Yahoo! News: World News

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• U.N. seeks Syrian peace talks this week, opposition threatens boycott
• Syrian army seizes strategic town in Deraa province: monitor
• Deals and warms words flow as Iranian president visits Europe
• 'Running out of time', EU puts Greece, Schengen on notice
• Libya's recognized parliament rejects U.N.-backed unity government
• Exclusive: Short-term interim government likely in Haiti - U.S. official
• What to know about the tropical Zika virus in Latin America
• Costa Rica sets date for 2nd airlift of stranded Cubans
• Amnesty: Dozens of juvenile offenders face death in Iran
• Top Asian News 11:59 p.m. GMT
• Witness testifies in U.S. about 2000 murder of diplomat in Niger
• Report: 2 Chinese killed in Laos suspected bombing
• AP source: MLB clears Yu Darvish after brother's arrest
• UK and Germany agree 'more work' to do on EU reform deal
• U.N., El Salvador launch U.S.-backed anti-corruption program
• Canada cop convicted of attempted murder in streetcar killing
• Suicide bombers kill 32, wound dozens in northern Cameroon
• 7 FIFA voters in Central America pledge for Infantino
• Merkel opens Holocaust art expo with anti-Semitism warning
• UN to monitor end of Colombia-FARC conflict
• FIFA to punish Papua New Guinea for Olympic playoff no-show
• Washington faces days of cleanup after epic blizzard
• Central America backs Infantino's bid to become FIFA head
• British explorer dies trying to cross Antarctic solo
• Rio, Brazil, says it's on guard against Zika virus
• Burkina Faso lifts curfew imposed during failed coup
• Congo's Sassou Nguesso to seek third term in March vote
• Canada school shooter indicted over deadly attack
• Plaintiffs' lawyers wary of taking on Flint water scandal
• Italy police find illegal rubbish dump in ancient ruins
• UN OKs mission to monitor future cease-fire in Colombia
• U.N. Security Council creates mission to verify Colombia peace deal
• Cheap loans proposed to ease aid gap in Syria refugee crisis
• 18th time lucky? Sharapova takes aim at Serena streak
• Israel approves more than 150 new settler homes in West Bank: Peace Now
• Puerto Rico casino closes amid crisis after 15 years
• C. Africa court annuls vote over 'irregularities'

U.N. seeks Syrian peace talks this week, opposition threatens boycott Posted: 25 Jan 2016 09:41 AM PST By Lisa Barrington and Tom Miles BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Monday it would issue invitations for marathon Syrian peace talks to begin this week, but opposition groups signaled they would stay away unless the government and its Russian allies halt air strikes and lift sieges on towns. The first talks in two years to end the Syrian civil war were meant to begin on Monday but have been held up in part by a dispute over who should represent the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad. U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura said he was still working on his list, and expected to issue the invitations on Tuesday for talks to start on Friday.

Syrian army seizes strategic town in Deraa province: monitor Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:44 PM PST The Syrian army on Monday recaptured from insurgents a strategic town in the southern province of Deraa after fierce fighting, securing its supply routes from the capital to the south, a monitoring group said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting is now outside the western parts of the town of Sheikh Maskin, which lies at a crossroads linking the provinces of Suwaida, Quneitra and Damascus to the southern part of the country. It also links eastern and western Deraa.

Deals and warms words flow as Iranian president visits Europe Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:02 PM PST By Antonella Cinelli and Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) - Italy and Iran signed billions of dollars of business deals on Monday at the start of a visit to Europe by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani aimed at rebuilding his nation's ties with the West after years of economic sanctions. Heading a 120-strong delegation of business leaders and ministers, Rouhani will spend two days in Rome before flying to France on Wednesday, looking to polish Tehran's diplomatic credentials at a time of turmoil in the Middle East. There are sectors where we must work closer together," Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said, standing alongside Rouhani.

'Running out of time', EU puts Greece, Schengen on notice Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:40 PM PST By Gabriela Baczynska and Alastair Macdonald AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The European Union edged closer on Monday to accepting that its Schengen open-borders area may be suspended for up to two years if it fails in the next few weeks to curb the influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa. Shorter-term dispensations for border controls end in May. EU migration ministers meeting in Amsterdam decided they may be extended for two years - an unprecedented extension - because the migrant crisis probably will not be brought under control by then, according to the Dutch migration minister, who chaired the meeting. Some ministers made clear such a - theoretically temporary - move would cut off Greece, where more than 40,000 people have arrived by sea from Turkey this year, despite a deal with Ankara two months ago to hold back an exodus of Syrian refugees.

