General news

• VIDEO: Disabled Syrian teen's journey across Europe

  24-09-2015 23:59 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Noujain Mustaffa has travelled thousands of miles from Syria to Germany to be with her brother
  
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• The Latest: Company exec: Deadly bus crash 'devastating'

  24-09-2015 23:58 via news.yahoo.com
  
  SEATTLE (AP) — The latest on a crash between an amphibious tour vehicle and a charter bus in Seattle (all times local):
  
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• Pope arrives in New York to rock-star welcome

  24-09-2015 23:58 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Pope Francis was treated to a rock-star welcome in New York Thursday as he embarked on the second leg of his US tour after addressing Congress and electrifying crowds in Washington. Francis flew into John F. Kennedy International Airport on an American Airlines Boeing 777, given the call sign Shepherd One, where he shook hands with clergy and delighted members of a small crowd. A band played an excerpt of Frank Sinatra's hit "New York, New York" as the crowd waved Vatican flags and shouted "welc
  
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• VW to appoint new chief as pollution scandal spreads

  24-09-2015 23:51 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Volkswagen readied Thursday to announce a new chief as the scandal over its rigged emissions tests showed no signs of slowing down, with the EU calling for national investigations and the US saying it was taking the scam's alleged health implications "very seriously". The auto giant is expected to name a new chief executive on Friday to help steer it through the escalating crisis, with German media reporting that the current boss of VW's Porsche luxury sports car division, Matthias Mueller, is t
  
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• U.S. hosts meeting next week in bid to wrap up Pacific trade pact

  24-09-2015 23:46 via news.yahoo.com
  
  The United States has called ministers from the 12 nations negotiating a Pacific trade deal for a meeting Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 in a bid to finish the pact, a key part of the U.S. administration's engagement with Asia. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) seeks to cut trade barriers and set common standards for 40 percent of the world economy and will be a legacy-defining achievement for U.S. President Barack Obama. Chief negotiators from countries including Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia a
  
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• Obama seeks elusive progress on cyberspying in China talks

  24-09-2015 23:44 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is banking that tough talk on suspected Chinese cyberattacks will yield changes in Beijing's behavior and justify a decision to hold off penalizing China.
  
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• German sniper gets 20 years in case that targeted US agent

  24-09-2015 23:44 via news.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A former German Army sniper has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after he was caught in a sting operation that tested whether ex-soldiers would kill a U.S. agent.
  
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• Obama's personal ties with Xi yield mixed policy results

  24-09-2015 23:41 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has invested more time building personal ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping than with most other world leaders. But as Xi arrives in Washington late Thursday for a grand state visit, it's clear that Obama's overtures have produced decidedly mixed results.
  
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• Before Congress, pope urges U.S. to end hostility to immigrants

  24-09-2015 23:41 via news.yahoo.com
  
  By Philip Pullella and Scott Malone WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pope Francis beseeched Americans to end hostility toward immigrants in a historic speech before the U.S. Congress on Thursday, weighing in forcefully on a divisive issue that is stirring debate in the 2016 presidential campaign. Bringing a message that America's power and wealth should be used to serve humanity, the 78-year-old pontiff said the United States must not turn its back on "the stranger in our midst." "Building a nation calls
  
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• Fed still on track for U.S. rate hike this year, Yellen says

  24-09-2015 23:40 via news.yahoo.com
  
  By Jonathan Spicer and Svea Herbst-Bayliss AMHERST, Mass. (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said on Thursday she expects the U.S. central bank to begin raising interest rates later this year as long as inflation remains stable and the U.S. economy is strong enough to boost employment. Yellen, who spoke a week after the Fed delayed a long-anticipated rate hike, said she and other Fed policymakers do not expect recent global economic and financial market developments to significantly
  
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• Fed Chair Yellen: US rate increase 'likely' later this year

  24-09-2015 23:33 via news.yahoo.com
  
  US Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen said Thursday that she still expects to increase interest rates in 2015 and that concerns about weaker global growth likely will not affect that plan. Yellen's remarks came a week after the US central bank opted at a widely anticipated meeting against enacting the first rate hike since the financial crisis of 2008. Following the September 17 meeting, Yellen told a press conference that the committee decided to hold off due to worries about slowing growth in
  
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• US stocks drop on global growth worries; Caterpillar slumps

  24-09-2015 23:30 via news.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — More evidence that global economic growth is slowing pushed the U.S. stock market down for a third straight day on Thursday.
  
