Yahoo! News: World News

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• Iraq peshmerga storm Islamic State town as army battles in Mosul
• Israel says 'no' to Middle East peace conference in Paris
• South Korea prosecutors raid Samsung Electronics in probe over scandal
• U.S.-led strikes bolster Syrian fighters' advance toward Raqqa
• Venezuelan first lady's nephews' U.S. drug trial gets underway
• China moves to bar Hong Kong activists as fears grow over intervention
• About 40,000 people at Clinton-Obama rally: campaign
• All Black Crockett hails Coles' 'awesome' player of year nod
• Canada to spend $1.1 billion to boost oil spill response
• Clinton: upbeat, smiling, and sprinting to the end
• Barba fails drug test, released by NRL champion Cronulla
• U.S. charges Turkish gold trader's brother in Iran sanctions case
• Top Asian News 12:28 a.m. GMT
• New Zealand regulators reject media merger in initial ruling
• In poorest nations, a third fewer women than men online with gap widening - report
• Cycle of exploitation turns Nigerian sex slaves in Italy into traffickers
• Afghan woman says raped by police chief when she tried to report her own rape
• French bishops beg forgiveness from paedophilia victims
• Clinton, Trump fight to wire as bitter US race ends
• Finchem steps down, Monahan named new PGA Tour commissioner
• Nicaragua president easily wins new term, with wife as VP
• South Korea president to visit parliament amid political scandal: MP
• Islamic State brutality comes to light after military advance
• Southgate backs Manchester United duo after Mourinho rebuke
• Australian Senate rejects public vote on gay marriage
• Tipuric joins Lydiate in giving Ospreys a boost
• IOC honors 1st male winner of Women and Sport award
• Clinton and Trump chase last-minute support on election eve
• Estonian government could collapse, faces no confidence vote
• US stock market notches biggest gain in 8 months; oil rises
• U.S. ready to resume air strikes in Libya if needed: Pentagon
• Brazil looks to wipe away memories of World Cup humiliation
• Packaging company invests $6M to expand in Puerto Rico
• IMF approves $180M loan to Moldova ahead of key election
• Nicaragua's shrewd power couple
• England boss Southgate to check on Kane fitness
• At least 25 soldiers dead in Somalia fighting
• Canada to boost oil spill response ahead of pipeline decision

Iraq peshmerga storm Islamic State town as army battles in Mosul Posted: 07 Nov 2016 10:05 AM PST By Michael Georgy BASHIQA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces stormed an Islamic State-held town northeast of Mosul on Monday, clearing a pocket of militants outside the city while Iraqi troops wage a fierce urban war with the jihadists in its eastern neighborhoods. As the operation against Islamic State's Iraqi stronghold entered its fourth week, fighters across the border launched an offensive in the Syrian half of the jihadist group's self-declared caliphate, targeting its base in the city of Raqqa. An alliance of U.S.-backed Kurdish and Arab groups launched the campaign for Raqqa, where Islamic State has been dug in for nearly three years, with an assault on territory about 50 km (30 miles) to the north which they have dubbed Euphrates Anger.

Israel says 'no' to Middle East peace conference in Paris Posted: 07 Nov 2016 09:30 AM PST By Luke Baker JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel on Monday formally rejected France's invitation to take part in a Middle East peace conference in Paris later this year, saying it was a distraction from the goal of direct negotiations with the Palestinians. At a meeting in Jerusalem with Israel's acting national security adviser and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's diplomatic adviser, French envoy Pierre Vimont was informed that Israel wanted nothing to do with the effort to revive talks that last broke down in 2014. "(They) told the French envoy in a clear and unequivocal manner that Israel's position to promote the peace process and reach an agreement will only come through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

South Korea prosecutors raid Samsung Electronics in probe over scandal Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:53 PM PST By Jack Kim and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors raided the offices of Samsung Electronics on Tuesday as part of a probe over a political scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her friend who is alleged to have exerted improper influence in state affairs. A prosecution official told Reuters the search is related to the scandal involving the president's friend, Choi Soon-sil, but declined to comment further. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported prosecutors are looking into whether Samsung improperly provided financial assistance to Choi's daughter.

