" and one minister said that maybe it was time governments prepared for the plan B of a Greek default. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who chaired the meeting in the Latvian capital, slammed the door on Varoufakis' proposal for early cash after partial reforms.

Israeli forces shoot and kill Palestinian armed with knives Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:23 PM PDT Israeli troops shot and killed a young Palestinian man wielding two knives on Saturday as they gave chase after he tried to attack the troops near a checkpoint in the Jerusalem area, police said. The incident occurred at around midnight near the A-Zayyim checkpoint at the outskirts of East Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank, land Israel captured in a 1967 war that Palestinians seek for a state. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said that paramilitary border police fired warning shots into the air at the man. Violence in the Jerusalem area has flared on and off since just before a 50-day July-August Gaza war when Israelis killed a Palestinian youth in revenge for the slayings of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers.

Killing of U.S. al Qaeda media frontman seen as big blow for militants Posted: 24 Apr 2015 06:24 AM PDT By Robert Birsel ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The killing of an American who directed al Qaeda's media campaign from his Pakistani hideout is likely to be a big blow for the militants, especially as they wage a propaganda war with Islamic State. American al Qaeda member Adam Gadahn, who faced treason charges in the United States, was killed early this year in a strike on an al Qaeda camp in Pakistan, near the Afghan border, U.S. officials said on Thursday. He was the man on their media front line," said Ahmed Rashid, a Pakistani author and expert on the Taliban and al Qaeda. "Given the success of ISIS in media and social media, he would have been much needed, especially in communicating with English-speaking audiences and on web sites and so on," he said, referring to Islamic State.

Chileans moved after dangerous volcanic mudflows detected Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:03 PM PDT ENSENADA, Chile (AP) — Authorities urged 2,000 people living near the Calbuco volcano to evacuate Friday after potentially devastating mudflows of volcanic debris were detected in a nearby river, the result of two huge eruptions this week that sent ash across large swaths of southern South America.

Court: Family of teen shot across border can't sue in US Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:54 PM PDT NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A U.S. Border Patrol agent who killed a teenager when he fired across the border from Texas into Mexico cannot be sued in U.S. courts by the Mexican teen's family, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

Benin votes in key test for president's controversial plans Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:54 PM PDT Benin goes to the polls this weekend in legislative elections seen as a test for President Thomas Boni Yayi, whose controversial plans to change the constitution could be crushed if the opposition makes gains. Boni Yayi has led the small west Africa nation since 2006 and his two-term limit expires next year. "The challenge for the ruling party is to have a large majority in the national assembly, which would allow the president to realise consitutional reforms and maybe authorise (his) third term," said Gilles Yabi, a west Africa specialist based in Dakar. Benin boasts a relatively strong democratic record compared to other countries in turbulent west Africa.

Former Buckeyes teammates Cook, Sindelar top Legends of Golf Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:52 PM PDT RIDGEDALE, Mo. (AP) — Former Ohio State teammates John Cook and Joey Sindelar shot a 10-under 60 in better-ball play Friday to take the first-round lead in the Champions Tour's Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf.

UN: Myanmar stability at risk if Rohingya issue not solved Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:39 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations secretary-general is warning Myanmar that stability in its most sensitive region can't be achieved unless it addresses the issue of citizenship for minority Rohingya Muslims.

Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:02 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Washington next week comes amid heightened attention in Congress to an Asia-Pacific trade deal that has created a deep rift between President Barack Obama and members of his Democratic Party and whose central feature is liberalized commerce between the U.S. and Japan. White House officials said Friday that Obama and Abe are not expected to announce a final agreement on trade talks between the two nations. Officials said negotiators have made progress, but differences remain over how to reduce U.S. auto tariffs and Japanese barriers on U.S. agriculture products.

Europe migrant military mission faces rough seas ahead Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:27 PM PDT The Mediterranean's worst migrant shipwreck has spurred the EU to plan a military mission against people smugglers, but it will be hard to implement and risks reinforcing the image of an uncaring "Fortress Europe". After more than 700 people drowned in last weekend's tragedy off the Libyan coast, European leaders agreed at a special crisis summit on Thursday to take a series of steps to tackle the problem. "No matter how far beyond the Mediterranean the EU expands 'Fortress Europe', it will never stop people from risking their lives to enter Europe if the root causes of their situation are not tackled," Caritas said in a statement Friday. Over it all hangs the spectre of the NATO air war that toppled Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 -- which some in Europe blame for the chaos and political vacuum that has led to the flood of Mediterranean migrants.

Population of North American sage-grouse sharply declining: study Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:25 PM PDT By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The number of breeding males in the greater sage-grouse population of the United States and part of Canada has declined by 56 percent in recent years, in a sign of trouble for the ground-dwelling bird, a study released on Friday showed. The study from the Pew Charitable Trusts comes as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepares to make a decision before the end of September on whether the bird should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced on that a sub-species of the sage-grouse found in California and Nevada did not require protection under the Endangered Species Act. Millions of sage-grouse are believed to have once inhabited a broad expanse of the Western United States and Canada.

