Yahoo! News: World News

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• Assad says he can form new Syria government with opposition
• U.S. says it will not recognize South China Sea exclusion zone
• Obama could decide on greater troop presence in Iraq soon: general
• North Korea in 'top-speed dash' for May congress, Kim's nuclear policy
• Obama, Xi seen discussing North Korea, cybersecurity on sidelines of nuclear summit
• U.S. condemns U.N. call for list of firms operating in West Bank
• Peru's Humala hikes minimum wage 13 percent ahead of elections
• Rio governor says finances 'tragic,' suggest property sales
• Former Seattle star Lauren Jackson announces retirement
• Biden, Ukraine's Poroshenko to meet Thursday: White House
• Spanish club Valencia fires coach Gary Neville
• Argentine Senate debates deal that would end debt standoff
• Would-be suicide bomber in Cameroon not Chibok abductee: non-profit
• Ko in top form heading into first major of 2016
• Britain to ship record amount of nuclear waste to U.S.: UK government source
• Brazil leader looks to shore up support in reduced coalition
• AP news agency rejects Nazi collaboration claim
• Amnesty report alleges labor abuse at Qatar World Cup venue
• Head of UN-backed government sails to Libyan capital
• Nuclear security measure to take effect in 'near future': IAEA head
• Kerry calls for 'ultimate resolution' of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
• Gunmen storm Libya TV station as UN-backed govt told to leave
• Westinghouse expects to sign India reactor deal in June: CEO
• Mexico City temporarily restricts all cars after smog alert
• Brazil president warns of 'putsch' ahead of impeachment vote
• Trump sounds off on abortion; criticism comes from all sides
• Rhode Island governor says Iceland video may draw tourists
• Super Rugby title race steps up a gear in round 6
• Boost to vote hopes as Haiti electoral body sworn in
• Obama, France's Hollande to meet in Washington on Thursday: White House
• Libya's U.N.-backed Presidential Council reaches Tripoli by ship
• Canadian PM Trudeau invited to Cuba
• Rare Amur leopard euthanized at Oregon zoo
• Not enough rough to change strategy at ANA Inspiration
• Family of missing US speed flyer hopes he's still alive
• Alaska air traffic resumes as volcano eruptions wane
• Gunmen storm pro-Tripoli TV station in Libya: journalists
• Top Asian News 10:13 p.m. GMT
• Professional surfer mauled by shark off eastern Australia
• Colombia extends peace talks to second big rebel force

Assad says he can form new Syria government with opposition Posted: 30 Mar 2016 12:20 PM PDT By Jack Stubbs and Lisa Barrington MOSCOW/BEIRUT (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad said it would not be difficult to agree on a new Syrian government including opposition figures, but his opponents responded on Wednesday that no administration would be legitimate while he remained in office. Assad, bolstered by military victory in the desert city of Palmyra, was quoted by Russia's RIA news agency as saying a new draft constitution could be ready in weeks and a government that included opposition, independents and loyalists could be agreed. While the distribution of portfolios and other technical issues would need to be discussed at Geneva peace talks, which resume next month, "these are not difficult questions", Assad said.

U.S. says it will not recognize South China Sea exclusion zone Posted: 30 Mar 2016 09:30 AM PDT By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has told China it will not recognize an exclusion zone in the South China Sea and would view such a move as "destabilizing," U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work said on Wednesday. U.S. officials have expressed concern that an international court ruling expected in the coming weeks on a case brought by the Philippines against China over its South China Sea claims could prompt Beijing to declare an air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, in the region, as it did in the East China Sea in 2013. Work told an event hosted by the Washington Post that the United States would not recognize such an exclusion zone in the South China Sea, just as it did not recognize the one China established in the East China Sea.

