Yahoo! News: World News

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• Irish voters back gay marriage in 'social revolution'
• Israel thanks U.S. for stand on Mideast nuclear arms ban at U.N.
• Arab air strikes hit military bases in Yemen
• Shi'ite militias advance on Islamic State insurgents near Iraq's Ramadi
• Russia to adopt tough position if Ukraine defaults: PM Medvedev
• Northern rebels say captured 19 Mali soldiers
• Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT
• Sweden pips Russia in Eurovision pop fest nail-biter
• Thousands worldwide march against Monsanto and GM crops
• Benfica replaces Porto on preseason tour
• Sea lion rescued from Santa Barbara oil spill dies at SeaWorld
• Magnussen out of worlds over shoulder surgery
• Sweden wins 60th Eurovision Song Contest, Russia 2nd
• Rebel commander 'killed in eastern Ukraine'
• Saudi IDs bomber after kingdom's deadliest attack in years
• Defending 100-meter champion Magnusssen out of swim worlds
• Nigerian airlines cancel flights amid fuel crisis
• Many questions in Mexico cartel battle that killed 43
• England's James DeGale wins IBF super middleweight title
• Gunmen attack Mexico campaign team's car
• 'Bold' Ireland votes to legalize gay marriage in landslide
• Monaco claims final Champions League birth
• Juventus beats Napoli 3-1 to celebrate league and cup double
• Austin Dillon wins Xfinity race at Charlotte
• DeGale defeats Dirrell to make British history
• Benfica celebrates title with sons of fan beaten by police
• 'Kingdom of Enclava' picks new spot on Croatia-Serbia border
• Colin Montgomerie shoots 70 to take Senior PGA lead
• Colombia's Santos presses for peace as FARC death toll climbs
• Venezuela transfers prominent opponent to new jail
• Benfica celebrates league title with 4-1 win over Maritimo
• Burundi opposition leader murdered during pause in protests
• Cowboys win 8th in a row to move into 1st place in NRL
• Thousands rejoice as El Salvador's Romero beatified
• At 42, Bartolo Colon shines with guile and precision pitches
• Valencia grabs Spain's last CL spot; Almeria, Eibar go down
• Media organizations condemn attack on Macedonian journalist
• Latvala leads Ogier at Rally of Portugal with 3 stages left
• Ireland says big 'Yes' to gay marriage in world first

Irish voters back gay marriage in 'social revolution' Posted: 23 May 2015 11:55 AM PDT By Padraic Halpin and Conor Humphries DUBLIN (Reuters) - The people of Ireland backed same-sex marriage by a landslide in a referendum that marked a dramatic social shift in a traditionally Catholic country that only decriminalized homosexuality two decades ago. After one of the largest turnouts in a referendum there, 62 percent of voters said 'Yes', making Ireland the first country to adopt same-sex marriage via a popular vote. "We woke up today to a new Ireland.

Israel thanks U.S. for stand on Mideast nuclear arms ban at U.N. Posted: 23 May 2015 11:30 AM PDT By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the United States for blocking an Egyptian-led drive on a possible Middle East nuclear weapons ban at a major United Nations conference, an Israeli official said on Saturday. It was a rare expression of diplomatic harmony with the United States from Netanyahu, whose relations with President Barack Obama have been strained over U.S.-led nuclear talks with Iran and differences over Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy. A month-long conference on the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ended in failure on Friday over disagreements on how to achieve a Middle East atomic weapons ban.

Arab air strikes hit military bases in Yemen Posted: 23 May 2015 09:04 AM PDT Saudi-led air strikes hit three military bases in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday and the Yemeni government in exile expressed reservations about United Nations-led talks aimed at ending the eight-week war. An Arab alliance has been bombing Yemen's dominant group, the Iran-allied Houthi militia, and have backed Yemeni fighters opposing the group in battlefields throughout Yemen's south. Yemen's exiled government in Saudi Arabia headed by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi expressed reluctance to attend U.N.-sponsored peace talks set for May 28 in Geneva.

Shi'ite militias advance on Islamic State insurgents near Iraq's Ramadi Posted: 23 May 2015 07:57 AM PDT BAGHDAD/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Shi'ite Muslim militiamen and Iraqi army forces launched a counter-offensive against Islamic State insurgents near Ramadi on Saturday, a militia spokesman said, aiming to reverse potentially devastating gains by the jihadi militants. The fall of Ramadi, the Anbar provincial capital, to Islamic State on May 17 could be a shattering blow to Baghdad's weak central government. The Sunni Muslim jihadis now control most of Anbar and could threaten the western approaches to Baghdad, or even surge south into Iraq's Shi'ite heartland.

