Yahoo! News: World News

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• Citing 'very fragile' security in Afghanistan, Obama slows pace of U.S. troop withdrawal
• U.S., Scottish investigators have two new suspects in Lockerbie bombing
• Syrian army and Russian jets target rebel towns north of Homs
• Small Turkish town haunted by lost sons, hand of Islamic State
• After Kunduz falls and violence spreads, more Afghans eye Europe
• Obama to discuss nuclear security concerns with Pakistan
• Afghan migrant shot dead trying to enter Bulgaria: ministry
• US women's soccer to play Trinidad in Honolulu on Dec. 6
• Mourinho criticizes FA over fine and suspended stadium ban
• US skier Bode Miller will skip 2015-16 World Cup circuit
• Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT
• The Latest: Clash with refugees reported on Bulgarian border
• EU and Turkey agree joint migrant action plan
• Russian intervention won't save Syria's Assad: Hollande
• Mexico, U.S. to open jointly staffed border stations
• Fears mount that Europe sheltering Syrian torturers
• Merkel says 3 billion euro EU aid for Turkey in discussion
• England women's 'keeper Taylor to make history in men's game
• Steele gets his season off to an ideal start at Silverado
• Governor declares state of disaster for central Texas wildfires
• SKorea: Regional summit chance to improve ties with Japan
• EU says agreed migrant action plan with Turkey
• Dozens killed as suicide bombers hit NE Nigeria mosque: witnesses
• EU haggles with Turkey over migrant plan
• Oil bosses fight for relevance before climate talks
• Park open to meeting Abe, but stresses comfort women issue
• 'El Chapo,' Trump among favorite Halloween getups in Mexico
• Military families on edge as U.S. delays Afghanistan troop withdrawal
• Cate Blanchett takes centre stage at London film fest
• History of New Zealand-France at the Rugby World Cup
• Venezuela opposition figure arrested on return from exile
• Scottish prosecutors: 2 Libyans are Lockerbie bomb suspects
• Exiled opposition leader returns to Venezuela, is arrested
• South Korea president hopes for better Japan ties from three-way summit
• US, Mexico announce cargo pre-inspection pilot program
• AP Source: Sheikh Salman closes in on potential FIFA bid
• Milner-Skudder standing tall in rugby's land of giants
• 151 arrested as US hits China-Middle East synthetic drug network

Citing 'very fragile' security in Afghanistan, Obama slows pace of U.S. troop withdrawal Posted: 15 Oct 2015 01:17 PM PDT By Roberta Rampton and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Reversing policy on Afghanistan, President Barack Obama announced on Thursday he will prolong the 14-year-old U.S. military engagement there, effectively handing off the task of pulling out troops to his successor. Calling it a "modest but meaningful" adjustment to winding down the American presence in Afghanistan, Obama said Afghan forces were not yet as strong as they needed to be given a "very fragile" security situation and the United States will maintain a force of 9,800 through most of 2016. Obama had previously aimed to withdraw all but a small U.S.-embassy based force in the capital, Kabul, before he leaves office in January 2017.

U.S., Scottish investigators have two new suspects in Lockerbie bombing Posted: 15 Oct 2015 01:13 PM PDT LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scottish and U.S. investigators have identified two new Libyan suspects in the Lockerbie airline bombing almost 27 years ago which killed 270 people, authorities in the two countries said on Thursday. Scottish and U.S. authorities informed Libya they want to send investigators to Libya, which is wracked by civil war, to interview the new suspects, the office of Scotland's chief prosecutor said. Marc Raimondi, a U.S. Justice Department spokesman, said U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and chief Scottish prosecutor Frank Mulholland met in Washington last month to discuss the investigation.

Syrian army and Russian jets target rebel towns north of Homs Posted: 15 Oct 2015 07:05 AM PDT By Dominic Evans and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian troops and their allies, backed by Russian jets, attacked rebel-held towns north of the city of Homs on Thursday, targeting a long-held and strategic enclave of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad. The offensive that began before dawn builds on over a week of ground attacks launched with Russian air support in areas of western Syria that are crucial to Assad's survival and held by rebel groups other than Islamic State. Syrian state television, quoting a military source, said the army had begun a military operation in the area after heavy air strikes and artillery barrages early on Thursday.

