Yahoo! News: World News

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• Syrian troops enter Aleppo's Old City, poised for war's biggest victory
• Iraqi army launches fresh assault toward Mosul center
• Libyan forces clear last Islamic State holdout in Sirte
• Cuba, U.S. to discuss detente in wake of Trump election
• Setting sights on fourth term, Merkel vows tough line on migration
• U.N. nuclear watchdog confirms Iran shipped sensitive material abroad: diplomat
• Venezuela opposition skips planned meeting with government
• Top Asian News 12:29 a.m. GMT
• Argentina referees strike avoided, negotiations arranged
• Britain's Hammond to strengthen non-EU ties
• Mag-5.8 quake rattles Trinidad, nearby islands; no damage
• Vanessa Redgrave makes directing debut with refugee film
• Strong earthquake rocks Indonesia's Aceh province
• More mistakes mar PSG's trophy quest in Champions League
• Lack of access to medicine in Latin America taken to rights body
• Taiwan's Tsai: no major policy shifts, despite Trump call - reports
• China urges U.S. to block transit by Taiwan president
• Critics worry after Trump security chief fuels conspiracies
• Hearing delayed again for jailed Utah man in Venezuela
• Djokovic, Becker splitting after 3 seasons, 6 major titles
• Arsenal routs Basel 4-1 to win Champions League group
• Phone and bank stocks push indexes higher; Dow at record
• Napoli beats Benfica 2-1 to top group, both reach last 16
• Mexico rescues 15 children in Cabo San Lucas resort
• Barca wins again but Messi falls short of Ronaldo's record
• Protesters against austerity clash with police in Rio
• Oakland warehouse fire death toll, at 36, not expected to rise
• Besiktas out of Champions League in 6-0 loss to Dynamo Kiev
• Robert Lewandowski scores as Bayern edges Atletico 1-0
• Mourinho's agent: Coach paid $27 million in taxes in Spain
• Trump: Japanese mogul pledges $50 billion US investment
• 60 feared drowned off Yemen after boat disappears
• North at center of another concussion controversy in rugby
• Energy Transfer keeps up legal pressure after pipeline defeat
• Iran president: Trump won't be able to harm the nuclear deal
• Iheanacho steps in, scores for City in 1-1 draw vs Celtic
• Ransomed: The race to free 226 Christian hostages in Syria
• Quake of 6.8 magnitude hits near Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Syrian troops enter Aleppo's Old City, poised for war's biggest victory Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:14 PM PST By John Davison and Stephanie Nebehay BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - Syria's army and allies pushed into rebel-held parts of Aleppo's Old City on Tuesday, a monitoring group said, looking closer than ever to achieving their most important victory of the five-year-old civil war by driving rebels out of their last urban stronghold. A rebel official said they would never abandon Aleppo, after reports that U.S. and Russian diplomats were preparing to discuss the surrender and evacuation of insurgents from territory they have held for years. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said talks with the United States on a rebel withdrawal would begin in Geneva as soon as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.

Iraqi army launches fresh assault toward Mosul center Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:04 PM PST By Ahmed Rasheed and Patrick Markey BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi army units surged toward the center of Mosul on Tuesday in an attack from the city's southeastern edges that could give fresh impetus to the seven-week-old battle for Islamic State's Iraqi stronghold. Campaign commander Lieutenant General Abdul Ameer Rasheed Yarallah was quoted by Iraqi television as saying troops had entered Salam Hospital, less than a mile (1.5 km) from the Tigris river running through the city center. If confirmed, that would mark a significant advance by the Ninth Armoured Division, which had been tied up for more than a month in close-quarter combat with Islamic State on the southeastern fringes of the city.

Libyan forces clear last Islamic State holdout in Sirte Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:41 PM PST By Hani Amara SIRTE, Libya (Reuters) - Libyan forces backed by U.S. air strikes finished clearing the last Islamic State holdout in Sirte on Tuesday after a near seven-month battle for the militant group's former North African stronghold. The forces gained full control over a final patch of ground in Sirte's Ghiza Bahriya district after hours of clashes. As celebrations erupted among the Libyan forces, which are dominated by brigades from the city of Misrata, a spokesman said the military campaign would continue until the wider area was secured.