Libya's recognized parliament rejects U.N.-backed unity government Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:26 PM PST By Ayman al-Warfalli BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libya's internationally recognized parliament voted on Monday to reject a unity government proposed under a United Nations-backed plan to resolve the country's political crisis and armed conflict. Of 104 members who attended the session in the eastern city of Tobruk, 89 voted against an administration nominated last week, demanding a new proposal within 10 days. Since 2014, Libya has had two competing parliaments and governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the east.

Exclusive: Short-term interim government likely in Haiti - U.S. official Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:19 PM PST By Frank Jack Daniel PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti is likely to install an interim government to transfer power to a new president, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, after the Caribbean nation called off an election days before current President Michel Martelly is due to leave office. The United States' Haiti Special Coordinator Kenneth Merten said Washington wanted to see new elections quickly and opposed a long transitional period, but acknowledged elections were unlikely to be held before Martelly's Feb. 7 departure date. "Realistically speaking," Merten told Reuters, "We may be looking at some sort of temporary solution until there is a handover to a new elected president.

What to know about the tropical Zika virus in Latin America Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:31 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — A rare tropical disease is spreading in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. The mosquito-borne Zika virus usually causes a mild illness but is now suspected in an unusual birth defect and possibly other health issues. Some things to know:

Costa Rica sets date for 2nd airlift of stranded Cubans Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:27 PM PST SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica has set a Feb. 4 date for a second airlift of Cuban migrants who have been stranded for over two months at the country's northern border with Nicaragua, officials said Monday.

Amnesty: Dozens of juvenile offenders face death in Iran Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:22 PM PST DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dozens of people who were arrested in Iran for crimes committed before they turned 18 remain at risk of the death penalty despite recent reforms, with many having already spent years on death row, according to a report by Amnesty International released Tuesday.

Top Asian News 11:59 p.m. GMT Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:00 PM PST TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Unusually cold weather in eastern Asia has been blamed for more than 65 deaths, disrupted transportation and brought the first snow to a subtropical city in southern China in almost 50 years. Here is a look at the worst cold weather to hit the region in years: TAIWAN Temperatures in Taiwan's capital of Taipei plunged to a 16-year low of 4 degrees Celsius (39 Fahrenheit), killing 57 mostly elderly people, according to government officials. The semi-official Focus Taiwan news website reported that 85 people had died because of the cold. Most homes in subtropical Taiwan lack central heating, and the cold caused heart trouble and breathing problems for many of the victims, a city official said.

Witness testifies in U.S. about 2000 murder of diplomat in Niger Posted: 25 Jan 2016 04:00 PM PST By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - An African security guard on Monday told a U.S. judge that he saw an American diplomat shot to death in Niger 14 years ago, and identified the shooter as the suspect who has been indicted for the crime. Moumouni Karimou told a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York, he had smoked with the shooter just minutes before he witnessed the fatal carjacking. Prosecutors called Karmou to testify about the murder of U.S. Department of Defense official William Bultemeier in 2000.

Report: 2 Chinese killed in Laos suspected bombing Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:59 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — Two Chinese citizens have been killed and one injured in a suspected bomb attack in central Laos, a mountainous area that in recent months has seen an increase in violence and in years past was the scene of clashes between government forces and the Hmong ethnic minority.

AP source: MLB clears Yu Darvish after brother's arrest Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:53 PM PST ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Major League Baseball has determined Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish had no role in any of the activities that led to the arrest of his brother in Japan for allegedly running an illegal gambling ring.

UK and Germany agree 'more work' to do on EU reform deal Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:44 PM PST British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday stressed that "more work" was needed to strike a deal on reforms to the European Union ahead of London's in/out referendum. Cameron has said he wants to land a deal on four key reforms with his fellow EU leaders at next month's European Council so that he can campaign to stay in the bloc ahead of a referendum on membership, which he has promised to hold by the end of 2017. "On the UK renegotiation, they agreed that there had been progress since December's European Council and that there was genuine good will across the EU to address the British people's concerns in all four areas," said the statement.

U.N., El Salvador launch U.S.-backed anti-corruption program Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:31 PM PST By Nelson Renteria SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - The U.N. on Monday announced a U.S.-financed pilot program to help fight corruption in El Salvador, a Central American country so torn by drugs and gang warfare that it ranks among the most violent in the world. The three-year program, with an unknown price tag, will support the government of leftist President Salvador Sanchez Ceren but lacks the broad investigative powers of the U.N.-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The CICIG was instrumental in gathering evidence that Guatemalan President Otto Perez was part of a customs racket, leading to his resignation and eventual arrest last year.

