Yahoo! News: World News

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• U.S.-backed Syrian alliance launches new attack near Islamic State capital
• No sign of EgyptAir plane technical problems before takeoff: Al-Ahram
• Obama prods Vietnam on rights after activists stopped from meeting him
• Iraq forces keep up shelling of Falluja, U.N. concern mounts for civilians
• Pakistan can't confirm Taliban leader is dead, criticizes U.S. drone strike
• New Turkish cabinet reflects Erdogan's growing power
• Pro-squatter protesters clash 2nd time with Barcelona police
• Native groups protest planned French auction of artifacts
• Gamers strive to go mainstream in new Turner-backed league
• Writers share Wodehouse comic fiction prize, win a pig
• Brazil police probe U.S. Steel venture, Tenaris pipe unit
• Estonian PM doesn't rule out taking refugees direct from Turkey
• U.N. urges Falluja combatants to let civilians escape fighting
• NZ 7s coach given some credit for rugby's return to Olympics
• Brazil president urges economy reforms, slams 'psychological aggression'
• Suspect in 1980 Paris synagogue attack ordered back to jail
• EgyptAir plane showed no technical issues before takeoff: Al-Ahram
• Top Asian News 10:27 p.m. GMT
• 2,000 migrants moved from Greek border camp
• Christie's fined over elephant ivory sale
• Medals or mosquitoes? Zika still talk of Olympic golf
• US prosecutors to seek death penalty for Charleston church shooter
• Tuvalu PM urges new legal framework for climate migrants
• Sartorius to expand pharmaceutical plant in Puerto Rico
• Lawyer denies ex-rebel leader tied to attack on Haiti police
• Miracle on Ice goalie selling his gold medal, mask, skates
• Mexico City issues 6th smog alert after ozone levels spike
• French Open Lookahead: Raonic's serve could be 'painful'
• The Latest: Native groups protest planned French auction
• Daughter of detained Hong Kong bookseller appeals for U.S. help
• In final drive, Obama seeks better relations with US foes
• Column: McGregor vs Mayweather, a freak show with precedent
• Police find 5 hacked-up bodies in Mexican Gulf coast state
• Jeonbuk, Shanghai SIPG into Asian Champions League quarters
• Ajax hires Peter Bosz as new coach to replace Frank de Boer
• French government breaks blockades as petrol runs short
• Erdogan says Turkey parliament will block EU migrant deal if no visa-free travel

U.S.-backed Syrian alliance launches new attack near Islamic State capital Posted: 24 May 2016 01:06 PM PDT By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - A U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian militias launched a new offensive against Islamic State fighters near their de facto capital of Raqqa city on Tuesday, a monitoring group and an official said. The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance is the main Syrian partner for the U.S.-led alliance battling the Islamic State group that controls large areas of northern and eastern Syria. Aided by U.S.-led air strikes, the YPG has driven Islamic State from wide areas of northern Syria over the last year or more, though its advances have recently slowed.

No sign of EgyptAir plane technical problems before takeoff: Al-Ahram Posted: 24 May 2016 04:00 PM PDT By Lin Noueihed and Tim Hepher CAIRO/PARIS (Reuters) - The EgyptAir jet that crashed last week showed no technical problems before taking off from Paris according to an Aircraft Technical Log signed by its pilot before takeoff, Egypt's state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram said on Tuesday. Al-Ahram published a scan of the log on its website. The paper said EgyptAir flight 804 transmitted 11 "electronic messages" starting at 5.09 p.m. ET on May 18, about 3 1/2 hours before disappearing from radar screens with 66 passengers and crew on board.

Obama prods Vietnam on rights after activists stopped from meeting him Posted: 24 May 2016 01:55 PM PDT By Matt Spetalnick and Martin Petty HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama chided Vietnam on political freedoms on Tuesday after critics of its communist-run government were prevented from meeting him in Hanoi, a discordant note on a trip otherwise steeped in amity between the former foes. Tens of thousands turned out to welcome Obama on the second leg of his visit, Ho Chi Minh City, which was called Saigon until April 1975 when North Vietnamese tanks rolled in to bring U.S.-backed South Vietnam under communist rule. Many in the crowds lining the streets chanted "Obama, Obama," some held handwritten signs reading "Obama, we love you," and one woman held a boy dressed in a Captain America costume, complete with shield.

Iraq forces keep up shelling of Falluja, U.N. concern mounts for civilians Posted: 24 May 2016 03:21 PM PDT By Ahmed Rasheed and Stephen Kalin BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi forces shelled Islamic State targets in Falluja on Tuesday, the second day of an assault to retake the militant stronghold just west of Baghdad, as international concern mounted for the security of civilians. The United Nations refugees agency UNHCR said women and children died while trying to leave the city. About 100,000 civilians are estimated to be in Falluja which, in January 2014, became the first Iraqi city to be captured by Islamic State, six months before the group declared its caliphate.

