| Syria fighting largely halts as cessation begins Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:24 PM PST  By John Davison BEIRUT (Reuters) - Fighting appeared to stop across most areas of western Syria on Saturday after a cessation of hostilities came into effect under a U.S.-Russian plan which warring sides in the five-year conflict have committed to. A monitoring group and the United Nations reported only isolated fire in western Syria after the cessation began at midnight on Saturday (2200 GMT Friday). The United Nations said incidents in Damascus and Deraa within the first minutes of the temporary ceasefire had quickly calmed down.
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| Iran starts election count to set post-sanctions power balance Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:08 PM PST  By Samia Nakhoul TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran started counting tens of millions of votes on Saturday after hotly contested elections that could see reformists speed up Tehran's opening to the world or long-dominant hardliners reassert the Islamic Republic's traditional anti-Westernism. The twinned elections for parliament and a leadership body called the Assembly of Experts are seen by some analysts as a potential turning point that could shape the future for the next generation, in a country where nearly 60 percent of the 80 million population is under 30. First partial results are not expected until Saturday and a clear outcome may take days to emerge, although conservatives normally perform well in rural areas and young urbanites are seen as favoring more moderate candidates allied to President Hassan Rouhani.
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| Greece seeks to stem migrant flow as thousands trapped by border limits Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:08 AM PST  By Lefteris Karagiannopoulos and Yannis Behrakis ATHENS/IDOMENI (Reuters) - Greece moved to slow the flow of migrants from its islands to the mainland on Friday as hundreds of refugees left reception centers with nowhere to go as countries in the Balkans progressively shut down their borders. From its northern frontier with Macedonia to its port of Pireaus in the south, Greece was inundated with refugees and migrants after border shutdowns through the Balkans route to central and northern Europe trapped thousands. At Idomeni, a small community on the border with Macedonia, Reuters witnesses saw hundreds of families walking toward the frontier to join an estimated 3,000 more at a makeshift camp where many pitched tents in a field close to razor wire fence.
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| Iran briefly overstepped a limit set by nuclear deal, IAEA says Posted: 26 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST  Iran briefly exceeded a limit set by a deal with major powers under which sanctions against it were lifted, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday, but Tehran then came back within the permitted bounds. Under its July deal with the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, Iran is allowed to have 130 tonnes of heavy water, a moderator in reactors like the one it has disabled at Arak and a chemical it produces itself. "On 17 February, the agency verified that Iran's stock of heavy water had reached 130.9 metric tonnes," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which polices the deal, said in a regular report on Iran's nuclear program sent to its member states.
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| Russia committed not to attack moderate Syrian groups: U.S. official Posted: 26 Feb 2016 12:37 PM PST  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia has committed not to launch strikes against Syrian groups the United States considers to be part of the moderate opposition, the U.S. State Department said on Friday, hours before a cessation of hostilities in Syria was due to start. It is "put-up or shut-up time" for Russia, which supports the Syrian government, to show whether it is serious about halting the fighting, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a news briefing. (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and Paul Simao)
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| U.S. urges China's Xi to extend non-militarization pledge to all of South China Sea Posted: 26 Feb 2016 09:31 AM PST  By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to extend his pledge not to militarize the disputed Spratly Islands to encompass all of the South China Sea. Dan Kritenbrink, President Barack Obama's top Asia advisor, issued the call at the end of a week in which China and the United States have sparred over Chinese deployment of missiles, fighter planes and radar on islands in the contested strategic waterway. Xi had pledged during a U.S. state visit last September not to militarize the Spratly archipelago, which is claimed by Manila and Beijing, but U.S. officials have since said they see military intent in China's building of air strips and installation of radar there.
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| China state TV airs confession by lawyer who helped Christian groups Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:59 PM PST A well-known Chinese rights lawyer has appeared on state television confessing to crimes after a months-long disappearance, the latest case in China's widening crackdown on dissent. Zhang Kai had represented a group of Christians who were detained for suspected financial crimes last year after they resisted the demolition of crosses. Heavily Christian Wenzhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, was the site of protests in 2014 over a government campaign to demolish crosses. On a news program on state-controlled Wenzhou TV on Thursday night, Zhang confessed to encouraging Christians to come together to "protect their rights" after the authorities removed crosses from churches. |
| Leicester ready for title run-in, says Ranieri Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:59 PM PST  London (AFP) - Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri says his shock leaders have recharged their batteries after a welcome break ahead of the final push for a stunning Premier League title triumph.
