Yahoo! News: World News

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• Islamic State claims Jakarta attack, targets Indonesia for first time
• U.S. secures first guilty plea in U.N. bribery case
• U.S., Mexico open talks on extradition of drug kingpin Guzman
• Iran says it has removed core from Arak reactor in key nuclear deal step
• Belgian-Moroccan was third person killed in post Paris attack police raid
• Chinese marines' desert operations point to long-range ambitions
• Argentine government says fighting inflation its next goal
• Factbox: Key facts on China-Taiwan relations ahead of Taiwan vote
• Uncertainty in Guatemala as new president takes office
• Haiti opposition candidate reaffirms plans to boycott runoff
• BHP takes $7.2 billion hit on US shale assets
• Vijay Singh tied for early lead at Waialae
• California terror suspect indicted on federal charge
• Serena Williams, Sharapova in same quarter at Aussie Open
• Toxic gas leaks from tank in warehouse in Brazil
• US stocks rebound a day after plunge, led by energy sector
• Brazil demonstrators protest increased bus fares
• Kurdish officials say they're facing financial crisis
• Three-way split for winners of record $1.6 bn lottery
• Navigational error to blame in Iran incident: Pentagon chief
• Comedian takes office as Guatemala's new president
• More IS attacks likely as group suffers setbacks: US general
• White House to revamp U.S. coal program as soon as Friday: sources
• Scientists spot brightest supernova yet, outshines Milky Way
• Ortiz, Miranda share Latin American Amateur lead
• Lowry helps Raptors beat Magic 106-103 in OT in London
• IS suicide attackers hit Indonesian capital
• Defense chief: US sailors made navigational error in Iran
• Top Republican says judge Gov. Haley on ability, not looks
• Factbox: U.S., EU, U.N. close to lifting Iran sanctions. Here's how it will work
• California cruise ship passenger drowns in Puerto Rico
• Tygart puzzled by refusal to declare IAAF noncompliant
• Dutch minister apologises to 'fired' MH17 expert
• 'Harry Potter' star Alan Rickman dies aged 69
• Carter announce new commander for Middle East
• U.N. chief blasts Syria's warring parties for 'atrocious acts'
• Security Council calls emergency meeting on Syrian sieges
• Woman attacked on Australian creek bank by leaping crocodile

Islamic State claims Jakarta attack, targets Indonesia for first time Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:56 PM PST By Kanupriya Kapoor and Darren Whiteside JAKARTA (Reuters) - Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the heart of Indonesia's capital on Thursday and the assault was claimed by Islamic state, the first time the radical group has targeted the world's most populous Muslim nation. Just seven people were killed in Jakarta despite multiple blasts and a gunfight, and five of them were the attackers themselves, but the brazenness of the assault suggested a new brand of militancy in a country where low-level strikes on police are common. It took security forces about three hours to end the attack near a Starbucks cafe and Sarinah, Jakarta's oldest department store, after a team of militants traded gunfire with police and blew themselves up.

U.S. secures first guilty plea in U.N. bribery case Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:14 PM PST By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former finance director at a New York foundation accused of participating in a scheme to bribe a former United Nations General Assembly president on Thursday became the first defendant to plead guilty in the case. The guilty plea by Heidi Hong Piao to five counts, including bribery and money laundering, is a major break for U.S. prosecutors examining an alleged conspiracy to bribe John Ashe, the former General Assembly president. Piao, 52, who was also known as Heidi Park, agreed to cooperate with authorities as she admitted to having agreed with others to funnel illegal payments to Ashe, who was also the U.N. ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda.

U.S., Mexico open talks on extradition of drug kingpin Guzman Posted: 14 Jan 2016 01:53 PM PST By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has begun talks with Mexican authorities about extraditing drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States, a spokesman said on Thursday. Guzman's extradition to face charges in the United States was discussed on Tuesday at a meeting in Miami between Arely Gomez, Mexico's attorney general, and Justice officials, said the spokesman, who requested anonymity.

