Yahoo! News: World News

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• Turkey blames Kurdish militants for Ankara bomb; vows reprisals
• Obama to meet Raul Castro, dissidents on historic trip to Cuba
• Dissidents hope for public recognition from Obama on Cuba visit
• Zika crisis pressures Vatican to soften contraception stance
• North Korea satellite tumbling in orbit again: U.S. sources
• Colombia stops visits by FARC leaders aimed at briefing fighters on peace talks
• Los Angeles hospital attack concerns cybersecurity experts
• Wenger targets FA Cup boost before Barca showdown
• US Olympic team expects Krzyzewski to be the coach in Rio
• French PM in Mali as security fears grow for W. Africa
• Monarch butterfly numbers flutter up, but still off recent highs: study
• Colombia suspends safe passage for rebel peace negotiators
• Top seeds Nadal and Ferrer reach quarterfinals in Rio
• US, Canada hope to secure Olympic women's soccer berths
• Canada drops appeal of ex-Guantanamo inmate's bail
• 2nd-seeded Berdych and No. 3 Gasquet reach last 8 at Open 13
• Top Asian News 11:30 p.m. GMT
• Obama OKs new sanctions against NKorea over nuclear program
• Hundreds protest in Cairo over police shooting
• Man pleads guilty in international financial hacking scheme
• Pope's tough words in Mexico won't create 'miracle'
• Pope suggests contraception can be condoned in Zika crisis
• Veteran Tim Cahill criticizes Football Federation Australia
• Another faction quits Ukraine's governing coalition
• Tim Smyczek advances to Delray Beach quarterfinals
• Pope says Donald Trump 'not a Christian'
• United defeated in Denmark, Valencia give Neville boost
• Obama to make historic visit to Cuba in March
• Read to succeed McCaw as All Blacks captain
• Austria cap frustrates EU efforts to tackle migrant crisis
• Watson takes early lead at Riviera; McIlroy 1 behind
• Bayern Munich, Dortmund preparing for European showdowns
• Three soldiers get life for I.Coast military chief's murder
• Two arrested for deadly Bolivia city hall torching
• Ecuador sets presidential vote for February 2017
• Los Angeles-area methane leak declared permanently sealed
• U.S. has not yet assigned blame for Turkey attack: White House
• Niger's 'Lion' fights for new term in perilous poll

Turkey blames Kurdish militants for Ankara bomb; vows reprisals Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:14 PM PST By Ercan Gurses and Humeyra Pamuk ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed a Syrian Kurdish militia fighter working with Kurdish militants inside Turkey for a suicide car bombing that killed 28 people in the capital Ankara, and he vowed retaliation in both Syria and Iraq. A car laden with explosives detonated next to military buses as they waited at traffic lights near Turkey's armed forces' headquarters, parliament and government buildings in the administrative heart of Ankara late on Wednesday. Davutoglu said the attack was clear evidence that the YPG, a Syrian Kurdish militia that has been supported by the United States in the fight against Islamic State in northern Syria, was a terrorist organization and that Turkey, a NATO member, expected cooperation from its allies in combating the group.

Obama to meet Raul Castro, dissidents on historic trip to Cuba Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:44 PM PST By Jeff Mason and Daniel Trotta WASHINGTON/HAVANA (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will meet dissidents and President Raul Castro in Cuba next month, the White House said on Thursday, announcing a historic trip that will be another major step toward ending decades of animosity between former Cold War foes. In the first visit by a U.S. president to the Caribbean nation since 1928, Obama will meet entrepreneurs and people from different walks of life during the trip on March 21 and 22, but he is unlikely to see Fidel Castro, the former president and revolutionary leader, U.S. officials said. The White House hopes Obama's trip will help accelerate change on the Communist-run island and cement progress made under his watch, but Republicans at home complained that it would give legitimacy to Cuba's oppressive government.

Dissidents hope for public recognition from Obama on Cuba visit Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:42 PM PST By Daniel Trotta HAVANA (Reuters) - Ostracized by the government and mistrusted by much of the public, Cuba's dissidents are hoping to receive a clear message of support from U.S. President Barack Obama when he visits the island next month. Obama plans to meet dissidents during his March 21-22 visit, the first by a sitting U.S. president since 1928. It follows the rapprochement of December 2014, when Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro ended more than five decades of Cold War-era animosity.