Cuba, U.S. to discuss detente in wake of Trump election Posted: 06 Dec 2016 01:25 PM PST By Sarah Marsh and Matt Spetalnick HAVANA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cuba and the United States will draw up a roadmap for deepening their detente on Wednesday in a first meeting since the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president and the death of Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro. The fifth U.S.-Cuban bilateral commission comes at a time of increased uncertainty about the future of U.S.-Cuban relations given Trump's promise to end the detente if Cuba did not offer a better "deal." The administration of outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has pressed American companies to complete additional business deals in Cuba to help further cement the president's policy by the time Trump takes office on January 20. Communist-ruled Cuba has so far mostly stayed quiet on Trump's statements, waiting to see whether he converts his tough rhetoric into policy change.

Setting sights on fourth term, Merkel vows tough line on migration Posted: 06 Dec 2016 08:08 AM PST By Paul Carrel and Noah Barkin ESSEN, Germany (Reuters) - Angela Merkel laid out her case for a fourth term as German chancellor on Tuesday, seeking to energize her conservatives with a call to ban full-face Muslim veils and the promise of a tougher stance on immigration after a record influx of refugees. Speaking to a party congress of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Essen, the western rust belt city where she won the party leadership 16 years ago, Merkel sought to present herself as a guarantor of stability in an uncertain world. The meeting was taking place a month after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States and at a time when Europe is reeling from a surge in populism and Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

U.N. nuclear watchdog confirms Iran shipped sensitive material abroad: diplomat Posted: 06 Dec 2016 10:59 AM PST Iran has shipped 11 tonnes of heavy water abroad to bring its stock back under a limit set by its landmark nuclear deal with major powers, according to a diplomat citing a confidential U.N. nuclear watchdog report. The shipment is a step toward resolving a dispute with Western powers including the United States that are keen to prevent Iran from testing the deal's terms. The report substantiated an Iranian statement last month about a transfer to Oman but does not identify the destination, the diplomat said on Tuesday.

Venezuela opposition skips planned meeting with government Posted: 06 Dec 2016 04:34 PM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's opposition walked away from a meeting with the government Tuesday, endangering ongoing talks aimed at diffusing the country's political crisis.

Top Asian News 12:29 a.m. GMT Posted: 06 Dec 2016 04:29 PM PST JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's province of Aceh early Wednesday, causing panic among residents. The U.S. Geological Survey says the shallow 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:03 a.m. (2203 GMT Tuesday) was centered about 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Reuleut, a town in northern Aceh, at a depth of 17.2 kilometers (11 miles). Indonesia's Climate, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the quake has no potential to trigger a tsunami. Many residents in Pidie District, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of the epicenter, and the nearby town of Lhokseumawe ran out of their houses in panic.

Argentina referees strike avoided, negotiations arranged Posted: 06 Dec 2016 04:23 PM PST BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine football referees have called off a threatened strike for this weekend that was jeopardizing the country's 'superclasico' between Buenos Aires rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors on Sunday.

Britain's Hammond to strengthen non-EU ties Posted: 06 Dec 2016 04:06 PM PST British finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday flies to South Africa, followed by trips next week to Japan and South Korea, as Britain seeks "stronger global ties" before Brexit. "As we leave the EU, Britain's future prosperity depends on maintaining the strongest possible economic links with our European neighbours, while building on the already strong economic partnerships we have with the world beyond Europe," Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond said in a Treasury statement. The Treasury added that Hammond, who on Tuesday was in Brussels to discuss Britain's impending departure from the European Union, "will embark on a series of international trips to showcase the UK's commitment to forming even stronger global ties".