Arctic nations to fight climate change despite Russia tensions Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:25 PM PDT By Arshad Mohammed IQALUIT, Nunavut (Reuters) - The eight Arctic Council nations pledged on Friday to do more to combat climate change that is shrinking the vast frigid region, with countries trying to put aside disputes over issues like Russia's intervention in Ukraine. Meeting in the Canadian town of Iqaluit, 300 km (200 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States pledged to work to address emissions of black carbon and methane. During the meeting, the nations sought to play down their divisions, notably over Russia's March 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine as well as the West's view -- denied by Russia -- that Russian troops support separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia also caused unease in March when it began military exercises across the country, including in the Arctic, involving more than 45,000 troops as well as war planes and submarines.

Former Polish foreign minister Bartoszewski dies at 93 Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:11 PM PDT WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, a former Auschwitz prisoner and member of Poland's underground World War II resistance who helped save Jews and later served twice as the country's foreign minister, died Friday in Warsaw. He was 93.

Chill in the air as Arctic nations meet Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:04 PM PDT Arctic nations warned Friday of the dangers facing the environment and the peoples of the remote region, as it now also becomes a new flashpoint in global tensions with Russia. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as everywhere else on the globe and US officials last month said the Arctic sea ice had reached its lowest winter point since satellite observations began in the late 1970s. "One of the biggest challenges everybody has talked about today is climate change. The numbers are alarming -- and that's putting it mildly," US Secretary of State John Kerry told ministers as the United States took over from Canada as the chairman of the Arctic Council.

Niger battles deadly meningitis epidemic Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:03 PM PDT Parents cradling sick children in their arms streamed into a treatment centre in Niger's capital Niamey, the victims of a meningitis epidemic that has claimed over 100 lives and appears to be accelerating. "My son has been fighting death for five days," said Amadou Hassane, looking lost as he waited at the clinic in the Lazaret neighbourhood. "Allahu Akbar (God is greatest)," said Ali Moussa, 45, a farmer.

Conflict-hit Mali's economy returns to strong growth: IMF Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:58 PM PDT Mali's economy posted growth of 7.2 percent in 2014, the International Monetary Fund said Friday, in an encouraging sign of recovery from the chaos of a coup and Islamist takeover. Christian Josz, the IMF's mission chief in Mali, told reporters in the capital Bamako that the figure compared with weak 1.7 percent growth in 2013 and stagnation in 2012. In December last year the IMF lifted a block on aid to Mali, frozen for six months after the impoverished west African nation lavished $40 million on a presidential plane. The IMF announced the resumption of disbursements under its $46 million credit for Mali, set in December 2013 to help the country as it emerged from a security and political crisis.

UN envoy sees slim chances for success of Syria talks Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:44 PM PDT UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura told the Security Council Friday he sees slim chances for success in the latest round of talks next month to end the internecine conflict, diplomats said. During closed discussions with the 15-member council, de Mistura acknowledged that the "odds and conditions for launching a political transition are no better now than six months ago" and the Damascus regime and opposition forces aren't showing "much new willingness to negotiate" in the four-year war.

Thousands turn out in Antipodes for Gallipoli centenary Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:43 PM PDT By Matt Siegel SYDNEY (Reuters) - Thousands turned out across Australia and New Zealand on Saturday morning for dawn services commemorating the 100th anniversary of the doomed World War One campaign at Gallipoli, an event viewed by many as the nations' foundational myth. The battle on Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula was one of the bloodiest of the Great War, as thousands of soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were cut down by machinegun and artillery fire as they struggled ashore on a narrow beach. The national day of remembrance began before dawn with a service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, as Able Seaman Boatswain's Mate Alan Patterson from the Royal Australian Navy playing a dirge on the Didgeridoo in the cold early darkness. Chaplain Group Captain Peter Friend followed a hymn with a reading in remembrance of Australia's veterans.

Former Yemen president calls for political dialogue to end war Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:42 PM PDT Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh called on Friday on all Yemenis to return to a political dialogue to end to the country's conflict. Talks between Yemenis and Saudi Arabia, which has led a nearly month-long bombing campaign against the Iran-allied Houthi movement, must take place under the moderation of the United Nations in Geneva, he said. The Saudi-led coalition announced on Tuesday an end to its bombing campaign in Yemen but a Saudi spokesman said forces would continue to target the Houthis as necessary. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the Houthis needed to stop fighting, which could lead to the end of Saudi air strikes and the opening of a political dialogue.

U.N. invites Syrian parties to Geneva peace talks in May Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:41 PM PDT By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations envoy to Syria said on Friday he will begin meeting in May with the country's government, opposition groups, and regional powers including Iran to assess by the end of June whether there is any hope brokering an end to the war. Staffan de Mistura briefed the U.N. Security Council on the latest bid to find a political solution to the 4-year conflict that has killed some 220,000 people, displaced an estimated 7.6 million and forced nearly 4 million to flee the country. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked de Mistura earlier this month to "focus much more to re-launch a political process" after his attempt to broker a local truce in the northern city of Aleppo failed to materialize. "There is nothing new telling us today that the political process will succeed or not," de Mistura told reporters.