Small Turkish town haunted by lost sons, hand of Islamic State Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:54 PM PDT By Humeyra Pamuk ADIYAMAN, Turkey (Reuters) - In a small teahouse in the conservative southeastern Turkish town of Adiyaman, two brothers would hold court with young followers, praying, reading the Koran and painting a picture of a better life across the border in Syria, in the ranks of Islamic State. Adiyaman, though clearly poor and offering scant employment to the young, is an unremarkable Anatolian town of narrow streets, kebab houses, small shops and tea houses where men linger over backgammon.

After Kunduz falls and violence spreads, more Afghans eye Europe Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:18 PM PDT By Krista Mahr KABUL (Reuters) - The young man from the northern Afghan city of Kunduz used to make a decent living doing a dangerous job. As an informer for Afghanistan's intelligence agency, he posed as a businessman and mingled with Taliban insurgents, gathering GPS data, photos and audio clips of militants.

Obama to discuss nuclear security concerns with Pakistan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:39 PM PDT By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will discuss concerns about the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during a visit to Washington next week by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the White House said on Thursday. The News York Times reported on Thursday that the Obama administration was concerned that Pakistan might be on the verge of deploying a small tactical nuclear weapon that would be harder to protect from falling into hands of militants. The paper said the administration was also seeking to prevent Pakistan deploying missiles that could reach beyond its main foe India, and was thus exploring a possible deal to limit the Pakistani arsenal that could involve relaxing restrictions on access to nuclear technology.

Afghan migrant shot dead trying to enter Bulgaria: ministry Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:42 PM PDT An Afghan migrant was shot in an incident at Bulgaria's southeastern border with Turkey late Thursday and died on his way to hospital, the interior ministry said. "A big group of illegal migrants attempted to enter Bulgaria from Turkey. One man suffered a gunshot wound in the incident and died on the way to hospital," an interior ministry spokeswoman told AFP.

US women's soccer to play Trinidad in Honolulu on Dec. 6 Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:40 PM PDT CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. women's team will play Trinidad and Tobago in Honolulu on Dec. 6 in the first international match played by the Americans in Hawaii.

Mourinho criticizes FA over fine and suspended stadium ban Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:39 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has criticized the English Football Association after he was fined over comments made towards match officials.

US skier Bode Miller will skip 2015-16 World Cup circuit Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:34 PM PDT Bode Miller will leave all the racing this season to his horses.

Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:33 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will keep 5,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office in 2017, according to senior administration officials, casting aside his promise to end the war on his watch. Obama had originally planned to pull out all but a small, embassy-based U.S. military presence by the end of next year, a timeline coinciding with the final weeks of his presidency. But military leaders argued for months that the Afghans needed additional assistance and support from the U.S. to beat back a resurgent Taliban and hold onto gains made over the last 14 years of American bloodshed and billions of dollars in aid.

The Latest: Clash with refugees reported on Bulgarian border Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:28 PM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — The latest news as migrants fleeing war or seeking a better life make their way across Europe by the tens of thousands. All times local.

EU and Turkey agree joint migrant action plan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:23 PM PDT EU leaders approved Thursday an action plan with Turkey to help stem the flood of migrants in return for concessions from Brussels, including easier visa access. "Our intensified meetings with Turkish leaders ... were devoted to one goal: stemming the migratory flows that go via Turkey to the EU. The action plan is a major step in this direction," European Council President Donald Tusk said after a summit of all 28 EU leaders in Brussels.

Russian intervention won't save Syria's Assad: Hollande Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:21 PM PDT Brussels (AFP) - Russia's military intervention in Syria will not save President Bashar al-Assad, French President Francois Hollande said Friday after an EU summit called for a political transition to a new leader.

Mexico, U.S. to open jointly staffed border stations Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:18 PM PDT Mexico and the United States said on Thursday they will open two jointly staffed border stations on Mexican soil in a bid to streamline trade and improve communication at the frontier, which has suffered due to tensions over migration. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Mexican Finance Minister Luis Videgaray announced the program at a news conference in Mexico City, saying it would help speed up commerce at a congested border. "I view pre-inspection with trusted partners like Mexico as the wave of the future," Johnson noted.

