Yahoo! News: World News

Fighting rages in run-up to Ukraine ceasefire
Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei sent Obama secret letter: WSJ
U.S. moving to resupply Jordan's military with munitions: officials
Argentina prosecutor goes ahead with Fernandez cover-up case
U.N. chief appeals to Indonesia to stop death row executions
Chilean President's son resigns from charity amid loan scandal
Analysis: NATO expansion at heart of Ukraine crisis
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit over US base in Japan
Canada police foil shooting-spree plot
Ted Ligety wins 3rd straight giant slalom at worlds
Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT
Alibaba: SEC seeking information on fight over fake goods
UN report criticizes Mexico on enforced disappearances
British leaders pledge climate push, curb on coal plants
Mexico, Wal-Mart act to improve farmworkers' lives
Criticism increases in US city police shooting
Mexico must probe thousands of 'disappearances': UN
Donald Young beats Aussie Bernard Tomic in 3 sets in Memphis
Indian man slammed down after caller reported 'black guy'
New Iran UN envoy to take up post after US rejects 1st pick
UN expects Nigeria's military to step up fight against Boko Haram
Colin Montgomerie leads by a shot at Champion Tours event
3rd-seeded Petkovic and No. 5 Suarez Navarro reach semis
Intimidation, meddlers stalk Argentine state prosecutors
Case against Argentine president moves forward
Venezuela officials say ex-general, 13 others in coup plot
Murray loses, Berdych punishes Monfils in Rotterdam
Oregon man admits helping people linked to Pakistan suicide bombing
UN raps Mexico over enforced disappearances
War crimes trial of Chad's Habre to go ahead in Senegal
Marseille concedes late goal in 2-2 home draw against Reims
Puerto Rico charged priest with lewd acts
Real Sociedad draws 2-2 at Almeria in Spanish league
Banned cricketer warns World Cup teams over match-fixing
IS seizes Iraq town near US forces: Pentagon
Stocks close at a record high as energy sector recovers

Fighting rages in run-up to Ukraine ceasefire

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 12:56 PM PST

By Anton Zverev DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine and Russian-backed rebels fought fiercely across the east of the country on Friday despite a new peace deal brokered by Germany and France. Kiev said pro-Russian rebels had built up their forces across separatist-held zones since the deal and both sides accused each other of killing civilians. Two people were killed and six wounded when a shell hit a cafe in the Kiev-controlled town of Shchastya near rebel-held Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, a local official said, adding other shells had struck elsewhere in the town. The rebels accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the separatist stronghold of Donetsk and the town of Horlivka, where they said on their website that three children had been killed.

Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei sent Obama secret letter: WSJ

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:03 PM PST

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded to overtures from U.S. President Barack Obama amid nuclear talks by sending him a secret letter, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Citing an Iranian diplomat, the paper said the Iranian cleric had written to Obama in recent weeks in response to a presidential letter sent in October. Obama's letter suggested the possibility of U.S.-Iranian cooperation in fighting Islamic State if a nuclear deal was secured, the paper said, quoting the diplomat. Khamenei's letter was "respectful" but noncommittal, it quoted the diplomat as saying.

U.S. moving to resupply Jordan's military with munitions: officials

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 02:40 PM PST

By Phil Stewart and Suleiman Al-Khalidi WASHINGTON/AMMAN (Reuters) - The United States is readying plans to resupply Jordan with munitions in the coming weeks, possibly including precision-guided arms, expediting support for the kingdom as it expands its role in airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS), officials say. The State Department and Pentagon declined comment on any future moves to assist Jordan with requests for weapons. U.S. efforts to expedite delivery of munitions and other weapons follow a vocal appeal from Jordan's King Abdullah to American lawmakers last week for greater U.S. support.

