Yahoo! News: World News

---

• Putin completes Crimea's annexation, Russia investors take fright
• Two-week search for Malaysian jet finds only frustration and suspicion
• Furious reaction, political split after Turkey bans Twitter
• Bomb explodes on runway of Libya's main airport in Tripoli
• Taliban gun down Kabul diners in pre-election attack
• Italy's Renzi brushes off talk of EU mocking over budget
• Australia widens MH370 search area as hunt ramps up
• Kingsbury, Kearney retain World Cup moguls titles
• Eleven die in clashes in Lebanon's Tripoli
• 'N. Korea test-fires 30 short-range missiles into sea'
• Brazil announces it will host IndyCar race in 2015
• Wrongly accused Swedish 'Hannibal Lecter' to claim damages
• I'm not going anywhere, says Wenger
• 'Extraordinary riddle' of lost jet now 2 weeks old
• Sting in tale as Wasps leave Worcester facing drop
• Jesus' "Crown of Thorns" shown at Notre Dame
• Yum CEO's pay falls amid KFC struggles in China
• Uruguay president asks US to free Cuban prisoners
• Russia's aggression to dominate Obama Europe trip
• Malaga wins 2-0 at Celta in Spanish league
• Russia agrees to international monitors in Ukraine
• PSG beats Lorient 1-0 in French league
• Killing of 7 marks rise of Mexico drug corridor
• Rio Games: Crucial meeting next week over funding
• Afghan journalist, family killed in hotel attack
• Brazil officials reel after slum attacks in Rio
• U.S. may give sonar gear to Malaysia for plane search
• Ex-IRA chief charged over killing of Belfast widow
• Obama congratulates Lebanese leader on new gov't
• Turkish attempt to ban Twitter appears to backfire
• Freiburg beats Werder 3-1 in Bundesliga
• Ukraine's navy at end of rope in Crimea
• Twitter hopes service restored soon in Turkey
• Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT
• Italian court finds former Impregilo CEO guilty of waste dumping

Putin completes Crimea's annexation, Russia investors take fright Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:24 PM PDT By Steve Gutterman and Adrian Croft MOSCOW/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin signed laws completing Russia's annexation of Crimea on Friday as investors took fright at a U.S. decision to slap sanctions on his inner circle of money men and security officials. Putin promised to protect a bank partly owned by an old ally, which Washington has blacklisted, and his spokesman said Russia would respond in kind to the latest financial and visa curbs after producing one blacklist of its own. His allies laughed off the U.S. sanctions, but shares on the Moscow stock exchange - which have lost $70 billion of their value this month - fell sharply after President Barack Obama also threatened to target major sectors of the economy if Russia moved on areas of Ukraine beyond the Black Sea peninsula.

Two-week search for Malaysian jet finds only frustration and suspicion Posted: 21 Mar 2014 12:03 PM PDT By Michael Martina and A. Ananthalakshmi KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Two weeks after a Malaysia Airlines airliner went missing with 239 people on board, officials are bracing for the "long haul" as searches by more than two dozen countries turn up little but frustration and fresh questions. Hishammuddin has rejected complaints that the country has botched search efforts or refused to share vital information with other governments.

Furious reaction, political split after Turkey bans Twitter Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:41 PM PDT By Nick Tattersall and Orhan Coskun ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's ban on Twitter ahead of bitterly contested elections brought a furious reaction at home and abroad on Friday, with users of the social networking service denouncing the move as a "digital coup" and the president expressing his disapproval. A court blocked access to Twitter after Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's defiant vow, on the campaign trail on Thursday ahead of March 30 local elections, to "wipe out" the social media service, whatever the international community had to say about it. Industry Minister Fikri Isik said talks with Twitter were taking place and the ban would be lifted if the San Francisco-based firm appointed a representative in Turkey and agreed to block specific content when requested by Turkish courts. "We stand with our users in Turkey who rely on Twitter as a vital communications platform.

Bomb explodes on runway of Libya's main airport in Tripoli Posted: 21 Mar 2014 12:26 PM PDT By Hani Amera and Ulf Laessing TRIPOLI (Reuters) - A bomb exploded on the runway of Libya's main airport on Friday, the transport minister said, highlighting the deteriorating security situation in the north African country almost three years after Muammar Gaddafi was ousted. Supposedly one of the best guarded places in Libya, unknown people managed to get onto the runway at Tripoli International Airport, plant an explosive device at dawn and detonate it using a timer, Transport Minister Abdelqader Mohammed Ahmed said. Authorities closed the airport, the gateway into Libya, for several hours. "When security and the airport protection force arrived they found a timer." Officials had first suspected rockets fired by militias had landed on the runway as gunfire could be heard during the night in the capital.