Obama could decide on greater troop presence in Iraq soon: general Posted: 30 Mar 2016 02:11 PM PDT President Barack Obama will have the chance to decide on whether to increase the number of U.S. forces in Iraq in the "coming weeks," the top U.S. general said on Wednesday. The extra troops would bolster the capabilities of Iraqi forces preparing for a major offensive against the Islamic State militant group in Mosul, U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a news briefing. U.S. and Iraqi military officials have been discussing a plan to retake Mosul, which fell to Islamic State in June 2014, and how U.S. forces could support their efforts, Dunford said.

North Korea in 'top-speed dash' for May congress, Kim's nuclear policy Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:06 PM PDT By Jack Kim and James Pearson SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is poised to declare his signature ruling policy during a rare party congress in May and despite tough new U.N. sanctions, it is likely to be the twin pursuit of nuclear prowess and economic development. North Korea's official media have carried almost-daily reports and commentary extolling the "sacred road" to the day Kim's leadership will be endorsed at the "victorious and glorious 7th party congress." This week marks the half-way point in what state media describes as a 70-day "top-speed dash to glorious victory," a campaign that calls for ramped-up productivity and a sprucing-up of the capital Pyongyang as it prepares to greet delegates.

Obama, Xi seen discussing North Korea, cybersecurity on sidelines of nuclear summit Posted: 30 Mar 2016 10:49 AM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to discuss North Korea, cybersecurity and human rights when they meet on Thursday before the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, the White House said on Wednesday. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton and Washington newsroom)

U.S. condemns U.N. call for list of firms operating in West Bank Posted: 30 Mar 2016 02:07 PM PDT The United States on Wednesday condemned a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution that calls for setting up a database of businesses operating in the occupied West Bank, a move that Israel has called a "blacklist." The Geneva-based council, established 10 years ago and long accused by the United States and Israel of bias against the Jewish state, adopted the motion last week with 32 votes in favor, none against and 15, mostly European nations, abstaining. The move came less than six months after the European Union published new guidelines for labeling products made in Israeli settlements, a move Israeli officials view as discriminatory and fear could lead to an effective boycott. The resolution, which calls for the database of enterprises to be updated annually, was passed under the Human Rights Council's agenda item seven, which covers the "human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories." U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby criticized the motion at his daily briefing.

Peru's Humala hikes minimum wage 13 percent ahead of elections Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:55 PM PDT LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian President Ollanta Humala raised the minimum wage on Wednesday by 13 percent to 850 soles ($252) per month, effective May 1, following pay-increase proposals by the country's presidential candidates. Humala, a former leftist military officer who turned conservative after taking office, last increased the minimum wage in 2012 to 750 soles. It was 600 soles at the start of his five-year term, which ends on July 28. He is constitutionally barred from seeking a second consecutive term. Inflation quickened to 4. ...

Rio governor says finances 'tragic,' suggest property sales Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:53 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — In an ominous sign ahead of the Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro's acting governor said Wednesday that the state's finances are "tragic" and suggested selling off property to shore up barren coffers.

Former Seattle star Lauren Jackson announces retirement Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:48 PM PDT CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Lauren Jackson announced her injury-forced retirement on Thursday, ending an illustrious basketball career which saw her star for the WNBA's Seattle Storm and lead Australia to four Olympic medals.

Biden, Ukraine's Poroshenko to meet Thursday: White House Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:45 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who is visiting Washington to take part in a nuclear summit, will meet on Thursday, the White House said. Biden and Poroshenko will hold a working lunch, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday. President Barack Obama will convene leaders from more than 50 countries in Washington this week for his fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit. (Reporting by Washington Newsroom; Editing by Eric Beech)

Spanish club Valencia fires coach Gary Neville Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:41 PM PDT MADRID (AP) — Spanish club Valencia has fired coach Gary Neville less than four months after hiring the former England defender.

Argentine Senate debates deal that would end debt standoff Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:37 PM PDT BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina's Senate on Wednesday began debating a deal with a group of creditors in the U.S. that would put an end to a years-long dispute that has kept the South American nation on the margins of international credit markets.