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• German government boosts funding to states for refugees

  24-09-2015 23:30 via news.yahoo.com
  
  The German government agreed on Thursday to give its 16 regional states around 4 billion euros (US$4.5 billion) next year to help them cope with a record influx of refugees that is straining their budgets and resources. Chancellor Angela Merkel made the announcement after meeting state premiers to discuss ways of helping the states, which are struggling to look after 800,000 asylum seekers expected this year alone. Merkel said the government would pay the states 670 euros each month for every as
  
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• Namibia stands up to All Blacks

  24-09-2015 23:29 via rss.cnn.com
  
  It was billed as one of the greatest mismatches in rugby history -- New Zealand's world champion All Blacks up against a largely semi-pro team of farmers, dentists and traders.
  
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• Oculus takes aim at mainstream with inexpensive gear, video

  24-09-2015 23:28 via news.yahoo.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Virtual reality is taking a few steps closer to the mainstream with Samsung unveiling a headset that brings the technology to its latest smartphones at half the price of its previous model, Facebook launching support for 360-degree video, and online video services like Netflix and Hulu jumping into the format.
  
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• Nine try All Blacks swamp Namibia in Rugby World Cup

  24-09-2015 23:24 via news.yahoo.com
  
  New captain Sam Cane led the All Blacks' B team on a nine-try blitz to demolish Namibia 58-14 in the World Cup on Thursday. Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea got two tries each and the All Blacks had their bonus point try within 30 minutes as the superiority of the top-ranked side told over the world number 20 minnows. Namibia were brave and the All Blacks were not completely fluid.
  
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• China's Xi arrives in Washington for first U.S. state visit

  24-09-2015 23:23 via news.yahoo.com
  
  By Matt Spetalnick and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Thursday for a state visit and talks with President Barack Obama expected to be clouded by differences over alleged Chinese cyber spying, Beijing's economic policies and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Vice President Joe Biden led the welcoming delegation as Xi's plane touched down at Andrews Air Force Base on the second leg of a weeklong trip that began in Seattle, where t
  
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• Rubio calls Trump 'touchy and insecure'

  24-09-2015 23:19 via news.yahoo.com
  
  FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio jabbed billionaire businessman Donald Trump as "touchy and insecure" on Thursday, joining the chorus of Trump critics who have intensified pressure on the GOP front-runner in recent weeks.
  
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• Four killed in Seattle school bus collision

  24-09-2015 23:19 via news.yahoo.com
  
  At least four people were killed and several critically injured Thursday when a school bus transporting foreign exchange students collided with a tour vehicle in the US West Coast city of Seattle, officials said. Melissa Mixon, spokeswoman for North Seattle College, told AFP that 45 foreign exchange students and staff with the school's international program were on board the bus. "The accident occurred when a charter bus traveling with the students collided with a Ride the Duck tour vehicle," Mi
  
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• Photos: Madonna's Son Turns 10

  24-09-2015 23:14
  
  Meet the next generation of stars.
  
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• At least 27 U.S. state attorneys general to probe Volkswagen

  24-09-2015 23:10 via news.yahoo.com
  
  At least 27 U.S. state attorneys general on Thursday initiated a multi-state investigation of Volkswagen over its representations to consumers over their diesel vehicles, according to a spokeswoman for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. As part of the probe, the group will send subpoenas to Volkswagen, the spokeswoman said. News of the subpoena and state attorneys general participating in the group so far comes two days after New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said a group was form
  
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• Snowden on video at NYC forum to promote privacy treaty

  24-09-2015 23:08 via news.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Domestic digital spying on ordinary citizens is an international threat that will only be slowed with measures like a proposed international treaty declaring privacy a basic human right, Edward Snowden said Thursday in a video appearance at a Manhattan forum.
  