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| Rickie Fowler takes the lead at Honda Classic Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:48 PM PST  PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Rickie Fowler isn't setting any course records at the Honda Classic. He'll gladly settle for more great golf, and the 36-hole lead.
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| U.N. expects breaches of Syria truce, urges restrained response Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:48 PM PST U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Saturday he expected "hiccups" in a cessation of hostilities that came into force at midnight Damascus time (2200 GMT) on Friday, and urged restraint in curbing any new outbreaks of fighting. "There is a high chance we should expect such hiccups" in the pause in fighting brokered by the United States and Russia, he told reporters in Geneva after briefing the United Nations Security Council in New York via videolink. |
| CDC: Zika infections confirmed in 9 pregnant women in US Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:44 PM PST  NEW YORK (AP) — Zika infections have been confirmed in nine pregnant women in the United States, including one who gave birth to a baby with a rare birth defect, health officials said Friday.
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| Ireland faces prospect of deadlock after tight vote Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:40 PM PST  Ireland faced the prospect of political deadlock on Saturday following a knife-edge election, as an exit poll indicated a slump in support for the government of Prime Minister Enda Kenny. The Times calculated that Fine Gael and Labour may get between 58 and 68 seats between them -- far short of the 80 needed for a majority. Kenny had asked voters to return the coalition government to "keep the recovery going" in the first election held since Ireland exited a bailout imposed following a deep financial crisis.
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| Guatemala convicts army officer in sexual abuse case Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:36 PM PST  GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — In a historic ruling, a Guatemalan court has convicted a former army officer and a former military commissioner for the sexual enslavement of women during the country's civil war. It sentenced the men to 120 years and 240 years in prison respectively.
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| US, Russia-brokered cease-fire goes into effect across Syria Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:19 PM PST  BEIRUT (AP) — A cease-fire brokered by the United States and Russia went into effect across Syria on Saturday, marking the biggest international push to reduce violence in the country's devastating conflict, but the Islamic State group and al-Qaida's branch in Syria, the Nusra Front, were excluded.
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| London mayor Johnson sets out his case for Brexit Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:15 PM PST  Mayor of London Boris Johnson on Saturday came out fighting for Britain to leave the European Union, warning that the country had "given away control of our destiny". The charismatic politician electrified the campaign for the June 23 referendum by declaring last weekend that he backed a so-called Brexit, positioning himself against Prime Minister David Cameron. After a few days out of the headlines, Johnson set out his stall in two newspaper interviews -- and hit back at the premier, a long-term rival in their Conservative Party.
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| Ex-finance minister gets out of Panama jail on bail Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:12 PM PST  Panama's former economy and finance minister Frank De Lima, facing trial on graft charges, was released from jail Friday after posting $200,000 bail. "Justice has been done," his wife Kristelle Getzler said on Twitter alongside a photo showing De Lima in a car. The ex-minister was in the government of former president Ricardo Martinelli, himself being investigated for suspected corruption and illegally spying on opponents during his 2009-2014 term in office.
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| Ireland set to oust government, no obvious replacement: exit poll Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:12 PM PST  By Padraic Halpin and Conor Humphries DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland looked set to kick Prime Minister Enda Kenny's coalition government out of office in an election on Friday with no clear alternative in sight, an exit poll indicated, threatening to plunge the country into a period of political instability. Ireland's uneven recovery was the focus in the election in which voters punished the government for years of austerity despite warnings that political instability might damage a nascent recovery. Kenny's Fine Gael will win the election on 26.1 percent, the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI exit poll said.
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| Wary calm in Irish bonds as Dublin heads to the polls Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:12 PM PST By John Geddie LONDON (Reuters) - Expectations that Irish voters will oust the coalition government that has guided the country back from a debt crisis pushed its bond yields slightly higher on Friday although they remained close to record lows. While polls suggest Prime Minister Enda Kenny's Fine Gael is likely to win Friday's election, a collapse in support for junior partner Labour suggests the two parties will struggle to hold onto power. An unprecedented tie-up with old rival Fianna Fail might be one option for Fine Gael, but an alliance of the established right-wing parties could prove unstable and, crucially for investors, hand hard-left Sinn Fein a platform in opposition. |
| UN: Syria talks to resume March 7 if truce 'largely holds' Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:12 PM PST  UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations special envoy for Syria said Friday he plans to resume peace talks on March 7 if a cessation of hostilities negotiated by the United States and Russia that began at midnight local time "largely holds."
