General news

• Texas judge halts federal transgender health protections

  31-12-2016 23:59 via news.yahoo.com
  
  A federal judge in Texas on Saturday ordered a halt to another Obama administration effort to strengthen transgender rights, this time over health rules that social conservatives say could force doctors ...
  
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• Kim Burrell under fire for comments about gays and lesbians

  31-12-2016 23:58 via news.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Gospel singer Kim Burrell says she makes "no excuses or apologies" for a sermon at a Houston church where she referred to gays and lesbians as perverted.
  
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• Celebrations ring in the new year around the world

  31-12-2016 23:51 via cnn.com
  
  As 2016 draws to a close -- a fact unlamented by many -- it's time for countries from east to west to ring in the New Year. Hello, 2017 -- here we come!
  
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• Federal judge in Texas again blocks Obama administration over rules strengthening transgender protections

  31-12-2016 23:38 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WICHITA FALLS, Texas (AP) — Federal judge in Texas again blocks Obama administration over rules strengthening transgender protections.
  
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• Crowds build in New York's Times Square ahead of New Year's revelry

  31-12-2016 23:36 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Tens of thousands of merrymakers converged on Times Square on Saturday evening, hours before the giant New Year's Eve ball makes its midnight descent, a century-old New York tradition unfolding this year under an unprecedented blanket of security. Michelle Adkins was so excited to be there that she left her sleepy friend behind at the hotel and headed for the bright lights long before the witching hour. "I've waited my whole life to see Times Square," said Adkins, 51, who works in a tire manufac
  
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• New UN chief wants consensus but faces antagonistic Trump

  31-12-2016 23:25 via news.yahoo.com
  
  UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Antonio Guterres takes the reins of the United Nations on New Year's Day, promising to be a "bridge-builder" but facing an antagonistic incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump who thinks the world body's 193 member states do nothing except talk and have a good time.
  
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• Chelsea sets hot pace in EPL

  31-12-2016 23:19 via cnn.com
  
  Chelsea registered a record-equaling 13th successive victory Saturday, as Liverpool fought to a 1-0 win over rivals Manchester City to stay in touch with the English Premier League leaders.
  
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• Chelsea equals EPL record

  31-12-2016 23:19 via cnn.com
  
  Chelsea registered a record-equaling 13th successive victory Saturday, as Liverpool fought to a 1-0 win over rivals Manchester City to stay in touch with the English Premier League leaders.
  
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• Silent March Through Downtown Chicago Marks City's Deadliest Year

  31-12-2016 22:46 via abcnews.go.com
  
  Marchers carried white crosses for each person killed this year.
  
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• Brunson's career-high 27 lifts No. 1 Nova over Bluejays

  31-12-2016 22:42 via news.yahoo.com
  
  OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — It was New Year's Eve, but it sure felt like March to Josh Hart and the rest of the top-ranked Villanova Wildcats.
  
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• Suspect in fatal shooting of Pennsylvania trooper killed by police

  31-12-2016 22:31 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Jason Robison, 32, was cornered at around 10 a.m. in an unoccupied house trailer close to his residence in Hesston, which is about 100 miles west of Harrisburg, the state capital, according to state police. When surrounded on Saturday, Robison refused commands to surrender and vowed to shoot more troopers, a state police news release said. Weaver graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey in June.
  
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• The Latest: Obama kicks off New Year's Eve on golf course

  31-12-2016 22:28 via news.yahoo.com
  
  HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on President Barack Obama's family vacation in Hawaii (all times local):
  
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• Klopp boosts Liverpool title push by edging Guardiola's City

  31-12-2016 22:16 via news.yahoo.com
  
  LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Juergen Klopp has turned Liverpool into credible English Premier League title contenders again.
  
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• Recovery of missing plane with 6 aboard to start Sunday

  31-12-2016 22:01 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Recovery efforts are expected to begin Sunday for a small plane carrying six people that disappeared over Lake Erie near Cleveland's shores. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson expressed condolences to those ...
  
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• Another Crack! Watch Second Eaglet Emerge

  31-12-2016 22:00 via nbcnews.com
  
  Just how hard is it for baby eagles to survive in the wild?
  
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• Another Crack! Watch Second Eaglet Begin to Emerge

  31-12-2016 22:00 via nbcnews.com
  
  Just how hard is it for baby eagles to survive in the wild?
  
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• The Latest: Alabama converts turnover into 10-7 lead

  31-12-2016 21:59 via news.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — The Latest on the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl semifinal game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Washington. All times local.
  
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• Trump ditches media for golf game, offers New Year's wishes

  31-12-2016 21:58 via news.yahoo.com
  
  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump ditched his press pool once again, traveling to play golf at one of his clubs without a pool of journalists on hand to ensure the public has knowledge of his whereabouts.
  
