Yahoo! News: World News

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• How Iran closed the Mosul 'horseshoe' and changed Iraq war
• Ties between Russia and the Taliban worry Afghan, U.S. officials
• Rebels seek ceasefire with Syrian army closer to retaking Aleppo
• 'No survivors' after plane crash in northern Pakistan mountains
• Italian PM Renzi resigns, president to consult with parties
• Cuba wants to sign accords with U.S. before Obama exit - officials
• Japan downgrades growth estimate for July-Sept to 1.3 pct
• Rescuers comb Indonesia earthquake rubble for second day
• Top Asian News 1:49 a.m. GMT
• New Zealand finance minister emerges as likely PM as rival drops out of race
• Italy's Renzi resigns, hints at early election
• Search widens for US Marine Corps pilot missing in Japan
• Congo rights group blames govt, parties for deadly unrest
• Rights group, worried about HIV, urges Philippines action
• Lydia Ko splits with instructor David Leadbetter
• Ex-chief of IRA splinter group killed in Irish city of Cork
• AFPTV journalist wins UK award for migrant coverage
• Crowd honors 'gift of freedom' from Pearl Harbor servicemen
• Australia names unchanged side for 1st Pakistan test
• Ghana votes in tight election amid economic slump
• Canada set to agree carbon price, marking climate split with Trump
• Giraffes suffer 'silent extinction' in Africa: Red List report
• Legia beats Sporting 1-0 to earn Europa League spot
• Sevilla and FC Porto take last Champions League slots
• Syrian president says Aleppo will change course of war: state TV
• Brazil Senate speaker spared sacking by judges
• Scientists explore sunken mini sub near Pearl Harbor
• Boras says labor deal will turn Latin players from baseball
• Trump taps China ambassador, consults Obama
• UN scrambling for land to shelter displaced outside Mosul
• Dortmund holds Madrid 2-2 to win group, break scoring record
• US Senate 'torture' report sought in 9/11 case at Guantanamo
• Macedonian nationalist ex-PM set to win election in test for EU
• Assad confident as rebels lose more ground in Aleppo
• FIFA deploys video replays for first time at Club World Cup
• FC Copenhagen beats Brugge 2-0, but fails to reach last 16
• U.N. chief to appoint New Zealand lawmaker as South Sudan envoy

How Iran closed the Mosul 'horseshoe' and changed Iraq war Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:35 AM PST By Dominic Evans, Maher Chmaytelli and Patrick Markey BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - In the early days of the assault on Islamic State in Mosul, Iran successfully pressed Iraq to change its battle plan and seal off the city, an intervention which has since shaped the tortuous course of the conflict, sources briefed on the plan say. The original campaign strategy called for Iraqi forces to close in around Mosul in a horseshoe formation, blocking three fronts but leaving open the fourth - to the west of the city leading to Islamic State territory in neighboring Syria.

Ties between Russia and the Taliban worry Afghan, U.S. officials Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:24 PM PST By Hamid Shalizi and Josh Smith KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan and American officials are increasingly worried that any deepening of ties between Russia and Taliban militants fighting to topple the government in Kabul could complicate an already precarious security situation. Russian officials have denied they provide aid to the insurgents, who are contesting large swathes of territory and inflicting heavy casualties, and say their limited contacts are aimed at bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table. Leaders in Kabul say Russian support for the Afghan Taliban appears to be mostly political so far.

Rebels seek ceasefire with Syrian army closer to retaking Aleppo Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:45 PM PST By Lisa Barrington and Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo called on Wednesday for an immediate five-day ceasefire and the evacuation of civilians and wounded, but gave no indication they were ready to withdraw as demanded by Damascus and Moscow. The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year. In a statement calling for the truce, the rebels made no mention of evacuating the several thousand fighters who are defending an ever shrinking area of eastern Aleppo.

'No survivors' after plane crash in northern Pakistan mountains Posted: 07 Dec 2016 11:39 AM PST By Jibran Ahmed and Asad Hashim PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) - There were no survivors after a plane carrying 47 people crashed into a mountain in northern Pakistan on Wednesday, the airline's chairman said, as recovery operations continued late into the night at the remote crash site. "There are no survivors, no one has survived," said Muhammad Azam Saigol, the chairman for Pakistan International Airlines. PIA-operated flight PK661, which crashed en route from Chitral to the capital, Islamabad.

