Yahoo! News: World News

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• Britain's Brexit bill clears first legislative hurdle
• Civilians likely killed in Yemen raid: U.S. military
• Trump adopts aggressive posture toward Iran after missile launch
• Romanians rally in biggest anti-corruption protest in decades
• Suspect in Canada mosque shooting sought money, scouted site
• U.S., Mexican officials meet in Mexico, discuss security: sources
• NRL's Cronulla Sharks confirm Barba's move to Toulon rugby
• Midnight specials pay off for Celtic match-winner
• US flirts with softer stance on Russia's conduct in Ukraine
• Mickelson, 59-shooters Thomas, Hadwin set for Phoenix Open
• Correction: AP Explains-High-Tech Visas story
• Rain delays start of 2nd NZ vs Australia ODI
• Mexico seizes almost 47,000 faulty HIV test kits
• Anti-austerity protest turns violent in Rio de Janeiro
• On eve of state polls, India's Modi looks to clean up campaign funding
• Foreign policy challenges pile up for Trump
• Israel to build first new West Bank settlement since 1990s
• Immigration courts to focus on detainees, not kids' cases
• Thompson to make Davis Cup singles debut for Australia
• Trump White House puts Iran 'on notice'
• Former Southern Baptist football player charged with abuse
• Mourinho rounds on match officials, aims dig at rival Klopp
• Record number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded in UK last year
• U.S. House axes rules to prevent corruption, pollution
• Spokesman: Congolese opposition leader Tshisekedi dies at 84
• German minister heads to Washington amid growing U.S. critiques
• US puts Iran 'on notice' after missile test, won't elaborate
• Temer ally elected Brazil Senate speaker
• Congo at crossroads as opposition boss Tshisekedi dies
• U.S. Senate confirms Tillerson as secretary of state
• Barcelona beats Atletico 2-1 in Madrid in Copa semifinals
• Chile: Bachelet denies receiving campaign financing from OAS
• Man City rampant, Man United frustrated in Premier League
• Mexico: $212 million deal to make Chinese SUVs in Hidalgo
• Tourist dies while snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef
• United frustrated by Hull in 0-0 home draw in Premier League
• Gabriel Jesus lights up City with goal on 1st league start
• China's 'Silk Road' push stirs resentment and protest in Sri Lanka

Britain's Brexit bill clears first legislative hurdle Posted: 01 Feb 2017 11:58 AM PST Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to take Britain out of the European Union easily cleared its first legislative hurdle on Wednesday, paving the way for the government to launch divorce talks by the end of March. May's government is seeking approval for a new law giving her the right to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty - the legal process for leaving the bloc - after the Supreme Court ruled she could not take that decision unilaterally. The bill could complete the legislative process by March 7.

Civilians likely killed in Yemen raid: U.S. military Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:43 PM PST A deadly dawn raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen earlier this week "likely killed" civilians and could include children, the U.S. military said on Wednesday. Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware in an unexpected visit to meet with the family of William "Ryan" Owens, a chief special warfare operator who died in Sunday's raid. "The known possible civilian casualties appear to have been potentially caught up in aerial gunfire that was called in to assist U.S. forces...," U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

Trump adopts aggressive posture toward Iran after missile launch Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:16 PM PST By Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House put Iran "on notice" on Wednesday for test-firing a ballistic missile and said it was reviewing how to respond, abruptly adopting an aggressive posture toward Tehran that could raise tensions in the region. It was unclear what actions the new Republican administration might take to try to rein in Iran for a missile launch that President Donald Trump and his top aides considered defiance of a nuclear deal negotiated in 2015 by then-Democratic President Barack Obama.

Romanians rally in biggest anti-corruption protest in decades Posted: 01 Feb 2017 02:35 PM PST By Radu-Sorin Marinas and Luiza Ilie BUCHAREST (Reuters) - More than 250,000 Romanians demonstrated on Wednesday against a government decree decriminalizing some graft offences, seen as the biggest retreat on reforms since the country joined the European Union in 2007. Romania's top judicial watchdog, the Superior Magistrates' Council (CSM), earlier in the day filed a constitutional court challenge to the decree unveiled by the new Social Democrat government of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu. The number of protesters rose to a new high in the evening, reaching 130,000 to 150,000 outside the cabinet building in Bucharest.