Russia to adopt tough position if Ukraine defaults: PM Medvedev Posted: 23 May 2015 04:23 AM PDT Russia would adopt a tough position if Ukraine decided not to pay off debts owed to Moscow by its previous government, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview broadcast by Russian TV on Saturday. Russia has spoken out against a new Ukrainian law allowing a moratorium on foreign debt repayments, threatening to take Ukraine to court if it fails to repay $3 billion that Russia lent it in 2013. In his interview, Medvedev called the new law "contradictory".

Northern rebels say captured 19 Mali soldiers Posted: 23 May 2015 02:24 PM PDT Army sources confirmed that soldiers were missing after the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA) briefly seized the small town of Tessit, in Mali's northern Gao region. A spokesman for the CMA said its fighters had withdrawn from Tessit by Saturday morning, taking with them captured weapons, ammunition and the prisoners. "They are Malian soldiers and there are 19 of them," Almou Ag Mohamed told Reuters.

Top Asian News at 12:00 a.m. GMT Posted: 23 May 2015 05:02 PM PDT YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged Southeast Asian nations to deal with the causes behind a growing humanitarian crisis that has forced thousands of people from Myanmar and Bangladesh to flee by sea, leaving many still stranded in boats. Ban said he has been discussing the emergency with regional leaders in Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand, among others, and urged them to provide search and rescue operations and options for resettlement and reintegration.

Sweden pips Russia in Eurovision pop fest nail-biter Posted: 23 May 2015 05:00 PM PDT Sweden narrowly beat Russia Sunday in a nail-biting 60th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, winning its sixth crown in Europe's annual anything-goes music extravaganza. As the scores were being read out nation by nation via videolink to Vienna, it looked for a while as though Russian Polina Gagarina would take the title with her paean to world peace "A Million Voices". Gagarina did however avoid the boos that Russia's singer got last year following Moscow's annexation of Crimea.

Thousands worldwide march against Monsanto and GM crops Posted: 23 May 2015 04:56 PM PDT Thousands of people hit the streets in cities across the world Saturday to protest against the American biotechnology giant Monsanto and its genetically modified crops and pesticides. The third annual March Against Monsanto -- begun by the Occupy movement -- was held in upwards of 400 cities in more than 40 countries from the Americas to Africa and Europe. The controversial product's main ingredient was recently classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the World Health Organization.

Benfica replaces Porto on preseason tour Posted: 23 May 2015 04:48 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Portuguese league champion Benfica will replace Porto for four preseason exhibition games in North America this summer.

Sea lion rescued from Santa Barbara oil spill dies at SeaWorld Posted: 23 May 2015 04:46 PM PDT A sea lion that became streaked with petroleum from an oil spill on California's Santa Barbara coastline has died after it was taken to SeaWorld in San Diego to be treated, officials said on Saturday. Up to 2,500 barrels (105,000 gallons) of crude petroleum gushed onto San Refugio State Beach and into the Pacific Ocean about 20 miles (32 km) west of Santa Barbara on Tuesday when an underground pipeline that runs along the coastal highway burst. The sea lion was found alive in the area earlier in the week with petroleum on its coat and was shipped to SeaWorld San Diego to be cared for and cleaned.

Magnussen out of worlds over shoulder surgery Posted: 23 May 2015 04:46 PM PDT Australia's James Magnussen will miss defending his 100m freestyle title at this year's world championship to have shoulder surgery, Swimming Australia said on Sunday. Doctors said significant damage to Magnussen's sub-scapular region in his left shoulder required surgery, forcing him out of the FINA world championships in Kazan, Russia in July. It is likely that the 2012 London Olympic silver medallist and Commonwealth Games gold medallist will have the operation early next month, SA said.

Sweden wins 60th Eurovision Song Contest, Russia 2nd Posted: 23 May 2015 04:32 PM PDT VIENNA (AP) — Sweden won the 60th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, finishing ahead of Russia, whose contestant received some boos as the Ukraine conflict spilled over into the continent's largest songfest.

Rebel commander 'killed in eastern Ukraine' Posted: 23 May 2015 04:32 PM PDT A separatist commander in eastern Ukraine was killed along with several other fighters after their car came under attack Saturday, rebel authorities announced. The defence ministry of the self-proclaimed Lugansk republic confirmed that Alexey Mozgovoy, the commander of a police battalion in the war-torn region, was among the dead and said it was hunting for the assailants behind the attack. "According to the preliminary information, the vehicle carrying Mozgovoy was hit by a bomb and then by machine-gun fire," it said.