Zika crisis pressures Vatican to soften contraception stance Posted: 18 Feb 2016 01:10 PM PST By Stephen Eisenhammer RECIFE, Brazil (Reuters) - On the frontline of Brazil's fight against Zika, Vandson Holanda sends Roman Catholic volunteers into the poorest areas of this city, showing residents how to protect themselves against mosquitoes that carry the virus linked to birth defects. The crisis is putting pressure on Church doctrine that bans all forms of contraception, and has even stoked a debate over abortion in many conservative Latin American nations. "I think, and this is my personal opinion, that the Church will have to re-think its position on contraception urgently as a result of Zika," said Holanda, coordinator of the Church's health committee in four northeastern states at the center of the epidemic.

North Korea satellite tumbling in orbit again: U.S. sources Posted: 18 Feb 2016 01:34 PM PST By Andrea Shalal and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea's recently launched satellite is once again tumbling in orbit, after stabilizing briefly, according to a U.S. official and other sources. The satellite update came as a key congressional watchdog agency said the U.S. military had not demonstrated its ability to protect the United States against a possible North Korea missile attack. Earlier this month North Korea launched what it said was an earth observation satellite but what the country's neighbors and the United States called a missile test.

Colombia stops visits by FARC leaders aimed at briefing fighters on peace talks Posted: 18 Feb 2016 04:50 PM PST Colombia's government on Thursday suspended further visits to the country by Marxist FARC negotiators, saying they violated the terms under which they were allowed to return from Havana to explain agreements reached at peace talks to their fighters. Three members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia's, or FARC, negotiating team had been given permission to travel from Cuba, where talks have been held since late 2012, to a rural area in northern La Guajira province to provide details of accords. Chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle said President Juan Manuel Santos had suspended any further visits and asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to help the FARC representatives return to Cuba immediately.

Los Angeles hospital attack concerns cybersecurity experts Posted: 18 Feb 2016 04:44 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cybersecurity experts worry that the $17,000 a Los Angeles hospital paid hackers to regain control of its computers could signal a troubling escalation of the growing "ransomware" threat.

Wenger targets FA Cup boost before Barca showdown Posted: 18 Feb 2016 04:42 PM PST A daunting Champions League showdown with Barcelona quickly follows Arsenal's FA Cup fifth-round clash with Hull City, but Arsene Wenger is unlikely to make too many changes to his preferred line-up on Saturday. Wenger's side are the Cup holders after successfully retaining the famous old trophy last season by thrashing Aston Villa 4-0 in the final. With Spanish giants Barca due to face Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday, it would hardly be surprising if Wenger was planning to rest the majority of his starting line-up when Hull visit the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

US Olympic team expects Krzyzewski to be the coach in Rio Posted: 18 Feb 2016 04:33 PM PST USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo expects Mike Krzyzewski to lead the Americans this summer, and the coach says he has "every intention" of being in Brazil.

French PM in Mali as security fears grow for W. Africa Posted: 18 Feb 2016 04:22 PM PST French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Thursday described the fight against Islamic militancy as a "battle against barbarity" as he visited Mali, where France has had troops tackling rebels and jihadist groups since 2013. "Today, reconciliation is in progress," said Valls, who visited Bamako accompanied by defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, referring to the peace accord signed by the government and the Tuareg rebels last year. It's in essence a battle of humanity against barbarity," Valls said, speaking to members of the French community after meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Monarch butterfly numbers flutter up, but still off recent highs: study Posted: 18 Feb 2016 04:20 PM PST By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Favorable weather conditions at breeding grounds for monarch butterflies in Mexico are expected to help raise their numbers to possibly more than 100 million this year, about triple of a few years ago, a study released on Thursday said. "It seems conditions have been successful for monarchs overwintering – not too wet or cold, which can be a lethal combination for them," said Craig Wilson, a senior research associate at the university in the Center for Mathematics and Education. Monarchs lay eggs only on milkweed plants, which grow wild throughout the United States.

Colombia suspends safe passage for rebel peace negotiators Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:56 PM PST BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia on Thursday suspended permits for rebel leaders negotiating a peace deal in Cuba to visit guerrilla camps after top commanders showed up with weapons in a town's main plaza in what the government said was flagrant violation of the ground rules for such missions..

Top seeds Nadal and Ferrer reach quarterfinals in Rio Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:54 PM PST RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Even the King of Clay Rafael Nadal needs victories to boost his confidence, which has waned recently as his dominance has slipped on the slippery red surface.

US, Canada hope to secure Olympic women's soccer berths Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST HOUSTON (AP) — The U.S. women's soccer team is a win from the Olympics.