Italian PM Renzi resigns, president to consult with parties Posted: 07 Dec 2016 02:53 PM PST By Gavin Jones and Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi resigned on Wednesday after a bruising referendum loss at the weekend, with most parliamentary factions pushing for an early election in a few months' time. The 41-year-old's decision to quit after less than three years in office dealt a new blow to Western governments still in shock from Britain's vote to leave the European Union and the election of outsider Donald Trump as U.S. president. Underscoring the financial risks that heavily indebted Italy faces, Moody's changed its outlook on the country's bond rating to negative from stable, saying prospects for much-needed economic reform had shrunk after Italians rejected Renzi's proposals to revise the constitution and streamline parliament.

Cuba wants to sign accords with U.S. before Obama exit - officials Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:27 PM PST By Sarah Marsh HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba said on Wednesday it hoped to sign off on at least half a dozen agreements with the United States before businessman Donald Trump, who has threatened to derail detente between the former Cold War foes, becomes president on Jan. 20. Cuban and U.S. officials held talks in Havana to discuss what more could be accomplished during President Barack Obama's remaining weeks in office, agreeing to arrange more high-level visits and technical meetings. The more Cuba and the United States deepen their detente, the more irreversible it will become, analysts said.

Japan downgrades growth estimate for July-Sept to 1.3 pct Posted: 07 Dec 2016 05:52 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — Japan's economy grew at a slower pace than earlier estimated in the July to September quarter, expanding at an annual pace of 1.3 percent.

Rescuers comb Indonesia earthquake rubble for second day Posted: 07 Dec 2016 05:51 PM PST MEUREUDU, Indonesia (AP) — Rescue workers, soldiers and police combed through the rubble of a devastated town in Indonesia's Aceh province early Thursday, resuming a search for earthquake survivors that was halted at night by rain and blackouts.

Top Asian News 1:49 a.m. GMT Posted: 07 Dec 2016 05:49 PM PST MEUREUDU, Indonesia (AP) — Rescue workers, soldiers and police combed through the rubble of a devastated town in Indonesia's Aceh province early Thursday, resuming a search for earthquake survivors that was halted at night by rain and blackouts. Nearly 100 people died in the shallow and powerful quake that struck northeast Sumatra before dawn on Wednesday. Hundreds were injured and dozens of buildings were destroyed. The worst damage appears to be in Pidie Jaya district near the epicenter but assessments of the region are still underway. Some people spent the night outdoors while thousands of others took refuge in mosques and temporary shelters.

New Zealand finance minister emerges as likely PM as rival drops out of race Posted: 07 Dec 2016 05:43 PM PST By Charlotte Greenfield and Swati Pandey WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English emerged on Friday as the country's likely next leader after his closest competitor for the prime ministership dropped out of the race. Police Minister Judith Collins said it had become clear that English had the support of half the 59-member caucus. "As far as I'm concerned, he has won," Collins told reporters in Wellington.

Italy's Renzi resigns, hints at early election Posted: 07 Dec 2016 05:43 PM PST Matteo Renzi bowed out as Italian prime minister with a combination of jokes, regrets and a strong hint that he wants to lead his party into an early election battle. Forced to quit after a crushing referendum defeat, Renzi formally submitted his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday evening. "We are not afraid of anything or anybody, if other parties want to go to the polls .... the PD is not afraid of democracy or elections," Renzi said, in reference to opposition clamour for a nationwide vote due in early 2018 to be brought forward by up to a year.

Search widens for US Marine Corps pilot missing in Japan Posted: 07 Dec 2016 05:34 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — The search for a Marine Corps pilot who ejected from an F/A-18 jet in southern Japan was expanded to a wider area after daybreak Thursday, the U.S. military said.

Congo rights group blames govt, parties for deadly unrest Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:50 PM PST DR Congo's independent human rights commission Wednesday blamed both the government and the opposition for the deaths of 46 people, most of them by gunfire, in clashes in Kinshasa in September. Scores more were hurt in the capital when "non-identified elements in the police" and "protesters using stolen weapons" clashed September 19 and 20 in opposition protests against President Joseph Kabila, a commission report said. The release of the CNDH report, its first since the commission was set up in July 2015, was hailed by the European Union, a major donor to the vast resource-rich nation.

Rights group, worried about HIV, urges Philippines action Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:39 PM PST MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A human rights watchdog says the Philippines has one of the fastest growing epidemics of HIV in the Asia Pacific which may worsen unless the government changes its approach and removes barriers to condom use by men who have sex with men.