Suspect in Canada mosque shooting sought money, scouted site Posted: 01 Feb 2017 02:29 PM PST By Allison Lampert QUEBEC CITY (Reuters) - The suspect in the shooting rampage at a Canadian mosque visited the site before Sunday's massacre, asking for money and scouting the scene before returning with guns and killing six men as they prayed, a member of the mosque said. Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, was charged in court on Monday with six counts of premeditated murder and five counts of attempted murder with a restricted weapon after Sunday evening's massacre at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec. Members of the mosque were shocked to find the man that had been seen twice outside the center in the days before the shooting was the same slightly built French-Canadian that police said was the lone attacker in the shooting.

U.S., Mexican officials meet in Mexico, discuss security: sources Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:51 PM PST By Alexandra Alper MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. military officials met with a Mexican delegation in the southern Mexican border city of Tapachula on Tuesday to discuss security initiatives, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Lori Robinson, chief of the U.S. Northern Command, and Kurt Tidd, head of the Southern U.S. Command, attended the session, two people familiar with the matter said. It was one of the first known meetings between U.S. and Mexican officials since U.S. President Donald Trump took office earlier in January.

NRL's Cronulla Sharks confirm Barba's move to Toulon rugby Posted: 01 Feb 2017 05:16 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — The Cronulla Sharks have confirmed that fullback Ben Barba had signed a contract with powerful French rugby union club Toulon and would leave the National Rugby League champions.

Midnight specials pay off for Celtic match-winner Posted: 01 Feb 2017 05:12 PM PST Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata scored the only goal in Celtic's 1-0 win over Aberdeen and then revealed late night training sessions had helped him force his way back into the team. Brendan Rodgers' team are also a huge 25 points ahead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. From there, the team is playing well and then you're trying to get a place in the team.

US flirts with softer stance on Russia's conduct in Ukraine Posted: 01 Feb 2017 05:10 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday maintained a low-key approach to the latest flare-up of violence in eastern Ukraine, where the government accuses Russian-backed forces of stepping up attacks. The restrained tone may reflect the start of a new U.S. approach to dealing with Russia's cross-border activity, even as top U.S. officials are pledging to support Ukraine's sovereignty.

Mickelson, 59-shooters Thomas, Hadwin set for Phoenix Open Posted: 01 Feb 2017 05:08 PM PST SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Phil Mickelson was a fraction of an inch away from shooting 59 in his 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open victory. Playing partners Justin Thomas and Adam Hadwin are the latest members of the 59 club, and Thomas was plotting some good-natured ribbing at Lefty's expense.

Correction: AP Explains-High-Tech Visas story Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:59 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — In a story Jan. 31 about the H-1B visa program, The Associated Press reported erroneously that companies must make a good faith effort to hire a U.S. worker before hiring a foreign worker on an H-1B visa. In fact, the requirement applies only to some companies.

Rain delays start of 2nd NZ vs Australia ODI Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:55 PM PST NAPIER, New Zealand (AP) — Rain has delayed the start of the second limited-overs international between New Zealand and Australia at McLean Park.

Mexico seizes almost 47,000 faulty HIV test kits Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:52 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — The latest in a series of health care scandals is hitting Mexico with the government's seizure of almost 47,000 Chinese-made HIV testing kits that it says could give false negative results.

Anti-austerity protest turns violent in Rio de Janeiro Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:45 PM PST Brazilian riot police used tear gas and stun grenades in Rio de Janeiro Wednesday to break up a protest against austerity measures aimed at rescuing the state from near bankruptcy. The center of the city that less than half a year ago was hosting the Olympic Games turned into a battlefield at lunch hour. Most protesters were peaceful, but television footage showed a group trying to break through barriers protecting the state assembly, where deputies were considering austerity measures.

On eve of state polls, India's Modi looks to clean up campaign funding Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:33 PM PST By Sanjeev Miglani and Tommy Wilkes NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has moved to clean up political funding with limits on cash donations and new "election bonds", but some politicians and election officials said the measures would have limited impact. With several state polls about to begin that will help determine his chances of re-election in 2019, Modi's administration sought to tackle widespread perceptions of vote buying by capping cash donations to political parties at 2,000 rupees ($30). Announcing his 2017/18 budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also unveiled a scheme under which donors could buy "election bonds" from a designated local bank and give them to political parties to deposit into their account.

