2016年2月22日星期一

Yahoo! News: World News

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: World News


Syrian rebels see flaws in U.S.-Russian truce plan

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:58 PM PST

Blood covers the hands of an injured boy lying in a field hospital after what activists said were air strikes by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Douma neighbourhood of DamascusBy Arshad Mohammed and Tom Perry WASHINGTON/BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United States and Russia announced plans for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria that would take effect on Saturday but exclude groups such as Islamic State and al Qaeda's Nusra Front, a loophole Syrian rebels immediately highlighted as a problem. Monday's agreement, described by a U.N. spokesman as "a first step towards a more durable ceasefire," is the fruit of intensive diplomacy between Washington and Moscow, which back opposing sides in the 5-year-old civil war that has killed more than 250,000 people. Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin discussed the accord by phone, and the Kremlin leader said it could "radically transform the crisis situation in Syria." The White House said it could help advance talks on bringing about political change in Syria.


Islamic State rigs currency rates in Mosul to prop up finances

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 10:49 AM PST

A fighter of the ISIL holds a flag and a weapon on a street in MosulBy Stephen Kalin BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Islamic State militants in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul are manipulating the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Iraqi dinars to squeeze money out of local people as coalition bombers attack the group's finances.     The U.S-led coalition has said that in addition to attacking Islamic State's fighters and leaders it will go after financial infrastructure too.     Air strikes have reduced Islamic State's ability to extract, refine and transport oil, a major source of revenue that is already suffering from the fall in world prices. Since October the coalition says it has destroyed at least 10 "cash collection points" estimated to contain hundreds of millions of dollars.     U.S. military officials say reports of Islamic State cutting fighters' wages by up to half are proof that the coalition is putting pressure on the group.


China signals no South China Sea backdown as foreign minister goes to U.S.

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 01:12 PM PST

Still image from United States Navy video purportedly shows Chinese dredging vessels in the waters around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly IslandsBy Ben Blanchard and David Brunnstrom BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China's South China Sea military deployments are no different from U.S. deployments on Hawaii, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, striking a combative tone ahead of a visit by Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the United States this week. The United States last week accused China of raising tensions in the South China Sea by its apparent deployment of surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island, a move China has neither confirmed nor denied.


As pound plunges, UK's Cameron defends EU deal to avert 'Brexit'

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:11 AM PST

Britain's Prime Minister Cameron speaks outside 10 Downing Street in London, BritainBy Kylie MacLellan and Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - The pound posted its biggest one-day loss in almost six years on Monday on concerns of a possible British exit from the EU, adding to the pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron as he mounted a defense of his deal to keep the country in the bloc. The fall in the currency, as well as in government bond prices, was triggered by London Mayor Boris Johnson - a senior figure in Cameron's Conservative Party - throwing his support behind the exit campaign. Johnson, one of the country's most popular politicians, gave the "Brexit" camp a much-needed figurehead when he announced his support on Sunday, just days after Cameron struck his deal in Brussels to hand Britain what he called a "special status".


Lawyers for Assange ask Swedish court to overturn arrest warrant

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 09:06 AM PST

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange makes a speech from the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy, in central LondonLawyers for Julian Assange have asked a Swedish court to overturn an arrest warrant for the Wikileaks founder following a ruling by a U.N. panel that his stay in Ecuador's London embassy amounts to arbitrary detention. Assange, 44, took refuge at the embassy in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over allegations, which he denies, that he committed rape in 2010. "We consider that there have arisen a number of new circumstances which mean there is reason to review the earlier decision," Thomas Olsson, one of Assange's lawyers, said on Monday.


Brazil police target Rousseff campaign chief in corruption probe

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:44 PM PST

A banner of Odebrecht SA is pictured in front of buildings under construction at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games athletes village in Rio de JaneiroBy Caroline Stauffer and Pedro Fonseca SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian police said on Monday they obtained an arrest warrant for the architect of President Dilma Rousseff's electoral campaigns, complicating her fight to survive an investigation of her re-election in 2014 and stave off impeachment by Congress. The investigation of campaigner João Santana, known as "the maker of presidents" in Latin America, was part of Brazil's corruption investigation focusing on state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras.