Mag-5.8 quake rattles Trinidad, nearby islands; no damage Posted: 06 Dec 2016 04:06 PM PST PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — A strong earthquake rattled Trinidad and Tobago and nearby Caribbean islands Tuesday but there were no reports of any significant damage or injuries.

Vanessa Redgrave makes directing debut with refugee film Posted: 06 Dec 2016 04:03 PM PST Drawing on her own experience as a wartime evacuee, British actress and campaigner Vanessa Redgrave told AFP her new film about refugees was aimed at ensuring people stay sensitive to the issue. The Oscar-winner made her directing debut on Tuesday with "Sea Sorrow", premiering the film in Hammersmith, an area of west London that has been particularly active in welcoming migrants for years. The child of actors, Redgrave became a leading actress on both stage and screen and credits her parents with teaching her the importance of a good storyline.

Strong earthquake rocks Indonesia's Aceh province Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:58 PM PST JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia's province of Aceh early Wednesday, causing panic among residents.

More mistakes mar PSG's trophy quest in Champions League Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:43 PM PST PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain must find a way to eradicate the sloppy errors that keep resurfacing to stand any chance of winning the Champions League.

Lack of access to medicine in Latin America taken to rights body Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:37 PM PST Complaints over lack of access to medicine in Latin America were brought before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Tuesday, with demands that big drug companies be punished for preventing the sale of generics. Various regional groups highlighted the situation to the IACHR during a hearing held in Panama, saying that 21 percent of Latin America's population had no access to basic health services and that 700,000 people died annually of preventable causes. This should be qualified as a "crime against humanity," said German Holguin, coordinator for Alianza LAC-Global por el Acceso a Medicamentos, one of the groups.

Taiwan's Tsai: no major policy shifts, despite Trump call - reports Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:22 PM PST Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said she does not anticipate any major policy shifts affecting the region despite her unprecedented call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that deeply rankled China, according to media reports on Tuesday. In a meeting with a small group of American reporters, Tsai played down the significance of the exchange last Friday with Trump. The telephone call was the first with a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979.

China urges U.S. to block transit by Taiwan president Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:22 PM PST By Ben Blanchard and Bill Barreto BEIJING/GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - China called on U.S. officials on Tuesday not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent. The U.S. State Department appeared to reject the call, saying that such transits were based on "long-standing U.S. practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (U.S.) relations with Taiwan." China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.

Critics worry after Trump security chief fuels conspiracies Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:17 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — On issues of national security and intelligence, no one is likely to have more influence in Donald Trump's White House than retired Gen. Michael T. Flynn.

Hearing delayed again for jailed Utah man in Venezuela Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:16 PM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A Utah man jailed in Venezuela since June had his hopes for being reunited with his family for Christmas all but dashed Tuesday by the fourth postponement of a preliminary hearing.

Djokovic, Becker splitting after 3 seasons, 6 major titles Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:15 PM PST Novak Djokovic and coach Boris Becker are splitting up after three seasons — and a half-dozen Grand Slam titles — as a pair.

Arsenal routs Basel 4-1 to win Champions League group Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:03 PM PST BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Arsenal easily beat Basel 4-1 to finish a surprise winner of its Champions League group on Tuesday, powered by a hat trick from little-used forward Lucas Perez.

Phone and bank stocks push indexes higher; Dow at record Posted: 06 Dec 2016 03:03 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks posted slight gains on Tuesday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average to another record, helped by shares of telecommunications companies such as Verizon, Sprint and AT&T.

Napoli beats Benfica 2-1 to top group, both reach last 16 Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:56 PM PST LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Napoli won 2-1 at Benfica but both teams qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League on Tuesday after Besiktas fell to a surprise 6-0 thrashing at Dynamo Kiev.

Mexico rescues 15 children in Cabo San Lucas resort Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:55 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican prosecutors say they have rescued 15 children who were forced to work as vendors or beggars in the Baja California resort of Cabo San Lucas.

Barca wins again but Messi falls short of Ronaldo's record Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:52 PM PST BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi opened the scoring in Barcelona's 4-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Tuesday but fell short of matching Cristiano Ronaldo's goal record in the group stage of the Champions League.

