Yahoo! News: World News

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• Turkish-led forces advance into outskirts of Syrian city
• Family's return to rebuild Aleppo street points to Syria's future
• Yemen keeps counter-terrorism operations with U.S. despite raid
• Tillerson tells Mexico counterpart he will visit in coming weeks: official
• Netanyahu orders reprimand of Belgian ambassador
• Scottish government set to demand legal right to new independence referendum: newspaper
• Airstrikes on rebel-held Syrian district kill 9 civilians
• Suns rookie Dragan Bender has ankle surgery
• Canada gives aid to Bombardier, vows to defend any trade dispute
• Moylan, Hendriks set for Australia at World Baseball Classic
• Bellucci into the quarterfinals on clay in Quito
• Rio electoral court: gov should step down for power abuse
• Q&A: Untangling legal issues surrounding Trump's travel ban
• Guatemala arrests Supreme Court judge in corruption probe
• US says it killed veteran Qaeda leader in Syria
• North Dakota tribe says running out of options to stop pipeline
• Top Asian News 1:40 a.m. GMT
• Once-reviled scavenger bird now the pride of its Indian home
• Somalia's ex-PM elected president
• Brazil's jailed ex-speaker submits evidence of aneurism
• Brazil court says Rio governor should step down over campaign financing
• Alleged 9/11 plotter blasts Obama in letter from Guantanamo
• Dortmund wins in German Cup shootout, Bayern to play Schalke
• Thanks to immigrants, Canada sees biggest G7 population jump
• British MPs approve bill to start Brexit
• Alaves beats Celta in Copa, reaches 2nd final in its history
• Regional force's mission in Gambia extended by three months
• Trump slams courts as judges mull travel ban
• Furyk tweaks Ryder Cup points system
• Juventus wins 2-0 at Crotone; 9-man Milan beats Bologna 1-0
• Spanish clubs spend only 18M euros in transfer window
• Struggling Leicester earns respite by winning FA Cup replay
• White House says U.S. in touch with Yemen amid concerns about commando raid
• Relief for Leicester's Ranieri as Ndidi rocket downs Derby
• Part of Paris metro disrupted by electrical fault, smoke -police
• Germany wary of Russian propaganda campaign, lacks proof
• How major US stock market indexes fared on Wednesday
• Fierce fighting 20km from IS bastion in Syria: AFP reporter

Turkish-led forces advance into outskirts of Syrian city Posted: 08 Feb 2017 12:53 PM PST By Humeyra Pamuk and Tom Perry ANKARA/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels backed by the Turkish military have captured the outskirts of the Islamic State-held city of al-Bab in northern Syria, the Turkish government and rebel sources said on Wednesday. The advance threatens an important Islamic State stronghold, whose fall would deepen Turkish influence in an area of northern Syria where it has created a de facto buffer zone. Syrian government forces have also advanced on al-Bab from the south, bringing them close to their Turkish and rebel enemies in one of the most complex battlefields of the six-year-old conflict.

Family's return to rebuild Aleppo street points to Syria's future Posted: 08 Feb 2017 01:14 PM PST By Angus McDowall ALEPPO, Syria (Reuters) - The Batash family are working with their bare hands to clear debris from Aleppo's al-Mouassassi Street, rebuilding their wrecked neighborhood after years of fighting that came to an end in December. Heyam Batash, 56, has sores on her fingers from scrubbing clothes in freezing water, her sons Ayad and Youssef forage firewood from wrecked houses and her grandchildren fetch bread from a charity-run bakery nearby. Syria's civil war has not only unleashed carnage across the country but shredded its social fabric, dividing those who backed different sides, scattering families and communities, and ruining millions of lives.

Yemen keeps counter-terrorism operations with U.S. despite raid Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:04 PM PST By Yara Bayoumy and Noah Browning WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters) - Yemen said on Wednesday it had not suspended counter-terrorism operations with the U.S. government, despite controversy over a U.S. commando raid on al Qaeda militants in which several civilians were also killed. The raid in al-Bayda province, approved by new U.S. President Donald Trump, resulted in a gun battle that left one Navy SEAL dead and an American aircraft a charred wreck. Yemeni officials told Reuters that Sanaa had not withdrawn its permission for the United States to carry out special operations ground missions but had made clear their "reservations" about the last operation.

Tillerson tells Mexico counterpart he will visit in coming weeks: official Posted: 08 Feb 2017 01:52 PM PST U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told his Mexican counterpart, Luis Videgaray, in a meeting in Washington that he would visit Mexico in the coming weeks, a Mexican Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday.