Would-be suicide bomber in Cameroon not Chibok abductee: non-profit Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:33 PM PDT A would-be suicide bomber who was arrested in Cameroon is not one of the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped nearly two years ago from the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok, a non-profit announced on Wednesday. The Murtala Muhammed Foundation said three representatives of the Chibok schoolgirls' parents reviewed photographs of the girl at its offices but she and a woman also detained "do not fit the description of any of the missing daughters from Chibok". Nigeria's government told the MMF on Tuesday afternoon the girl was 12 years old and was originally from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, but was abducted 70 kilometres (43 miles) away in Bama when Boko Haram overran the town.

Ko in top form heading into first major of 2016 Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:25 PM PDT World number one Lydia Ko is riding high heading into this week's first major of the year, but the New Zealand teenager says she's under no pressure at the ANA Inspiration in the California desert. Last year she became the seventh multiple winner of the event, firing a final-round 69 that included an eagle at the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Stacy Lewis.

Britain to ship record amount of nuclear waste to U.S.: UK government source Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:19 PM PDT Britain will ship 700 kilograms of nuclear waste to the United States under a deal to be announced by Prime Minister David Cameron at a nuclear security summit in Washington on Thursday, a British government source said. In return for the shipment, the largest ever movement of highly enriched uranium, the United States will send Europe a different type of nuclear waste that can be used to produce medical isotopes for the treatment of some cancers. "The prime minister will be announcing a landmark deal that we have agreed with the US and with (European Atomic Energy Community) Euratom," the British government source said, on condition of anonymity.

Brazil leader looks to shore up support in reduced coalition Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:14 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — President Dilma Rousseff looked on Wednesday to shore up the support of parties still in her governing coalition after Brazil's biggest quit the bloc, complicating her fight to fend off impeachment proceedings as a plunging economy makes reforms difficult and has some lawmakers worried about hosting the Olympics in August.

AP news agency rejects Nazi collaboration claim Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:05 PM PDT The Associated Press on Wednesday defended its operations in Germany in the run-up to World War II after a researcher uncovered what was claimed to be evidence of collaboration with the Nazi regime. The US news organization responded to a paper in the German-language journal Studies in Contemporary History claiming it supplied American newspapers with material selected by the Nazi propaganda ministry, and in turn allowed it to use AP images for anti-Semitic propaganda. "AP rejects the suggestion that it collaborated with the Nazi regime at any time," said a statement from agency spokesman Paul Colford.

Amnesty report alleges labor abuse at Qatar World Cup venue Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:03 PM PDT DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Migrant laborers faced abuse that in some cases amounted to forced labor while working on a stadium that will host soccer matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a new report released by Amnesty International alleged Thursday.

Head of UN-backed government sails to Libyan capital Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:02 PM PDT TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — The head of a U.N.-brokered Libyan unity government arrived in the capital by sea Wednesday to set up a temporary seat of power in a naval base despite threats from competing factions, which prevented him from arriving by air.

Nuclear security measure to take effect in 'near future': IAEA head Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:01 PM PDT By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Only six more nations need to ratify an amendment to a nuclear security convention that would make it legally binding for countries to tighten protection of nuclear facilities and materials, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday. IAEA Director Yukiya Amano told reporters that the measure should take effect "in the near future" after Serbia and the Marshall Islands formally ratified it on Wednesday and more countries were expected to submit paperwork on Thursday or Friday. Amano, in Washington for President Barack Obama's fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit this week, said the ratification would be "a very important step up ... in nuclear security." Pakistan ratified the amendment last week.

Kerry calls for 'ultimate resolution' of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Posted: 30 Mar 2016 04:00 PM PDT U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called on Wednesday for "an ultimate resolution" of the two-decade-old Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia during talks with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev at the State Department. Aliyev is in Washington for a two-day nuclear security summit hosted by President Barack Obama on Thursday and Friday. "We want to see an ultimate resolution of the frozen conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh that needs to be a negotiated settlement and something that has to be worked on over time," Kerry said during a brief photo opportunity with Aliyev.