Taliban gun down Kabul diners in pre-election attack Posted: 21 Mar 2014 11:49 AM PDT By Jessica Donati and Hamid Shalizi KABUL (Reuters) - A Taliban assault on the restaurant of a luxury hotel, considered one of the safest places in Kabul and frequented by foreigners and Afghan officials, has swelled a tide of violence sweeping Afghanistan two weeks before a presidential election. Taliban gunmen smuggled tiny pistols past the Serena hotel's heavy security cordon and waited for the restaurant to fill up for an Afghan New Year dinner before emerging to shoot diners point-blank. The Islamist Taliban movement has ordered its fighters to use "full force" to disrupt the vote and threatened to kill anyone who participates in what it calls a Western-backed sham. This week alone, seven or eight suicide bombers killed at least 11 people in the eastern city of Jalalabad, while 18 were killed by a bomb in a marketplace in northern Afghanistan.

Italy's Renzi brushes off talk of EU mocking over budget Posted: 21 Mar 2014 12:12 PM PDT By Giselda Vagnoni BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi brushed off suggestions of tensions with the EU on Friday after newspapers accused senior officials of smirking at a news conference when asked if Rome may be granted extra flexibility on its budget targets. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy told journalists in Brussels that all countries would have to respect their budget commitments. They appeared to laugh slightly when asked if there could be room for Italy to fund growth-creation measures through deficit spending, prompting angry accusations in the Italian press that they were mocking the suggestion. "I found the reports quite far from reality," Renzi told reporters after an EU council meeting, saying that Italy met all its commitments and was not asking for favors.

Australia widens MH370 search area as hunt ramps up Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:31 PM PDT Perth (Australia) (AFP) - Australian rescue officials broadened the search area for missing Malaysian flight MH370 Saturday and boosted the number of spotter planes looking for it in the Indian Ocean, with weather conditions favourable. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating the hunt in the vast southern search corridor for the jet that vanished on March 8, focusing for a third day on an area of wild and remote sea 2,500 kilometres southwest of Perth. On Friday five planes criss-crossed 23,000-square kilometres (8,800-square miles) without any sightings of wreckage, and the search area has now been widened. "AMSA has tasked three RAAF P3 Orion aircraft, a New Zealand P3 RAAF Orion aircraft and two ultra long range commercial jets to search a 36,000-square kilometre area about 2,500 kilometres southwest of Perth today," it said.

Kingsbury, Kearney retain World Cup moguls titles Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:28 PM PDT LA PLAGNE, France (AP) — Mikael Kingsbury of Canada and Hannah Kearney of the United States retained their freestyle World Cup moguls titles in the last event of the season on Friday.

Eleven die in clashes in Lebanon's Tripoli Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:25 PM PDT Eleven people died in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Friday in fighting between supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad which also sparked clashes with the Lebanese army, security and medical sources said. It was one of the deadliest days in the Mediterranean port city, which has seen frequent outbreaks of violence since the start of the conflict in neighboring Syria three years ago. Tripoli, like much of Lebanon, is divided along sectarian lines and is only 50 km (30 miles) from the Syrian border. Its majority Sunni Muslims, who back the Syrian rebels, often clash with the minority from Assad's Alawite sect.

'N. Korea test-fires 30 short-range missiles into sea' Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:21 PM PDT North Korea test-fired 30 short-range missiles into the sea on Saturday, the South's Yonhap news agency said, the latest in a series of launches that have provoked criticism from Seoul and Washington. South Korea urged North Korea Monday to stop what it called "provocative" and potentially dangerous rocket and missile tests, a day after Pyongyang test-fired 25 projectiles into the sea.

Brazil announces it will host IndyCar race in 2015 Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:17 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian officials say IndyCar will be returning to the country next season for a race in the nation's capital, Brasilia.