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• The Latest: Russia envoy urges settlement of Syria conflict

  31-12-2016 21:48 via news.yahoo.com
  
  The latest on the conflict in Syria, and the Russia and Turkey brokered cease-fire agreement between Syria's government and opposition rebels. All times local.
  
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• Chelsea gets 13th straight win, Liverpool maintains pursuit

  31-12-2016 21:48 via news.yahoo.com
  
  LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Chelsea fought off a dogged Stoke for a record-equaling 13th successive Premier League win as Liverpool maintained its pursuit of the leaders with a victory over Manchester City.
  
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• Russia gets UN backing for Syria truce, Kazakhstan talks

  31-12-2016 21:17 via news.yahoo.com
  
  A ceasefire held across most of Syria on Saturday as Russia and Turkey secured unanimous passage of a UN resolution backing their efforts to "jumpstart" talks aimed at ending the nearly six-year conflict. The Security Council resolution aims to pave the way for talks next month in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana, under the aegis of Russia and Iran, both Syrian government supporters, and of rebel backer Turkey.
  
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• Syrian ceasefire at risk, rebel groups warn

  31-12-2016 21:15 via cnn.com
  
  Syria's fledgling ceasefire could be in jeopardy "if the regime continues its violations," a consortium of Syrian rebel groups warned Saturday.
  
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• Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Pennsylvania Officer Shot Dead: Police

  31-12-2016 21:15 via abcnews.go.com
  Suspect wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a Pennsylvania state trooper is now dead, police said.
  
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• No big New Year's celebrations for Iraq's displaced

  31-12-2016 21:11 via news.yahoo.com
  
  BARTELLA, Iraq (AP) — There were no big New Year's celebrations for the Iraqi men, women and children who narrowly escaped the fighting in Mosul, only to wait for hours under armed guard while the fighting-age males among them were cleared of links to the Islamic State.
  
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• DR Congo: Five facts

  31-12-2016 21:11 via news.yahoo.com
  
  The second largest country in Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo is blessed with oil, timber, diamonds and gold but cursed with violence, instability, graft and poverty. The country has been run by a string of strongmen, including General Joseph-Desire Mobutu who staged a coup in 1965, renamed the country Zaire, and set up a dictatorial kleptocracy that lasted 32 years. In 1997 he was toppled by rebel leader Laurent Kabila, who renamed the country the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  
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• Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook declares for NFL draft

  31-12-2016 21:06 via news.yahoo.com
  
  It didn't take long for Dalvin Cook to announce his future plans.
  
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• The Latest: US supports Syria cease-fire, regrets opacity

  31-12-2016 20:56 via news.yahoo.com
  The latest on the conflict in Syria, and the Russia and Turkey brokered cease-fire agreement between Syria's government and opposition rebels. All times local.
  
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• UN backs Russian-Turkish Syria efforts as cease-fire wavers

  31-12-2016 20:53 via news.yahoo.com
  
  The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile ...
  
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• Russian hackers penetrate Vermont utility system: report

  31-12-2016 20:53 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Washington (AFP) - A code connected to Russian hacking efforts has been discovered in a utility system in Vermont, The Washington Post reported.
  
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• F. Ross Johnson, former CEO of RJR Nabisco, dies at 85

  31-12-2016 20:48 via news.yahoo.com
  
  F. Ross Johnson, the former RJR Nabisco CEO depicted as the epitome of corporate greed in the bestselling book and movie "Barbarians at the Gate," has died. He was 85. The Aycock-Riverside Funeral ...
  
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• Willian extends Chelsea run, Liverpool down Manchester City

  31-12-2016 20:45 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Willian scored twice as Chelsea claimed a record-equalling 13th consecutive Premier League victory by beating Stoke 4-2, while Liverpool kept in touch with the leaders after a 1-0 win over Manchester City. Stoke twice hit back to level after falling behind at Stamford Bridge, but Willian's second goal and a late Diego Costa strike saw Chelsea match Arsenal's run of 13 wins within the same season from 2001-02. Antonio Conte's side remain six points clear of second-placed Liverpool heading into 20
  
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• Title-chasing Liverpool pulls clear of Man City with 1-0 win

  31-12-2016 20:44 via news.yahoo.com
  
  LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Georginio Wijnaldum's early header cemented Liverpool's title credentials by clinching a 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Saturday as Pep Guardiola's side slipped 10 points behind leader Chelsea.
  
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• Palestinian president ready to work with Trump for peace

  31-12-2016 20:42 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is willing to work with President-elect Donald Trump to reach a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel. Abbas spoke Saturday at an event marking the ...
  
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• Georgia Tech tops Kentucky 33-18 in TaxSlayer

  31-12-2016 20:39 via news.yahoo.com
  
  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Dedrick Mills ran for a career-high 169 yards and a touchdown, Justin Thomas scored in his final collegiate game and Georgia Tech beat Kentucky 33-18 in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Saturday.
  
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• The Latest: Alabama seeking milestone wins in Peach Bowl

  31-12-2016 20:37 via news.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — The Latest on the Peach Bowl game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Washington. All times local.
  