Morales facing defeat in key Bolivia vote: partial results

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:42 PM PST

Bolivian President Evo Morales answers questions from the press at Quemado palace in La Paz on February 22, 2016Partial results Monday indicated Bolivian President Evo Morales faced defeat in a referendum on seeking a fourth term in power, but he sat tight pending results from his rural strongholds. Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous head of state, promised to respect the official results of Sunday's vote on whether he can run for re-election to extend his time in office to 19 years. Morales, 56, wants to run for another five-year term when his current one ends in 2020, to continue a socialist program credited with improving the fortunes of poor indigenous groups.


Kerry phones Serbian PM over diplomats killed in Libya strike

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:31 PM PST

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic addresses a press conference in Belgrade on February 20, 2016, after a US strike on an Islamic State jihadist camp in Libya killed two Serbian embassy employees, who were kidnapped in the area in NovemberUS Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday offered his condolences to Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic over the two kidnapped Serbian diplomats believed to have been killed in a US air strike in Libya, Belgrade said. Last week the US targeted a jihadist training camp near the Libyan coastal city of Sabratha, killing dozens of people including an Islamic State group operative the US said was behind the mass murder of tourists on a Tunisian beach.


AP Analysis: Echoes of 1991 Gulf War linger on in Mideast

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:29 PM PST

FILE -- In this Nov. 4, 1990 file photo, responding to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, troops of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division deploy across the Saudi desert on during preparations prior to the Gulf War. Twenty five years after the first U.S. Marines swept across the border into Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, American forces find themselves battling the extremist Islamic State group, born out of al-Qaida, in the splintered territories of Iraq and Syria. The Arab allies that joined the 1991 coalition are fighting their own conflicts both at home and abroad, as Iran vies for greater regional power following a nuclear deal with world powers. (AP Photo/Greg English, File)The 1991 Gulf War saw only 100 hours of ground fighting as U.S. forces entered Kuwait to end the Iraqi occupation, but echoes of that conflict have lingered for decades in the Middle East.


Patient Williamson keeps New Zealand alive

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:27 PM PST

Kane Williamson (L) of New Zealand walks out onto the field at the start of the days play during day four of the second cricket Test match between New Zealand and Australia at the Hagley Park Oval in Christchurch on February 23, 2016New Zealand captain-in-waiting Kane Williamson led a determined second innings fightback Tuesday to begin setting Australia a target as tempers frayed in the second Test at Christchurch. The morning session on the fourth day ended with Australia visibly animated over an unsuccessful Josh Hazlewood lbw appeal against Williamson. Australian Adam Voges had said before the resumption of play that Williamson's wicket was "huge" in the game and it was the second lbw appeal they had turned down against New Zealand's leading batsman as he neared his 14th Test century.


Australia to play Greece in international friendly in June

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:27 PM PST

SYDNEY (AP) — Asian Cup champion Australia will play 2004 European champion Greece in an international friendly at Sydney's Olympic stadium on June 4, the first meeting between the two countries since the Socceroos' 1-0 victory in front of 95,000 fans in Melbourne in 2006.

Man U dispatch Shrewsbury 3-0 in FA Cup

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:24 PM PST

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard celebrates after scoring during the English FA Cup fifth round soccer match between Shrewsbury Town and Manchester United at Greenhous Meadow stadium in Shrewsbury, England, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)SHREWSBURY, England (AP) — Manchester United beat Shrewsbury by an unexpectedly easy 3-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday and gave under-fire manager Louis van Gaal at least three days' breathing space.