Argentina prosecutor goes ahead with Fernandez cover-up case

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:06 PM PST

By Hugh Bronstein and Richard Lough BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - An Argentine prosecutor on Friday said he was taking over an investigation into claims President Cristina Fernandez tried to cover up Iran's role in a 1994 bombing, after the previous prosecutor died mysteriously last month. The appointment of Gerardo Pollicita as the new state investigator on the case ensures the probe will continue after prosecutor Alberto Nisman was found dead in his apartment on Jan. 18. Nisman died a day before he was due to address Congress on his allegations that Fernandez conspired to cover up the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. Pollicita said in a 61-page court filing on Friday that he had seen enough evidence to pursue the accusations of a cover-up.

U.N. chief appeals to Indonesia to stop death row executions

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:42 PM PST

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed to Indonesia on Friday not to execute prisoners on death row for drug crimes, including citizens of Australia, Brazil, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines. Indonesia has harsh penalties for drug trafficking and resumed executions in 2013 after a five-year gap.

Chilean President's son resigns from charity amid loan scandal

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 02:54 PM PST

The son of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet resigned as head of her charitable foundation on Friday and asked for forgiveness for a bank-loan scandal that has tarnished the government's image, though he denied doing anything illegal. Sebastian Davalos and his wife Natalia Compagnon are accused of using their political connections to get privileged access to a bank loan worth around $10 million to buy land on behalf of a company that Compagnon half owns. "I'm aware of the discontent this situation has generated and I assume that (this) has damaged the presidency and Chile's government," said Davalos from the Moneda presidential palace. "For this reason I've decided to step aside and resign." Bachelet's daughter-in-law clinched the loan during the 2013 election campaign after meeting with Banco de Chile vice-president Andronico Luksic, one of Chile's wealthiest men and a member of the family that controls the bank.

Analysis: NATO expansion at heart of Ukraine crisis

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:05 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Cold War didn't end. It just took on a 24-year pause. The East-West showdown over Ukraine makes that clear.

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit over US base in Japan

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:56 PM PST

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit that sought to stop construction of a U.S. military base in Japan that it said would harm the Okinawa dugong, an endangered marine mammal related to the manatee.

Canada police foil shooting-spree plot

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:51 PM PST

MONTREAL (AFP) - Canadian police say they have foiled a plot that would have seen an armed group carry out a public shooting spree in the city of Halifax on Saturday.

Ted Ligety wins 3rd straight giant slalom at worlds

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:47 PM PST

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Ted Ligety's mood in the starting gate? Tranquil, of all things.

Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:32 PM PST

MADISON, Alabama (AP) — A grandfather from India who was slammed to the ground by a police officer in an Alabama suburb had been singled out by police after a caller said a "skinny black guy" who was walking in the neighborhood and peering into garages, recordings show. The man, Sureshbhai Patel, 57, doesn't speak English and was slammed to the ground face-first by an officer when he didn't respond to commands. But he had committed no crime, the police chief said.

Alibaba: SEC seeking information on fight over fake goods

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:30 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — E-commerce giant Alibaba said Friday that U.S. regulators have requested information on Chinese authorities' allegations that the company has failed to do enough to prevent fake goods from being sold on its websites.

UN report criticizes Mexico on enforced disappearances

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:13 PM PST

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A U.N. commission reported Friday that disappearances are widespread in Mexico and authorities are often involved, most notoriously in the case of 43 students who went missing last fall, allegedly at the hands of local police.

British leaders pledge climate push, curb on coal plants

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:12 PM PST

By Susanna Twidale LONDON (Reuters) - The leaders of Britain's three main parties have pledged to end power generation from coal plants that don't use emissions-capturing technology, and to push for a global climate deal, according to a document published on Saturday. Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the leader of the opposition Ed Miliband said that acting on climate change "is an opportunity for the UK to grow a stronger economy, which is more efficient and more resilient to the risks ahead." The pledge comes ahead of a national election in Britain in May and a day after almost 200 nations agreed a draft text for a global climate deal expected in Paris at the end of the year The British politicians will push for an internationally binding agreement in Paris which limits temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius, they said.

