| U.S. navigation moves in South China Sea will continue: Carter Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:33 PM PST  By Yeganeh Torbati SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (Reuters) - The United States will conduct freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea again, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a speech on Saturday, although he gave no timeline for any such actions. Carter's comments, delivered at a defense forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, came at the close of a trip to Asia, where he cruised on a U.S. aircraft carrier operating in the South China Sea and blamed Beijing's island-building for rising tensions in the region. In October, a U.S. guided-missile destroyer, the USS Lassen, challenged territorial limits around one of China's man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago with a so-called freedom-of-navigation patrol.
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| Voting gets underway in Myanmar's first free election in 25 years Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:33 PM PST  By Hnin Yadana Zaw and Aung Hla Tun YANGON (Reuters) - Voting began on Sunday in Myanmar's first free nationwide election in 25 years, the Southeast Asian nation's biggest stride yet in a journey to democracy from dictatorship. The party of opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to win the largest share of votes cast by an electorate of around 30 million, who will choose from among thousands of candidates standing for parliament and regional assemblies. There were concerns ahead of the election about irregularities after it emerged that around 4 million people would be unable to cast a ballot, and religious tensions - fanned by Buddhist nationalists whose actions have intimidated Myanmar's Muslim minority - marred the campaign.
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| UK's Cameron to give strongest warning over possible EU exit: media Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:09 PM PST  British Prime Minister David Cameron will give his strongest warning this week that he might back Britain leaving the EU unless other European leaders agree to his demands for reform of the bloc, media reported on Saturday. Cameron is due to outline British demands for renegotiation of its European Union membership terms in a letter to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, to be published on Tuesday. In a speech the same day, he will say that if no deal can be reached, he could back a British exit when an in/out referendum is held before the end of 2017.
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| Sanctions fears choke nascent U.S. trade with Myanmar Posted: 07 Nov 2015 05:10 PM PST  By Joel Schectman, David Henry and Timothy Mclaughlin WASHINGTON/NEW YORK/YANGON (Reuters) - Western banks are cutting trade finance in Myanmar after learning that part of the country's main port is controlled by a man blacklisted by Washington, threatening to stop nascent U.S. economic ties with the Southeast Asian nation in their tracks. U.S. shipments to Myanmar have slowed to a crawl in recent months, after several banks including Citigroup Inc, Bank of America, HSBC and PNC Financial curtailed their financial backing of trade with the country, according to sanctions lawyers and other people familiar with the matter. Studying trade documents, Citigroup noticed in June that the Port of Yangon's main terminal is controlled by Steven Law, who is subject to U.S. sanctions because of his alleged ties to Myanmar's military, they said.
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| Top Asian News at 1:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 07 Nov 2015 05:02 PM PST YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar voted Sunday in historic elections that will test whether popular mandate can loosen the military's longstanding grip on power, even if opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party secures a widely-expected victory. As voting opened at 6 a.m. (2330 GMT Saturday), lines began to form outside polling stations set up in Buddhist temples, schools and government buildings. |
| The Latest: Enthusiasm, hope for change run high in Myanmar Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:54 PM PST  YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The latest on landmark elections in Myanmar. All times local.
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| 2,000 more UK travellers stuck in Egypt fly home Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:54 PM PST  Nearly 2,000 British holidaymakers stranded in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh were returning home Saturday after days of uncertainty following the Sinai plane crash. Britain suspended flights to the Red Sea resort on Wednesday, saying it feared a bomb may have brought down the Russian jet that crashed after taking off from there last week, killing 224 people, and due to concerns about security at the airport. Nine flights carrying 1,945 people were coming back to Britain on Saturday, according to transport officials -- two easyJet, two Monarch, two Thomson, two Thomas Cook and one British Airways.
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| Desperate search for Brazil mudslide survivors Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:52 PM PST  Rescuers for a third day Saturday searched the site where an avalanche of mud and mining sludge buried a village in southeastern Brazil, with at least two people dead and 28 missing. The search was suspended at dusk because "it is a high-risk area that is difficult to access," said Duarte Goncalves Junior, mayor of the nearby city of Mariana. The tragedy occurred when waste reservoirs at the partly Australian-owned Samarco iron ore mine burst open, unleashing a sea of muck that flattened the nearby village of Bento Rodrigues on Thursday.