Netanyahu orders reprimand of Belgian ambassador Posted: 08 Feb 2017 02:11 PM PST Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ordered the reprimanding of the Belgian Ambassador over a meeting between Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel with representatives of two Israeli rights groups. Israeli Channel Ten reported that Michel had met with representatives of Israeli human rights group B'tselem and Israeli advocacy group Breaking the Silence during his visit to the region. Both organizations have become popular targets for right wing politicians who accuse them of damaging Israel's reputation abroad and putting Israeli soldiers and officials at risk of prosecution.

Scottish government set to demand legal right to new independence referendum: newspaper Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:33 PM PST (Reuters) - Scottish government workers have been told to ready themselves for a second independence referendum in a notice that said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was set to demand the legal right to another constitutional vote, The Courier newspaper in Dundee, Scotland, reported on Wednesday. The Scottish government was not immediately available for comment.

Airstrikes on rebel-held Syrian district kill 9 civilians Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:55 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — A series of airstrikes on an opposition-held district in the Syrian city of Homs, presumably carried out by Russia or Syria, killed at least nine civilians on Wednesday, local activists said.

Suns rookie Dragan Bender has ankle surgery Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:48 PM PST PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns rookie forward Dragan Bender had an arthroscopic procedure Wednesday to remove a bone spur in his right ankle.

Canada gives aid to Bombardier, vows to defend any trade dispute Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:45 PM PST The Canadian government on Tuesday announced C$372.5 million ($283 million) in repayable loans for two of Bombardier Inc's jet programs, promising to defend the deal against a potential trade challenge by Brazil. While the aid was far less than the $1 billion originally sought by the Canadian plane and train maker, Chief Executive Officer Alain Bellemare called it the right level of support, saying the company's financial situation had improved. The move risks exacerbating trade wounds with rival jetmaking nation Brazil, which has already threatened to take Canada to the World Trade Organization over a $1 billion injection by Quebec for the CSeries.

Moylan, Hendriks set for Australia at World Baseball Classic Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:35 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — Kansas City Royals free agent pitcher Peter Moylan and Oakland reliever Liam Hendriks are among the 28 players on Australia's roster for the World Baseball Classic.

Bellucci into the quarterfinals on clay in Quito Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:26 PM PST QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Fourth-seeded Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil reached the quarterfinals of the Ecuador Open on Wednesday, defeating Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 7-6 (8), 7-6 (2).

Rio electoral court: gov should step down for power abuse Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:19 PM PST RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A Brazilian electoral court has ruled that the governor of Rio de Janeiro state and his deputy should step down for awarding contracts in exchange for campaign donations.

Q&A: Untangling legal issues surrounding Trump's travel ban Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:18 PM PST SEATTLE (AP) — A federal appeals court is considering whether to reinstate President Donald Trump's travel ban, but another aspect of his executive order is still in effect — a review of visa procedures to ensure they are strict enough.

Guatemala arrests Supreme Court judge in corruption probe Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:16 PM PST A Guatemalan Supreme Court judge was arrested on Wednesday accused of influence trafficking, prosecutors said, in the latest anti-corruption drive in the Central American country. Blanca Stalling was walking in the capital, Guatemala City, when she was arrested while wearing a red wig and sunglasses, according to Julia Barrera, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General's office. Congress withdrew Stalling's immunity a week ago after she was accused by a lower-ranking judge of attempting to pressure him to give her son favorable treatment in a fraud case.

US says it killed veteran Qaeda leader in Syria Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:15 PM PST The US military said Wednesday that it had killed eleven Al-Qaeda operatives, including a veteran leader and suicide bombing pioneer, in a bombing raid in Syria. The Pentagon said Abu Hani al-Masri, the Qaeda veteran, was one of those killed in the precision airstrikes near Idlib carried out on February 3-4. Al-Masri was an early official in al-Qaeda, overseeing the group's training camps in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s as he worked with Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden and current leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

North Dakota tribe says running out of options to stop pipeline Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:10 PM PST By Ernest Scheyder and Terray Sylvester HOUSTON/CANNON BALL, N.D. (Reuters) - The leader of a Native American tribe attempting to block the Dakota Access oil pipeline said on Wednesday the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe may have exhausted legal options to stop the project after the company building it won federal permission to tunnel under the Missouri River. Legal experts agreed the tribe faces long odds in convincing any court to halt the $3.8 billion project led by Energy Transfer Partners LP, which could now begin operation as soon as June. The U.S. Army said on Tuesday it would grant the final permit for the pipeline after an order from President Donald Trump to expedite the project.