Mexico, Wal-Mart act to improve farmworkers' lives

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:09 PM PST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Mexican government has formed an alliance of produce industry groups that will work on enforcing wage laws and improving housing, schools and health care for laborers at export farms following a newspaper's investigation of abuses at agribusinesses supplying major U.S. supermarket chains and restaurants.

Criticism increases in US city police shooting

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:05 PM PST

PASCO, Washington (AP) — The fourth fatal police shooting since last summer in this agricultural city of 68,000 in Washington state is drawing criticism and scrutiny from as far away as Mexico.

Mexico must probe thousands of 'disappearances': UN

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 04:02 PM PST

By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations watchdog called on Mexico on Friday to probe and prosecute alleged complicity of state forces in thousands of "disappearances", including a notorious case of 43 students believed murdered last year. Mexico's delegation told the U.N. Committee on Enforced Disappearances at a review last week that 11,300 people were unaccounted for. Amnesty International said in a statement that more than 22,600 had gone missing in the past eight years amid "a huge problem of impunity". In their findings, the committee's 10 independent experts said they had received information that "illustrates a context of generalised disappearances in a great part of the territory (of Mexico), many of which could be qualified as enforced disappearances".

Donald Young beats Aussie Bernard Tomic in 3 sets in Memphis

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:46 PM PST

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Donald Young needed three sets to beat Bernard Tomic of Australia 7-6 (8), 4-6, 7-5 Friday in the quarterfinals of the Memphis Open.

Indian man slammed down after caller reported 'black guy'

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:44 PM PST

New Iran UN envoy to take up post after US rejects 1st pick

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:28 PM PST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Iran's choice for its ambassador to the United Nations will take up his post next week after the United States declined to issue a visa to Iran's earlier pick for the job last year.

UN expects Nigeria's military to step up fight against Boko Haram

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:27 PM PST

Nigeria's military must strengthen its resolve in the fight against Boko Haram, the UN envoy for West Africa said Friday. Led by Chad, countries in the region are putting together an 8,700-strong force to battle the extremists, but Nigeria must also step up and show "robustness" in the campaign, Mohammed ibn Chambas said. "They have to demonstrate greater resolve than has been the case so far in this fight against a serious enemy, Boko Haram," Chambas told reporters via video link from Abuja. The envoy's remarks reflected widespread concern that Nigeria is failing to confront the threat from Boko Haram, allowing it to spill over to other countries in the region.

Colin Montgomerie leads by a shot at Champion Tours event

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:27 PM PST

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — As Colin Montgomerie wasted chance after chance for birdies on the front nine, his caddie told him to be patient.

3rd-seeded Petkovic and No. 5 Suarez Navarro reach semis

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:26 PM PST

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Third-seeded Andrea Petkovic of Germany advanced to the Diamond Games semifinals Friday after beating sixth-seeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (2), 6-0 in a scrappy match featuring 11 breaks of serve.

Intimidation, meddlers stalk Argentine state prosecutors

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:20 PM PST

By Sarah Marsh BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine public prosecutors have always needed steely nerves to investigate high ranking officials, business tycoons and criminals: threats to kidnap their children, blackmail and attempts to impeach them come with the turf. Some say it also laid bare a deep-seated culture of intimidation and meddling in Argentina's courts. They have tried to kidnap my kids, filled my car with fish bait and threatened my parents," said senior prosecutor Carlos Rivolo of past investigations into senior officials. "But until now there had not been a death." Rivolo is part of a group of prosecutors that has frequently locked horns with the government and has called for a silent march through Buenos Aires on Feb. 18 to honor Nisman.

Case against Argentine president moves forward

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:17 PM PST

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The Argentine prosecutor who inherited a high-profile case against President Cristina Fernandez reaffirmed the accusations Friday, formally renewing the investigation into whether she helped Iranian officials cover up their alleged role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center.

Venezuela officials say ex-general, 13 others in coup plot

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:13 PM PST

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan officials on Friday cheered the thwarting of what they said was a planned coup that involved a plot to blow up the presidential palace.

