Yahoo! News: World News

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• Naming of new Taliban chief seen dimming Obama's hopes for Afghan peace talks
• UK PM Cameron says EU referendum turnout is greatest concern for 'In'
• Japan PM protests Okinawa crime to Obama, who promises cooperation
• Car bomb kills three security force members in Turkey's mainly Kurdish region
• Belgian police detain four on suspicion of belonging to terrorist group
• Russia's Putin pardons Ukrainian pilot, sends her home in prisoner swap
• Bulls vs Lions highlights round 14 in Super Rugby
• Recordings put pressure on allies of Brazil's acting leader
• Calgary man found not criminally responsible in fatal stabbing of five
• UN's Ban wants to ramp up Yemen peace effort
• Manchester United hold day two of Mourinho talks
• UN envoy says radically more must be done for Mideast peace
• Trump denounces illegal immigrants as tensions flare
• Study: Man United, Real Madrid soccer's most valuable clubs
• Azerbaijan frees journalist whose case raised outcry in West
• Timberwolves G Ricky Rubio's mom dies at 56 of lung cancer
• UN health agency gets OK for revamp of emergency response
• U.S. hails release of journalist by Azerbaijan: State Department
• Tight security as Jewish pilgrimage starts in Tunisia
• Disabled protesters clash with police in Bolivia
• UCI president expresses concern over Rio venue preparations
• Cuba considers legalizing small private businesses
• Colombia: Missing journalist may not be hostage of rebels
• New Afghan Taliban leader was compromise candidate: sources
• Gisele Bundchen to fight illegal animal trafficking
• Artist makes Louvre Pyramid disappear in optical illusion
• UN alarmed by Hamas move to hold executions in Gaza
• President's opponents rally in tense Venezuela
• Church slaying families accept pursuit of death penalty
• Feds say Turkish celebrity who faces prison is a flight risk
• Lawsuit: Cubans who scaled Keys lighthouse should stay in US
• Judge gives drug convict probation, cites other consequences
• Russia accuses Turkey of supplying Islamic State extremists
• US states sue White House over transgender bathroom use
• Venezuela breaks up drug ring, seized 3.4 tons of cocaine
• Langer goes for major record at Senior PGA
• Giggs' dilemma: Fly solo or keep waiting at Man United?
• French Open Lookahead: Djokovic, Nadal seek milestone wins
• Goal-line technology to be used at Copa America

Naming of new Taliban chief seen dimming Obama's hopes for Afghan peace talks Posted: 25 May 2016 04:33 PM PDT By Jonathan Landay and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The selection of a hard-line cleric as the new Taliban chief on Wednesday all but dashes U.S. President Barack Obama's hopes for opening peace talks before he leaves office, one of his top foreign policy goals, current and former U.S. defense and intelligence officials said. The Taliban leadership council tapped Mullah Haybattulah Akhundzada, a conservative Islamic scholar from the group's stronghold in southern Afghanistan, to succeed Mullah Akhtar Mansour, four days after Mansour was killed in a U.S. drone strike. U.S. officials had called Mansour a major impediment to peace talks, and some had expressed hope his death would eliminate an obstacle to peace negotiations between the Taliban and the government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

UK PM Cameron says EU referendum turnout is greatest concern for 'In' Posted: 25 May 2016 03:06 PM PDT By Kylie MacLellan ISE-SHIMA, Japan (Reuters) - Those fighting for Britain to remain in the European Union are making good progress but getting young people to register and turn out to vote is the 'In' camp's greatest concern, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday. Cameron, the de facto head of the 'In' campaign, said election turnout was "definitely something that is concerning". "I feel we are making good progress with this argument, particularly about Britain being better off if we stay in," he told reporters during a flight to Japan for a summit of Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies.

Japan PM protests Okinawa crime to Obama, who promises cooperation Posted: 25 May 2016 08:22 AM PDT By Minami Funakoshi and Kiyoshi Takenaka ISE-SHIMA, Japan (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe protested to U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday about the killing of a young woman in Okinawa which has reignited resentment of the heavy U.S. military presence on the southern Japanese island. Obama, joining Abe ahead of a Group of Seven summit, expressed regrets over the killing for which a U.S. base worker has been charged. "As Japanese prime minister, I protested sternly to President Obama over the recent incident in Okinawa," Abe told a news conference, flanked by the president ahead of a Group of Seven summit meeting starting on Thursday.

Car bomb kills three security force members in Turkey's mainly Kurdish region Posted: 25 May 2016 11:24 AM PDT A car bomb attack on a gendarmes station in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast killed three members of the security forces and wounded three others on Wednesday, Interior Ministry officials said. The dead included a soldier and two village guards who belong to a state-backed militia that fights Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels along with soldiers and special police units, security sources said. The PKK has waged a 31-year campaign for greater autonomy in the region.