Fears mount that Europe sheltering Syrian torturers Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:15 PM PDT Fears are growing that "shabiha" militiamen accused of committing some of the most barbaric atrocities against Syrian civilians for President Bashar al-Assad's regime are arriving incognito in Europe and getting asylum. The prospect has sent shivers downs the spines of Syrians who fled the war-torn country, as indications pile up that thugs who tortured on behalf of Assad have slipped into the flow of refugees arriving in Europe. "Today, there are war criminals who find refuge in France and in Europe," Ziad al-Isa -- a Franco-Syrian doctor who is part of the UOSSM disaster relief grouping -- recently told French lawmakers.

Merkel says 3 billion euro EU aid for Turkey in discussion Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:07 PM PDT BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union states are considering financial aid to Turkey of some 3 billion euros to help it keep Syrian refugees on its soil and discourage them from pouring into Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday. Speaking after an EU summit which discussed cooperation with Ankara, Merkel said the leaders had agreed to revitalize Turkey's EU accession process and open new negotiating chapters without deciding which ones. ...

England women's 'keeper Taylor to make history in men's game Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:05 PM PDT ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor will make history on Saturday when she becomes the first woman to play in a men's A-grade cricket match in Australia.

Steele gets his season off to an ideal start at Silverado Posted: 15 Oct 2015 04:02 PM PDT NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Brendan Steele had an ideal start to the new PGA Tour season at the Frys.com Open with a round that featured nine birdies, no stress and a simple explanation.

Governor declares state of disaster for central Texas wildfires Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:53 PM PDT By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster on Thursday in a central Texas county hit by a wildfire that has destroyed 34 structures, sent scores of people fleeing for safety and scorched nearly 7 square miles. Abbott said he has authorized the deployment of military helicopters for the fire that has hit Bastrop County, east of Austin. The so-called Hidden Pines Fire in Bastrop County is estimated to cover 4,383 acres and is only 25 percent contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

SKorea: Regional summit chance to improve ties with Japan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:49 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — South Korea's president said Thursday that an upcoming summit of Northeast Asia's three leading powers will be a chance to improve her nation's strained relations with Japan.

EU says agreed migrant action plan with Turkey Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:41 PM PDT BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has agreed an "action plan" with Turkey to cooperate on stemming the flow of migrants to Europe, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Friday. (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; @macdonaldrtr)

Dozens killed as suicide bombers hit NE Nigeria mosque: witnesses Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:40 PM PDT Dozens of worshippers were killed Thursday when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, witnesses said. Not a single one escaped," said Muhtari Ahmadu, a trader near the scene. "We counted 42 dead bodies outside the mosque," added Amadu Marte, a vigilante supporting the security forces in the fight against the Islamist Boko Haram group, which has carried out repeated attacks in the region.

EU haggles with Turkey over migrant plan Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:36 PM PDT EU leaders haggled Thursday over a deal with Turkey to stem the flow of migrants towards Europe, with Ankara demanding three billion euros in exchange for agreeing to a plan to curb the crisis. German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned leaders gathering for a summit in Brussels that Europe could not tackle the problem without the help of Turkey, which is hosting more than two million Syrian refugees. "We cannot organise or stem the refugee movements without working with Turkey," said Merkel, who is due to visit Turkey at the weekend for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the migrant crisis and Syria.

Oil bosses fight for relevance before climate talks Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:35 PM PDT By Ron Bousso, Susanna Twidale and Bate Felix LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - Oil and gas industry leaders will launch a final charm offensive on Friday to highlight the sector's relevance in the global fight against climate change before a key summit in Paris later this year. In an unprecedented public appearance, the bosses of Europe's top oil companies, who earlier this year jointly called on governments to introduce a global carbon pricing system, will be joined by the heads of the national oil companies of Saudi Arabia and Mexico who will lend their support to the initiative. The rare show of unity at a time when companies are all struggling with a sharp drop in oil prices also highlights a deep rift with American oil companies such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron who stayed away from the initiative.

Park open to meeting Abe, but stresses comfort women issue Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:34 PM PDT South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Thursday she was open to a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but stressed the importance of progress on the issue of comfort women forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels.