Protesters against austerity clash with police in Rio Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:51 PM PST RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Police and protesters clashed outside the Rio de Janeiro state legislature Tuesday during a demonstration against government austerity measures being discussed by lawmakers.

Oakland warehouse fire death toll, at 36, not expected to rise Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:48 PM PST Authorities in Oakland, California, said on Tuesday they do not expect the death toll from a blaze that engulfed a converted warehouse during a dance party to rise above 36, but could not rule it out as they continued picking through debris. Emergency workers have searched and cleared 90 percent of the charred building, officials told a news conference. "We're going to continue the process until absolutely every piece of debris is removed from the building (and) every area has been searched," said Oakland Police Department spokeswoman Johnna Watson.

Besiktas out of Champions League in 6-0 loss to Dynamo Kiev Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:47 PM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — They had been the Champions League's kings of the late surprise earlier in the season, but Besiktas had no answer to a 6-0 onslaught from Dynamo Kiev as it was eliminated from the competition Tuesday.

Robert Lewandowski scores as Bayern edges Atletico 1-0 Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:39 PM PST MUNICH (AP) — Robert Lewandowski curled in a spectacular free kick to give Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in a Champions League match between two already qualified teams on Tuesday.

Mourinho's agent: Coach paid $27 million in taxes in Spain Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:37 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Jose Mourinho's agent says the Manchester United manager paid more than 26 million euros ($27 million) in taxes when he lived in Spain from 2010-13.

Trump: Japanese mogul pledges $50 billion US investment Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:37 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — After meeting with Donald Trump on Tuesday, Japanese tech billionaire Masayoshi Son said he will invest $50 billion in the United States and would "commit" to creating 50,000 new jobs over an unspecified time period.

60 feared drowned off Yemen after boat disappears Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:28 PM PST SANAA, Yemen (AP) — The Yemeni government says 60 nationals are feared drowned in the Arabian Sea, after their vessel went missing for days.

North at center of another concussion controversy in rugby Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:23 PM PST NORTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Wales winger George North is at the center of another concussion controversy in rugby that is highlighting the limitations of technology available to doctors to assess head injuries.

Energy Transfer keeps up legal pressure after pipeline defeat Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:22 PM PST By Mica Rosenberg and Ernest Scheyder WASHINGTON/CANNON BALL, N.D. (Reuters) - The company building the Dakota Access Pipeline turned to a federal judge late on Monday for a permit to finish the job after the federal government ruled against the controversial pipeline. The pipeline, which is being built by Energy Transfer Partners, has been the subject of protests from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and climate activists for months, due to its proximity to the tribe's reservation. On Sunday, the federal government turned down ETP's request for an easement that will allow it to tunnel under the Missouri River, adjacent to the Standing Rock reservation.

Iran president: Trump won't be able to harm the nuclear deal Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:20 PM PST TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's president said on Tuesday that his country will not allow incoming U.S. President Donald Trump to "tear up" Iran's landmark nuclear deal with world powers and also warned Tehran will react to any extension of American sanctions.

Iheanacho steps in, scores for City in 1-1 draw vs Celtic Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:19 PM PST MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Kelechi Iheanacho began his month-long stint as Sergio Aguero's replacement by scoring Manchester City's equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Celtic in a Champions League game carrying little significance on Tuesday.

Ransomed: The race to free 226 Christian hostages in Syria Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:19 PM PST SAARLOUIS, Germany (AP) — Deep inside Syria, a bishop worked secretly to save the lives of 226 members of his flock from the Islamic State group — by amassing millions of dollars from his community around the world to buy their freedom.

Quake of 6.8 magnitude hits near Banda Aceh, Indonesia Posted: 06 Dec 2016 02:18 PM PST SYDNEY (Reuters) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck 130km southeast of Banda Aceh in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, the United States Geological Survey said. No tsunami warning was immediately issued. (Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Chris Reese)

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