Belgian police detain four on suspicion of belonging to terrorist group Posted: 25 May 2016 11:16 AM PDT Belgian police searched houses in the city of Antwerp on Wednesday and detained four people on suspicion of belonging to a terrorist group and trying to drum up recruits to fight with Islamist militants in Syria or Libya, state prosecutors said. Two were formally arrested while the other two were given a conditional release. "They are suspected of trying to recruit individuals to travel to conflict zones in Syria or Libya," a prosecutors' statement said.

Russia's Putin pardons Ukrainian pilot, sends her home in prisoner swap Posted: 25 May 2016 07:50 AM PDT By Maria Tsvetkova and Pavel Polityuk MOSCOW/KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian military pilot Nadiya Savchenko arrived home to scenes of jubilation on Wednesday after her release by Russia in a prisoner swap and she promptly offered to fight again for Kiev in its conflict with pro-Russian separatists. Savchenko's handover, in return for two Russian prisoners - had been demanded by the West and was cast as a humanitarian gesture by Russian President Vladimir Putin a few weeks before the European Union decides whether to extend sanctions against Russia imposed over its support of the rebels. Savchenko, 35, barefoot - it was unclear why - and wearing a T-shirt depicting the Ukrainian coat of arms, emerged from the terminal at Kiev's Boryspil airport to cries of "hero" from a crowd of supporters, among them her sister and mother.

Bulls vs Lions highlights round 14 in Super Rugby Posted: 25 May 2016 04:32 PM PDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hurricanes and Highlanders will meet this weekend in a repeat of last year's Super Rugby final, though the primary focus of the 14th round will be the contest for playoffs places in South Africa.

Recordings put pressure on allies of Brazil's acting leader Posted: 25 May 2016 04:28 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Secretly recorded conversations hit two more key allies of Brazil's acting president Wednesday, leaving the country wondering if there are more taps that could affect the interim government after only 13 days in office.

Calgary man found not criminally responsible in fatal stabbing of five Posted: 25 May 2016 04:27 PM PDT By Eric M. Johnson CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - The 24-year-old son of a policeman who fatally stabbed five people at a Calgary house party in 2014 was not criminally responsible, a judge ruled on Wednesday, saying a mental disorder blocked him from knowing his actions were wrong. Justice Eric Macklin, of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, issued his verdict on Wednesday in the first-degree murder trial of Matthew de Grood, a case that has made national headlines, lawyers said.

UN's Ban wants to ramp up Yemen peace effort Posted: 25 May 2016 04:26 PM PDT UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to beef up the UN mediation in Yemen to overcome deep differences in peace talks, according to a letter obtained by AFP on Wednesday. Ban outlined his proposal in a letter to the Security Council just before UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed delivered a report to the council's 15 members on the peace talks he is leading in Kuwait. "While both sides have committed to reaching agreements in Kuwait, there remain deep differences between the two sides which will need to be overcome in order to achieve a successful outcome," Ban wrote.

Manchester United hold day two of Mourinho talks Posted: 25 May 2016 04:24 PM PDT Manchester United were locked in a second day of talks with Jose Mourinho's agents on Wednesday, hammering out a deal to sweep the controversial Portuguese boss into Old Trafford. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager has agreed personal terms on a three-year deal with a likely annual salary of at least £10 million ($15 million, 13 million euros) but issues remain over image rights, Sky News television reported. Chelsea still own Mourinho's image rights, despite his sacking last year, and the two clubs were reported to be locked in negotiations that could see United paying their rivals millions of pounds, according to press reports.

UN envoy says radically more must be done for Mideast peace Posted: 25 May 2016 04:19 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Palestinians in Gaza are growing ever more desperate and unless "radically more" is done to address the situation, it is only a matter of time before there is another escalation of violence, the U.N.'s top Mideast envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday.

Trump denounces illegal immigrants as tensions flare Posted: 25 May 2016 04:19 PM PDT Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump stumped Wednesday in California, the US state with the largest Hispanic population, doubling down on his anti-immigration position but assuring that "Mexican people" will vote for him in November. The presumptive Republican nominee took the stage in Anaheim, outside Los Angeles, with police on high alert one day after violence marred a Trump rally in the southwestern state of New Mexico, where anti-Trump protesters hurled rocks and police fired smoke grenades in efforts to rein in the chaos. Dozens of security personnel including police on horseback maintained control in Anaheim, although some skirmishes broke out between Trump opponents and his backers as protesters chanted expletives about the brash billionaire.