Saudi IDs bomber after kingdom's deadliest attack in years Posted: 23 May 2015 04:17 PM PDT Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed the suicide bomber who killed 21 worshippers at a Shiite mosque had links with the Islamic State group, in what the interior ministry called an attempt to promote sectarian strife. It was the deadliest attack in years to strike the Sunni-dominated kingdom, and marked the first time the jihadist IS group officially claimed an attack in Saudi Arabia. "His name was Salih bin Abdulrahman Salih al-Ghishaami, a Saudi national," the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Defending 100-meter champion Magnusssen out of swim worlds Posted: 23 May 2015 04:12 PM PDT SYDNEY (AP) — Defending 100-meter freestyle champion James Magnussen of Australia will miss the July world swimming championships in Kazan, Russia, due to left shoulder surgery.

Nigerian airlines cancel flights amid fuel crisis Posted: 23 May 2015 03:56 PM PDT LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian airlines grounded flights Saturday and radio stations were silenced as a months-long fuel shortage aggravated by striking oil tanker drivers worsened in Africa's biggest oil producer.

Many questions in Mexico cartel battle that killed 43 Posted: 23 May 2015 03:38 PM PDT ECUANDUREO, Mexico (AP) — The call for backup went out to local police after 8 a.m. There was a shootout underway at a ranch in the western reaches of Michoacan state and the federal authorities needed help.

England's James DeGale wins IBF super middleweight title Posted: 23 May 2015 03:38 PM PDT BOSTON (AP) — James DeGale became the first British fighter to win an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title Saturday, unanimously outpointing Andre Dirrell at Boston University's Agganis Arena to take the vacant International Boxing Federation super middleweight title.

Gunmen attack Mexico campaign team's car Posted: 23 May 2015 03:28 PM PDT Gunmen have shot at a car carrying a gubernatorial candidate's aides in southern Mexico in a new act of violence ahead of June 7 elections in the state of Guerrero. Jorge Camacho, the candidate of the conservative National Action Party, said Saturday that unknown gunmen hit the car more than 20 times with high-caliber guns after a campaign event late Friday. The attack took place on the road that links the beach resorts of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo when the campaign's operations coordinator and driver stopped for fuel.

'Bold' Ireland votes to legalize gay marriage in landslide Posted: 23 May 2015 03:23 PM PDT DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland's citizens have voted in a landslide to legalize gay marriage, electoral officials announced Saturday — a stunningly lopsided result that illustrates what Catholic leaders and rights activists alike called a "social revolution."

Monaco claims final Champions League birth Posted: 23 May 2015 03:16 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Yannick Ferreira Carrasco scored the winner as Monaco beat Lorient 1-0 to secure a third-place finish in the French league on Saturday and claim the final qualifying birth for the Champions League.

Juventus beats Napoli 3-1 to celebrate league and cup double Posted: 23 May 2015 03:14 PM PDT MILAN (AP) — Juventus beat Napoli 3-1 in Serie A on Saturday as it celebrated winning the double of the Italian league and cup in a party atmosphere in Turin.

Austin Dillon wins Xfinity race at Charlotte Posted: 23 May 2015 03:13 PM PDT CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Austin Dillon's driving was good.

DeGale defeats Dirrell to make British history Posted: 23 May 2015 03:08 PM PDT James DeGale became the first British fighter to win Olympic gold and a professional title, defeating Andre Dirrell on Saturday to claim the vacant International Boxing Federation super middleweight crown. The 29-year-old Englishman knocked down the American twice in the second round, Dirrell having tasted the canvas only once before in his career, and won a unanimous decision by judges scores of 114-112, 114-112 and 117-109. What can I say?" DeGale said.

Benfica celebrates title with sons of fan beaten by police Posted: 23 May 2015 03:01 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The two young sons of a Benfica fan who was beaten by a police officer helped the team celebrate its recently won Portuguese league title on Saturday.

'Kingdom of Enclava' picks new spot on Croatia-Serbia border Posted: 23 May 2015 02:57 PM PDT The world's youngest micronation, the self-proclaimed "Kingdom of Enclava", on Saturday announced it would settle on a new spot along the Croatian-Serbian border after learning that its initial chosen location was in fact on Slovenian territory. "We cease all activities related to the establishment of the new state on a strip of land on the Croatia–Slovenia border," Piotr Wawrzynkiewicz, one of the founders of Enclava, said in a statement sent to AFP. Instead, the kingdom will now be located on a portion of unclaimed land along the Danube river "near the Free Republic of Liberland (on the Croatia-Serbia border)," he added.