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| 20-year-old Chinese player on the cusp of history at HSBC Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:48 PM PST  SHANGHAI (AP) — Li Haotong practically grew up with the HSBC Champions. He took part in its junior golf program, watching over the last decade as players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els competed at Sheshan International.
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| Clashes between police and protesters in Togo kill 5: govt Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:39 PM PST  Clashes between police and protesters over the past two days have left five people dead in the west African nation of Togo, according to the latest government tally Saturday. Violence broke out on Friday in Mango, some 600 kilometres (370 miles) north of Lome, when law enforcement officers tried to disperse an unauthorised march by a group that opposed plans to rehabilitate several protected areas. Two people were shot dead and 21 others injured, including eight among the security forces.
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| Kisner holds 1-shot lead at HSBC as Li, Spieth make moves Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:38 PM PST  SHANGHAI (AP) — Even with two majors, five victories, a FedEx Cup title and over $22 million in earnings this year, Jordan Spieth offered an honest appraisal about the final World Golf Championship of the year. He really didn't think he would have much of a chance in the HSBC Champions.
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| Suu Kyi's date with destiny arrives as Myanmar goes to the polls Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:36 PM PST  Myanmar began voting Sunday in a historic election that could thrust Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party into power and finally pull the country away from the grip of the military. Queues of people, many wearing traditional longyi sarongs, built up before daybreak at polling stations across Yangon in a sign of the enthusiasm that has accompanied the milestone poll, hoped to be Myanmar's fairest for a generation. "All polling stations around the country opened at 6am (2330 GMT) at the same time," Ko Ko, an election commission official, told AFP.
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| Myanmar elections will test if democracy gets a foothold Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:36 PM PST  YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar voted Sunday in historic elections that will test whether popular mandate can loosen the military's longstanding grip on power, even if opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party secures a widely-expected victory.
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| Two dozen missing in vast mudflow of Brazil mine disaster Posted: 07 Nov 2015 04:15 PM PST  By Stephen Eisenhammer MARIANA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian authorities late on Saturday were investigating a second suspected death after two dams at a major mine in the country's southeast burst and unleashed a massive mudflow that wreaked havoc across more than 80 km (50 miles). A dozen residents of villages downstream from the burst dams remain missing, along with 13 workers from the mine. One death from the disaster was confirmed on Friday, and authorities reported the body of someone believed to be a second victim on Saturday evening.
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| Michael Allen holds onto lead in Champions Tour finale Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:57 PM PST SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Michael Allen held onto the lead Saturday in the Champions Tour's season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, and playing partner Bernhard Langer pulled within a stroke to easily remain in position to take the points title. |
| Peru steps up border dispute with Chile Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:52 PM PST  The frayed relations between Chile and Peru appeared to unwind further Saturday, after Peruvian President Ollanta Humala officially recognized an administrative district in a disputed border area. The Chilean government promptly sent a protest note to Peru "strongly" rejecting the law because it concerns "unquestionably" Chilean territory. Humala said the move aimed to spur development in the disputed La Yarada-Los Palos area on the border with Chile and improve living conditions for its inhabitants.
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| Voting starts in Myanmar's first free election in 25 years Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:50 PM PST YANGON (Reuters) - Voting began on Sunday in Myanmar's first free nationwide election in quarter of a century, after a campaign that was marred by concerns about irregularities and religious tensions. The party of opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to win the largest share of votes cast by an electorate of around 30 million, who will choose from among thousands of candidates standing for parliament and regional assemblies. |
| US defense chief warns of conflict in S. China Sea Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:47 PM PST  US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Saturday warned that land reclamation efforts and a military buildup in the South China Sea could lead to conflict between nations in the region. Appearing on the final leg of an eight-day trip that included meetings with defense ministers from several nations in the Asia-Pacific region, Carter said his concerns about the frantic pace of land reclamation in the South China Sea were broadly shared.
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| Australia declares, sets New Zealand 504 to win 1st test Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:46 PM PST  BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Captain Steve Smith declared Australia's second innings closed before play resumed on Sunday, setting New Zealand a victory target of 504 runs with two days remaining in the series-opening test at the Gabba.
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| Sharm el-Sheikh airport officials reveal porous security Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:40 PM PST  CAIRO (AP) — The airport at Egypt's resort of Sharm el-Sheikh has long seen gaps in security, including a key baggage scanning device that often is not functioning and lax searches at an entry gate for food and fuel for the planes, security officials at the airport told The Associated Press.