Morales doesn't concede as 'no' keeps lead in Bolivia count

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:20 PM PST

Supporters of Bolivia's President Evo Morales shout slogans during a ceremony where Morales signed documents for the expansion of the road that connects the capital with the nearby city of El Alto, in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, one day after a referendum on expanding presidential term limits. Partial results Monday and unofficial "quick counts" indicated Morales' bid to extend his presidency by amending the constitution appeared headed toward defeat. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — President Evo Morales said Monday he was not abandoning hope despite indications Bolivians had rejected by a slim margin amending the constitution so he could run for a fourth straight term in 2019.


International anti-corruption panel begins work in Honduras

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 04:04 PM PST

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — An international mission aimed at tackling widespread corruption was installed Monday in Honduras, kicking off a four-year mandate that its backers hope will clean up corruption and lead to profound changes.

Top Asian News 11:55 p.m. GMT

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:55 PM PST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Monday that North Korea sought to discuss a peace treaty but pulled away after the U.S. insisted denuclearization be part of the discussions. Spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. considered a proposal from the North Korea, which has long sought a peace treaty with Washington. The 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, and the U.S. retains 28,500 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against the North. The diplomatic discussions took place prior to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch that have further strained relations. Congress has since passed and President Barack Obama has signed additional sanctions on North Korea.

Fiji cyclone death toll reaches 29 after island 'flattened'

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:55 PM PST

In this Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 aerial photo supplied by the New Zealand Defense Force, debris is scattered around damaged buildings at Muamua on Vanua Blava Island in Fiji, after Cyclone Winston tore through the island nation. Fijians were finally able to venture outside Monday after authorities lifted a curfew but much of the country remained without electricity in the wake of a ferocious cyclone that left at least six people dead and destroyed hundreds of homes. (New Zealand Defense Force via AP) EDITORIAL USE ONLYWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — An island in Fiji took a direct hit from a powerful cyclone as the death toll climbed to 29, officials said Tuesday.


New Zealand 197-4 vs Australia at lunch on day 4, 2nd test

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST

New Zealand's Kane Williamson plays in front of Australia's Peter Nevill on the fourth day of the second international cricket test match at Hagley Park Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (Ross Setford/SNPA via AP) NEW ZEALAND OUTCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Kane Williamson approached his 14th test century and his ninth in the last 12 months as New Zealand fought desperately to save the second cricket test against Australia before lunch on the fourth day Tuesday.


US, Russia announce Syria ceasefire from Saturday

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:49 PM PST

Syrian volunteers take part in paramilitary training conducted by the Syrian army in al-Qtaifeh, 50 kms north of the capital Damascus on February 22, 2016The United States and Russia on Monday announced plans for a landmark "cessation of hostilities" to take effect in war-torn Syria on February 27, excluding the main jihadist factions. The announcement drew a conditional acceptance from the main opposition grouping and came just one day after the deadliest jihadist attack in the nearly five-year war, with 134 people -- mostly civilians -- killed in a series of blasts near Damascus. In a joint statement, Washington and Moscow said the partial truce would begin at midnight Damascus time (2200 GMT Friday) and apply to parties to the conflict that have committed to the deal -- but not to the Islamic State (IS) group or Al-Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate.


Doctors urge 'compromise' on female genital cutting

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:45 PM PST

Female genital mutilation still affecting millions of girls: UNICEFWestern states should legally permit immigrant communities to surgically "nick" young girls' vaginas as an alternative to genital mutilation, a pair of US gynaecologists argued in a hotly-challenged paper Tuesday. Such a "compromise" could allow groups to honour cultural or religious prescripts while saving millions of girls from invasive and disfiguring genital slashing practised in some African and Middle Eastern cultures, the two doctors stated in the Journal of Medical Ethics. "We are not arguing that any procedure on the female genitalia is desirable," said Kavita Arora of the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and Allan Jacobs of Stony Brook University in New York state.