Foreign policy challenges pile up for Trump Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:33 PM PST Donald Trump's brief honeymoon from global affairs is over. After a week of relative calm and domestic preoccupations, actors from Russia to Iran are testing the new US president's mettle. On the face of it, a recent Iranian ballistic missile test and a Russian-backed incursion deeper into Ukraine appear to have little in common and less to do with the man in the Oval Office.

Israel to build first new West Bank settlement since 1990s Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:22 PM PST By Eli Berlzon AMONA, West Bank (Reuters) - Israel said on Wednesday it would establish a new settlement in the occupied West Bank, the first since the late 1990s, to rehouse settlers evicted on the same day from an outpost built on private Palestinian land. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he was making good on a commitment to the settlers of Amona and had ordered the formation of a committee to locate a site where they could rebuild their homes. "As promised a month and a half ago to the settlers, (Netanyahu) has set up a committee that will promote the establishment of a new settlement... It will begin work immediately to locate a spot and to establish the settlement," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Immigration courts to focus on detainees, not kids' cases Posted: 01 Feb 2017 05:46 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. immigration courts are making a change to focus more on deportation hearings for immigrants jailed by the federal government.

Thompson to make Davis Cup singles debut for Australia Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:12 PM PST MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Jordan Thompson will make his Davis Cup singles debut for Australia against Czech Republic's Jiri Vesely in Friday's World Group opener on hard courts at Kooyong.

Trump White House puts Iran 'on notice' Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:11 PM PST Flynn cited a recent missile test and the actions of Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen as examples of Tehran's malign behavior. "Iran is now feeling emboldened," Flynn said, in trenchant pre-written remarks, "as of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice," he said without elaborating. Both Trump and Flynn have been harsh critics of Tehran and vocal opponents of an international deal that saw Iran curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

Former Southern Baptist football player charged with abuse Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:10 PM PST BOLIVAR, Mo. (AP) — A former football player at Southwest Baptist University was charged Wednesday in a videotaped assault at a group home for children.

Mourinho rounds on match officials, aims dig at rival Klopp Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:10 PM PST MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho accused match officials of treating him unfairly and aimed a dig at Liverpool counterpart Juergen Klopp in a show of frustration after his team's 0-0 draw against Hull in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Record number of anti-Semitic incidents recorded in UK last year Posted: 01 Feb 2017 04:06 PM PST Britain saw a record number of anti-Semitic incidents last year, fueled by issues such as xenophobia following the EU referendum and allegations of anti-Jewish sentiment in the opposition Labour Party, an advisory body said on Thursday. The Community Security Trust (CST), which advises Britain's estimated 260,000 Jews on security matters, said it had recorded 1,309 incidents in 2016, the highest number since it began collecting figures 33 years ago. "Whilst Jewish life in this country remains overwhelmingly positive, this heightened level of anti-Semitism is deeply worrying and it appears to be getting worse," David Delew, the CST's chief executive, said in a statement.

U.S. House axes rules to prevent corruption, pollution Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:56 PM PST By Lisa Lambert WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two major U.S. rules aimed at curbing corruption and pollution in the energy sector may be entirely wiped from the books by next week, after the Republican-led House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to repeal them. The Senate is expected to take up repealing the rules, both of which were years in the making, as soon as Thursday. Under the virtually untested Congressional Review Act, the Republican-led Congress can vote to permanently undo newly minted regulations.

Spokesman: Congolese opposition leader Tshisekedi dies at 84 Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:54 PM PST KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo's opposition icon Etienne Tshisekedi, who pushed for democratic reforms for decades in the vast Central African nation throughout dictatorship and civil war, has died, his political party said late Wednesday. He was 84.

German minister heads to Washington amid growing U.S. critiques Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:50 PM PST Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Wednesday announced plans to visit Washington and shore up ties with Germany's closest ally outside Europe, days after a key aide to U.S. President Donald Trump launched fresh attacks on Berlin's policies. Gabriel said he looked forward to a "good, open and friendly" dialogue with Rex Tillerson, confirmed as Trump's secretary of State on Wednesday by the U.S. Senate, and said Germany was seeking answers about the new U.S. administration's foreign policies, its relationship to the NATO alliance and other key issues. There are urgent issues on the global agenda about which Germany and America, as well as Europe and America, should be closely coordinating," Gabriel said in a statement.