U.S.-led strikes bolster Syrian fighters' advance toward Raqqa Posted: 07 Nov 2016 12:52 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S.-led coalition has carried out a series of air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria to aid a new offensive by armed groups toward the city of Raqqa, the militant group's de facto capital in Syria, the Pentagon said on Monday. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the targets of the air strikes included Islamic State fighting positions and vehicles, including some that could be used to deliver explosives. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Dan Grebler)

Venezuelan first lady's nephews' U.S. drug trial gets underway Posted: 07 Nov 2016 10:09 AM PST By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. prosecutor on Monday told jurors that two nephews of Venezuela's first lady sought to use a presidential airport hangar to carry out a multimillion-dollar drug deal, charges that defense lawyers said would not stand up at trial. In his opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emil Bove said both men were secretly recorded planning to ship 800 kgs of cocaine from Venezuela to Honduras for importation into the United States.

China moves to bar Hong Kong activists as fears grow over intervention Posted: 07 Nov 2016 03:40 PM PST By Venus Wu and Sue-Lin Wong HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - China's parliament passed a ruling on Monday that effectively bars two elected Hong Kong pro-independence politicians from taking office, Beijing's most direct intervention in the territory's legal and political system since the 1997 handover. The rare move by Beijing came after Yau Wai-ching, 25, and Baggio Leung, 30, pledged allegiance to the "Hong Kong nation" and displayed a banner declaring "Hong Kong is not China" during a swearing-in ceremony for the city's Legislative Council in October.

About 40,000 people at Clinton-Obama rally: campaign Posted: 07 Nov 2016 05:21 PM PST About 40,000 people flooded Independence Mall in Philadelphia on Monday for Hillary Clinton's rally with her husband Bill, President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle at her side, a campaign aide said. Rockers Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi were also on the program for the event in the City of Brotherly Love, the next-to-last rally on the Democratic White House hopeful's agenda for her final day of campaigning.

All Black Crockett hails Coles' 'awesome' player of year nod Posted: 07 Nov 2016 05:18 PM PST Front-row forwards are rarely in contention for individual prizes, so it was understandable that Dane Coles' nomination for World Rugby's Player of the Year award was labelled "awesome" by New Zealand team-mate Wyatt Crockett. There was some good news for the All Blacks as the world champions landed in Italy on Monday after a 40-29 defeat by Ireland in Chicago had ended their record-breaking run of 18 successive Test wins. Both hooker Coles and fly-half Beauden Barrett are among the six nominees for World Rugby's top individual honour.

Canada to spend $1.1 billion to boost oil spill response Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:59 PM PST By Catherine Ngai VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Canada's Liberal government on Monday vowed to toughen its response to oil spills at sea, a move that some critics say will increase local tanker traffic and hurt the environment. As part of a marine safety plan to protect oceans, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa would spend C$1.5 billion ($1.1 billion) over five years on better response measures and research into how to clean up oil spills. Trudeau said the plan "will make Canada a world leader in marine safety." However, environmentalists said the announcement was a sign Ottawa will approve the hotly contested Trans Mountain pipeline expansion next month, which will run from Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific Coast.

Clinton: upbeat, smiling, and sprinting to the end Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:54 PM PST In a red pantsuit and full of smiles, Hillary Clinton embarked on a marathon final day of campaigning Monday covering three states and four cities -- and featuring two presidents, one rock Boss and Lady Gaga. The 69-year-old Clinton is used to epic travel days -- as secretary of state, she logged nearly a million miles on the road. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Raleigh, North Carolina -- all swing states, all vital to secure a historic win Tuesday that would make Clinton America's first woman president.