Wrongly accused Swedish 'Hannibal Lecter' to claim damages Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:11 PM PDT Sture Bergwall, 64 -- who used the alias Thomas Quick during the 1990s when he confessed to cannibalism and more than 30 murders -- was convicted to life imprisonment for eight of them and held at a psychiatric ward in Saeter in north central Sweden since 1991. As a free man he said he would spend his time walking in the countryside and writing a new book -- a follow up to his 2009 book "Thomas Quick is Dead", a phrase he has often used to describe the point where he dropped the pretence of being a psychotic killer. By then he had earned an international reputation as Sweden's Hannibal Lecter. "As Thomas Quick the comparison is maybe true but Thomas Quick is dead and there ends all similarities," he told AFP.

I'm not going anywhere, says Wenger Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:08 PM PDT Arsene Wenger has revealed there should be "no uncertainty at all" over his future as he prepares to celebrate his 1,000th match in charge of Arsenal. That had triggered speculation Wenger could be ready to quit if Arsenal, who have gone nine years without a trophy, once again fail to secure any silverware this term. Asked if he would still be at Arsenal after 1,010 matches, Wenger replied: "I think so, yes. Wenger maintains he does not want speculation over his contract saga to deflect attention from Arsenal's run-in as they try to overhaul leaders Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

'Extraordinary riddle' of lost jet now 2 weeks old Posted: 21 Mar 2014 04:02 PM PDT PERTH, Australia (AP) — Aircraft and ships from China headed to the desolate southern Indian Ocean to join the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, now lost for two full weeks, and Australia promised its best efforts to resolve "an extraordinary riddle."

Sting in tale as Wasps leave Worcester facing drop Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:53 PM PDT Premiership strugglers Worcester are in danger of crashing out of the English top-flight after Wasps snatched a dramatic 13-11 win at Sixways on Friday. The Warriors led 11-6 heading into the last minute after flanker Sam Betty's second-half try looked to have secured four crucial points. Wasps had been the last Premiership side beaten by Worcester in March last year, since when the Warriors had gone 21 league games without a win. But there was a sting in the tale for Worcester as Wasps prop Jake Cooper-Woolley touched down from close-range, and former Worcester fly-half Andy Goode converted with the game's final kick to edge the visitors to victory.

Jesus' "Crown of Thorns" shown at Notre Dame Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:47 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — An ancient relic that many Christians revere as Jesus Christ's "Crown of Thorns" has made a special public appearance at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Yum CEO's pay falls amid KFC struggles in China Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:43 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Yum CEO David Novak saw his pay package drop 22 percent to $10 million last year as the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut fell short of its performance targets.

Uruguay president asks US to free Cuban prisoners Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:36 PM PDT MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguay's president on Friday asked the United States to free three Cuban prisoners in exchange for receiving five Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Russia's aggression to dominate Obama Europe trip Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:27 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Pushing back against demands to supply arms to Ukraine, Obama administration officials said Friday that economic sanctions would remain the primary weapon as the U.S. and its European allies seek a diplomatic solution to Russia's aggression.

Malaga wins 2-0 at Celta in Spanish league Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:26 PM PDT VIGO, Spain (AP) — Malaga improved its chances of avoiding the drop while dragging Celta Vigo into the relegation race with a 2-0 victory in the Spanish league on Friday.

Russia agrees to international monitors in Ukraine Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:25 PM PDT VIENNA (AP) — Russia on Friday accepted the deployment of an international monitoring team to Ukraine that officials said will have free access to regions throughout the country. But a senior Russian envoy said that doesn't include Crimea, which his country claims as its own.

PSG beats Lorient 1-0 in French league Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:18 PM PDT LORIENT, France (AP) — Thiago Motta scored as Paris Saint-Germain beat Lorient 1-0 on Friday to provisionally increase its lead over Monaco to 11 points atop the French league.

Killing of 7 marks rise of Mexico drug corridor Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:17 PM PDT HERMOSILLO, Mexico (AP) — The massacre of seven men near the Mexico-Arizona border came in a previously quiet area increasingly used as a drug-trafficking corridor, and a U.S. expert said Friday the attack in the newly valuable territory could be the work of rivals of the once-dominant Sinaloa cartel trying to exploit the arrest of the gang's leader.

Rio Games: Crucial meeting next week over funding Posted: 21 Mar 2014 03:09 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics face "challenging deadlines," the head an IOC inspection committee said Friday, adding that a meeting with top government officials next week will be "crucial" in finalizing funding and venue planning for the games.