Spanish political parties step up talks in race to form government

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:36 PM PST

Spanish Parliament chairman Lopez and Socialists leader Sanchez pose before their meeting in Parliament in MadridBy Sarah White MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's left-wing political parties intensified negotiations on Monday to end weeks of wrangling after an inconclusive election, though leaders had yet to make any breakthrough on forming a coalition to avoid another ballot. Spain's Socialist Party, runner-up in the election, is racing to try and strike a deal with rival parties. Leader Pedro Sanchez faces a confidence vote in parliament on March 3 on his plan for a government.


Vettel fastest in 1st day of preseason testing in F1

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:26 PM PST

Sebastian Vettel of Germany drives the new Ferrari F1 car during a testing session at the the Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside of Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Siu Wu)BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — In a good early sign for Ferrari in its bid to challenge Mercedes in Formula One, Sebastian Vettel was faster than reigning champion Lewis Hamilton on the first day of preseason testing on Monday.


Honduras gets anti-corruption commission

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:23 PM PST

Organization of American States Secretary for Strengthening Democracy, Francisco Guerrero (L), speaks next to the Support Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras spokesman Juan Jimenez in Tegucigalpa on February 22, 2016The Organization of American States on Monday established an ambitious new corruption-fighting commission in Honduras aimed at replicating the success of a similar, UN-backed body in Guatemala that brought down that country's government. The Support Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras, known by its Spanish initials MACCIH, will target graft and organized crime through a corps of judges, prosecutors and police officers. Honduras ranks 112th out of 168 countries on a global corruption index put out by Transparency International, a watchdog.


Pittsburgh-area company to plead in Chinese electrodes case

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:08 PM PST

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A company that supplies the steel industry has pleaded guilty to smuggling Chinese-made graphite electrodes into the United States.

Italy agrees to let anti-Islamic State drones depart from Sicily

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 03:07 PM PST

Italy has agreed to let armed drones take off from its soil to defend U.S.-led forces against Islamic State in North Africa, an Italian defense ministry official said on Monday. The agreement covers only defensive missions and not offensive action, such as the attack on a suspected militant training camp in Sabratha, Libya, that killed dozens last week. Italy will decide whether to authorize drone departures from the Sigonella air base in Sicily case by case, and only if each mission's aim is to protect personnel on the ground.

CDC team in Brazil to study possible Zika link to defect

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:59 PM PST

Dr. Erin Staples from the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaks before members of Brazil's Health Ministry and the Paraiba state's health secretariat in Joao Pessoa, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. A 16-member team of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is starting work on a "case-control" study aimed at determining whether the Zika virus really does cause babies to be born with the devastating birth defect microcephaly, as Brazilian researchers strongly suspect. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)JOAO PESSOA, Brazil (AP) — A 16-member team from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention kicked off work Monday on a study to help determine whether the Zika virus really does cause babies to be born with the devastating birth defect microcephaly, as Brazilian researchers strongly suspect.


Slovenia sends army to help manage migrant flow on border

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:55 PM PST

Slovenian soldiers build a razor wire fence on the Slovenian-Croatian border in Gibina, northeastern Slovenia, on November 11, 2015The Slovenian parliament late Monday authorised the army to help police manage the flow of migrants crossing the Croatian border into Europe's Schengen passport-free zone, which has been rocked by the refugee crisis. The bill authorises the army to manage the flow of migrants across the border for three months, including by temporarily detaining groups of migrants and handing them over to police. The army is also authorised to use force in case of an emergency to "ensure citizens' safety," Cerar said.


Colombia hastens search for 28,000 bodies in unmarked graves

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:54 PM PST

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia is intensifying efforts to identify some 28,000 victims of the country's long-running conflict whose bodies were dumped in unmarked graves.

Napoli misses chance to top Serie A after 1-1 with AC Milan

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:45 PM PST

AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, left, and Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri pose for photographers before a soccer match between Napoli and AC Milan at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Napoli missed the chance to move back to the top of Serie A after it was held by AC Milan to an entertaining 1-1 draw on Monday.


Maryland mom found not responsible in boy's death in swing

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:34 PM PST

Romechia Simms, 25, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Charles County Circuit Court, said Tony Covington, the county prosecutor. Simms was ruled not to be a danger to herself or the community and was freed on a conditional release, Covington said.