Lydia Ko splits with instructor David Leadbetter Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:38 PM PST ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Lydia Ko has split with instructor David Leadbetter after three years.

Ex-chief of IRA splinter group killed in Irish city of Cork Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:38 PM PST DUBLIN (AP) — Two gunmen ambushed and killed a former top figure in the Real IRA splinter group in the southwest city of Cork, the first slaying of its kind in four years in Ireland, police and witnesses said Wednesday.

AFPTV journalist wins UK award for migrant coverage Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:33 PM PST AFPTV correspondent Will Vassilopoulos on Wednesday won an award for his coverage of the migrant crisis in his native Greece from Britain's Rory Peck Trust which supports freelancers globally. Greek-Canadian Vassilopoulos was awarded the Rory Peck Award for news for his footage of migrants and refugees arriving in Greece after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey. Filming between October 2015 and March this year, he followed the new arrivals' journey from the island of Lesbos to the makeshift Idomeni camp on Greece's northern border with Macedonia.

Crowd honors 'gift of freedom' from Pearl Harbor servicemen Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:24 PM PST PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — Thousands of people observed a moment of silence before fighter jets streaked across the sky during a ceremony Wednesday at Pearl Harbor marking the 75th anniversary of the attack that plunged the United States into World War II and left more than 2,300 service people dead.

Australia names unchanged side for 1st Pakistan test Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:11 PM PST BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Australia has named an unchanged side for the first test against Pakistan starting on Dec. 15, keeping three players who made their debuts in the Adelaide win over South Africa last month.

Ghana votes in tight election amid economic slump Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:08 PM PST Counting was underway after presidential and parliamentary polls in Ghana Wednesday, with incumbent John Mahama taking on rival Nana Akufo-Addo for the top job with no clear favourite in a high-stakes race. "So far this phase of the process is evolving peacefully," Christopher Fomunyoh, regional director for the US-based National Democratic Institute, an accredited observer, told AFP. Once praised by US President Barack Obama for its peaceful transfers of power, Ghana has come under fire amid reports of voter intimidation and questions over the independence of its election agency.

Canada set to agree carbon price, marking climate split with Trump Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:07 PM PST By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's government and 10 provinces are set to agree a national carbon price on Friday, doubling down on a bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions just weeks before avowed climate change skeptic Donald Trump becomes U.S. President. Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the carbon price - the first of its kind in Canada - will help the country meet its targets under the 2015 Paris environmental accords and boost the Canadian clean technology sector. The price deal is another sign of Trudeau's alignment on climate issues with U.S. President Barack Obama, who is pressing to curb greenhouse emissions, mainly from coal-fired power plants.

Giraffes suffer 'silent extinction' in Africa: Red List report Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:06 PM PST By Alister Doyle OSLO (Reuters) - Giraffe numbers have declined by as much as 40 percent since the 1980s in a "silent extinction" driven by illegal hunting and an expansion of farmland in Africa, the Red List of endangered species reported on Thursday. Populations of the world's tallest land creature fell to about 98,000 from an estimated 152,000-163,000 in 1985, according to the List compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Red List rated the giraffe "vulnerable" to extinction on current trends for the first time, against a previous rating of "least concern".

Legia beats Sporting 1-0 to earn Europa League spot Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:04 PM PST WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Even Poland's president joined in the celebrations after Legia Warsaw marked the club's return to the Champions League after more than two decades with its first victory in the group stage.

Sevilla and FC Porto take last Champions League slots Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:52 PM PST ROME (AP) — Sevilla and FC Porto grabbed the final two spots in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, while Juventus and Borussia Dortmund finished up with the debatable advantage of being group winners.

Syrian president says Aleppo will change course of war: state TV Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:45 PM PST Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said recent army advances in Aleppo will completely change the course of the country's war, state television reported on Wednesday. Syrian government forces may be on the verge of taking full control of the city, Syria's most populous before the war and which has been divided between government- and rebel-held zones for years. Recapturing it would represent the most important stride forward in Assad's efforts to end the rebellion after nearly six years of conflict.