Canada cop convicted of attempted murder in streetcar killing Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:31 PM PST A Canadian policeman could be jailed for life after a jury found him guilty Monday of attempted murder in the fatal shooting of a knife-wielding teenager on a Toronto streetcar in 2013. Constable James Forcillo, a six-year veteran with an otherwise unblemished record, was however acquitted of two more serious charges of second-degree, or not premeditated, murder and manslaughter. "It was a trial by YouTube," he said, speaking to reporters outside the courtroom.

Suicide bombers kill 32, wound dozens in northern Cameroon Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:26 PM PST By Josiane Kouagheu DOUALA, Cameroon (Reuters) - Suicide bombers targeting a town in northern Cameroon killed 32 people and wounded 66 on Monday, one of the worst attacks yet in the Central African nation as it struggles to contain violence blamed on Nigeria's Boko Haram. State-owned radio and local officials said four explosions struck a busy market and entrances to the town of Bodo, which borders the Islamist insurgency's strongholds in northeastern Nigeria, at around 10 a.m. (0900 GMT). ... The vigilance committees weren't able to see the suicide bombers, who entered the village in the middle of the night," he said, asking not to be named.

7 FIFA voters in Central America pledge for Infantino Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:13 PM PST PANAMA CITY (AP) — FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino gained votes outside Europe on Monday when the 7-nation group of Central American soccer federations pledged its support.

Merkel opens Holocaust art expo with anti-Semitism warning Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:01 PM PST Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday opened a major exhibition featuring works by Jewish concentration camp prisoners, as she pledged to combat a feared rise in anti-Semitism in Germany linked to a record influx of refugees. The show, "Art from the Holocaust", brings together 100 works on loan from Israel's Yad Vashem memorial by 50 artists created in secret between 1939 and 1945 while they were confined to the camps or ghettos. The drawings and paintings on display at Berlin's German Historical Museum depict the suffering, drudgery and terror endured by the detainees.

UN to monitor end of Colombia-FARC conflict Posted: 25 Jan 2016 03:00 PM PST The United Nations agreed Monday to monitor the expected end of a half-century conflict between the Colombian government and FARC rebels, in a move hailed as an important step toward peace. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that, at the request of the two sides, establishes a "political mission" with unarmed international observers. The mission will be in place for at least 12 months to supervise and check the laying down of arms, and be part of a tripartite body to "monitor and verify the definitive bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities" between Bogota and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels, the resolution said.

FIFA to punish Papua New Guinea for Olympic playoff no-show Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:53 PM PST ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has opened a disciplinary case against the Papua New Guinea soccer federation whose women's team failed to travel to New Zealand for an Olympic qualifying playoff scheduled on Tuesday.

Washington faces days of cleanup after epic blizzard Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:42 PM PST By Doina Chiacu and Barbara Goldberg WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Washington will need several more days to return to normal after a weekend blizzard dropped more than 2 feet (60 cm) of snow along the U.S. East Coast, likely causing billions of dollars in damage and killing more than 30. The nation's capital was at a standstill, with federal government offices ordered shut on Monday, schools in the district and surrounding suburbs shuttered and the U.S. House of Representatives canceling all votes until next week. Washington's mayor, Muriel Bowser, said that city public schools would remain closed on Tuesday but that city government offices would reopen.

Central America backs Infantino's bid to become FIFA head Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:36 PM PST PANAMA CITY (AP) — Seven soccer federations from Central America are declaring their support for UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino's bid to become FIFA president.

British explorer dies trying to cross Antarctic solo Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:20 PM PST British adventurer Henry Worsley died while trying to make history by crossing the Antarctic alone in a trip backed by members of the royal family, his wife said Monday. "It is with heartbroken sadness I let you know that my husband, Henry Worsley, has died following complete organ failure," his wife Joanna said in a statement.

Rio, Brazil, says it's on guard against Zika virus Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:12 PM PST RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The more than 3,000 health inspectors in Rio de Janeiro are stepping up inspections for mosquito breeding areas near the city's Carnival sites as part of a bid to stem the spread of Zika, a virus linked to a rare birth defect, city hall said in a statement sent Monday.

Burkina Faso lifts curfew imposed during failed coup Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:12 PM PST Ouagadougou (AFP) - Burkina Faso has lifted a curfew in force since a failed coup in September, the government announced Monday, but it warned citizens to stay vigilant following this month's jihadist attack at a top hotel in the capital.