2 Chinese nationals charged with defrauding Goodyear Tire

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:33 PM PST

CLEVELAND (AP) — Two Chinese nationals accused of accepting kickback payments while buying natural rubber for Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. have been arrested.

United stroll spares van Gaal more misery

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:31 PM PST

Manchester United's midfielder Juan Mata celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Shrewsbury Town and Manchester United in Shrewsbury, England on February 22, 2016Manchester United cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at Shrewsbury on Monday that at least temporarily eased the mounting pressure on Louis van Gaal. Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard netted the goals as United wrapped up a businesslike victory against their third tier hosts to secure a last eight date with West Ham United at Old Trafford.


Syria chemical attacks probe plans field visits in March: UN

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:31 PM PST

A convoy of United Nations vehicles carrying a team of UN experts investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria on September 30, 2013A UN team of experts tasked with identifying those responsible for chemical attacks in Syria will begin in-depth investigations on the ground in early March, the head of the panel said Monday. Virginia Gamba told reporters after meeting with the UN Security Council that "security permitting", two teams plan to carry out field visits in the coming weeks. Gamba heads the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) set up in August by the council after reports surfaced of chlorine gas attacks on three villages in Syria that left 13 dead.


Cuba sending 9,000 soldiers to fight Zika virus

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:28 PM PST

Government fumigators prepare to spray homes for mosquitos in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. Cuban President Raul Castro announced Monday that he is dispatching soldiers to help keep the Zika virus out of Cuba, calling on the entire country to help kill the mosquito that carries the disease. Castro says Cuba has yet to report a case of Zika. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan)HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Raul Castro announced Monday that he is dispatching 9,000 soldiers to help keep the Zika virus out of Cuba, calling on the entire country to fight the mosquito that carries the disease.


Obama visit shows Argentina mending ties: Macri to AFP

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:27 PM PST

Argentina's President Mauricio Macri speaks during an interview with AFP at the Casa Rosada presidential palace in Buenos Aires on February 22, 2016US President Barack Obama's decision to visit Argentina in March shows the country is mending its diplomatic ties after years of tension, Argentine President Mauricio Macri told AFP on Monday. "It signifies a recognition of a change that has taken place in Argentina, towards good relations with the world, relations which must be mature, intelligent and mutually beneficial," Macri said in an interview at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. The US-educated, pro-business conservative vowed to strengthen Argentina's foreign ties when he became president in December after years of combative relations under his leftist predecessor Cristina Kirchner.


Mining giant BHP Billiton posts $5.7 billion half year loss

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:23 PM PST

SYDNEY (AP) — Mining giant BHP Billiton reported on Tuesday a half year net loss of $5.67 billion and warned that the current period of weak commodity prices would be prolonged.

'Indiana Jones' cinematographer Douglas Slocombe dies at 103

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:16 PM PST

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2011 file photo, British cinematographer Douglas Slocombe arrives for a tribute to Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave in London. Slocombe, who filmed the Nazi invasion of Poland, the adventures of The British cinematographer who filmed the Nazi invasion of Poland, the adventures of "Indiana Jones" and the madcap farce of Ealing comedies has died. Douglas Slocombe was 103.


Greek PM offers olive branch to protesting farmers

Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:12 PM PST

Tractors line the highway in front of the customs post at the border crossing between Greece and Bulgaria, in northern Greece, as farmers set up a blockade of customs offices on February 7, 2016Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday announced a string of measures to support the agricultural sector in a bid to end weeks of roadblocks by farmers angry over tax reforms and a pensions overhaul. Vangelis Papayannopoulos, one of several farmers' representatives who met with Tsipras, said the delegation had "a substantive dialogue with the prime minister" but refused to promise to end the protests that have seen major Greek routes intermittently blocked with tractors for more than a month. "The country's recovery must take your position into account, but you must take into account the budgetary requirements," Tsipras told the farmers' representatives.


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