Gunmen storm Libya TV station as UN-backed govt told to leave Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:59 PM PDT Gunmen stormed the headquarters of a Libyan television station late Wednesday, as the authorities in control of Tripoli demanded the departure of the newly-arrived prime minister designate in a blow to hopes for a peaceful power handover. The channel is close to the unrecognised authorities in control of Tripoli. One Al-Nabaa journalist said the gunmen appeared to be supporters of the UN-backed unity government, whose head Fayez al-Sarraj arrived in the capital Wednesday to the fury of the rival authorities.

Westinghouse expects to sign India reactor deal in June: CEO Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:58 PM PDT By David Brunnstrom and Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chief executive of Toshiba Corp's Westinghouse Electric said on Wednesday he expects to sign a deal in June to build six nuclear reactors in India after marathon negotiations that began more than a decade ago. In January, Westinghouse CEO Daniel Roderick told Reuters he hoped to be able to sign the deal in March, in time for a visit to Washington by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend a nuclear security summit that starts Thursday. On Wednesday, Roderick said the target date was now June.

Mexico City temporarily restricts all cars after smog alert Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:53 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Metropolitan authorities on Wednesday temporarily ordered all cars to remain idle one day a week in response to this notoriously smoggy capital's worst air-quality crisis in over a decade.

Brazil president warns of 'putsch' ahead of impeachment vote Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:52 PM PDT Brasília (AFP) - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said Wednesday she was the victim of a coup as her allies horse-traded frantically for enough votes to ride out an impeachment drive. "Impeachment is a putschist process that is out of line with the country's trajectory since returning to democracy," Rousseff said in a speech in Brasilia, referring to the end of Brazil's two-decade military dictatorship in 1985. A months-long crisis reducing Latin America's biggest country to political paralysis ahead of the Rio Olympics deepened Tuesday when Rousseff's leftist Workers' Party lost its main coalition partner.

Trump sounds off on abortion; criticism comes from all sides Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:48 PM PDT By Doina Chiacu and Emily Stephenson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said on Wednesday that women who end pregnancies should face punishment if the United States bans abortion, triggering a torrent of criticism from both sides of the abortion debate, including from his White House rivals. After MSNBC broadcast a clip of an interview with Trump, the billionaire rowed back his remarks, first saying that the abortion issue should be handled by states and later saying that doctors who performed abortions should be the person held responsible. "The doctor or any other person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not the woman," Trump said in his last statement.

Rhode Island governor says Iceland video may draw tourists Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:48 PM PDT PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's governor says people searching for Iceland online are finding her state instead because of a goof in its tourism video and she's hoping they'll visit.

Super Rugby title race steps up a gear in round 6 Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:48 PM PDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The title race in Super Rugby will intensify in the sixth round as the ACT Brumbies and Chiefs meet in a top-of-the-table clash and teams leave the first third of the regular season behind.

Boost to vote hopes as Haiti electoral body sworn in Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:46 PM PDT Port-au-Prince (AFP) - The nine members of Haiti's new provisional electoral council (CEP) took office Wednesday, tasked with relaunching the election process that was left in limbo in January after opposition protests. "The task ahead is immense, giving hope to millions of our compatriots who are waiting," said Mosler Georges, executive director of the CEP, which is tasked with organizing the elections. Haiti's interim leader, Jocelerme Privert, officially swore in his cabinet Monday, promising an urgent push forward to get the Caribbean nation's electoral process back on track.

Obama, France's Hollande to meet in Washington on Thursday: White House Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:44 PM PDT U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande will meet in Washington on Thursday on the sidelines of a nuclear summit, the White House said on Wednesday. The two leaders will hold a "brief bilateral meeting," the White House said in a statement. Obama will convene leaders from more than 50 countries in Washington this week for his fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit.