Top Asian News 1:40 a.m. GMT Posted: 08 Feb 2017 05:40 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — Japan is charting its own course to deal with a radically different U.S. president, an approach that will be tested at the end of this week when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets Donald Trump in the White House and on the golf course in Florida. Some other leaders of America's closest neighbors and allies, from Mexico to the United Kingdom, have been singed by their encounters with Trump. Japanese officials are optimistic the invitation to visit Trump's "Winter White House," an exclusive club he owns in Palm Beach, signals a more positive outcome. "We hope that the two leaders can deepen relations and trust in Florida," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters in announcing the trip.

Once-reviled scavenger bird now the pride of its Indian home Posted: 08 Feb 2017 04:08 PM PST GAUHATI, India (AP) — The greater adjutant stork used to be an object of revulsion in northeast India. It's not a pretty bird, with its large, dull-orange bill and gray, black and white plumage. A carnivore and scavenger, it left bits of dead animals in its nests. People thought it brought bad luck, so they destroyed nests and sometimes poisoned the birds.

Somalia's ex-PM elected president Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:53 PM PST Former Somali prime minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who holds joint American citizenship, was elected president on Wednesday, vowing to crack down on corruption and Al-Shabaab militants. The 55-year-old former premier, whose hails from the Darod clan and who goes by the nickname "Farmajo", won after incumbent president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud acknowledged defeat in a second round of voting by lawmakers. "This is the beginning of unity for the Somali nation, the beginning of the fight against Shabaab and corruption", a triumphant Farmajo said after being declared the winner in a long, drawn-out election process in the conflict-wracked nation.

Brazil's jailed ex-speaker submits evidence of aneurism Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:47 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — Lawyers for a former congressional leader jailed in a corruptions case submitted evidence of their client's brain aneurism Wednesday after the politician refused to undergo medical exams.

Brazil court says Rio governor should step down over campaign financing Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:44 PM PST An electoral court in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday ordered Rio de Janeiro state governor Luiz Fernando Pezão and his deputy to stand down, accusing them of offering state contracts to attract financing for a 2014 reelection campaign. The court said in a statement that the order would not take effect until Pezão and Vice-Governor Francisco Dornelles had exhausted the appeals process, something likely to take some time in Brazil's complex judicial system. Press aides to the governor said that the men would appeal the decision, which comes as Rio de Janeiro state is struggling with a budgetary crisis triggered by a collapse in oil prices and Brazil's deepest recession in decades.

Alleged 9/11 plotter blasts Obama in letter from Guantanamo Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:43 PM PST MIAMI (AP) — The man who says he was the mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack seeks to justify the plot as a "natural reaction" to U.S. foreign policy in a blistering letter sent to then President Barack Obama from the Guantanamo prison.

Dortmund wins in German Cup shootout, Bayern to play Schalke Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:41 PM PST BERLIN (AP) — Borussia Dortmund needed a penalty shootout to overcome Hertha Berlin and reach the German Cup quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive year on Wednesday.

Thanks to immigrants, Canada sees biggest G7 population jump Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:40 PM PST Thanks to a large influx of immigrants, Canada had the largest population growth of all Group of Seven countries over the past five years, government statistics showed Wednesday. The first data available from last year's census shows that Canada now has a population of more than 35 million -- 1.7 million (or five percent) more than in the 2011 census. About two-thirds of this population increase can be attributed to immigration, with natural population growth representing the other third, according to Statistics Canada.

British MPs approve bill to start Brexit Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:31 PM PST British MPs overwhelmingly backed a bill on Wednesday empowering Prime Minister Theresa May to start negotiations on leaving the European Union, bringing Brexit a significant step closer. Members of the House of Commons voted by 494 votes to 122 for a law enabling May to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which begins two years of talks on pulling out of the 28-nation bloc. "We've seen a historic vote tonight -- a big majority for getting on with negotiating our exit from the EU and a strong, new partnership with its member states," said Brexit minister David Davis.