Murray loses, Berdych punishes Monfils in Rotterdam

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:12 PM PST

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — Gilles Simon secured his first win over top-seeded Andy Murray in nearly eight years to set up a semifinal with defending champion Tomas Berdych at the World Tennis Tournament on Friday.

Oregon man admits helping people linked to Pakistan suicide bombing

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:03 PM PST

(Reuters) - An Oregon man pleaded guilty on Friday to being an accessory after the fact for helping people linked to a suicide bomb attack on the headquarters of Pakistan's intelligence service in 2009 that killed about 30 people, court records showed. Reaz Qadir Khan, a naturalized U.S. citizen living in Portland, admitted in a plea entered in U.S. District Court that he provided advice and financial aid to the suicide bomber's Maldives-based wives following the attack, knowing that such assistance would hinder and prevent their capture. Khan, a 51-year-old wastewater treatment plant operator and married father-of-three originally from Pakistan, was arrested in 2013 on an indictment which accused him of using email and intermediaries to consult with and provide financial support to the Maldivian bomber, Ali Jaleel, and his family. The indictment said the conspiracy began in 2005 and continued on through the May 27, 2009, attack on Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence headquarters in Lahore and into the following month.

UN raps Mexico over enforced disappearances

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:00 PM PST

A UN committee on Friday accused Mexico of failing to list how many people have disappeared in the country, saying the lack of information has blocked efforts to find such people and prosecute criminals. The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances asked Mexico for such figures after concluding a probe into the thousands of people it suspects have disappeared, including 43 students who went missing in southern Mexico in September. "The committee noted with concern the lack of precise statistical information on the number of persons subjected to enforced disappearances," it said in its conclusions. The committee's Luciano Hazan told reporters it was essential to provide such figures in order to devise policies to stop the problem.

War crimes trial of Chad's Habre to go ahead in Senegal

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 03:00 PM PST

By Diadie Ba DAKAR (Reuters) - There is enough evidence to put Chad's deposed strongman Hissene Habre on trial for crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture, judges in Senegal ruled on Friday, according to a statement from the special tribunal set up to handle his case. Habre, 72, was detained in Senegal in 2013 after living in exile there since he was overthrown in a coup more than two decades earlier. Human rights groups hold him responsible for the torture or killing of up to 40,000 people during the eight years he led Chad, an impoverished central African oil producing country. Senegal, under pressure from the International Court of Justice and campaign groups, set up a special body within the justice system known as the Extraordinary African Chambers to look into the allegations.

Marseille concedes late goal in 2-2 home draw against Reims

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 02:31 PM PST

PARIS (AP) — Marseille's title challenge took another stumble as it conceded a last-minute goal in a 2-2 home draw with Rennes and missed the chance to go provisionally top of the league on Friday.

Puerto Rico charged priest with lewd acts

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 02:28 PM PST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A priest in Puerto Rico has been charged with lewd acts in a case that authorities say involved a 14-year-old boy.

Real Sociedad draws 2-2 at Almeria in Spanish league

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 02:17 PM PST

MADRID (AP) — Real Sociedad twice came from behind to draw 2-2 against Almeria in the Spanish league on Friday.

Banned cricketer warns World Cup teams over match-fixing

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 02:07 PM PST

SYDNEY (AP) — Banned New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent has been featured in a video message to Cricket World Cup teams and officials over the perils of match-fixing.

IS seizes Iraq town near US forces: Pentagon

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 02:07 PM PST

The fall of the town, which the Pentagon played down as a minor setback, came as IS extremists launched an unsuccessful assault involving suicide bombers on the nearby Al-Asad air base. The town is located in Anbar province, about five miles (eight kilometers) from the Asad air base, where about 300 US Marines are stationed to assist Iraqi government troops. Iraqi soldiers repelled the IS group's assault on the base on Friday which involved several suicide bombers, officials said. American surveillance aircraft tracking the IS extremists assisted the Iraqi army forces and Apache attack helicopters were sent in but did open fire, officials said.