Yahoo! News: World News

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• Blatter wins fifth FIFA term as challenger concedes
• Special Report: Russian fighters, caught in Ukraine, cast adrift by Moscow
• Exclusive: U.S. tried Stuxnet-style campaign against North Korea but failed - sources
• With no peace, Ukraine is beset by humanitarian risks: U.N.
• Multi-vehicle crash in Egypt kills 16, including conscripts: officials
• France's UMP party changes name to The Republicans, boosting Sarkozy
• Battle over ownership of giant emerald may be over
• Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT
• Morgan Pressel leads ShopRite LPGA Classic
• Puerto Rico's governor signs tax bill into law
• Australia welcomes UN call on Great Barrier Reef
• Nigeria's new president pledges fight against Boko Haram
• Michigan signs 6-foot-10 German to letter of intent
• Puerto Rico governor signs law raising sales tax to 11.5 pct
• Will Power wins pole, sets track record at Belle Isle
• Pentagon: Anthrax shipments broader than first thought
• Texas seeks presidential disaster declaration after storms kill 21
• US judge jails Silk Road mastermind for life
• Video shows Canada Parliament gunman praying before attack
• Andres becomes first hurricane of year in eastern Pacific; still no threat to land
• Canada may now strip militants of citizenship
• So far, so very good for Roger Federer at the French Open
• Russia releases 89-name EU travel blacklist
• Blatter says he has surprises to improve FIFA image
• Belgium, Czech Republic rapped over smacking children
• Truck bombs: the Islamic State's 'air force'
• THE LATEST: Police raid businesses named in FIFA indictment
• Canada attorney general quitting politics
• Rwanda bans BBC broadcasts over genocide documentary
• Mexico: Shootout in Baja California Sur kills 2 suspects
• Ethiopia opposition says elections an 'undemocratic disgrace'
• China deployed artillery in S.China Sea: US officials
• Officials: Gunmen hijack buses in Pakistan, kill 19
• Mauritius president steps down
• UK Jewish group causes furore with women drivers ban
• US drops Cuba from terror blacklist in landmark move
• Hamlin wins the pole at Dover International Speedway
• This has been a month of extreme weather around the world
• U.S. Soccer chief 'disappointed' in FIFA election

Blatter wins fifth FIFA term as challenger concedes Posted: 29 May 2015 03:29 PM PDT By Mike Collett and Brian Homewood ZURICH (Reuters) - Sepp Blatter was re-elected president of FIFA for a fifth term on Friday after his only challenger conceded defeat in an election overshadowed by allegations of rampant corruption in world soccer. Blatter won despite demands that he quit in the face of a major bribery scandal being investigated by U.S., Swiss and other law enforcement agencies that plunged soccer's governing body into the worst crisis in its 111-year history. Neither Blatter nor Jordanian opponent Prince Ali bin Al Hussein received the necessary two thirds of votes in the first round, with Blatter securing 133 votes against 73 for Prince Ali.

Special Report: Russian fighters, caught in Ukraine, cast adrift by Moscow Posted: 29 May 2015 03:11 AM PDT Alexandrov, 28, says he's a Russian soldier who was captured in east Ukraine after being sent there on active duty with Russian special forces to help separatists fighting Kiev. "I was carrying out my orders." Yet Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the face of widespread evidence to the contrary, has repeatedly said there are no Russian soldiers in Ukraine – only volunteers who have gone to help the separatists of their own accord.

Exclusive: U.S. tried Stuxnet-style campaign against North Korea but failed - sources Posted: 29 May 2015 11:59 AM PDT By Joseph Menn SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The United States tried to deploy a version of the Stuxnet computer virus to attack North Korea's nuclear weapons program five years ago but ultimately failed, according to people familiar with the covert campaign. The operation began in tandem with the now-famous Stuxnet attack that sabotaged Iran's nuclear program in 2009 and 2010 by destroying a thousand or more centrifuges that were enriching uranium. Reuters and others have reported that the Iran attack was a joint effort by U.S. and Israeli forces.

With no peace, Ukraine is beset by humanitarian risks: U.N. Posted: 29 May 2015 02:21 PM PDT By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - Ukraine's flawed ceasefire has left pensioners, infants and women mired in a humanitarian crisis that could get rapidly better or rapidly worse, the U.N.'s top representative in the country said in an interview on Friday. A Feb. 12 Minsk ceasefire agreement was "not really working", with hundreds of shelling incidents every day, said Neal Walker, U.N. resident coordinator in Ukraine. "Very clearly, you have a huge humanitarian risk if the conflict escalates," Walker told Reuters.