Barba fails drug test, released by NRL champion Cronulla Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:48 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — Ben Barba has been released by the Cronulla Sharks and faces a 12-match ban from the National Rugby League after testing positive for cocaine in the wake of the club's drought-breaking premiership win last month.

U.S. charges Turkish gold trader's brother in Iran sanctions case Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:46 PM PST By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - The brother of a Turkish gold trader has been charged in a U.S. indictment accusing both men of conspiring to conduct hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions on behalf of Iran's government and Iranian entities, prosecutors said on Monday. Mohammad Zarrab, a dual citizen of Turkey and Iran, was charged in an indictment filed in Manhattan federal court, two months before his brother Reza Zarrab was set to face trial following his arrest earlier this year. The new indictment added new claims that Reza Zarrab, 33, participated in transactions to benefit Iran-based Mahan Air, which the U.S. government has sanctioned for providing services to Iran's Quds Force as well as Hezbollah.

Top Asian News 12:28 a.m. GMT Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:28 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — China's top legislature took the rare step Monday of intervening directly in a local Hong Kong political dispute by effectively barring two legally elected separatist lawmakers from taking office, setting the stage for further turmoil in the semiautonomous city. Beijing moved to deny the two a second chance to take their oaths after being disqualified on their initial attempt last month for using anti-China insults and foul language. But the maneuver circumvented Hong Kong's courts, raising fears that the city's independent judiciary is being undermined. The decision was intended to nip in the bud the rise of separatist sentiment, but it has raised the specter of more political unrest in Hong Kong.

New Zealand regulators reject media merger in initial ruling Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:27 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand regulators on Tuesday made a preliminary decision to reject a merger between the country's two main newspaper groups.

In poorest nations, a third fewer women than men online with gap widening - report Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:25 PM PST By Belinda Goldsmith LISBON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Almost a third fewer women than men in the world's poorest countries are connected to the internet and the gap is set to widen, limiting access to life-changing opportunities, an anti-poverty group said on Tuesday. The report said a global target set by U.N. member states last year to have universal affordable internet access in the least developed countries by 2020 was off track. David McNair, policy director at ONE, said the new analysis showed that almost 350 million women and girls would remain unconnected by 2020 compared to about 290 million men due to a range of access, cultural and literacy factors.

Cycle of exploitation turns Nigerian sex slaves in Italy into traffickers Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:24 PM PST By Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani EDO, Nigeria (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Sitting on the floor surrounded by vials, animal bones and sheets stained crimson with blood, spiritual doctor Olor Elemian described how he scares girls into blind obedience with potions and spells known as "juju". "Something in her head will keep telling her: 'Go and pay!'" Juju is a potent ingredient in a cocktail of coercion that keeps thousands of Nigerian women and girls in sex slavery in Europe, mostly in Italy, after making the treacherous journey across North Africa and the Mediterranean in search of better lives. Combined with crippling debt and threats of violence, it helps perpetuate a cycle of exploitation in which many victims then become perpetrators, returning to Nigeria as "madams" to recruit more girls, police and rights groups say.

Afghan woman says raped by police chief when she tried to report her own rape Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:22 PM PST By Zabihullah Noori LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A young Afghan woman who went to the police station to report being raped was then raped by the district police commissioner in his office, she said on Monday. The 18-year-old, who gave her name as Mariam, was taken at gunpoint from her house in the Zareh district of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan in early July. The man took her to a house on the same street where he and another man raped her, she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

French bishops beg forgiveness from paedophilia victims Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:15 PM PST The church has been rocked by allegations that the Archbishop of Lyon, Philippe Barbarin, covered up the abuse of scouts and failed to remove a priest despite being aware he had sexually abused the boys a quarter of a century ago. The scandal was the worst to hit the Church in France since 2001, when a bishop was given a three-month suspended jail sentence for failing to inform authorities about a paedophile priest. Barbarin, who has protested his innocence, remains in his post, but the scandal has tarnished the image of one of the church's most media-friendly figures.