Iran says it has removed core from Arak reactor in key nuclear deal step Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:55 PM PST By Parisa Hafezi ANKARA (Reuters) - Iran has removed the sensitive core of its Arak nuclear reactor and U.N. inspectors will visit the site on Thursday to verify the move crucial to the implementation of Tehran's atomic agreement with major powers, state television said on Thursday. "The core vessel of the Arak reactor has been removed ... and IAEA inspectors will visit the site to verify it and report it to the IAEA ... We are ready for the implementation day of the deal," spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation Behrouz Kamalvandi said. Kamalvandi said "Implementation Day," when Iran will start to get relief from international sanctions in exchange for curtailing its nuclear program under the July 2015 agreement, would come "very soon." In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby concurred, saying "I do think we're very close" to Implementation Day.

Belgian-Moroccan was third person killed in post Paris attack police raid Posted: 14 Jan 2016 10:36 AM PST A man who died in a Nov. 18 police assault in Saint-Denis, near Paris, days after attacks in the French capital that killed 130 people, has been identified as a Belgian Moroccan national, the Paris prosecutor said on Thursday. "The suicide bomber who blew himself up (...) was identified as Chakib Akrouh, born on Aug. 27 1990 in Belgium, of Belgian Moroccan nationality," prosecutor Francois Molins said in a statement. Akrouh died in the same raid as suspected ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud - also a Belgian-Moroccan, as police closed in on some of those they suspected of being involved in the killing.

Chinese marines' desert operations point to long-range ambitions Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:12 PM PST By Michael Martina and Greg Torode BEIJING (Reuters) - Days after China passed a new law that for the first time permits its military to venture overseas on counter-terror operations, its marines began exercises in the western deserts of Xinjiang, more than 2,000 kilometers from the nearest ocean. The continuing drills are an indication, analysts say, that the marines, who have traditionally trained for amphibious assault missions, are being honed into an elite force capable of deploying on land far from mainland China. China's limited means to respond to threats abroad were highlighted by two incidents in November: when Islamic State executed a Chinese hostage, and the killing of three executives by Islamist militants who attacked a hotel in Mali.

Argentine government says fighting inflation its next goal Posted: 14 Jan 2016 05:04 PM PST BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — After lifting currency restrictions and free-floating the peso in December, the focus of Argentina's government will now be on fighting inflation, Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay said Thursday.

Factbox: Key facts on China-Taiwan relations ahead of Taiwan vote Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:57 PM PST (Reuters) - Taiwan goes to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and parliament. China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province and part of its territory, will be watching the outcome closely. Following are key facts on ties between Taiwan and China: POLITICS - China has claimed self-ruled Taiwan through its "one China" policy since the Chinese civil war forced the defeated Nationalist forces to flee to the island in 1949 and has vowed to bring it under Beijing's rule, by force if necessary.

Uncertainty in Guatemala as new president takes office Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:55 PM PST GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — TV comic and political neophyte Jimmy Morales was sworn in as Guatemala's president on Thursday amid uncertainty over how he plans to run the Central American nation beset by entrenched poverty, rampant corruption and violent criminal gangs.

Haiti opposition candidate reaffirms plans to boycott runoff Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:53 PM PST PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's opposition candidate for president has reaffirmed that he won't participate in a two-candidate runoff on Jan. 24.

BHP takes $7.2 billion hit on US shale assets Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:53 PM PST Mining giant BHP Billiton Friday said it expects to book a US$7.2 billion pre-tax writedown against the value of its struggling onshore assets in the United States as tumbling oil prices hit shale gas. The hefty writedown, which will be booked in its next half-yearly accounts due in February, equates to US$4.9 billion after tax and follows BHP, a major player in the US oil and gas industry, taking a US$2.8 billion pre-tax hit on the same assets last year. Chief executive Andrew Mackenzie blamed "significant volatility and much weaker" prices in the oil and gas industry, adding that the company had been forced to reduce its medium- and long-term price assumptions.

Vijay Singh tied for early lead at Waialae Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:46 PM PST HONOLULU (AP) — A month away from turning 53, Vijay Singh showed Thursday in the Sony Open why he doesn't spend a lot of time with players his own age.

California terror suspect indicted on federal charge Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:45 PM PST SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — An Iraqi-born man living in California was indicted Thursday on a federal charge that he lied to investigators about traveling to Syria to fight against the government there.

Serena Williams, Sharapova in same quarter at Aussie Open Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:37 PM PST MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Defending champion Serena Williams and No. 5-ranked Maria Sharapova were drawn into the same section for the Australian Open on Friday, meaning last year's finalists could meet in the quarterfinals.

