Yahoo! News: World News

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• U.N. council endorses Syria peace plan; no agreement on Assad's fate
• Exclusive: NATO agrees Turkey air defense package, seeks 'predictability'
• Cuba's Castro says U.S. can do more to normalize relations
• Israeli troops kill three Palestinians in West Bank, Gaza clashes
• Exclusive: Iran to match stance with Russia in push for Syria deal
• Yemen govt forces take northwestern city, U.N. concern at truce violations
• LeBron James plows into crowd, wife of golfer Jason Day hurt
• Number of global migrants rises dramatically, especially in Asia: U.N.
• UN Syria plan backing a 'great step forward': Britain
• Crystal Palace confirms US investment in EPL club
• Top Asian News 12:42 a.m. GMT
• UN council backs Syria peace plan
• Beijing issues 2nd smog red alert of the month
• Feds say ex-State Department worker steered contracts to son
• Cargo ship held over a month at Lake Superior port departs
• UN endorses peace process for Syria, but no mention of Assad
• Cuban migrants in limbo as C.America summit ends
• Former rugby star Hayne embracing 49ers practice squad
• UK lawmakers caution government over Green Investment Bank sell-off plan
• Peru: Canadian kills British tourist during drug ritual
• Suspense as Spain's eventful election campaign draws to a close
• Volume, quality of Chinese fakes challenge US Customs
• US sanctions Burundi nationals for 'fueling violence'
• Decisions on Syria unity government must come within 1-2 months
• New Zealand 61-0 vs. Sri Lanka in 2nd test
• Guptill, Latham carve into Sri Lanka's 292
• Appeals court allows freezing some Wyly family assets
• Mother of Sikh student asks bomb threat charges be dropped
• 'Urgent need' for Yemen ceasefire to be respected: Obama
• China's counterfeiters aided by Western firms' weak response
• Obama admits 'challenge' of stopping Islamic State
• US-led coalition strike may have killed Iraqi soldiers: US military
• Raul Castro urges US to end broadcasts aimed at Cuba
• Rwandans vote to lift term limits; partial poll results
• US airstrike may have inadvertently killed Iraqi soldiers
• Yemen rebels halt peace talks in Switzerland, set conditions
• Obama urges Turkey's Erdogan to withdraw troops from Iraq: White House
• U.S. studying Chinese complaint that B-52 flew near man-made island
• Le Monde: Diack tells police of Russian political donation

U.N. council endorses Syria peace plan; no agreement on Assad's fate Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:41 PM PST By Arshad Mohammed, Denis Dyomkin and John Irish UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Friday unanimously agreed a resolution endorsing an international roadmap for a Syria peace process, a rare show of unity among major powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter million lives. "This council is sending a clear message to all concerned that the time is now to stop the killing in Syria and lay the groundwork for a government that the long-suffering people of that battered land can support," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told the 15-nation council after the vote. The resolution came after Russia and the United States clinched a deal on a text.

Exclusive: NATO agrees Turkey air defense package, seeks 'predictability' Posted: 18 Dec 2015 10:59 AM PST By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO allies agreed on Friday to send aircraft and ships to Turkey to strengthen Ankara's air defenses on its border with Syria, the alliance's chief said. Envoys to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization approved the plan and must now decide what military assets to send to Turkey, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told Reuters, stressing that it was a defensive measure. "We have agreed on a package of assurance measures for Turkey in view of the volatile situation in the region," Stoltenberg said, although he avoided any reference to Russia's military involvement in Syria and its air incursions.

Cuba's Castro says U.S. can do more to normalize relations Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:16 PM PST By Jaime Hamre HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba is willing to keep improving relations with the United States even though Washington has failed to meet its key demands for normalization, Cuban President Raul Castro said on Friday, a day after the anniversary of detente. Castro, 84, the younger brother of retired leader Fidel Castro, spoke to top government and party leaders in an address broadcast on state TV without prior notice.

Israeli troops kill three Palestinians in West Bank, Gaza clashes Posted: 18 Dec 2015 11:26 AM PST Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian who tried to ram them with a car and another who took part in a violent demonstration in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the military and medical officials said. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli army fire killed another Palestinian during a border protest, medics said. A campaign of stabbings, shootings and car-rammings by Palestinians has killed 19 Israelis and a U.S. citizen since October.