Clinton, Trump fight to wire as bitter US race ends Posted: 07 Nov 2016 04:00 PM PST Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on Monday gave US voters a stark choice as their brutal White House battle neared its end -- between her vision of unity and his promise to take back power from Washington's corrupt elites. On the final day of a presidential campaign that has left a bemused world looking on in concern for its greatest power, Trump doubled down on his unabashed appeal to popular resentment. The Democrat Clinton has had sharp words for her rival, a 70-year-old property tycoon who seized the conservative Republican Party and turned it into a vehicle for his populist bombast, but she ended the race pleading for unity.

Finchem steps down, Monahan named new PGA Tour commissioner Posted: 07 Nov 2016 03:55 PM PST JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tim Finchem officially retires at the end of the year as PGA Tour commissioner, ending more than two decades during which he expanded the tour's footprint around the world and saw prize money grow to nearly $300 million.

Nicaragua president easily wins new term, with wife as VP Posted: 07 Nov 2016 03:51 PM PST MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — President Daniel Ortega overwhelmingly won re-election to a third consecutive term in official results announced Monday, putting him in position to govern for a quarter-century and cement family control over the country with his wife now officially vice president.

South Korea president to visit parliament amid political scandal: MP Posted: 07 Nov 2016 03:38 PM PST SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye will visit parliament on Tuesday and meet the speaker, an opposition assemblyman said, amid an influence peddling scandal that has gripped the country and thrown her government into a political limbo. Park hopes to meet the leaders of opposition parties during her visit to parliament, Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed presidential Blue House official as saying. Opposition leaders have demanded Park withdraw her nominee for prime minister and agree to a candidate acceptable to them. ...

Islamic State brutality comes to light after military advance Posted: 07 Nov 2016 03:31 PM PST By Stephen Kalin HAMMAM AL-ALIL, Iraq (Reuters) - From behind the curtains of his bedroom window, 29-year-old Riyad Ahmed would peer out at Islamic State fighters dragging civilians into a makeshift jail across the street and then sending them in the middle of the night to be executed. The former English teacher from the town of Hammam al-Alil, south of the jihadists' Mosul stronghold, recalls hearing victims' cries of agony as he hid with dozens of neighbors in the shadow of one of the group's detention centers. "The devil himself would be astounded by Daesh's methods of torture.

Southgate backs Manchester United duo after Mourinho rebuke Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:46 PM PST Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) - England interim manager Gareth Southgate is satisfied Manchester United's Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw are genuinely injured, he said on Monday, despite reservations voiced by their club manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho hit out after Smalling and Shaw missed United's 3-1 win at Swansea City on Sunday, making a distinction between "the brave" and "the ones for whom a little pain can make a difference".

Australian Senate rejects public vote on gay marriage Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:42 PM PST CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's Senate on Monday rejected a government plan to hold a public vote on recognizing gay marriage.

Tipuric joins Lydiate in giving Ospreys a boost Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:36 PM PST Justin Tipuric followed fellow Wales international backrow forward Dan Lydiate in committing to Welsh region Ospreys on Monday as he signed a new contract. The 27-year-old -- capped 44 times and once for the British and Irish Lions -- tied himself to Ospreys till 2020 and said it had not been a difficult decision to stay with the one club he has played for. It was an easy decision," said Tipuric, who has represented the Ospreys 128 times.

IOC honors 1st male winner of Women and Sport award Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:34 PM PST LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The International Olympic Committee has given its top award for women's sport to a man for the first time.

Clinton and Trump chase last-minute support on election eve Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:15 PM PST By Amanda Becker and Emily Stephenson GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.,/RALEIGH, N.C. (Reuters) - The U.S. presidential campaigns neared their end on Monday in the same angry tone they began, with Republican Donald Trump calling Hillary Clinton a "phony" and the Democrat accusing him of splitting the country, as a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll pointed to a strong chance of her winning. Clinton and Trump raced through several battleground states in a last-ditch attempt to encourage their respective supporters to show up at polling places on Tuesday. Clinton sought to capture more support from Latinos, African-Americans and young people, while Trump was looking to rev up disaffected middle class he said has been sidelined by the political establishment.