Colin Montgomerie shoots 70 to take Senior PGA lead Posted: 23 May 2015 02:52 PM PDT FRENCH LICK, Ind. (AP) — Colin Montgomerie was long considered one of the best players in golf who had never won a major championship.

Colombia's Santos presses for peace as FARC death toll climbs Posted: 23 May 2015 02:51 PM PDT The president of Colombia called Saturday for accelerated peace negotiations with FARC guerrillas, as local media reported that seven rebels had died in an ongoing government offensive. President Juan Manuel Santos made the announcement amid a push by the Colombian army that began Thursday with a government air strike killing 26 guerrillas in southwestern Cauca department. Local media reported that clashes between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and army in the northwestern town of Segovia also wounded one more fighter.

Venezuela transfers prominent opponent to new jail Posted: 23 May 2015 02:46 PM PDT CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A jailed prominent opponent of Venezuela's socialist government has been transferred to a new prison.

Benfica celebrates league title with 4-1 win over Maritimo Posted: 23 May 2015 02:45 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Benfica celebrated its Portuguese league title with a 4-1 home win over Maritimo on Saturday, while Belenenses clinched the last Europa League berth of the final day of the season.

Burundi opposition leader murdered during pause in protests Posted: 23 May 2015 02:44 PM PDT The leader of a small Burundian opposition party was shot dead on Saturday, residents said, the latest violence in a country gripped by weeks of protests over the president's controversial bid to seek a third term. Zedi Feruzi, the head of the Union for Peace and Development (UPD) was walking home under police protection in Bujumbura's Ngagara district when he came under fire, locals told AFP, adding that one of the three officers accompanying him was also killed in the incident. The attack -- which comes a day after a grenade attack on a busy market killed three people and injured around 40 others -- risks further fuelling tensions in the capital where a heavy-handed crackdown on anti-government demos has left more than 20 people dead since late April.

Cowboys win 8th in a row to move into 1st place in NRL Posted: 23 May 2015 02:34 PM PDT SYDNEY (AP) — North Queensland winger Antonio Winterstein scored a try in the closing minutes to help clinch an 8-0 victory over the Wests Tigers, the first-place Cowboys' eighth consecutive win in the National Rugby League.

Thousands rejoice as El Salvador's Romero beatified Posted: 23 May 2015 02:34 PM PDT Salvadoran archbishop Oscar Romero, who was assassinated in 1980 and whose defense of the poor divided his nation and the Church, was beatified Saturday at a ceremony attended by vast crowds. An estimated 200,000 cheering worshipers from all over the world packed the capital San Salvador and its main square, where Pope Francis's envoy conferred the title of "blessed" on Romero, putting him one step from sainthood. "By virtue of our apostolic authority, we empower the venerable servant of God, Oscar Arnulfo Romero Galdamez," with the honor, Amato said to a roar of approval.

At 42, Bartolo Colon shines with guile and precision pitches Posted: 23 May 2015 02:31 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Bartolo Colon settled in a chair and threw a rubber ball against his black glove. He repeated the motion several times, then leaned back and threw the ball in the air, mimicking a fielding drill.

Valencia grabs Spain's last CL spot; Almeria, Eibar go down Posted: 23 May 2015 02:29 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Valencia fought back twice to earn a Champions League berth with a 3-2 away win that relegated Almeria on a dramatic final day of the Spanish league Saturday.

Media organizations condemn attack on Macedonian journalist Posted: 23 May 2015 02:27 PM PDT SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Macedonian and international media organizations have strongly condemned an attack on a journalist who has been critical of government, warning that the tense political situation in the country could provoke more violence against journalists.

Latvala leads Ogier at Rally of Portugal with 3 stages left Posted: 23 May 2015 02:26 PM PDT FRIDAO, Portugal (AP) — Jari-Matti Latvala maintained his lead of the Rally of Portugal on Saturday with one day to go.

Ireland says big 'Yes' to gay marriage in world first Posted: 23 May 2015 02:19 PM PDT Ireland on Saturday became the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by referendum with an overwhelming 62 percent "Yes" vote, further denting the once all-powerful Irish Catholic Church. Supporters packed into the grounds of Dublin Castle hugged, kissed and waved rainbow flags in a festival atmosphere as the result was announced, and parties in the capital's gay bars went on into the night. The constitutional change allowing same-sex marriage was passed with only 38 percent voting against it.

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