Pakistan can't confirm Taliban leader is dead, criticizes U.S. drone strike Posted: 24 May 2016 03:50 PM PDT By Asad Hashim and Syed Raza Hassan ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's interior minister said on Tuesday he could not confirm that Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour had been killed in a U.S. drone strike, and described Washington's justification for the attack as "against international law". U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that Mansour had been killed in the drone strike, and the Pentagon said separately that Mansour was plotting attacks that posed "specific, imminent threats" to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

New Turkish cabinet reflects Erdogan's growing power Posted: 24 May 2016 09:47 AM PDT By Gulsen Solaker and Ece Toksabay ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's new prime minister vowed on Tuesday to work immediately on forging the stronger presidency wanted by the incumbent, Tayyip Erdogan, and announced a cabinet that signaled policy continuity but left little doubt as to who was in charge. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told parliament he would seize a "historic opportunity" to change a constitution born of a 1980 army coup. Erdogan won Turkey's first presidential election in 2014 having stepped down from the prime minister's post with the intention of imbuing a largely ceremonial presidency with strong powers akin to those of the U.S. and French heads of state.

Pro-squatter protesters clash 2nd time with Barcelona police Posted: 24 May 2016 04:48 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Protesters supporting squatters in Barcelona clashed with police again Tuesday, less than 24 hours after demonstrators set trash containers and vehicles ablaze in confrontations that left at least 15 people injured.

Native groups protest planned French auction of artifacts Posted: 24 May 2016 04:34 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Native American leaders are protesting the latest plan by a Paris auction house to sell off part of their tribal history, and their demand for the return of their ceremonial objects is getting bipartisan support.

Gamers strive to go mainstream in new Turner-backed league Posted: 24 May 2016 04:22 PM PDT ATLANTA (AP) — They stare at their computer screens, eyes transfixed on the bloody spectacle in front of them, trying to figure out if there's an enemy player just around the corner.

Writers share Wodehouse comic fiction prize, win a pig Posted: 24 May 2016 04:10 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Satires set in financial-crisis Ireland and the high-end art world share this year's Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for comic fiction, whose rewards include a bottle of champagne and a pig.

Brazil police probe U.S. Steel venture, Tenaris pipe unit Posted: 24 May 2016 04:08 PM PDT By Jeb Blount and Caroline Stauffer RIO DE JANEIRO/SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian police said on Tuesday they investigated local units of three international steelmakers in a second-straight day of raids probing graft at the country's state-controlled oil producer, Petroleo Brasileiro SA. Police and prosecutors allege that Apolo Tubulars, which is 50 percent owned by United States Steel, and Luxembourg-based Tenaris SA's Brazilian unit Confab were involved in a bribery scheme to win work from Petrobras, as the oil company is known. Tenaris is part of Italian-Argentine steel group Techint. Brazil's largest-ever corruption investigation has unveiled a scheme in which local construction and engineering firms colluded to overcharge Petrobras for work and used the excess funds to bribe high-level officials.

Estonian PM doesn't rule out taking refugees direct from Turkey Posted: 24 May 2016 04:06 PM PDT Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said on Tuesday he would not exclude the possibility of his country taking in refugees directly from Turkey or other countries. "But I would definitely not rule out (taking them from) Turkey or any other country as well so we are willing to do that, of course," he told Reuters during a visit to Germany, where he took part in a meeting of Germany's cabinet at Meseberg palace 60 km (37 miles) north of Berlin. In an effort to stem arrivals, the European Union and Ankara signed a deal in March under which, for every Syrian refugee returned to Turkey, another would be resettled from Turkey to the EU.

U.N. urges Falluja combatants to let civilians escape fighting Posted: 24 May 2016 03:45 PM PDT The United Nations on Tuesday pleaded with combatants in Iraq's embattled Falluja to protect civilians escaping the fighting as Iraqi forces shelled Islamic State targets in an attempt to retake the militant stronghold just west of the capital. Earlier the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said a number of women and children had died while trying to leave the city. "We're calling on all parties to the conflict to take all measures to protect civilians caught in the middle," Farhan Haq told reporters.

NZ 7s coach given some credit for rugby's return to Olympics Posted: 24 May 2016 03:42 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Sonny Bill Williams is going in for a try untouched in the left corner when the whistle blows.