Estonian government could collapse, faces no confidence vote Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:03 PM PST Estonia's coalition government could be threatened with collapse this week after two junior coalition partners called on the prime minister to resign on Monday and the opposition called for a vote of no confidence. The prime minister of the smallest Baltic state, with a population of just 1.3 million, Taavi Roivas has little room to maneuver to save his fractious coalition government. The government was formed after elections in April 2015 with his center-right Reform Party, Social Democrats, and the conservative-nationalist Pro-Patria and Res Publica Union holding 59 seats in the 101-seat parliament.

US stock market notches biggest gain in 8 months; oil rises Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:02 PM PST The U.S. stock market rebounded from a nine-day losing streak Monday, posting its biggest gain in eight months and driving the Dow Jones industrial average up more than 370 points.

U.S. ready to resume air strikes in Libya if needed: Pentagon Posted: 07 Nov 2016 02:01 PM PST The United States is prepared to carry out more air strikes against Islamic State militants in Sirte if requested by Libya's U.N.-backed government, even though the militant group no longer controls much territory there, the Pentagon said on Monday. Since August the United States has carried out more than 350 air strikes against Islamic State at the request of the Government of National Accord (GNA). "If additional air strikes are needed, we will be prepared to deliver those air strikes," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said at a news conference.

Brazil looks to wipe away memories of World Cup humiliation Posted: 07 Nov 2016 01:53 PM PST BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Playing at the stadium where it was humiliated 7-1 by Germany two years ago, Brazil can wipe away some of the lingering pain from that defeat with a convincing performance against Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Packaging company invests $6M to expand in Puerto Rico Posted: 07 Nov 2016 01:50 PM PST SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A labels and packaging supplier is expanding its operations in Puerto Rico as part of a $6 million investment.

IMF approves $180M loan to Moldova ahead of key election Posted: 07 Nov 2016 01:24 PM PST CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — The International Monetary Fund has approved aid worth almost $180 million to Moldova ahead of a presidential runoff election that could see the impoverished former Soviet republic move closer to Europe or tilt toward Russia.

Nicaragua's shrewd power couple Posted: 07 Nov 2016 01:24 PM PST Nicaragua's first couple, President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, breezed through elections that have extended their rule over one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Ortega, a former rebel who first took power in 1979 after a Marxist revolution, is known as "el comandante" (the commander) for his strong-fisted rule, which has eliminated any serious rivals. Murillo, extravagant, with a penchant for poetry and art, is no less redoubtable in her current role as the government's spokeswoman and -- many believe -- the eminence grise behind her husband.

England boss Southgate to check on Kane fitness Posted: 07 Nov 2016 01:19 PM PST Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) - England's interim manager Gareth Southgate will check on the fitness of Harry Kane before deciding if the striker can start Friday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland, he said on Monday. Kane, 23, made a goal-scoring return from a seven-week lay-off with ankle ligament damage in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 Premier League draw at Arsenal on Sunday.

At least 25 soldiers dead in Somalia fighting Posted: 07 Nov 2016 01:18 PM PST At least 25 soldiers died in weekend fighting between rival Puntland and Galmudug regional forces in the divided Somali town of Galkayo, military officials on both sides said Monday. The northern quarters of Galkayo are controlled by Puntland authorities while the south is under the authority of the Galmudug regional state. It is the capital of Somalia's divided Mudug region, the scene of frequent fighting between the Puntland and Galmudug forces over contested areas.

Canada to boost oil spill response ahead of pipeline decision Posted: 07 Nov 2016 01:16 PM PST By Catherine Ngai VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Canada's Liberal government on Monday vowed to toughen its response to oil spills at sea, a move some environmentalists said was a clear signal Ottawa will approve a hotly-contested pipeline from Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific Coast. As part of a marine safety plan to protect oceans, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa would invest in better response measures and research into how to clean up oil spills.

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