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| Brazil, Samarco deal to be announced on Monday: official Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:04 PM PST  By Leonardo Goy BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's government and Samarco Mineracao SA [SAMNE.UL] will announce on Monday the settlement of a lawsuit for damages caused by a deadly dam spill at a mine in November, Brazilian Attorney General Luis Inacio Adams told Reuters on Friday. Regarded as Brazil's worst environmental disaster, the burst dam killed 19 people, forced hundreds to leave their homes and polluted one of the country's main rivers. On Thursday evening, Brazil's O Globo newspaper published a column saying Samarco, a joint venture between Vale and BHP Billiton , had committed to provide 4.4 billion reais ($1.1 billion) between 2016 and 2018 and additional funds for another seven years.
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| Fire-damaged British Airways jet leaves Vegas for paint job Posted: 26 Feb 2016 04:02 PM PST  LAS VEGAS (AP) — A British Airways jet that was damaged by fire during an aborted takeoff in September flew from Las Vegas to a California airport on Friday after six months of repairs including an engine replacement and fuselage patch.
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| Syria fighting largely halts as cessation begins: monitoring groups Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:51 PM PST By John Davison BEIRUT (Reuters) - A cessation of hostilities in Syria came into effect at the agreed time of midnight on Saturday (2200 GMT Friday) under a U.S.-Russian plan which warring sides in the five-year conflict have said they would commit to. A monitoring group said shortly after midnight that across most of western Syria fighting appeared to have stopped, with isolated incidents of fire in some areas. Damascus and its ally Russia, as well as a range of insurgent groups fighting against them, had said they would commit to the plan. |
| Comical try helps Wales beat France 19-10 in 6 Nations Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST  CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — George North's comical try and a robust defensive display steered Wales to a 19-10 win over France in the Six Nations on Friday in a low-quality, uninspiring match that has been the theme of the competition so far.
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| U.N. says force is last resort in case of Syria truce breaches Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Friday the use of force must be proportionate and a last resort if fresh fighting breaks a cessation of hostilities that began at midnight Damascus time. "Let's pray that this works because frankly this is the best opportunity we can imagine the Syrian people has had for the last five years in order to see something better and hopefully something related to peace. |
| US court dismisses Venezuela suit against currency tracker Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:43 PM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A U.S. court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Venezuela's Central Bank against an apparently U.S.-based website that tracks the plummeting black market value of the South American country's currency. |
| Irish PM's coalition set to fall well short of re-election: exit poll Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:17 PM PST  Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny's ruling coalition of Fine Gael and Labour are set to win a combined 34 percent at national elections, an exit poll showed on Friday, a level that would end their chances of returning to government. Kenny's center-right Fine Gael will win the election on 26.1 percent, the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI exit poll said, with junior partners Labour in line for 7.8 percent of the ballot.
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| UN backs Syria ceasefire, peace talks to re-start March 7 Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:14 PM PST  Syria's government and rebels will re-start peace talks on March 7 if a ceasefire holds and more humanitarian aid reaches civilians, the UN envoy said Friday. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura announced the date for the new round of talks less than an hour before a cessation of hostilities was due to enter into force at 2200 GMT. The UN Security Council threw its weight behind the ceasefire agreement, unanimously adopting a resolution drafted by Russia and the United States that demanded all parties halt fighting.
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| The Latest: Mixed reports as cease-fire takes hold in Syria Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:12 PM PST  BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on the conflict in Syria and the provisional cease-fire proposed by the U.S. and Russia that is to go into effect at midnight (all times local):
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| Syria ceasefire takes effect under US-Russia deal Posted: 26 Feb 2016 03:09 PM PST  A landmark UN-backed ceasefire came into effect at midnight in Syria on Friday -- the first major truce in five years of civil war that have claimed more than 270,000 lives. On the stroke of midnight, guns fell silent in the Damascus suburbs and the devastated northern city of Aleppo, AFP correspondents said, after a day of intense Russian air strikes on rebel bastions across the country. Russia and the United States, the sponsors of the ceasefire deal, have warned that applying it will be difficult in a country that has been torn apart by a conflict that broke out in March 2011.