Multi-vehicle crash in Egypt kills 16, including conscripts: officials Posted: 29 May 2015 04:13 PM PDT At least 16 people were killed, including some military conscripts, in a multi-vehicle crash south of Cairo late on Friday, health ministry officials said. Health ministry spokesman Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar told Reuters that a police car, a taxi and a mini-bus crashed in the village of al-Shousha in the Beni Soueif governorate, killing 16 people and wounding four. The state-run Al Ahram news portal cited a health ministry official in Beni Soueif as saying that among the 16 killed, 13 were conscripts and three were civilians.

France's UMP party changes name to The Republicans, boosting Sarkozy Posted: 29 May 2015 02:00 PM PDT French conservatives overwhelmingly backed renaming their UMP party "The Republicans" on Friday in a boost for former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who wants to use the re-branding as a springboard for the 2017 presidential election. With 83 percent of the party's more than 210,000 members backing the name change, the vote marked a new step in Sarkozy's political comeback, although it remains at risk from challengers within the party and his judicial woes. "We call on all Republicans to rally around us," Sarkozy said in a statement.

Battle over ownership of giant emerald may be over Posted: 29 May 2015 05:08 PM PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) — The legal battle over ownership of a 752-pound (341-kilogram) emerald may have been settled after six years and millions of dollars in legal and other costs.

Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 29 May 2015 05:02 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. says it expects to begin surveillance flights in Thai airspace in the next few days to help search for boat people stranded in Southeast Asian seas. The U.S. Navy has been conducting flights out of Malaysia for nearly a week, identifying one possible refugee vessel so far. Although Thailand is a U.S. treaty ally, it has been more reticent, citing national security concerns.

Morgan Pressel leads ShopRite LPGA Classic Posted: 29 May 2015 04:55 PM PDT GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Morgan Pressel wasn't thrilled with the first 16 holes she played Friday in the first round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Her final two holes really improved her demeanor.

Puerto Rico's governor signs tax bill into law Posted: 29 May 2015 04:53 PM PDT (Reuters) - Puerto Rico's governor on Friday signed into law a tax bill that is expected to provide the commonwealth with about $1.2 billion in much-needed additional tax revenue for the next fiscal year. The tax law, signed in by Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla, allows Puerto Rico to pursue negotiations with hedge funds and other creditors over a bond deal of up to $2.95 billion. "This consensus measure mitigates the difficult fiscal situation facing the Puerto Rico government," said Victor Suarez, the chief of staff of the governor's office.

Australia welcomes UN call on Great Barrier Reef Posted: 29 May 2015 04:53 PM PDT Australia has welcomed a draft decision by the United Nations to keep the Great Barrier Reef off its endangered list, saying Saturday the move was an endorsement of the government's plans. Climate change, poor water quality and impacts from port development have threatened the natural wonder, the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem, stoking fears the World Heritage Site could be formally listed as "in danger".

Nigeria's new president pledges fight against Boko Haram Posted: 29 May 2015 04:49 PM PDT ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's new president was sworn in on Friday and pledged to tackle Boko Haram "head on," asserting the fight against the Islamic extremists wouldn't be won until hundreds of schoolgirls abducted last year and other kidnapping victims were brought home alive.

Michigan signs 6-foot-10 German to letter of intent Posted: 29 May 2015 04:47 PM PDT ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan basketball has signed 6-foot-10 German forward Moritz Wagner to a letter of intent.

Puerto Rico governor signs law raising sales tax to 11.5 pct Posted: 29 May 2015 04:42 PM PDT SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor has signed into law a bill increasing the U.S. territory's sales tax from 7 percent to 11.5 percent. It is scheduled to go into effect July 1.

Will Power wins pole, sets track record at Belle Isle Posted: 29 May 2015 04:13 PM PDT DETROIT (AP) — Will Power won his first pole at Belle Isle in emphatic fashion.

Pentagon: Anthrax shipments broader than first thought Posted: 29 May 2015 04:10 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Friday that the Army's mistaken shipments of live anthrax to research laboratories were more widespread than it initially reported, prompting the Defense Department's second-ranking official to order a thorough review.

Texas seeks presidential disaster declaration after storms kill 21 Posted: 29 May 2015 03:49 PM PDT By Lisa Maria Garza and Jim Forsyth DALLAS (Reuters) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott sought a presidential disaster declaration on Friday after severe weather this week killed at least 21 people, caused massive flooding and prompted evacuations. Storms that battered North Texas on Thursday and Friday added more runoff to swollen rivers and prompted hundreds of calls for help in Dallas, where some areas saw up to seven inches (17.8 cm) of rain. "Communities across the State of Texas have experienced devastating destruction, injury and – most tragically – loss of life due to the major and (an) unceasing severe weather system that has been impacting our state for weeks," said Abbott, who has declared 70 counties disaster areas.