Canada drops appeal of ex-Guantanamo inmate's bail Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST The Canadian government said Thursday it is dropping its appeal of a decision to grant former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr bail while he fights a US conviction for murdering an American soldier. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould made the announcement in a joint statement. A Canadian appellate court released Khadr last year after he had spent 13 years behind bars, most of it at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

2nd-seeded Berdych and No. 3 Gasquet reach last 8 at Open 13 Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:31 PM PST MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Second-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych and third-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet reached the Open 13 quarterfinals on Thursday.

Top Asian News 11:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:30 PM PST KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Kainat Soomro was 13 years old and on her way to buy a toy for her newborn niece when three men kidnapped her, held her for several days and repeatedly raped her. Eight years later, she is still battling for justice. She sits on a steel-framed bed in her parents' three-bedroom home, and holds her blue shawl tight around her body. When she describes the horror of her captivity, her voice is barely a whisper, but it gains strength when she talks of the fight she has been waging: going to Pakistan's courts, holding protests, rejecting the rulings of the traditional Jirga council, taking on the powerful landlord and politician who she says are protecting her attackers.

Obama OKs new sanctions against NKorea over nuclear program Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:30 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama slapped North Korea with more stringent sanctions Thursday for defying the world and pushing forward with its nuclear weapons program, weeks after it launched a satellite-carrying rocket into space and conducted its fourth underground nuclear test.

Hundreds protest in Cairo over police shooting Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:22 PM PST Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Cairo security directorate on Thursday night after a policeman shot dead a man in the street, in the latest outburst of anger over alleged police brutality in Egypt. A statement from the Cairo security directorate said the policeman had shot dead a driver after an argument and was forced to flee a mob of local people who attempted to catch and kill him. Footage posted on social media showed hundreds of people massing outside the security directorate to protest the death.

Man pleads guilty in international financial hacking scheme Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:21 PM PST NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) — A U.S. man admitted Thursday he participated in an international hacking scheme that prosecutors said used stolen news releases to make $30 million in profits.

Pope's tough words in Mexico won't create 'miracle' Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:15 PM PST Pope Francis delighted many in Mexico by taking political and religious leaders to task during his trip, but he also stayed silent on thorny issues such as pedophilia scandals and high-profile crimes. Bishops, he said, needed to show "prophetic courage" against drug violence. While his words were comforting to many Mexicans, experts say his message is unlikely to change the course of a country that has endured 10 years of drug violence that has left 100,000 people dead or missing.

Pope suggests contraception can be condoned in Zika crisis Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:12 PM PST ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis has suggested women threatened with the Zika virus could use artificial contraception, saying "avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil" in light of the global epidemic.

Veteran Tim Cahill criticizes Football Federation Australia Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:11 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — Veteran Socceroos midfielder Tim Cahill has criticized Football Federation Australia for its grassroots competitions, the domestic A-League and its handling of marquee players such as former Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero.

Another faction quits Ukraine's governing coalition Posted: 18 Feb 2016 03:05 PM PST MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Ukraine sank deeper into political turmoil Thursday as the governing coalition lost its majority in parliament after a second faction bailed out.

Tim Smyczek advances to Delray Beach quarterfinals Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:57 PM PST DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tim Smyczek was entered in the qualifying tournament for the Delray Beach Open when he learned American teenager Taylor Fritz had earned a special exemption into the main draw by reaching the semifinals last week in Memphis.

Pope says Donald Trump 'not a Christian' Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:52 PM PST Pope Francis on Thursday intervened explosively in the US election campaign, saying Donald Trump cannot claim to be a Christian and also vow to build a border wall to keep out immigrants. "Anyone, whoever he is, who only wants to build walls and not bridges is not a Christian," the pontiff told journalists during his return journey from a trip to Mexico. Despite that qualifier, Francis's remarks drew swift and angry condemnation from the billionaire tycoon.

United defeated in Denmark, Valencia give Neville boost Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:49 PM PST A miserable season for Louis van Gaal and Manchester United took a new turn for the worse on Thursday as they lost 2-1 away to Danish champions Midtjylland in the Europa League. Goals from the talented Pione Sisto and young Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu gave Midtjylland the victory in Herning after Memphis Depay had put a weakened United side ahead in the first leg of their last-32 tie.