Brazil president urges economy reforms, slams 'psychological aggression' Posted: 24 May 2016 03:41 PM PDT Brasília (AFP) - Brazil's acting president Michel Temer on Tuesday called for reforms to haul Latin America's biggest economy back from crippling recession and slammed what he called "psychological aggression" against his government. Temer, who took power May 12 after the suspension of president Dilma Rousseff pending her impeachment trial, is seeking to cement his authority in the face of multiple challenges on both the economic and political fronts. Juca, a pointman on economic reforms, was sacked Tuesday, the government announced.

Suspect in 1980 Paris synagogue attack ordered back to jail Posted: 24 May 2016 03:38 PM PDT A French court on Tuesday ordered the chief suspect in a deadly attack on a Paris synagogue in 1980 to be sent back to jail, ten days after he was released on bail. Hassan Diab, a Lebanese-Canadian sociology professor who had been detained for 18 months, is accused of being part of the Special Operations branch of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The PFLP was blamed for the bombing on October 3, 1980 that left four dead and around 40 injured.

EgyptAir plane showed no technical issues before takeoff: Al-Ahram Posted: 24 May 2016 03:27 PM PDT The crashed EgyptAir jet showed no technical issues before taking off from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris according to an Aircraft Technical Log signed by its pilot before takeoff, Egyptian state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram said late on Tuesday. Al-Ahram published a scan of the log on its website. Egypt's largest state newspaper also reported that EgyptAir flight 804 transmitted 11 "electronic messages" starting at 5.09 p.m. ET on May 18.

Top Asian News 10:27 p.m. GMT Posted: 24 May 2016 03:27 PM PDT HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — After knocking down one of the last vestiges of Cold War antagonism with a former war enemy, President Barack Obama on Tuesday took his push for closer ties directly to the Vietnamese people, meeting with activists and entrepreneurs. Amid the geopolitical statecraft, he faces calls to more strongly address what's seen as an abysmal human rights record. Obama spoke with 10 activists Tuesday, including advocates for the disabled, sexual minorities, a pastor and advocates for freedom of speech, press and the Internet, but he said that several others were prevented from coming. "Vietnam has made remarkable strides in many ways," Obama said, but "there are still areas of significant concern." He was to give a speech aimed at the people of Vietnam a day after announcing the lifting of a five-decade-old arms sales embargo that's meant to help forge a new economic and security relationship with this young, fast-growing Southeast Asian nation.

2,000 migrants moved from Greek border camp Posted: 24 May 2016 03:18 PM PDT Greek police on Tuesday transferred some two thousand migrants out of the overcrowded camp of Idomeni, launching a major operation to clear up the squalid tent city where thousands fleeing war and poverty have lived for months. The operation began at dawn, and by evening officials said they had put 2,031 people on buses to newly opened camps near Greece's second city Thessaloniki, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the south. A hundred of them refused to enter the new centre and headed off by foot to downtown Thessaloniki, a police source said.

Christie's fined over elephant ivory sale Posted: 24 May 2016 03:10 PM PDT Christie's auction house has been fined £3,250 ($4,750, 4,270 euros) for selling a piece of elephant ivory without the correct documentation, London police said Tuesday. The silver-mounted tusk, put up for auction last year, did not have the right documentation under wildlife protection laws, a police statement said. A representative for the auction house pleaded guilty in London for selling the ivory, in contravention of an article in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Medals or mosquitoes? Zika still talk of Olympic golf Posted: 24 May 2016 03:09 PM PDT Olympic qualifying for golf ends in seven weeks, at which time players will have to determine if medals outweigh mosquitoes.

US prosecutors to seek death penalty for Charleston church shooter Posted: 24 May 2016 03:09 PM PDT US prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the gunman suspected of killing nine black churchgoers in South Carolina last year, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced Tuesday. Dylann Roof, 22, allegedly joined an evening Bible study class at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, then shot participants with a .45-caliber Glock handgun. Roof was arrested in North Carolina a day after the shooting.

Tuvalu PM urges new legal framework for climate migrants Posted: 24 May 2016 02:52 PM PDT By Megan Rowling ISTANBUL (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Tuvalu's prime minister on Tuesday called for a U.N. resolution to create legal protection for people displaced by the impacts of climate change, saying there was currently no international framework to protect their rights. Speaking at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, where he made the proposal, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation it was time to start working out how to deal with communities that might have to be moved due to rising seas, water shortages and other threats to their homes. "Think of a situation where Tuvaluans have to be relocated because no land is there," said Enele Sopoaga, suggesting the low-lying island nation could start disappearing under the waves as the planet warms.

Sartorius to expand pharmaceutical plant in Puerto Rico Posted: 24 May 2016 02:50 PM PDT SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor says pharmaceutical supplier Sartorius is investing $50 million to expand its plant in the U.S. territory and convert it to its main logistical hub for the Americas.