US judge jails Silk Road mastermind for life Posted: 29 May 2015 03:49 PM PDT The American convicted of masterminding the criminal website Silk Road was sentenced in court Friday to life in prison over the online enterprise that sold $200 million in drugs to customers worldwide. It was the maximum possible punishment for Ross Ulbricht, who was convicted in February by a jury on seven counts of narcotics trafficking, criminal enterprise, computer hacking and money laundering. The 31-year-old with a graduate degree displayed no emotion as he stood in dark prison scrubs to hear his fate read by Federal Judge Katherine Forrest, as his devoted parents sat in the packed gallery.

Video shows Canada Parliament gunman praying before attack Posted: 29 May 2015 03:48 PM PDT A gunman who fatally shot a soldier in Canada's capital last October, and then stormed Parliament, prayed for guidance and cursed his foes, previously unreleased sections of a video he made before the attacks show. Michael Zehaf-Bibeau made the short video on his cell phone, sitting in a car, before launching his attacks in Ottawa on Oct. 22. The unedited video was released by police on Friday.

Andres becomes first hurricane of year in eastern Pacific; still no threat to land Posted: 29 May 2015 03:45 PM PDT MIAMI (AP) — Andres becomes first hurricane of year in eastern Pacific; still no threat to land.

Canada may now strip militants of citizenship Posted: 29 May 2015 03:42 PM PDT Ottawa (AFP) - A revised Canadian immigration law came into force Friday enabling the government to revoke the citizenship of persons convicted of terrorism, treason, spying or taking up arms against Canadian soldiers.

So far, so very good for Roger Federer at the French Open Posted: 29 May 2015 03:33 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — One of Roger Federer's 5-year-old twin daughters had her nose buried in a comic book. The other was glued to a mobile phone. Shame, really, that they didn't look up, because the tennis their father wove on the French Open center court verged on art.

Russia releases 89-name EU travel blacklist Posted: 29 May 2015 03:30 PM PDT Moscow has released a blacklist of European Union politicians barred from Russia in response to EU sanctions over Crimea and Ukraine, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday. "Russia yesterday handed over a list of people to diverse EU embassies who may not enter Russia any longer," Rutte said at a weekly press conference, adding that two Dutch MPs and a Dutch MEP were on the list. The list contains 89 names, according to a letter from Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders tweeted by Belgian MEP Mark Demesmaeker.

Blatter says he has surprises to improve FIFA image Posted: 29 May 2015 03:29 PM PDT Sepp Blatter says he knows how to create a better image for FIFA and promises to unveil surprising plans on the first working day of his fifth term as president. Buoyant after being re-elected at the Congress of soccer's ruling body on Friday, the 79-year-old Swiss told FIFA TV he would have time to work on his plans after the "tragic events" involving officials at his organisation earlier this week.

Belgium, Czech Republic rapped over smacking children Posted: 29 May 2015 03:28 PM PDT A top rights body on Friday said Belgium and the Czech Republic were violating a European treaty because they have not yet fully banned the smacking of children. The Council of Europe said the "corporal punishment of children is not subject to a sufficiently clear, binding and precise ban" in the two countries. The Council of Europe's criticism follows a complaint lodged by the Britain-based child protection charity Approach, which says that the laws in seven European countries violate the European Social Charter, a treaty first adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996.

Truck bombs: the Islamic State's 'air force' Posted: 29 May 2015 03:25 PM PDT They're easy to drive and hard to stop, can be made on a farm and destroy a city block: the Islamic State group's monstrous truck bombs are reshaping the battlefield. The jihadists used about 30 explosives-rigged vehicles in the Iraqi city of Ramadi this month, blasting their way through positions government and allied fighters had managed to hold for more than a year. When a position is too well defended for a more conventional advance, a suicide driver steers a truck bomb, protected by the makeshift armour, through enemy fire and straight to his target.

THE LATEST: Police raid businesses named in FIFA indictment Posted: 29 May 2015 03:22 PM PDT ZURICH (AP) — The latest on FIFA developments:

Canada attorney general quitting politics Posted: 29 May 2015 03:15 PM PDT Attorney General Peter MacKay, who with Prime Minister Stephen Harper united Canada's right and helped steer the Tories through a tumultuous nine years in power, announced Friday he is quitting politics. Ottawa is still reviewing those decisions.