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• Ogokie, Yellow Jackets upset No. 9 North Carolina 75-63

  31-12-2016 20:37 via news.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Okogie scored 26 points, Ben Lammers had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Georgia Tech pulled off a major upset with a 75-63 victory over No. 9 North Carolina on Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.
  
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• Researchers find Cumberbatch related to Holmes' creator

  31-12-2016 20:28 via news.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Genealogy detectives have discovered that Benedict Cumberbatch, the British actor who portrays Sherlock Holmes in the PBS television series, is distantly related to the author who created the iconic character more than a century ago.
  
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• A Kink, former Spice Girl and Vogue editor to get honors

  31-12-2016 20:24 via news.yahoo.com
  
  LONDON (AP) — A Kink, a former Spice Girl, a Vogue editor and a dedicated glassblower are moving up a notch or two in the British hierarchy.
  
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• Bibbs lifts Hokies to 89-75 upset of No. 5 Duke

  31-12-2016 20:16 via news.yahoo.com
  
  BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Justin Bibbs scored 18 points to lead Virginia Tech to an 89-75 upset of No. 5 Duke on Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.
  
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• Silent march through downtown Chicago marks year of violence

  31-12-2016 20:09 via news.yahoo.com
  
  CHICAGO (AP) — Hundreds are marching silently along Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago and are carrying crosses for each person slain in the city this year.
  
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• Help wanted: Bilingual teachers for California schools

  31-12-2016 20:08 via news.yahoo.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — While Californians passed a ballot measure to bring back bilingual education in the upcoming school year, educators say a challenge to getting the programs started will be finding more bilingual teachers.
  
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• India's Modi defends decision to demonetize high-value bills

  31-12-2016 19:59 via news.yahoo.com
  
  NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended his government's decision to demonetize the country's highest-value currency bills last month in an unusual New Year's Eve message to the nation Saturday.
  
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• New Year revellers defy terror alerts to see in 2017

  31-12-2016 19:46 via news.yahoo.com
  
  Sydney kicked off New Year celebrations with a spectacular fireworks display as revellers across the globe defied global terror alerts to see in 2017 in style. Around 1.5 million people packed Australia's biggest city to watch as the midnight fireworks erupted from Sydney Harbour Bridge sending rainbow-coloured showers soaring into the night sky. Crowds in Hong Kong also flocked to the waterfront to watch fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour while in Japan thousands packed the streets of Toky
  
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• Draft deal agreed on DR Congo crisis: mediators, govt

  31-12-2016 19:44 via news.yahoo.com
  
  DR Congo opposition parties and the government reached agreement Saturday on a deal to defuse a political crisis over President Joseph Kabila's fate that has caused months of deadly unrest, a church mediator and officials said. Kabila's second and final mandate ended on December 20 with no sign of him stepping down and no election in sight, spurring the church to launch negotiations to avert more violence in Democratic Republic of Congo.
  
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• Rural New Mexico exports mentoring model for physicians

  31-12-2016 19:41 via news.yahoo.com
  
  The heart of an unborn child beat strong and steady through an amplified monitor, as physician Leslie Hayes examined a pregnant 40-year-old who recently was weaned from heroin with help from anti-craving ...
  
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• Planned Parenthood asks judge to halt Texas Medicaid cuts

  31-12-2016 19:24 via news.yahoo.com
  
  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Planned Parenthood has asked a federal judge to stop Texas from cutting it from the state's Medicaid program, which the nation's largest abortion provider says would reduce health services for nearly 11,000 low-income women.
  
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• The Latest: UN backs Russian-Turkish efforts for Syria peace

  31-12-2016 19:22 via news.yahoo.com
  
  The latest on the conflict in Syria, and the Russia and Turkey brokered cease-fire agreement between Syria's government and opposition rebels. All times local. 8:20 p.m. The U.N. Security Council has unanimously ...
  
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• WATCH: Sydney, Australia Celebrates the Start of 2017

  31-12-2016 19:16 via abcnews.go.com
  
  Cities around the world celebrate the New Year.
  
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• New York's Times Square heats up ahead of New Year's Eve revelry

  31-12-2016 19:12 via news.yahoo.com
  
  By Frank McGurty NEW YORK (Reuters) - What will become a veritable sea of humanity has begun to converge on Times Square on Saturday to experience the annual descent of the New Year's Eve ball, a century-old tradition that will unfold this year under an unprecedented blanket of security. Michelle Adkins was so excited to stand at the crossroads of the world on New Year's Eve that she left her friend behind at the hotel and headed for the bright lights. "I've waited my whole life to see Times Squ
  
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• So Long 2016! Here's What NBC's Correspondents Are Hoping for in 2017

  31-12-2016 19:11 via nbcnews.com
  
  Looking forward to the new year, our NBC correspondents share their wishes for 2017.
  
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