Alaves beats Celta in Copa, reaches 2nd final in its history Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:29 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Alaves matched the greatest feat in the Spanish club's history by reaching the final of a major competition after defeating Celta Vigo 1-0 in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

Regional force's mission in Gambia extended by three months Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:27 PM PST A West African military operation that pressured Gambia's long-time leader, Yahya Jammeh, to step down and flee into exile has had its mandate extended by three months, the office of new President Adama Barrow said on Wednesday. Barrow won a Dec. 1 election but Jammeh, who had ruled since seizing power in a coup in 1994, refused to step down, forcing his opponent to be sworn in at the Gambian Embassy in neighboring Senegal last month. Barrow immediately asked regional bloc ECOWAS for assistance and West African troops quickly crossed into Gambia from Senegal, giving mediators the necessary leverage to negotiate Jammeh's departure.

Trump slams courts as judges mull travel ban Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:20 PM PST President Donald Trump renewed his attack on the courts Wednesday, describing them as "so political" as a panel of judges weigh his executive order barring refugees and visitors from seven mainly Muslim countries. The contentious ban has been frozen by the courts and has embroiled Trump in an arm wrestle with the judicial branch, less than three weeks into his presidency. Speaking to police chiefs and sheriffs, Trump expressed "amazement" over a hearing Tuesday of three federal appeals judges, who are considering whether to reinstate the ban.

Furyk tweaks Ryder Cup points system Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:18 PM PST PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk is tweaking the U.S. points system to put more value on winning PGA Tour events than high finishes in the majors.

Juventus wins 2-0 at Crotone; 9-man Milan beats Bologna 1-0 Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:16 PM PST MILAN (AP) — It was harder than Juventus would have liked, but Massimiliano Allegri's side won 2-0 at relegation-threatened Crotone to restore its seven-point lead in Serie A on Wednesday.

Spanish clubs spend only 18M euros in transfer window Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:14 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Spanish league clubs spent only 18 million euros ($19.2 million) in signings in the winter transfer window, the lowest figure among the top leagues.

Struggling Leicester earns respite by winning FA Cup replay Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:05 PM PST LEICESTER, England (AP) — Leicester earned some respite amid a difficult spell in its Premier League title defense by beating Derby 3-1 in a fourth-round replay in the FA Cup, with Demarai Gray's slaloming solo strike clinching victory in extra time on Wednesday.

White House says U.S. in touch with Yemen amid concerns about commando raid Posted: 08 Feb 2017 03:04 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday it had been in touch with Yemeni officials through diplomatic channels amid concerns over a U.S. commando raid targeting al Qaeda militants that killed several civilians. "We are in touch with Yemenis through diplomatic channels," White House spokesman Sean Spicer told a news briefing. "They understand the fight and commitment that we both share." (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by David Alexander; Editing by Tim Ahmann)

Relief for Leicester's Ranieri as Ndidi rocket downs Derby Posted: 08 Feb 2017 02:42 PM PST Wilfred Ndidi put a smile back on Claudio Ranieri's face as the Leicester midfielder's first goal for the troubled champions inspired a 3-1 win over Derby in Wednesday's FA Cup fourth round replay. Ranieri has found himself under fire after Leicester slumped to within one point of the Premier League relegation zone less than a year after their fairytale title triumph. Amid claims Ranieri has lost the support of his squad, the Leicester boss was given a vote of confidence by the club's Thai owners on Tuesday.

Part of Paris metro disrupted by electrical fault, smoke -police Posted: 08 Feb 2017 02:31 PM PST Part of Paris' metro underground train service was disrupted on Wednesday night because of an electrical fault that caused smoke at one of the stations, police in the French capital said. A police spokesman said the incident was due to a technical fault. Two people suffered slight injuries from smoke inhalation, police said.

Germany wary of Russian propaganda campaign, lacks proof Posted: 08 Feb 2017 02:28 PM PST BERLIN (AP) — German officials said Wednesday that they remain concerned about possible Russian propaganda before this year's elections, despite reports that Germany's spy agencies have failed to find proof of such efforts.

How major US stock market indexes fared on Wednesday Posted: 08 Feb 2017 02:28 PM PST U.S. stock indexes closed mostly higher Wednesday, nudging the Nasdaq composite to a record-high for the second day in a row.

Fierce fighting 20km from IS bastion in Syria: AFP reporter Posted: 08 Feb 2017 02:20 PM PST Fierce fighting took place on Wednesday between jihadist militants and US-backed Syrian rebels just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Islamic State's self-proclaimed capital of Raqa, an AFP reporter saw. On Saturday, the rebels -- a coalition of Arab and Kurdish fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- announced a new phase in a bid to capture Raqa, and mounted an attack from north and northeast. An AFP reporter at Bir Fawaz, 20 km north of Raqa, heard machine-gun fire all day Wednesday as SDF attacked IS positions in the neighbouring village of Maayzila.

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