Rwanda bans BBC broadcasts over genocide documentary Posted: 29 May 2015 03:09 PM PDT Rwanda on Friday slapped an indefinite ban on BBC local language broadcasts as punishment for a controversial documentary on the central African country's leadership and the 1994 genocide. The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) said the BBC radio services in the local Kinyarwanda language that are broadcast locally would be halted and the affair referred to the country's prosecutor-general. The BBC documentary, "Rwanda's Untold Story", was broadcast in October last year, and RURA said it violated laws against "genocide denial and revisionism" and "inciting hatred and divisionism among Rwandans".

Mexico: Shootout in Baja California Sur kills 2 suspects Posted: 29 May 2015 03:04 PM PDT LA PAZ, Mexico (AP) — Mexican authorities say a clash between armed men and police killed two gunmen and wounded an officer in the state of Baja California Sur.

Ethiopia opposition says elections an 'undemocratic disgrace' Posted: 29 May 2015 03:02 PM PDT Ethiopia's main opposition party on Friday condemned weekend elections, which saw the ruling party cruise back into office, as a "disgrace" and proof the country was a one-party state. According to preliminary results from last Sunday's elections, the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn secured all 442 parliamentary seats so far declared out of the 547 seats up for grabs. "The Blue Party does not accept the process as free and fair and does not accept the outcome of unhealthy and undemocratic elections," the main opposition party said.

China deployed artillery in S.China Sea: US officials Posted: 29 May 2015 03:01 PM PDT China recently deployed two artillery pieces on one of its artificial islands in the South China Sea, an unprecedented move that suggests Beijing is trying to extend its military reach in the contested waters, US officials said Friday. The heavy weapons, since removed, posed no security threat but their positioning -- within range of territory claimed by Vietnam -- underscored Washington's concerns that China is pursuing a massive island-building project for military purposes, officials said. It is the first time that China has been accused of deploying artillery or other weaponry on their manmade islands in the area.

Officials: Gunmen hijack buses in Pakistan, kill 19 Posted: 29 May 2015 02:59 PM PDT QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Around 20 armed men hijacked two buses in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province, killed 19 passengers and took at least 25 with them into the mountains as hostages Friday, a Pakistani official said.

Mauritius president steps down Posted: 29 May 2015 02:58 PM PDT Mauritius president Kailash Purryag announced Friday he was stepping down from his position as ceremonial figurehead of the Indian Ocean island nation. A statement from the presidency said Purryag's resignation was in accordance with an earlier agreement with Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth, who was elected in December last year. Purryag has served as president since July 2012, when he was appointed by the island's previous Labour party government of former premier Navin Ramgoolam.

UK Jewish group causes furore with women drivers ban Posted: 29 May 2015 02:57 PM PDT Schools run by an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in London could face an investigation after leaders of the group warned in a letter that women members were banned from driving their children to the premises. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan on Friday called the ban "completely unacceptable in modern Britain", while the community responded saying that it was self-imposed and fell under religious freedom rights. In Britain, there are around 400 families living in the north London neighbourhood of Stamford Hill and members run two schools with hundreds of children.

US drops Cuba from terror blacklist in landmark move Posted: 29 May 2015 02:52 PM PDT The United States dropped Cuba from its blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism on Friday, removing yet another hurdle as the two countries seek to restore diplomatic ties frozen for five decades. Cuba has vehemently protested its 1982 inclusion on the blacklist -- which hampered its access to global markets and tarred it as an international pariah -- and had demanded that the decision be rescinded. Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed that effective Friday a "final decision" had been taken to remove Cuba from the list, after President Barack Obama in April gave Congress 45 days to object.

Hamlin wins the pole at Dover International Speedway Posted: 29 May 2015 02:49 PM PDT DOVER, Del. (AP) — Denny Hamlin was in the clear, in his head and on the track.

This has been a month of extreme weather around the world Posted: 29 May 2015 02:42 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Even for a world getting used to wild weather, May seems stuck on strange.

U.S. Soccer chief 'disappointed' in FIFA election Posted: 29 May 2015 02:35 PM PDT By Steve Ginsburg WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of U.S. Soccer said he was "disappointed" that Sepp Blatter was re-elected on Friday as president of FIFA but added he would continue to seek "meaningful change" within the embattled organization. Blatter, 79, secured a fifth term after Jordan's Prince Ali bin Al Hussein conceded defeat in the vote at the annual congress of world soccer's governing body in Zurich. "While we are disappointed in the result of the election, we will continue to push for meaningful change within FIFA," U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in a statement.

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