Study: Man United, Real Madrid soccer's most valuable clubs Posted: 25 May 2016 04:18 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Accountancy firm KPMG says Manchester United and Real Madrid are soccer's most valuable clubs, worth an estimated 2.9 billion euros ($3.2 billion) each.

Azerbaijan frees journalist whose case raised outcry in West Posted: 25 May 2016 04:07 PM PDT By Nailia Bagirova and Margarita Antidze BAKU (Reuters) - Azerbaijan on Wednesday released investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova from jail, where she was serving a seven-and-a-half year sentence, in an apparent move to deflect Western criticism of the ex-Soviet republic's human rights record. Ismayilova, who worked for U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe and was known for exposing corruption among Azerbaijan's ruling elite, was sentenced last September on charges which included embezzlement, illegal business activities and tax evasion. The Supreme Court on Wednesday amended her imprisonment to 3 1/2 years of suspended sentence and released her from prison.

Timberwolves G Ricky Rubio's mom dies at 56 of lung cancer Posted: 25 May 2016 03:59 PM PDT MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio's mother has died after a long battle with lung cancer.

UN health agency gets OK for revamp of emergency response Posted: 25 May 2016 03:58 PM PDT GENEVA (AP) — Stung by failures in its response to Ebola, the World Health Organization is revamping how it responds to emergencies to become nimbler, more reactive and more operational in "one of the most profound transformations" ever at the U.N. health agency.

U.S. hails release of journalist by Azerbaijan: State Department Posted: 25 May 2016 03:41 PM PDT The U.S. government welcomed the release on Wednesday of Radio Free Europe journalist Khadija Ismayilova from a prison in Azerbaijan, the State Department said. In September, an Azeri court sentenced Ismayilova, a prominent journalist known for exposing corruption among the ruling elite, to 7-1/2 years in jail. Ismayilova was released on Wednesday after the country's Supreme Court amended her imprisonment to 3-1/2 years of suspended sentence.

Tight security as Jewish pilgrimage starts in Tunisia Posted: 25 May 2016 03:40 PM PDT An annual Jewish pilgrimage to Africa's oldest synagogue got under way Wednesday in Tunisia where security forces were deployed heavily to ward off potential jihadist attacks. Small groups of pilgrims including families with children began arriving in the searing heat at the Ghriba synagogue on the island of Djerba in southern Tunisia for the Lag BaOmer festival. The number of pilgrims visiting the synagogue has fallen sharply since a suicide bombing claimed by Al-Qaeda struck Ghriba just before the 2002 pilgrimage, killing 21 people.

Disabled protesters clash with police in Bolivia Posted: 25 May 2016 03:38 PM PDT Bolivian police fired water cannons Wednesday at disabled protesters, many of them wheelchair-bound, who tried to get near the presidential palace to demand increased benefit payments. Disabled protesters have been camped out for a month in tents near the Plaza de Armas, the seat of executive and legislative power in Bolivia, to condemn their paltry state benefits -- just $14 a month. President Evo Morales's government is rejecting calls to quintuple the benefits, responding to the demonstrations by putting up metal barricades to block off the square.

UCI president expresses concern over Rio venue preparations Posted: 25 May 2016 03:30 PM PDT The president of cycling's world governing body remains "very, very concerned" that the velodrome under construction for the Rio Olympics will not be completed in time for a proper test event.

Cuba considers legalizing small private businesses Posted: 25 May 2016 03:21 PM PDT The Cuban authorities are considering legalizing certain private businesses, a potentially transformative move for the communist island as it liberalizes its economy. The ruling Communist Party on Tuesday published a list of reforms proposed during its congress in March, including possible changes to laws governing small and medium-sized businesses. President Raul Castro started gradually reforming the economy when he took over in 2008 from his brother Fidel, leader of the 1959 revolution.

Colombia: Missing journalist may not be hostage of rebels Posted: 25 May 2016 03:19 PM PDT BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's president said Wednesday that a Spanish journalist missing in a lawless region might not be a hostage of leftist rebels as has been widely thought in this war-weary country, but instead is reporting from inside a rebel camp.

New Afghan Taliban leader was compromise candidate: sources Posted: 25 May 2016 03:17 PM PDT By Jibran Ahmad PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Islamic legal scholar appointed leader of the Afghan Taliban on Wednesday, was not the obvious choice when senior members of the militant movement gathered to appoint a new "emir". The "shura", or leadership council, was convened in haste after leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan on Saturday, presenting the Taliban with their second succession in less than a year. Unlike a similar meeting held last July, when an important faction walked out in protest, delegates agreed on the choice of Akhundzada, said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Gisele Bundchen to fight illegal animal trafficking Posted: 25 May 2016 03:12 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Gisele Bundchen is fighting for sea turtles.