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| Noise in last second of Russian plane's cockpit recording Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:31 PM PST CAIRO (AP) — A noise was heard in the last second of the cockpit voice recording from the Russian plane that crashed last week in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, the head of the joint investigation team said Saturday. The statement bolstered U.S. and British suspicions that the plane was brought down by a bomb. |
| Teen goalie excels as AC Milan draws Atalanta 0-0 at home Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:07 PM PST  MILAN (AP) — AC Milan's winning streak was ended by Atalanta in a 0-0 draw at home in Serie A, though 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was crucial to the Rossoneri earning a point on Saturday.
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| Alcacer, Parejo lead Valencia to 5-1 win at Celta in Spain Posted: 07 Nov 2015 03:05 PM PST BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain striker Paco Alcacer and Dani Parejo scored twice each to lead Valencia to a commanding 5-1 victory at Celta Vigo on Saturday that its beleaguered coach hopes will mark a turning point for his inconsistent Spanish league side. |
| Carter says Russia, China potentially threaten global order Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:47 PM PST SIMI VALLEY, California (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Saturday accused Russia of endangering world order, citing its incursions in Ukraine and loose talk about nuclear weapons, and said the U.S. defense establishment is searching for creative ways to deter Russian aggression and protect U.S. allies. |
| Nacional wins 1-0 at Guimaraes in Portugal Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:46 PM PST LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Nacional won away for the first time in the Portuguese league this season with a 1-0 result at Guimaraes on Saturday. |
| Vonn needs thumb stitches because of her fighting dogs Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:43 PM PST Lindsey Vonn was bitten by the injury bug again. This time, really bitten. |
| Nishikori OK, early arrival in London for World Tour Finals Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:41 PM PST  Kei Nishikori plans to arrive in London one week early for the World Tour Finals after retiring from the Paris Masters because of a back injury.
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| Haiti protest against alleged election fraud turns violent Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:37 PM PST  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A protest against alleged fraud in Haiti's recent presidential election has turned violent, with some demonstrators hurling rocks and police breaking up the rally with tear gas.
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| U.S. patrol sought to avoid provocation, not reinforce China island claim: officials Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:28 PM PST  (This version of the story corrects the last name in paragraph 19 to Glaser, not Tyler.) By Andrea Shalal and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy deliberately avoided military drills or other actions that could have further inflamed tensions with Beijing during a patrol last week near islands China has built in the South China Sea, U.S. officials said. "We wanted to assert our rights under international law, but not to the point where we were poking the Chinese in the eye, or where it would unnecessarily escalate the situation," said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said the destroyer USS Lassen turned off its fire control radars while transiting within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef and avoided any military operations during that time, including helicopter launches or other drills.
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| Ibrahimovic scores twice as leader PSG thrashes Toulouse 5-0 Posted: 07 Nov 2015 02:03 PM PST  PARIS (AP) — Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two more as Paris Saint-Germain resumed its domestic dominance, crushing Toulouse 5-0 to move 11 points clear of Caen at the top of the French league on Saturday.
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| US fugitive who escaped from jail arrested in Mexico Posted: 07 Nov 2015 01:54 PM PST PAYETTE, Idaho (AP) — A U.S. man authorities say escaped an Idaho jail by scaling a razor-wire fence and then taunted authorities on social media has been arrested in Mexico. |
| Napout: New president not enough to solve FIFA crisis Posted: 07 Nov 2015 01:52 PM PST  SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Electing a new president will not dig FIFA out of the worst crisis in its 111-year history, the head of South American football said on Saturday.
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| Death toll rises to 41 in Romanian nightclub fire Posted: 07 Nov 2015 01:48 PM PST  BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Nine more people died with burn-related injuries on Saturday, just over a week after a fire broke out in a Bucharest nightclub, authorities said, bringing the death toll in the tragedy to 41.
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| Burundians flee capital ahead of looming security crackdown Posted: 07 Nov 2015 01:29 PM PST  BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Carrying prized possessions, scores of people fled Burundi's capital Saturday before a looming security crackdown that many fear will be a wave of violence.
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| UK plane entering Sharm el-Sheikh 'missed rocket by 300m' Posted: 07 Nov 2015 01:28 PM PST  A British tourist plane heading in to land at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh came within 1,000 feet (300 metres) of a missile in August, it was reported Saturday. The incident, reported by the Daily Mail newspaper, involved a Thomson Airways plane carrying 189 passengers from London on August 23. A spokesman for Egypt's foreign ministry dismissed the story as "preposterous".
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