Congo's Sassou Nguesso to seek third term in March vote Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:09 PM PST Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso will seek a third term in office during presidential elections in March in line with recent changes to the country's constitution, his party said Monday. One of Africa's longest-serving leaders, Sassou Nguesso has served as head of state for nearly 32 years, and was on Monday named as the official candidate for the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT), which he founded in 1969. "The PCT's Central Committee confirms the candidacy of Denis Sassou Nguesso as its candidate for the presidential election of March 20, 2016," said a statement issued after a meeting of the party's leadership.

Canada school shooter indicted over deadly attack Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:08 PM PST Ottawa (AFP) - A high-school student was formally accused Monday over the murder of two teenage brothers and two teachers in a remote Indian community in Canada plagued by poverty and boredom and a growing loss of cultural identity.

Plaintiffs' lawyers wary of taking on Flint water scandal Posted: 25 Jan 2016 02:07 PM PST The water scandal in Flint, Michigan has many of the ingredients for a mass, class-action lawsuit: danger signs that may have been ignored, many thousands of potential victims, the possibility of lifelong health problems, and the alleged systemic failure of people in charge. What's holding them back, several lawyers said, is not the facts or the victims, but the prospective targets: The State of Michigan, the city of Flint, and officials at various levels of government. Special legal protections make it difficult to hold governments liable for damages, they said.

Italy police find illegal rubbish dump in ancient ruins Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:55 PM PST Italian police uncovered an illegal rubbish dump hidden in the remains of ancient Roman catacombs on Monday and sealed off the area while they investigate alleged environmental pollution. Underground caverns and tunnels used as tombs since the second century B.C. had been filled with harmful waste over the years, creating an underground lake of acrid oil, Italian media reported. Italy is home to some of Europe's largest landfill sites and has been fined millions of euros by the European Court of Justice for failing to clean up its illegal dumping grounds.

UN OKs mission to monitor future cease-fire in Colombia Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:35 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution to establish a political mission to monitor and verify a future cease-fire in Colombia that would end Latin America's longest-running guerrilla conflict.

U.N. Security Council creates mission to verify Colombia peace deal Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:51 PM PST By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Monday approved the creation of a U.N. mission of unarmed international observers to monitor disarmament should Colombia's government and leftist FARC rebels reach a deal to end Latin America's longest war. The 15-member council unanimously adopted a British-drafted resolution that would establish a political mission for 12 months "to monitor and verify the definitive bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and the laying down of arms." "This concrete mandate of the Security Council will benefit all Colombians and will contribute to build confidence in a country determined to overcome the aftermath of a decades-long conflict that caused too much suffering for generations," Colombia's Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin said after the vote.

Cheap loans proposed to ease aid gap in Syria refugee crisis Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:48 PM PST AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Faced with a chronic shortfall in Syria aid, the World Bank and other donors are promoting new ideas, including interest-free development loans for the hard-hit Middle Eastern countries that are hosting most refugees.

18th time lucky? Sharapova takes aim at Serena streak Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:40 PM PST Maria Sharapova will take aim at her 17-match losing streak against Serena Williams on Tuesday as she bids to torpedo the American world number one's title defence in the Australian Open quarter-finals. Sharapova has not beaten Williams, holder of 21 Grand Slam titles, since 2004, meaning it's high time the Russian fifth seed pulled one back in their head to head. The signs are not brilliant for Sharapova, as Williams has played her way into the tournament and has looked increasingly impressive in each match.

Israel approves more than 150 new settler homes in West Bank: Peace Now Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:35 PM PST Israel's defence ministry has approved plans to build 153 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, a spokeswoman for the Israeli settlements watchdog Peace Now said on Monday. Hagit Ofran said the plans were adopted last week, and involve small settlements in the Ariel area in the northern West Bank, the Carmel settlement in the Hebron area and the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. Peace Now said on December 28 that Israel was working to revive and extend plans for new Jewish settler homes in the contentious area of the occupied West Bank known as E1.

Puerto Rico casino closes amid crisis after 15 years Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:32 PM PST SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Another casino has closed in Puerto Rico amid the U.S. territory's deep economic crisis.

C. Africa court annuls vote over 'irregularities' Posted: 25 Jan 2016 01:31 PM PST The Central African Republic's top court on Monday annulled last month's first-round legislative vote over "irregularities", but said the second round of the presidential elections could go ahead. Voters had cast their ballots in presidential and parliamentary elections on December 30 in an election seen as vital for restoring stability after years of religious violence. Although there was a high turnout and the poll passed off peacefully, the legislative vote was flawed by "numerous irregularities" involving the candidates, Constitutional Court president Zacharie Ndoumba said Monday.

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