Afghan journalist, family killed in hotel attack Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:58 PM PDT KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The luxury hotel was considered one of the safest spots in the Afghan capital. Yet four gunmen walked in, proceeded to the restaurant and pulled out pistols hidden in their shoes. They killed nine people, including a journalist for a French news agency, his wife and two children who were shot in the head.

Brazil officials reel after slum attacks in Rio Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:50 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Top officials from Rio de Janeiro said Friday they want elite federal police and possibly army troops sent to the city to help quell a wave of violence in so-called "pacified" slums.

U.S. may give sonar gear to Malaysia for plane search Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:49 PM PDT By Phil Stewart and David Alexander WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon is weighing a request from Malaysia for sonar equipment to bolster the so-far frustrated search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, as concerns grow that any debris may have sunk to the bottom of the sea. Malaysia's Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein asked for undersea surveillance equipment in a phone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, as the Pentagon tallied $2.5 million in costs so far in the nearly two-week-old search.

Ex-IRA chief charged over killing of Belfast widow Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:47 PM PDT DUBLIN (AP) — A former Irish Republican Army commander was charged Friday in connection with the 1972 abduction, killing and secret burial of a Belfast woman, a politically explosive crime because of its disputed links to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

Obama congratulates Lebanese leader on new gov't Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:46 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has called Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam to congratulate him for forming a new national unity government.

Turkish attempt to ban Twitter appears to backfire Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:42 PM PDT ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's attempt to block access to Twitter appeared to backfire on Friday with many tech-savvy users circumventing the ban and suspicions growing that the prime minister was using court orders to suppress corruption allegations against him and his government.

Freiburg beats Werder 3-1 in Bundesliga Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:39 PM PDT FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Freiburg pulled itself out of the danger zone by beating Werder Bremen 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Ukraine's navy at end of rope in Crimea Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:39 PM PDT Sevastopol (Undefined) (AFP) - The tugboats came in the evening, carrying three dozen Russian sailors and pro-Russian militiamen who climbed aboard the Ternopil and told the crew to leave. The captain of the Ternopil in the port of Sevastopol in Crimea lined up his crew of 91 men, thanked them for their service and told them that they were free to go. On Friday, the mast of the Ternopil was flying the white and blue Russian navy flag. One of the crew, a 22-year-old sailor who preferred to remain anonymous, told AFP he was now stranded in Sevastopol with no job and a prospect of prosecution for desertion if he headed home to Ukraine.

Twitter hopes service restored soon in Turkey Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:35 PM PDT By Gerry Shih and Alexei Oreskovic SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Twitter Inc said on Friday it hopes access to its social media service in Turkey will be restored soon, a day after it was blocked by the country's government. The ban, which has proven to be not entirely effective, is the latest effort by a government to squash critical comments that flow freely over Twitter's social network and highlights the thorny policy challenge facing the company. Analysts and observers said they were not immediately concerned that the ban in Turkey could embolden other governments to follow suit and clamp down on Twitter. While Twitter has earned the ire of other governments, Turkey's move to ban Twitter is particularly noteworthy, said Jillian York, director for international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Top Asian News at 9:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:32 PM PDT PERTH, Australia (AP) — Aircraft and ships from China headed to the desolate southern Indian Ocean to join the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, now lost for two full weeks, and Australia promised its best efforts to resolve "an extraordinary riddle." A satellite spotted two large objects in the area earlier this week, raising hopes of finding the Boeing 777 that disappeared March 8 with 239 people on board. Surveillance planes scoured the region — about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) southwest of Perth —for a second day on Friday but came back empty-handed after a 10-hour mission.

Italian court finds former Impregilo CEO guilty of waste dumping Posted: 21 Mar 2014 02:32 PM PDT An Italian appeals court sentenced builder Impregilo's former chief executive Alberto Rubegni to prison on Friday for illegal disposal of waste during the construction of a rail line by the Cavet consortium, of which he was head. Builder Impregilo, which has since been taken over by rival contractor Salini, controlled the consortium at the time it was building the high speed link between Bologna and Florence. One of the lawyers for the Cavet consortium said it would appeal against the ruling before Italy's highest court. Italy's state railroad opened the high-speed link from Milan to Rome via Bologna and Florence in December 2008.

You are subscribed to email updates from World News Headlines - Yahoo News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610