'El Chapo,' Trump among favorite Halloween getups in Mexico Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:30 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Two of the hottest Halloween costumes in Mexico this year are the country's most wanted man — and its most hated.

Military families on edge as U.S. delays Afghanistan troop withdrawal Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:27 PM PDT Lauren Alaquinez will soon say goodbye to her husband for the fifth time in three years, when he deploys once again to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Special Forces. As a military family, Alaquinez and her four children know what they've signed up for. "He spends more of his time in that country than he does at home." But Alaquinez said she also understands the troops are necessary to ensure a stable Afghanistan.

Cate Blanchett takes centre stage at London film fest Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:26 PM PDT With two new films presented and a lifetime achievement award on its way, Australian actress Cate Blanchett has taken centre stage at a London Film Festival featuring several strong female leads. Blanchett's latest film "Truth" -- a story about investigative journalism and politics -- had its European premiere on Thursday, a day after the star walked the red carpet at the festival to promote the much-praised "Carol", in wich she plays a married woman embarking on a lesbian romance in 1950s New York. On Saturday, the 46-year-old is due to receive the British Film Institute Fellowship, whose previous winners include actors Ralph Fiennes and Al Pacino.

History of New Zealand-France at the Rugby World Cup Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:17 PM PDT For the seventh time in the Rugby World Cup, New Zealand and France meet.

Venezuela opposition figure arrested on return from exile Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:17 PM PDT Venezuelan opposition politician Manuel Rosales, who fled into exile after authorities charged him with corruption in 2009, was arrested Thursday as he returned ahead of key legislative elections. Rosales, a former governor who lost the 2006 presidential election to late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, flew in from Aruba just as Venezuela gears up for the December 6 vote. Prosecutors said the 62-year-old, founder of center-right party A New Era (UNT), was arrested soon after arrival at the international airport in Maracaibo, the capital of the western state of Zulia, his home region.

Scottish prosecutors: 2 Libyans are Lockerbie bomb suspects Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:11 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — A quarter-century after one of the worst terror attacks in British history, prosecutors say they have identified two new Libyan suspects in the bombing of a Pan Am jet over Lockerbie, Scotland, and want U.S. and Scottish investigators to interview them in Tripoli.

Exiled opposition leader returns to Venezuela, is arrested Posted: 15 Oct 2015 03:05 PM PDT CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A Venezuelan opposition leader who had been living in self-imposed exile was arrested Thursday after returning to the socialist South American country.

South Korea president hopes for better Japan ties from three-way summit Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:59 PM PDT South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Thursday she hoped a three-way summit to be held between her country, China and Japan would be an opportunity to improve regional stability and South Korea's relations with Japan. "In two weeks, we will host the Korea-Japan-China trilateral summit in Seoul after a 3-1/2-year hiatus," Park told a think tank during a visit to Washington. "It will be an important occasion to pursue peace and stability in northeast Asia, as well as to improve Korea-Japan relations.

US, Mexico announce cargo pre-inspection pilot program Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:54 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States and Mexico on Thursday launched a pilot cargo pre-inspection program that aims to facilitate trade between the two nations.

AP Source: Sheikh Salman closes in on potential FIFA bid Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:52 PM PDT GENEVA (AP) — Asian soccer leader Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa is looking to stand in the FIFA presidential election to succeed Sepp Blatter if he has enough support, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Milner-Skudder standing tall in rugby's land of giants Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:46 PM PDT SWANSEA, Wales (AP) — Partially obscured by the bulging biceps of his teammates on either side, Nehe Milner-Skudder wore a bewildered look as he was asked by the world's rugby media about his whirlwind few months with the All Blacks.

151 arrested as US hits China-Middle East synthetic drug network Posted: 15 Oct 2015 02:46 PM PDT US law enforcement officials announced Thursday they had arrested 151 people in a crackdown on synthetic "designer" drugs that tied Chinese suppliers to Middle East profiteers on the sales. The Drug Enforcement Agency said arrests took place in 16 states around the country in the past two days as part of a 15 month effort against synthetics, linked to a rise in overdoses and drug deaths. The operation seized some 10,000 kilograms of raw and packaged synthetic cannabinoids -- often called synthetic marijuana -- as well as $15 million in assets and 39 weapons.

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