Brazil Senate speaker spared sacking by judges Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:44 PM PST Brasília (AFP) - Brazil's Supreme Court Wednesday overruled a bid to suspend the powerful Senate speaker from his position as he faces trial for alleged embezzlement, offering some relief to the scandal-hit government. The court's judges voted to let Renan Calheiros, 61, remain in his post but stripped him of his status as third in line after the president, on grounds that he faces corruption charges -- which he denies. An earlier ruling by one of the judges, Marco Aurelio Mello, had threatened to disrupt President Michel Temer's efforts to push a sensitive public spending cap through the legislature.

Scientists explore sunken mini sub near Pearl Harbor Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:16 PM PST ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Ocean waters are taking a toll on a sunken mini submarine 5 miles off the entrance to Pearl Harbor.

Boras says labor deal will turn Latin players from baseball Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:12 PM PST OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Agent Scott Boras says baseball's new labor contract will cause Latin American players to turn away from the sport and play soccer.

Trump taps China ambassador, consults Obama Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:10 PM PST President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday selected a political ally with close ties to China as ambassador to Beijing, stressed his determination to create US jobs and revealed he consulted with Barack Obama on his cabinet picks. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, on Wednesday urged Washington to block President Tsai Ing-wen from passing through the United States after reports said she may stop in New York to meet the Trump team.

UN scrambling for land to shelter displaced outside Mosul Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:09 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. is scrambling to find enough land to shelter those displaced by the fighting to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group as humanitarians brace for the exodus of as many as 700,000 people from the city, an official said Wednesday.

Dortmund holds Madrid 2-2 to win group, break scoring record Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:08 PM PST MADRID (AP) — With a late equalizer by substitute Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund drew 2-2 with defending champion Real Madrid on Wednesday to win Group F and set a scoring record of 21 goals in the group stage of the Champions League.

US Senate 'torture' report sought in 9/11 case at Guantanamo Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:07 PM PST GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) — Defense lawyers in the Sept. 11 war crimes case at Guantanamo Bay asked a judge Wednesday to secure a copy of a U.S. Senate report on the CIA's harsh interrogation tactics before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, at which point they fear it might be too late.

Macedonian nationalist ex-PM set to win election in test for EU Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:07 PM PST By Kole Casule and Georgina Prodhan SKOPJE/BELGRADE (Reuters) - Macedonia's veteran nationalist leader Nikola Gruevski looks set for a comeback in Sunday's parliamentary election, posing a challenge to the European Union and its strategy of coaxing Balkan nations to make painful reforms in exchange for aid. Gruevski, who led the tiny ex-Yugoslav republic for almost a decade as head of the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE, stepped down in January as part of an EU-brokered deal to end a crisis that began in early 2015, when the opposition accused the government of widespread wiretapping and exposed recorded conversations that appeared to show corruption at the highest levels. The EU has long criticized Gruevski's record on safeguarding democracy and the rule of law in Macedonia, but it needs Skopje's cooperation in tackling Europe's migrant crisis, in which more than one million people, mostly Muslims fleeing wars in the Middle East, have entered the bloc in the past 18 months.

Assad confident as rebels lose more ground in Aleppo Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:06 PM PST President Bashar al-Assad said a victory for his army in Aleppo would be a "huge step" towards ending the country's five-year civil war, as rebels in Syria's second city lost more ground. In an interview with Syrian daily Al-Watan, published Thursday, Assad said defeating the beleaguered rebels in Aleppo would not put an end to Syria's conflict. "It's true that Aleppo will be a win for us, but let's be realistic -- it won't mean the end of the war in Syria," Assad said.

FIFA deploys video replays for first time at Club World Cup Posted: 07 Dec 2016 03:05 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Referees will be allowed to get help from video replays at the Club World Cup in Japan in the first full live in-game trial of the technology that could transform soccer.

FC Copenhagen beats Brugge 2-0, but fails to reach last 16 Posted: 07 Dec 2016 02:55 PM PST BRUGES, Belgium (AP) — FC Copenhagen beat Club Brugge 2-0 on Wednesday but failed to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League because its Group G rival FC Porto also won.

U.N. chief to appoint New Zealand lawmaker as South Sudan envoy Posted: 07 Dec 2016 02:52 PM PST By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to name New Zealand lawmaker David Shearer as head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, which has been wracked by violence since 2013. Ban notified the 15-member Security Council on Wednesday of his decision to choose Shearer to succeed Ellen Loj of Denmark, who stood down at the end of November. Ban said Shearer would bring to the role "extensive political and humanitarian experience." He is currently New Zealand's opposition Labour party spokesman for foreign affairs and was Labour party leader in opposition between 2011 and 2013.

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