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• Nasdaq center aims to build relationships with startups

  24-09-2015 23:08 via news.yahoo.com
  
  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Nasdaq has long been known as the "tech-heavy" stock exchange, where some of Silicon Valley's best-known companies have gone to sell shares. Now, as it faces stiff competition from rival exchanges to lure the next hot IPO, it's reaching out to business startups before they go public.
  
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• 'China's Donald Trump' kicks off communism debate

  24-09-2015 23:08 via bbc.co.uk
  
  How a property tycoon kicked off a debate about communism
  
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• Photos: Patrick Dempsey Gets to Work on 'Bridget Jones'

  24-09-2015 23:02
  
  See your favorite stars transform into the characters you love.
  
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• Yellen says she expects Fed to raise rates by year's end

  24-09-2015 23:01 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Janet Yellen says she expects the Federal Reserve to begin raising interest rates from record lows by the end of the year.
  
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• Red Sox name Mike Hazen general manager

  24-09-2015 23:01 via news.yahoo.com
  
  BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox hired Mike Hazen as general manager on Thursday, bringing him in to rebuild a team that went from World Series champion to the AL East cellar — with a second straight last-place finish well on its way.
  
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• Global equities slide catches Wall Street as euro, bonds rise

  24-09-2015 23:01 via news.yahoo.com
  
  By Michael Connor NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks around the world fell for a fifth day on Thursday, sliding towards two-year lows, as worries lingered over global economic growth and the scandal over Volkswagen's emissions test-cheating rattled Europe's carmakers. Government bond prices rose on safety bids, while the U.S. dollar fell against the euro and jumped to a 13-year high against the Norwegian crown after a surprise cut in the oil producer's interest rates. Wall Street equity indexes fell in
  
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• New Zealand 58-14 Namibia

  24-09-2015 22:56 via bbc.co.uk
  
  World champions New Zealand run in nine tries but Namibia emerge with pride intact from their 58-14 World Cup Pool C loss.
  
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• Arctic's wakeful winter revealed

  24-09-2015 22:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Over three winters in the waters of a Svalbard fjord, scientists have catalogued surprisingly high levels of animal activity during the long polar night.
  
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• VIDEO: Beckham: 'Don't ignore children in crisis'

  24-09-2015 22:34 via bbc.co.uk
  
  In an interview with the BBC, David Beckham said his experience of being a father has driven him to speak out on behalf of the world's disadvantaged children.
  
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• Lobster on menu again for Obama's 2nd China state dinner

  24-09-2015 21:30 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Plenty of things will be different at Friday's White House state dinner for China, ranging from the setting to the decor to the post-dinner entertainment. But in trying to figure out what to change, the White House decided to keep one thing the same: Maine lobster is back on the menu.
  
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• Panel: Deputy known for Mel Gibson arrest was wrongly fired

  24-09-2015 21:26 via news.yahoo.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County Civil Service Commission has ruled that the former sheriff's deputy involved in Mel Gibson's 2006 drunken-driving arrest should not have been fired after a different incident.
  
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• Audit finds slipshod cybersecurity at HealthCare.gov

  24-09-2015 21:25 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The government stored sensitive personal information on millions of health insurance customers in a computer system with basic security flaws, according to an official audit that uncovered slipshod practices.
  
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• Democratic-led filibuster stalls stopgap funding measure

  24-09-2015 21:22 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and several Republicans banded together on Thursday to block legislation to keep the government open over a contentious, GOP-led effort to strip Planned Parenthood of its taxpayer funding.
  
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• Political, legal barriers face historic Colombia peace deal

  24-09-2015 21:21 via news.yahoo.com
  
  BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A stunning diplomatic breakthrough leaves a minefield of problems standing between Colombia and the tantalizing prospect of peace after generations of armed conflict.
  