Exclusive: Iran to match stance with Russia in push for Syria deal Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:46 PM PST By Parisa Hafezi and Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran has decided to unify its stance with Russia's in the push for a political deal to end Syria's civil war, Iranian officials said, in a sign it could ease its opposition to the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as part of the agreement. While maintaining its firm backing for Assad in public, Russia has recently made clear to Western nations that it has no objection to him stepping down as part of the peace process, diplomats said. Iran's decision to step up its coordination with Russia was made after a meeting last month between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, according to a senior Iranian official with knowledge of the discussions.

Yemen govt forces take northwestern city, U.N. concern at truce violations Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:45 PM PST DUBAI/GENEVA (Reuters) - Yemeni troops loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi gained control of an important northwestern city on Friday, residents and tribal sources said, as the U.N. scurried to salvage an increasingly fragile ceasefire. U.N. Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed voiced deep concern late on Friday, the fourth day of peace talks, at "numerous reports of violations of the cessation of hostilities" and set up a mechanism to strengthen compliance, a U.N. statement said. The heads of delegations at the talks being held in Switzerland between the exiled Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi rebels had renewed their commitment to a ceasefire that took effect on Tuesday, it said.

LeBron James plows into crowd, wife of golfer Jason Day hurt Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:59 PM PST CLEVELAND (AP) — The wife of PGA champion Jason Day is suffering from concussion symptoms after NBA star LeBron James crashed into her during a Cavaliers game.

Number of global migrants rises dramatically, especially in Asia: U.N. Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:48 PM PST By Ellen Wulfhorst NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The number of international migrants soared to 244 million this year, an increase of more than 40 percent from the year 2000, as economic need, global markets and a desire for better lives put more people on the move, the United Nations said on Friday. Nearly half of the world's migrants were born in Asia, which has provided the most migrants - 1.7 million people per year - over the last 15 years, followed by Europe, according to a report by the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Europe has seen nearly 900,000 refugees and migrants so far this year, about half of them Syrians fleeing war in their homeland, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said earlier this month.

UN Syria plan backing a 'great step forward': Britain Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:46 PM PST The UN Security Council's backing for a plan to end the civil war in Syria is a "great step forward" for resolving the crisis, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Saturday. The United Nations Security Council gave its unanimous support Friday to the plan which would summon rebels and President Bashar al-Assad's regime to the negotiating table. "Syria has for too long been the world's biggest humanitarian and security crisis," Hammond said in a statement issued in London.

Crystal Palace confirms US investment in EPL club Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:44 PM PST LONDON (AP) — English Premier League club Crystal Palace has confirmed a long-awaited deal with American sports tycoons David Blitzer and Josh Harris, who co-own the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils.

Top Asian News 12:42 a.m. GMT Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:42 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — China's capital Beijing issued its second smog red alert of the month, triggering vehicle restrictions and forcing schools to close. A wave of smog is due to settle over the city of 22.5 million from Saturday to Tuesday. Levels of PM2.5, the smallest and deadliest airborne particles, are set to top 500, according to the official Beijing government website. That is more than 20 times the level that is considered safe by the World Health Organization. Half the city's cars will be forced off the road on any given day, while barbecue grills and other outdoor smoke sources will be banned and factory production restricted.

UN council backs Syria peace plan Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:42 PM PST The UN Security Council threw its unanimous support Friday behind a plan to end Syria's brutal civil war by summoning rebels and the regime to the negotiating table. The US and Russian initiative, which emerged from talks with a 17-nation group, foresees a rapid ceasefire in the almost five-year conflict, perhaps as early as next month. If the plan brings Bashar al-Assad's regime to the table with the armed opposition, it will allow Russian and US-led forces to focus their firepower on the Islamic State group.

Beijing issues 2nd smog red alert of the month Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:41 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — China's capital Beijing issued its second smog red alert of the month, triggering vehicle restrictions and forcing schools to close.

Feds say ex-State Department worker steered contracts to son Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:37 PM PST ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (AP) — A former State Department employee has been indicted on conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges involving the awarding of $2 million in government micro-dairy contracts for use in Iraq.

Cargo ship held over a month at Lake Superior port departs Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:34 PM PST DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A cargo ship detained at a Lake Superior port in Minnesota for more than a month has finally departed.