Obama to make historic visit to Cuba in March Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:45 PM PST Barack Obama will next month become the first US president to visit Cuba in almost a century, championing engagement with the Communist-ruled island and burying one of the last vestiges of the Cold War. The White House hopes the trip will be a "Berlin Wall" moment, crowning a policy they see as being among Obama's greatest foreign policy achievements. "Next month, I'll travel to Cuba to advance our progress and efforts that can improve the lives of the Cuban people," the US leader said in one of a series of tweets.

Read to succeed McCaw as All Blacks captain Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:43 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Head coach Steve Hansen has confirmed backrower Kieran Read will take over as All Blacks captain after the retirement of Richie McCaw.

Austria cap frustrates EU efforts to tackle migrant crisis Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:41 PM PST By Gabriela Baczynska and Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Austria infuriated European Union peers on Thursday by insisting on capping the number of migrants it takes in, undermining Germany's push to seek a joint EU solution to the bloc's refugee crisis in tandem with Turkey. Austria, the last stop on the way to Germany for hundreds of thousands of migrants who have flocked to Europe, announced the unilateral move on the eve of a meeting it was due to host on pushing forward an EU-Turkey plan to stem the influx.

Watson takes early lead at Riviera; McIlroy 1 behind Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:40 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bubba Watson has no beef with Riviera.

Bayern Munich, Dortmund preparing for European showdowns Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:36 PM PST BERLIN (AP) — Borussia Dortmund's unbeaten start to 2016 comes under threat with a visit to third-place Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga sandwiched between Europa League games against Porto.

Three soldiers get life for I.Coast military chief's murder Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:35 PM PST A military court in Ivory Coast on Thursday sentenced three soldiers loyal to ex-president Laurent Gbagbo to life in prison over the 2002 murder of a former junta leader. General Robert Guei was shot dead on September 19, 2002, during a failed coup against Gbagbo's regime. Guei had led a military junta that ruled the west African nation from December 1999 to October 2000, when Gbagbo defeated him at the polls.

Two arrested for deadly Bolivia city hall torching Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:31 PM PST Bolivian police arrested two people suspected of torching an opposition-run city hall in a raid that killed six people ahead of a sensitive political referendum, prosecutors said Thursday. The two face charges including homicide and stealing state property in the raid on Wednesday in the city of El Alto, said Attorney General Ramiro Guerrero. The mayor Soledad Chapeton said demonstrators burst in to destroy evidence linked to corruption lawsuits against her predecessors, allies of President Evo Morales.

Ecuador sets presidential vote for February 2017 Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:24 PM PST Ecuador will hold presidential polls a year from now in February 2017, electoral authorities said Thursday, but leftist President Rafael Correa will not run for re-election to lead the slowing South American economy. "The first round of the election will be on Sunday February 19, 2017," with a run-off vote if necessary on April 2, said Diego Tello, a senior official in the National Electoral Council. Voters will be called to elect a president and vice-president as well as 137 deputies to the National Assembly legislature, currently controlled by Correa's side.

Los Angeles-area methane leak declared permanently sealed Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:16 PM PST An underground natural gas pipeline rupture that caused the largest-ever methane leak in California has been permanently capped, paving the way for thousands of displaced Los Angeles residents to return home, state regulators said on Thursday. The leak, which began in October and accounted for a fourth of all daily methane emissions statewide at its height, was confirmed by a series of independent laboratory tests to have been successfully sealed as of Wednesday night, officials said. The leak originated from a broken injection-well pipe deep beneath the surface of the 3,600-acre (1,457-hectare) Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field, owned by Southern California Gas Co.

U.S. has not yet assigned blame for Turkey attack: White House Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:15 PM PST The United States has not yet identified who was behind a car bomb attack in Turkey that killed 28 people, but it has been careful to press Syrian Kurds fighting against Islamic State militants not to target Turkey, the White House said on Thursday. Deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes told a news briefing the United States would be talking directly to Ankara about the Wednesday attack, which Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed on a Syrian Kurdish militia fighter.

Niger's 'Lion' fights for new term in perilous poll Posted: 18 Feb 2016 02:13 PM PST A jailed presidential candidate facing baby-trafficking charges, a failed military coup, a string of contentious detentions, fears of jihadist attacks -- Niger's weekend election has all the makings of a political thriller. A vast desert nation blessed with immense riches of uranium, gold, iron and oil but reputedly the poorest on the planet, Niger elects a new head of state Sunday with outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou hoping for a second five-year term. In an interview with AFP on Thursday, Issoufou said he was "absolutely" confident of victory and predicted a runoff vote would not even be needed.

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