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• Bus, amphibious vehicle crash in Seattle; 2 dead, 9 critical

  24-09-2015 21:21 via news.yahoo.com
  
  SEATTLE (AP) — Two people were killed and nine critically injured Thursday in a crash between a charter bus and an amphibious tour vehicle in Seattle, fire officials said.
  
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• Who was Dorothy Day?

  24-09-2015 21:18 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Curiosity was peaked when Pope Francis mentioned Dorothy Day, a Catholic activist, in his address to Congress on Thursday. Who was she?
  
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• Two killed, nine critically hurt in Seattle bus collision

  24-09-2015 21:16 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Los Angeles (AFP) - At least two people were killed and nine were critically injured on Thursday when a bus collided with a tour vehicle on a bridge in the US West Coast city of Seattle, officials said.
  
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• Putin, Obama to meet as Syria diplomatic drive quickens

  24-09-2015 21:15 via news.yahoo.com
  
  US President Barack Obama on Thursday accepted an invitation to meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week as a drive to revive efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict kicked into high gear. The announcement that Putin and Obama will hold talks at the United Nations in New York on Monday comes amid an apparent change of stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's potential role in any deal to end the four-year war that has killed some 250,000 people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  
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• UN court rules that it can hear Bolivia-Chile case

  24-09-2015 21:13 via news.yahoo.com
  
  THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations' highest court ruled Thursday that it has jurisdiction to hear a case on giving access to the Pacific Ocean for land-locked Bolivia.
  
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• The Latest: Tour vehicle crash kills 2, critically hurts 9

  24-09-2015 21:13 via news.yahoo.com
  
  SEATTLE (AP) — The latest on a crash between an amphibious tour vehicle and a charter bus in Seattle (all times local):
  
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• Croatia, Serbia trade insults as Hungary builds new migrant barrier

  24-09-2015 21:11 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Croatia and Serbia traded ugly barbs Thursday and slammed tit-for-tat border restrictions on each other as Hungary started building yet another razor-wire barrier to keep refugees out, this time with neighbouring Slovenia. The face-off between Zagreb and Belgrade, the worst since they fought a war in the 1990s, came as thousands of migrants continued to stream through the Balkans towards northern Europe, particularly to Germany where Chancellor Angela Merkel warned the EU was a long way from tac
  
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• The Latest: A blessing from the pope for cancer patients

  24-09-2015 21:09 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Latest developments in Pope Francis' visit to the United States. All times local:
  
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• Relatives upset over police shooting of man in wheelchair

  24-09-2015 21:06 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The police shooting of a man in a wheelchair was "an execution," a relative said Thursday, but authorities described a different scenario, saying the man had a handgun when officers shot him to death.
  
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• AP Photos: Pope visits Congress, homeless

  24-09-2015 21:05 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Pope Francis visited the nation's capital on Thursday, becoming the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress and calling on the lawmakers to help immigrants "and embrace the stranger in our midst."
  
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• Glenn Close, husband divorce after 9 years of marriage

  24-09-2015 21:04 via news.yahoo.com
  
  PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Actress Glenn Close and her entrepreneur husband, David Shaw, have divorced after nine years of marriage.
  
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• Man who attempted to drown children facing murder charge

  24-09-2015 20:51 via news.yahoo.com
  
  DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man accused of trying to drown his children in a pond at an apartment complex is facing a first-degree murder charge after his 3-year-old daughter died, police said Thursday.
  
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• Snowden promotes privacy treaty at NYC forum

  24-09-2015 20:48 via news.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Edward Snowden appeared in New York via video to launch a campaign promoting an international treaty to protect privacy.
  
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• France willing to pay 80 mn euros for Rembrandt painting

  24-09-2015 20:46 via news.yahoo.com
  
  France said Thursday it was willing to pay 80 million euros ($90 million) to acquire one of two Rembrandt paintings on sale by the Rothschild family for the Louvre museum. The two full-length portraits of a young couple painted shortly before their wedding in 1634 have been owned by the wealthy Rothschild banking family since the mid-19th century and have rarely been seen in public. Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin said the offer had been submitted and would be "exceptionally financed by the Bank
  
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