UN endorses peace process for Syria, but no mention of Assad Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:22 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Security Council members unanimously approved a U.N. resolution Friday endorsing a peace process for Syria including a cease-fire and talks between the Damascus government and the opposition, but the draft makes no mention of the most contentious issue — the future role of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Cuban migrants in limbo as C.America summit ends Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:22 PM PST A summit of Central American leaders in El Salvador on Friday failed to break a regional impasse over the fate of 5,000 US-bound Cuban migrants blocked in Costa Rica for weeks. "There was no solution at this summit to the problem with the Cuban migrants. There was no consensus over what should be done -- each country has its own point of view on the matter," Nicaragua's deputy foreign minister, Denis Moncada, told AFP.

Former rugby star Hayne embracing 49ers practice squad Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:14 PM PST SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The 49ers thought so highly of former Australian Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne that he was their opening night punt returner despite playing football for just over seven months.

UK lawmakers caution government over Green Investment Bank sell-off plan Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:11 PM PST The planned privatization of Britain's Green Investment Bank (GIB) must not go ahead unless the government can guarantee the bank's environmental objectives are protected, a parliamentary committee report released on Saturday said. In June the new government announced its plans to privatize the bank, saying the move would give the bank greater freedom to borrow, removing state aid restrictions, and allow it to attract more capital. "The government needs to demonstrate how the privatization of the bank will contribute to the balance of public and private sector initiatives required to meet the ambitions of the Paris climate change agreement," the report by the select Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said.

Peru: Canadian kills British tourist during drug ritual Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:08 PM PST LIMA, Peru (AP) — A 29-year-old Canadian allegedly stabbed to death a British tourist after the two drank a hallucinogenic brew at a spiritual retreat in the Peruvian Amazon.

Suspense as Spain's eventful election campaign draws to a close Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:07 PM PST Marked by an acrimonious debate, a punch in the face, star turns on TV and four very different main contenders, Spain's election campaign came to an official close Friday ahead of this weekend's general election. For two weeks, incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his rivals have criss-crossed the country on a mission to seduce voters whose disillusionment over corruption and austerity measures has fuelled the rise of dynamic new parties that could make a splash in Sunday's polls. Polls predict that Rajoy's ruling, conservative Popular Party (PP) will win the largest share of the vote but without an absolute majority, which will force it to get into bed with another political grouping to wield any kind of power.

Volume, quality of Chinese fakes challenge US Customs Posted: 18 Dec 2015 04:02 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. is not winning the fight against potentially dangerous fakes, as corrupt investigators in China help counterfeiters perfect their art and make it easier for counterfeit goods to enter global supply chains.

US sanctions Burundi nationals for 'fueling violence' Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:56 PM PST The US Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned four Burundi nationals for allegedly "fueling violence" in the strife-torn African country. Burundi descended into bloodshed in April, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a controversial third term, which he went on to win in July. The US sanctions come after some 100 people were killed during and after coordinated assaults on three military installations in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, on December 11.

Decisions on Syria unity government must come within 1-2 months Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:55 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - There must be decisions on what kind of transitional unity government Syria should have within the next month or two, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday. Speaking at a news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kerry also said talks between the Syrian opposition and government aimed at reaching agreement on a unity government were not likely to start before mid to late January. Lavrov added that it would be possible to reach an agreement on a unity government for Syria within six months. ...

New Zealand 61-0 vs. Sri Lanka in 2nd test Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:54 PM PST HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Martin Guptill and Tom Latham shared an unbroken opening stand of 61 for New Zealand which kept the second cricket test against Sri Lanka closely balanced at lunch on the second day.

Guptill, Latham carve into Sri Lanka's 292 Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:53 PM PST New Zealand made a comfortable start in their reply to Sri Lanka's 292 and were 61-0 at lunch on day two of the second cricket Test in Hamilton on Saturday. Martin Guptill was 39 not out with Tom Latham on 21 as the openers posted their third consecutive half-century stand in the series. Guptill brought up their 50 partnership by clubbing Angelo Mathews over the rope for six.

Appeals court allows freezing some Wyly family assets Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:46 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday partially upheld a decision to freeze assets of relatives of two Texas businessmen who have been ordered to pay about $300 million in penalties for securities fraud.