Lawyer denies ex-rebel leader tied to attack on Haiti police Posted: 24 May 2016 02:45 PM PDT PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The lawyer for a Senate candidate and ex-rebel leader said Tuesday that his client had nothing to do with a deadly attack on a police station in southern Haiti this month.

Miracle on Ice goalie selling his gold medal, mask, skates Posted: 24 May 2016 02:33 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — It took a miracle for Jim Craig to win a gold medal in hockey at the 1980 Olympics, but, after 36 years, he's willing to let it go.

Mexico City issues 6th smog alert after ozone levels spike Posted: 24 May 2016 02:32 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico City officials issued their sixth pollution alert of the year, requiring more cars to stay off the roads Wednesday to reduce emissions.

French Open Lookahead: Raonic's serve could be 'painful' Posted: 24 May 2016 02:28 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Milos Raonic's second-round opponent at the French Open knows what he's in for: a real challenge when it comes to returning serve.

The Latest: Native groups protest planned French auction Posted: 24 May 2016 02:19 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on U.S. tribes' protest of a plan by a Paris auction house to sell Native American ceremonial objects (all times local):

Daughter of detained Hong Kong bookseller appeals for U.S. help Posted: 24 May 2016 02:19 PM PDT By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The daughter of a Hong Kong-based bookseller detained in China appealed on Tuesday for U.S. help in pressing China for information about his status and securing his release. Angela Gui told the Congressional-Executive Commission on China that her father, Gui Minhai, a naturalized Swede, had been detained for eight months without trial and was being denied consular access or legal representation. Gui Minhai disappeared in Thailand in October and subsequently appeared in a tearful confession broadcast on Chinese state television in January in which he said he had turned himself in to mainland authorities and been detained for "illegal book trading." {nL3N16839K] Angela Gui, who was born in Sweden and studies in Britain, said the confession was "clearly staged" and her father was in "unofficial and illegal detention." Many in Hong Kong and some foreign diplomats suspect Gui Minhai and four associates, who sold books critical of Chinese leaders, were illegally abducted by mainland agents.

In final drive, Obama seeks better relations with US foes Posted: 24 May 2016 02:14 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — In his final stretch as president, Barack Obama is driving the United States toward friendlier relations with some of its most longstanding adversaries. He's working to consign bitter animosities with Vietnam, Iran, Cuba and Myanmar to the history books.

Column: McGregor vs Mayweather, a freak show with precedent Posted: 24 May 2016 02:13 PM PDT The freak show that Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor are talking about will almost surely never happen, and for that anyone who would even consider opening their wallet to pay for it should be grateful.

Police find 5 hacked-up bodies in Mexican Gulf coast state Posted: 24 May 2016 02:02 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz found the hacked-up bodies of what appear to be five men along with a sign attributing the killings to a dispute between drug cartels, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Jeonbuk, Shanghai SIPG into Asian Champions League quarters Posted: 24 May 2016 02:02 PM PDT JEONJU, South Korea (AP) — Leonardo scored twice as 2006 winner Jeonbuk Motors secured the first spot in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory, and Wu Lei's stoppage-time winner against FC Tokyo helped Shanghai SIPG sneak into the last eight on the away goals rule.

Ajax hires Peter Bosz as new coach to replace Frank de Boer Posted: 24 May 2016 01:59 PM PDT AMSTERDAM (AP) — Ajax has signed Peter Bosz as its new coach, replacing Frank de Boer who announced earlier this month he was leaving the club after nearly six years in which he won four Dutch league titles.

French government breaks blockades as petrol runs short Posted: 24 May 2016 01:57 PM PDT Refinery workers stepped up strikes Tuesday that threaten to paralyse France weeks ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament as the government moved to break their blockades, escalating a three-month tug-of-war over labour reforms. The oil refinery strikes organised by the CGT, France's biggest union, are part of a bigger wave of social unrest over controversial reforms that has seen thousands of people take to the streets nationwide in recent months. Locked in an intractable battle of wills with the Socialist government, CGT leader Philippe Martinez vowed on Tuesday to continue the strikes until the labour legislation is withdrawn.

Erdogan says Turkey parliament will block EU migrant deal if no visa-free travel Posted: 24 May 2016 01:52 PM PDT President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned the European Union that the Turkish parliament would block laws related to the landmark deal to stem the flow of migrants to Europe if Ankara was not granted its key demand of visa-free travel. The stark and unexpected warning from Erdogan came amid spiralling tensions between the Turkish strongman and the bloc over a string of issues ranging from existing accords and human rights as he seeks to further consolidate his powers. "If that (the visa exemption) is not what will happen... no decision and no law in the framework of the readmission agreement will come out of the parliament of the Turkish Republic," Erdogan said at the close of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.

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