Libya's U.N.-backed Presidential Council reaches Tripoli by ship Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:42 PM PDT By Hani Amara TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Members of Libya's U.N.-backed Presidential Council reached Tripoli by ship on Wednesday, defying attempts to keep them out of the city and prevent them from installing a unity government. A key TV channel that backs a separate, self-declared government in Tripoli was taken off air. A self-declared government and armed groups that back it had warned the Council and the unity government not to travel to the capital.

Canadian PM Trudeau invited to Cuba Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:41 PM PDT Cuba has invited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to visit the communist-run island, Havana's ambassador to Ottawa said Wednesday. "He is welcome to Cuba any time he wishes to come when his schedule allows him, and if President Raul Castro is invited to come to Canada, I'm sure he will take this opportunity," Ambassador Julio Garmendia Pena told a press conference in Montreal. The invitation comes one week after US President Barack Obama wrapped up a historic trip to Cuba, where he met with Raul Castro during a trip aimed at cementing the thaw announced by the two leaders in December 2014.

Rare Amur leopard euthanized at Oregon zoo Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:36 PM PDT One of the planet's last remaining Amur leopards, a 20-year-old giant cat plagued by kidney disease and extreme old age, was euthanized at the Oregon Zoo, officials said on Wednesday. "Given that there are fewer than 300 of these animals left in the world, every passing feels particularly poignant," zoo curator Amy Cutting said in a statement. "She had a good life, raised a bunch of cubs and was an excellent mother," said Cynthia Kreider, who leads the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' efforts to boost and preserve Amur leopards in the wild.

Not enough rough to change strategy at ANA Inspiration Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:26 PM PDT RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) — The rough is up a bit at the ANA Inspiration, though not enough to force the long-hitters to play it safe in the major championship.

Family of missing US speed flyer hopes he's still alive Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:24 PM PDT BERLIN (AP) — The family of an American extreme sports enthusiast who went missing in the Swiss Alps over the weekend said Wednesday they're holding out hope that he's still alive.

Alaska air traffic resumes as volcano eruptions wane Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:22 PM PDT ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A remote Alaska volcano rumbled and sputtered Wednesday but was no longer spewing the massive ash clouds that disrupted airline traffic earlier in the week.

Gunmen storm pro-Tripoli TV station in Libya: journalists Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:14 PM PDT Gunmen stormed the Tripoli headquarters of satellite TV station Al-Nabaa on Wednesday night, cut its transmissions and forced out its staff, according to two journalists from the channel, which is close to the authorities in control of the Libyan capital. "A group of armed men, some of them in fatigues and some in civilian clothing, stormed our offices and gathered the employees in one room telling them they have nothing more to do here," one of the journalists told AFP. None of us has been hurt," another journalist from the channel told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Top Asian News 10:13 p.m. GMT Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:13 PM PDT NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's slow transition to democracy took a momentous step Wednesday as a trusted aide to ruling-party leader Aung San Suu Kyi took over as the country's president, officially ending more than 50 years of the military's control over government. In a day full of ceremony and symbolism, Htin Kyaw was sworn in along with his two vice presidents and 18 Cabinet ministers. Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate and face of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement, takes on a prominent role as the country's new foreign minister and the head of three other ministries — education, energy and the presidential office.

Professional surfer mauled by shark off eastern Australia Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:13 PM PDT SYDNEY (AP) — A professional surfer was mauled by a shark off the Australian east coast on Wednesday evening, officials said.

Colombia extends peace talks to second big rebel force Posted: 30 Mar 2016 03:08 PM PDT Colombia's government launched peace negotiations Wednesday with the country's second-biggest guerrilla group, setting its sights on a total end to a bloody half-century conflict. Bogota hopes the talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) will bring it on board alongside Colombia's biggest rebel force, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in a bid to end what is seen as the last major armed confrontation in the West. "If we achieve peace, it will be the end of the guerrillas in Colombia and therefore in Latin America," said the country's President Juan Manuel Santos.

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