US puts Iran 'on notice' after missile test, won't elaborate Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:50 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House issued a cryptic warning Wednesday that the U.S. will act against Iran unless it stops testing ballistic missiles and supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen, but declined to say what retaliatory actions the U.S. would pursue.

Temer ally elected Brazil Senate speaker Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:48 PM PST Brasília (AFP) - An ally of Brazilian President Michel Temer, millionaire businessman Eunicio Oliveira, was elected Senate speaker Wednesday, despite being named in the investigation into the Petrobras corruption scandal that ensnared his predecessor. The Senate vote was a victory for the center-right president as he seeks to push through sweeping pension and labor reforms to haul Latin America's largest economy out of its worst recession in a century. Oliveira, a powerful figure in Temer's PMDB party, replaces fellow party member Renan Calheiros, who steps down after being charged with corruption in the Petrobras case.

Congo at crossroads as opposition boss Tshisekedi dies Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:47 PM PST Longtime DR Congo opposition chief Etienne Tshisekedi died Wednesday at the age of 84 in Brussels, as talks aiming to end the nation's political crisis were under way in Kinshasa. "President Tshisekedi died today... in Brussels," Bruno Tshibala, an official from his Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party, said of the burly figure who had remained largely out of sight in recent years due to frail health. Tshisekedi, who had only flown from Kinshasa to the capital of former colonial power Belgium on Jaunary 24, for medical treatment, died at 5:42 pm local time (1642 GMT), Tshibala said.

U.S. Senate confirms Tillerson as secretary of state Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:46 PM PST By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate confirmed Rex Tillerson as President Donald Trump's secretary of state on Wednesday, filling a key spot on the Republican's national security team despite concerns about the former Exxon Mobil Corp chief executive officer's ties to Russia. Fifty-six senators backed Tillerson, and 43 voted no. Every Republican favored Tillerson, along with four members of the Democratic caucus, Senators Heidi Heitkamp, Joe Manchin and Mark Warner as well as Angus King, an independent.

Barcelona beats Atletico 2-1 in Madrid in Copa semifinals Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:41 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi did the damage again for Barcelona, scoring superb first-half goals as the defending champion won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Wednesday.

Chile: Bachelet denies receiving campaign financing from OAS Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:41 PM PST SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday denied reports she received financial support for her 2013 campaign from a construction conglomerate that is involved in Brazil's huge corruption scandal.

Man City rampant, Man United frustrated in Premier League Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:40 PM PST MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City's players looked like they could score at will in their latest big win over West Ham.

Mexico: $212 million deal to make Chinese SUVs in Hidalgo Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:40 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico announced a 4.4 billion peso ($212 million) deal to assemble Chinese cars in the central state of Hidalgo on Wednesday, amid calls for the country to diversify economic ties as tensions have risen with the U.S., its largest trade partner.

Tourist dies while snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:38 PM PST SYDNEY (Reuters) - A tourist has died while snorkeling at Australia's Great Barrier Reef, police said on Thursday, the fourth such fatality in recent months. Police said the man died on Wednesday and was in his 60s but did not provide further details. They declined to comment on a report in the Cairns Post newspaper that said he was British. Three other tourists died swimming at the reef in November. The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2,000 km (1,200 miles) along Australia's northeast coast and is the world's largest living ecosystem. ...

United frustrated by Hull in 0-0 home draw in Premier League Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:38 PM PST MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United missed a chance to gain some ground on its rivals for Champions League qualification by drawing 0-0 at home to relegation-threatened Hull on Wednesday, the latest setback for Jose Mourinho's side in the Premier League.

Gabriel Jesus lights up City with goal on 1st league start Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:38 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Gabriel Jesus marked his full Premier League debut with a goal and an assist as Manchester City's new-generation attacking machine tore through West Ham in a ruthless 4-0 Premier League victory on Wednesday.

China's 'Silk Road' push stirs resentment and protest in Sri Lanka Posted: 01 Feb 2017 03:34 PM PST By Shihar Aneez HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - China signed a deal with Sri Lanka late last year to further develop the strategic port of Hambantota and build a huge industrial zone nearby, a key part of Beijing's ambitions to create a modern-day "Silk Road" across Asia. As they try to reduce the country's debts, officials in Colombo see China's plans to include Sri Lanka on its "One Belt, One Road" initiative as an economic lifeline. China has spent almost $2 billion so far on Hambantota and a new airport and wants to spend much more.

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