Toxic gas leaks from tank in warehouse in Brazil Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:31 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — Toxic gas Thursday leaked from tanks in a cargo warehouse in the Brazilian coastal city of Guaruja sending some 40 people to hospitals.

US stocks rebound a day after plunge, led by energy sector Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:26 PM PST Energy stocks led a broad rally in U.S. stocks Thursday, giving the market its biggest gain in over a month.

Brazil demonstrators protest increased bus fares Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:24 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — Police have used stun grenades and pepper spray to disperse a small group of protesters who tried to vandalized a subway station at the end of a largely peaceful protest against increased public transportation fares in Brazil's biggest city.

Kurdish officials say they're facing financial crisis Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:17 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Iraqi Kurds, who field one of the most effective ground forces fighting Islamic State militants, are urgently asking the U.S. to help ease their budget crisis made worse by slumping oil prices and 1.8 million people who have fled fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Three-way split for winners of record $1.6 bn lottery Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:13 PM PST At least three mystery winners in California, Florida and Tennessee will split a world record $1.6 billion lottery jackpot, which tempted millions of hopefuls across the United States to try their luck. The winning numbers were 4, 8, 19, 27 and 34, drawn from five white balls, and 10 as the so-called Powerball number on a red ball, capping weeks of frenzied ticket buying for the record jackpot.

Navigational error to blame in Iran incident: Pentagon chief Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:05 PM PST A navigational error caused two US Navy vessels to stray into Iranian waters, Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said Thursday, as opponents of the Obama administration voiced increasing anger over the US response to the incident. Carter provided no detail but said "a navigational error of some kind" led to the two small patrol boats ending up in Iranian water on Tuesday. The vessels were apprehended by Iran's Revolutionary Guards while en route from Kuwait to Bahrain.

Comedian takes office as Guatemala's new president Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:04 PM PST Jimmy Morales, a former TV comic elected Guatemala's new president on a wave of public revulsion against widespread graft, took office Thursday in a ceremony attended by leaders from the Americas. Invitees to the swearing-in included US Vice President Joe Biden, and the presidents of Mexico, Ecuador and most Central American nations. Spain's former king Juan Carlos also attended.

More IS attacks likely as group suffers setbacks: US general Posted: 14 Jan 2016 04:02 PM PST Islamic State jihadists will likely increase the tempo of attacks around the world as they come under increased pressure in Iraq and Syria, a top US general warned Thursday. General Lloyd Austin, who currently heads the military's Central Command (CENTCOM) overseeing Middle East operations, made the argument that recent IS-claimed attacks like the ones this week in Istanbul and Jakarta are in fact evidence the group is faltering. "ISIL has assumed a defensive posture in Iraq and Syria," Austin said at a news conference in Florida.

White House to revamp U.S. coal program as soon as Friday: sources Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:54 PM PST By Patrick Rucker and Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration will announce as soon as Friday an overhaul of how the United States manages coal development on federal land, according to government and conservationist sources, in a further move to confront climate change. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Democratic President Barack Obama said he would "change the way we manage our oil and coal resources, so that they better reflect the costs they impose on taxpayers and our planet." The new plan will require federal officials, when weighing land use decisions, to consider how mining and burning coal adds to greenhouse gas pollution, said environmental group sources familiar with the plans.

Scientists spot brightest supernova yet, outshines Milky Way Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:25 PM PST CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronomers have discovered the brightest star explosion ever, a super supernova that easily outshines our entire Milky Way.

Ortiz, Miranda share Latin American Amateur lead Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:22 PM PST LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Mexico's Alvaro Ortiz and Ecuador's Jose Andres Miranda shared the first-round lead at 4-under 68 on Thursday in the Latin American Amateur Championship.

Lowry helps Raptors beat Magic 106-103 in OT in London Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:14 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Kyle Lowry scored 24 points, Cory Joseph added 19 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 106-103 in overtime Thursday night at O2 Arena.