Artist makes Louvre Pyramid disappear in optical illusion Posted: 25 May 2016 03:07 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — French street artist JR has made the famous Louvre Pyramid in Paris disappear in an optical illusion.

UN alarmed by Hamas move to hold executions in Gaza Posted: 25 May 2016 03:03 PM PDT The UN envoy for the Middle East expressed alarmed on Wednesday after Hamas authorities in the Gaza strip moved to hold public executions, and urged them to change course. Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council that public executions are prohibited under international human rights law and that any such killings in the Gaza Strip would be carried out without the approval of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, which is required under Palestinian law. "I urge Hamas not to carry out these executions and call on President Abbas to establish a moratorium on the implementation of the death penalty," Mladenov told the council by video-conference.

President's opponents rally in tense Venezuela Posted: 25 May 2016 02:55 PM PDT Protesters seeking to drive Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro from office launched fresh street rallies on Wednesday and urged the military to choose sides in the tense political crisis. Hundreds of his opponents gathered near a court in eastern Caracas to protest a recent ruling that bars rallies from taking place near the offices of the National Electoral Board. The activists, who want the electoral authorities to call a referendum on removing Maduro from office, waved a red, yellow and blue Venezuelan flag and banners denouncing shortages of food and medicines caused by a severe economic crisis.

Church slaying families accept pursuit of death penalty Posted: 25 May 2016 02:52 PM PDT COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The husband of a woman gunned down at a historic black church in Charleston with eight other people said Wednesday he won't be at peace until the man charged in the slayings is put to death.

Feds say Turkish celebrity who faces prison is a flight risk Posted: 25 May 2016 02:49 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — A Turkish celebrity who lived the high life as he enabled Iran to overcome U.S. sanctions and deceive the United States and the international banking system for years is a flight risk and shouldn't get bail, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Lawsuit: Cubans who scaled Keys lighthouse should stay in US Posted: 25 May 2016 02:48 PM PDT MIAMI (AP) — A group of migrants who fled Cuba in a homemade boat and climbed onto a 136-year-old lighthouse off the Florida Keys should be allowed to stay in the U.S., according to a federal lawsuit filed on their behalf.

Judge gives drug convict probation, cites other consequences Posted: 25 May 2016 02:42 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — A Connecticut college student found with 1.3 pounds of cocaine in her luggage on a return trip from Jamaica has been sentenced to probation by a judge who ruled her smuggling conviction alone would include collateral punishments.

Russia accuses Turkey of supplying Islamic State extremists Posted: 25 May 2016 02:42 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia has accused Turkey of supplying the Islamic State extremist group with components for improvised explosive devices.

US states sue White House over transgender bathroom use Posted: 25 May 2016 02:41 PM PDT Eleven US states sued President Barack Obama's administration Wednesday over federal guidelines telling public schools to let transgender students use the bathroom of their choice, the latest twist in a bitter legal standoff with the White House. The move led by Texas further escalates a national feud over an issue that has become a lightning rod both for the transgender community, and conservatives pushing back against new civil rights they perceive as a threat. Writing to public school districts and universities on May 13, the Justice and Education Departments laid out guidelines on creating a safe environment for transgender students.

Venezuela breaks up drug ring, seized 3.4 tons of cocaine Posted: 25 May 2016 02:41 PM PDT CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Authorities in Venezuela say they dismantled a drug-trafficking ring with links to a Mexican cartel after seizing more than 3.4 metric tons of cocaine.

Langer goes for major record at Senior PGA Posted: 25 May 2016 02:37 PM PDT BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Fresh off a landmark victory, Bernhard Langer tries to enter a league of his own at the Senior PGA Championship.

Giggs' dilemma: Fly solo or keep waiting at Man United? Posted: 25 May 2016 02:27 PM PDT MANCHESTER, England (AP) — A banner draped over one of the giant stands at Old Trafford reads: "Giggs — Tearing You Apart Since 1991."

French Open Lookahead: Djokovic, Nadal seek milestone wins Posted: 25 May 2016 02:15 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both will be expected to beat much lower-ranked opponents in the second round of the French Open on Thursday.

Goal-line technology to be used at Copa America Posted: 25 May 2016 02:15 PM PDT CHICAGO (AP) — Hawk-Eye will be installed for next month's Copa America, marking the first use of goal-line technology by the soccer's governing bodies for South America and for North and Central America and the Caribbean.

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