Mother of Sikh student asks bomb threat charges be dropped Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:41 PM PST ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The mother of a Sikh middle school student accused of threatening to detonate a bomb at his Texas school is asking police to drop charges, saying that her son never made such a threat.

'Urgent need' for Yemen ceasefire to be respected: Obama Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:30 PM PST US President Barack Obama called on Yemen's warring parties to respect a ceasefire that lay in tatters Friday, amid fighting between government and rebel forces. The White House said that Obama, in a call with Abu Dhabi's crown prince, stressed the "urgent need for all parties to adhere to the ceasefire in Yemen" and to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

China's counterfeiters aided by Western firms' weak response Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:30 PM PST WENZHOU, China (AP) — Alex Theil walked down a broken, weedy road in Rui'an, an auto-parts counterfeiting hot spot in China. Sweating, he passed a rusted-out truck, then paused before a workshop in a low concrete building. Inside, people worked silently at hulking, grimy machines. A man tossed shiny metal parts on the floor.

Obama admits 'challenge' of stopping Islamic State Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:27 PM PST President Barack Obama admitted that "lone wolf" jihadist attacks present a vexing new security challenge Friday, even as he assured Americans the Islamic State group can be defeated. "It is very difficult for us to detect lone wolf plots," Obama acknowledged as officials continue to piece together how a couple shot 14 people dead at a party in California. "This is a different kind of challenge than the sort that we had with an organization like Al-Qaeda," Obama said before leaving for San Bernardino, the site of the shooting, and on to Hawaii for Christmas.

US-led coalition strike may have killed Iraqi soldiers: US military Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:17 PM PST An air strike by the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State may have killed Iraqi soldiers on Friday, the US military said, in what was likely the first "friendly fire" incident in the war on the extremists. It appears to be the same incident which Iraq's joint operations command earlier said left 10 Iraqi soldiers killed or wounded south of the jihadist stronghold of Fallujah. "Despite coordination with the Iraqi security forces on the ground, initial reports indicate the possibility one of the strikes resulted in the death of Iraqi soldiers," the US military said in a statement, adding that it would launch an investigation.

Raul Castro urges US to end broadcasts aimed at Cuba Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:16 PM PST HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Raul Castro urged the U.S. government Friday to halt radio and television broadcasts aimed at the island and other programs that Cuba considers harmful while reiterating that he is interested in deepening the thaw in relations with the United States.

Rwandans vote to lift term limits; partial poll results Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:13 PM PST KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — The head of Rwanda's electoral commission said late Friday partial results show Rwandans have voted to lift term limits in order to allow President Paul Kagame extend his rule.

US airstrike may have inadvertently killed Iraqi soldiers Posted: 18 Dec 2015 03:01 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said it is investigating an American airstrike that may have inadvertently killed Iraqi soldiers near the city of Fallujah.

Yemen rebels halt peace talks in Switzerland, set conditions Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:37 PM PST SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemeni peace talks in Switzerland were halted on Friday after the country's Shiite rebel delegation suspended all meetings with the internationally recognized government in protest over its cease-fire violations, members of Yemen's two warring sides told The Associated Press.

Obama urges Turkey's Erdogan to withdraw troops from Iraq: White House Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:25 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Friday to "deescalate tensions" with Iraq by continuing to withdraw Turkish forces from northern Iraq, the White House said in a statement. The leaders also discussed the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria including efforts to support the moderate opposition in the war-torn nation, the White House said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Eric Walsh)

U.S. studying Chinese complaint that B-52 flew near man-made island Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:23 PM PST The Pentagon said on Friday it was looking at Chinese complaints that a B-52 bomber recently flew near a Chinese artificial island in the South China Sea, a sensitive issue because the two powers disagree over Beijing's territorial claims in the region. Navy Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, said the United States regularly conducts B-52 training missions throughout the region but there was no plan for the B-52 to fly within 12 nautical miles of any artificial island. "This was not a Freedom of Navigation operation," said Urban, referring to regular U.S. Navy missions conducted to challenge what the United States believes are excessive territorial claims made by other countries.

Le Monde: Diack tells police of Russian political donation Posted: 18 Dec 2015 02:21 PM PST PARIS (AP) — The Russian doping scandal took a new twist Friday when a French newspaper reported that former IAAF President Lamine Diack asked Russia for more than $1 million to fund the political opposition in his native Senegal.

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