Swafford, Weekley atop Zurich Classic leaderboard Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:04 PM PDT AVONDALE, La. (AP) — Hudson Swafford didn't want to dwell on the pressure of the high-stakes weekend that awaits him.

Canadian Henderson shoots tournament record for LPGA lead Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:38 PM PDT DALY CITY, Calif. (AP) — Brooke Henderson has no photo on the LPGA Tour's website and has had to rely on sponsor exemptions to get into tournaments after failing to earn a card in qualifying school.

Angelina Jolie criticizes UN failures on Syria crisis Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:35 PM PDT Actress Angelina Jolie on Friday criticized the UN Security Council's failure to end the war in Syria, as she appealed for urgent help for the growing ranks of Syrian refugees. The Hollywood star spoke at the council in her role as special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which has seen her visit camps hosting victims of the Syrian crisis 11 times. "The purpose of the UN is to prevent and end conflict, to bring countries together, to find diplomatic solutions and to save lives," said Jolie, dressed in a white blazer. She fumed at the stalemate, as ambassadors and ministers gathered for a debate on the humanitarian crisis tearing the country apart.

Pentagon cites de-escalation of tensions over Iranian ships Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:34 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The prospect of a U.S.-Iranian confrontation over the potential delivery of Iranian weapons to rebels in Yemen has receded, Pentagon officials said Friday.

Man charged with making threats in Islamic State group case Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:32 PM PDT ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A man has been charged with threatening law enforcement officials and an informant after authorities charged six men earlier this week with trying to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group.

UN: High civilian toll in Yemen conflict; at least 550 dead Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:30 PM PDT SANAA, Yemen (AP) — With combatants fighting in neighborhoods and Saudi-led coalition warplanes pounding Iran-backed rebels from the sky, Yemen's war is wreaking a particularly bloody toll among civilians: more than 550 have been killed in the past month, including 115 children, the U.N. said Friday.

Angelina Jolie rips world powers on Syria's refugee crisis Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:28 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Actress Angelina Jolie pleaded with world powers Friday to help the millions of Syrian refugees, sharply criticizing the U.N. Security Council for being paralyzed by its division over Syria's four-year conflict.

Iran moves ships, reducing tensions near Yemen: Pentagon's Carter Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:28 PM PDT A flotilla of nine Iranian military and cargo ships that U.S. officials feared was carrying arms to strife-torn Yemen sailed northeast in the direction of Iran on Friday, a move the Pentagon said helped to ease U.S. concerns. "The (Iranian) ships have turned around ... Obviously what their onward plans are, we don't know," Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a small group of journalists traveling with him after a trip to California. Army Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said earlier the flotilla was in international waters about midway along the coast of Oman on Friday and still headed northeast. Warren declined to say the ships were going back to Iran or headed toward Iran.

Despite tensions, US, Russia vow cooperation in the Arctic Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:22 PM PDT IQALUIT, Canada (AP) — The United States, Russia and other Arctic countries looked past Ukraine's civil war and other tensions Friday, vowing to cooperate on preventing oil spills near the North Pole and combating climate change in a region warming faster than any other.

Review: Getting your Apple Watch? Here's how to use it Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:22 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Apple Watches have arrived to the first group of people who had ordered one two weeks ago.

Olympic sailing events may be moved from Rio's polluted bay Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:19 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The world governing body of sailing threated Friday to move all of its events for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics out of the city's Guanabara Bay if action isn't taken quickly to clean the heavily polluted body of water that many sailors have described as an "open sewer."

Ton-up Brathwaite nudges Windies ahead Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:14 PM PDT St. George's (Grenada) (AFP) - Kraigg Brathwaite's unbeaten 101 anchored a determined West Indies second innings as the home side reached 202 for two at stumps on the fourth day of the second Test against England on Friday. First innings centurion Marlon Samuels, who generated considerable media attention for his saluting send-off of all-rounder Ben Stokes following his dismissal late on the third day, will resume on the last morning on 22 alongside Brathwaite. Known for his stodgy defiance, Brathwaite actually outscored the more flamboyant Darren Bravo for much of their 142-run second-wicket partnership. With Samuels calm and composed at the other end, the 22-year-old Barbadian duly completed his fourth Test hundred in the last nine matches, forcing seamer James Anderson through the off-side in the penultimate over of the day to reach the milestone off 228 deliveries with 11 fours.

Germany's Deutsche Bank changes tack on Postbank Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:12 PM PDT BERLIN (AP) — Germany's Deutsche Bank AG says it plans to "deconsolidate" its Postbank retail banking unit, in which it has held a majority since 2010.

Kerry backs Saudi strikes in Yemen as long as Houthis fight Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:10 PM PDT IQALUIT, Canada (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry is backing Saudi Arabian airstrikes against Houthi rebels as long as the rebels persist in attacking Yemeni government forces.

Greece under fire from creditors as bailout talks drag Posted: 24 Apr 2015 03:08 PM PDT RIGA, Latvia (AP) — European creditors turned up the heat on Greece Friday to deliver an economic reform program that it needs to avoid a possible default and even an exit from the euro.

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