IS suicide attackers hit Indonesian capital Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:12 PM PST Islamic State suicide bombers and gunmen struck the capital of Muslim-majority Indonesia Thursday, in an assault that left at least seven dead, which police said bore the hallmarks of the Paris attacks. The assault on a district packed with malls, embassies and United Nations offices left the five attackers, a Canadian and an Indonesian man dead and 20 others injured, in what the country's president called "acts of terror". The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, saying the attack was carried out by "soldiers of the caliphate" who targeted a gathering of citizens from the "crusader coalition," referring to the US-led alliance combating the jihadists.

Defense chief: US sailors made navigational error in Iran Posted: 14 Jan 2016 03:08 PM PST TAMPA, Florida (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Thursday it appears a navigational error caused the crews of two Navy boats to stray into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf, where they were detained overnight by Iran and released.

Top Republican says judge Gov. Haley on ability, not looks Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:55 PM PST BALTIMORE (AP) — The House's highest-ranking Republican woman said Thursday that South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley should be judged on her abilities, not her looks, dismissing a remark by fellow Republican Rep. Steve King.

Factbox: U.S., EU, U.N. close to lifting Iran sanctions. Here's how it will work Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:54 PM PST By Louis Charbonneau and Arshad Mohammed UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations and world powers are close to lifting sanctions on Iran under a historic nuclear deal struck in July between Tehran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China. The United States and the European Union both took formal legal steps in October to lift sanctions on "implementation day" - the day Iran meets all conditions under the deal. The green light to lift sanctions will come via a report the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will send to its governing board and the U.N. Security Council verifying Iran's compliance with its obligations under the deal.

California cruise ship passenger drowns in Puerto Rico Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:53 PM PST SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities in Puerto Rico say a cruise ship passenger from California has drowned along the U.S. territory's north coast amid rough seas.

Tygart puzzled by refusal to declare IAAF noncompliant Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:47 PM PST DENVER (AP) — The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is baffled over how a report about the Russian track scandal could stop short of declaring track's governing body noncompliant with the world's anti-doping code.

Dutch minister apologises to 'fired' MH17 expert Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:45 PM PST Dutch Justice Minister Ard van der Steur on Thursday apologised to a pathologist who was fired for showing medical students photos of the victims from the MH17 air disaster, his spokesman said. "They have talked and the minister said he was sorry," Lodewijk Herkking, the minister's spokesman, told AFP, adding professor George Maat "had accepted" the apology. All 298 passengers and crew onboard the Malaysia Airlines jetliner -- most of them Dutch -- died when it was shot down en route to Kuala Lumpur at high altitude by a BUK Russian-made missile over rebel-held eastern Ukraine.

'Harry Potter' star Alan Rickman dies aged 69 Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:43 PM PST Veteran British actor Alan Rickman, a master of the menacing screen villain, has died at the age of 69 after suffering from cancer, his family said Thursday. Rickman started out in British theatre and shot to international fame in 1988 playing opposite Bruce Willis as the German terrorist mastermind Hans Gruber in "Die Hard". "What I remember most in this moment of painful leave-taking is his humour, intelligence, wisdom and kindness," said actress Emma Thompson, who played alongside Rickman in Christmas-themed romantic comedy movie "Love Actually".

Carter announce new commander for Middle East Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:43 PM PST MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter is announcing that the general who heads his special operations forces will be nominated as the next commander for the Middle East.

U.N. chief blasts Syria's warring parties for 'atrocious acts' Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:40 PM PST By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon blasted Syria's warring parties on Thursday, particularly President Bashar al-Assad's government, for committing "atrocious acts" and "unconscionable abuses" against civilians. Speaking after briefing the U.N. General Assembly on his 2016 priorities, Ban said harrowing images of starving civilians in the besieged town of Madaya reflected a new low in a war that had already reached "shocking depths of inhumanity." "Let me be clear: the use of starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime," Ban told reporters. Hostages get fed." The U.N. Security Council will be briefed on Friday on the besiegement of some 400,000 people in Syria, diplomats said.

Security Council calls emergency meeting on Syrian sieges Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:33 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Friday at the request of Western countries trying to press Syria's warring parties to lift sieges on towns where hundreds of thousands have been cut off from aid and many are starving.

Woman attacked on Australian creek bank by leaping crocodile Posted: 14 Jan 2016 02:32 PM PST PERTH, Australia (AP) — A 68-year-old woman was in a stable condition in an Australian hospital after a crocodile lept from a creek and bit off part of her arm, authorities said.

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