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| U.N. demands Syria parties halt fighting, peace talks set for March 7 Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:56 PM PST  By Louis Charbonneau and Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Friday unanimously demanded that all parties to the civil war in Syria comply with the terms of a U.S.-Russian deal on a "cessation of hostilities" due to take effect at midnight local time (5.00 p.m. ET). The demand was included in a resolution drafted jointly by Russia and the United States that also urged the government and opposition to resume U.N.-brokered peace talks. Before the 15-nation council voted, U.N. Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura told its members via video link from Geneva that he intends to reconvene peace talks on March 7 provided the halt in fighting largely holds and allows for greater delivery of humanitarian relief.
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| Mexicans back ex-President Fox in vulgar spat with Trump Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:53 PM PST  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexicans backed former President Vicente Fox in his verbal spat with Donald Trump on Friday, after Fox called the Republican front-runner "crazy" and a "false prophet" and Trump replied that he ought to be "ashamed of himself" for using a profanity.
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| Brazil tennis open will have a Spanish finalist Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:52 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — Inigo Cervantes and Pablo Carreno Busta will meet in the semifinals of the Brazil Open with a Spaniard guaranteed to be in the final. |
| Monarch butterflies rebounding but population still well off highs Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:47 PM PST  By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - North America's monarch butterflies are on a rebound and the number of the plucky orange and black creatures, which gather in Mexico before flying north to Canada, could soon stand at around 150 million, a new survey showed on Friday. The survey from a scientist at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the second this month to show the numbers on the mend, but the population is still well below a high in the 1 billion range two decades ago. The monarch's recent comeback is due to favorable weather and the planting of more milkweed, an important plant to keep numbers up on its migration route, the NRDC survey said.
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| Astronaut Scott Kelly's yearlong mission almost over Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:36 PM PST  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Space superman Scott Kelly's yearlong mission is one for the NASA history books.
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| Ireland votes in knife-edge election Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:34 PM PST  Ireland voted on Friday in an election which could make it the latest eurozone country to face political instability as anger over austerity erodes support for traditional parties. The coalition led by Prime Minister Enda Kenny's centre-right Fine Gael faces the real risk of losing its parliamentary majority, raising the prospect of protracted talks to form a new government. Ireland has become the European single currency's champion of economic growth after exiting a bailout programme brought in following a deep financial crisis.
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| Ten-man Celtic held by Hamilton in Scottish Premiership Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:27 PM PST  Leigh Griffiths scored one penalty but had another saved as 10-man Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw by Hamilton at New Douglas Park on Friday. The Scottish Premiership leaders took a 35th minute lead when Griffiths slammed home from the spot after being felled by Dougie Imrie. Michael McGovern was the hero for Hamilton as he saved a 66th minute penalty from Griffiths before substitute Eammon Brophy slammed home a 73rd minute equaliser.
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| Asia can help Infantino's new FIFA era, says Sheikh Salman Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:25 PM PST  Defeated candidate Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa told new FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Asia can light the way for the global body "to reinstate football's credibility". Sheikh Salman, the head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), lost out to UEFA secretary-general Infantino in Friday's vote to succeed the banned Sepp Blatter. "The AFC looks forward to working with the new-look FIFA and Gianni Infantino in order to reform the world football governing body and to reinstate football's credibility globally," said Sheikh Salman in a statement.
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| Top Asian News 10:23 p.m. GMT Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:23 PM PST ZURICH (AP) — Gianni Infantino is the new president of soccer's corruption-scarred world governing body, winning election after promising national leaders of the sport that he would share the wealth from FIFA's $5 billion World Cup revenues. Infantino was chosen on the second-ballot Friday to fill the unexpired term of longtime FIFA leader Sepp Blatter, who was forced out by the pressure of U.S. and Swiss investigations of bribery and corruption that emerged two days before the previous vote in May 2015. The stunning outcome seemed to catch the 45-year-old Infantino off-guard. He had to compose himself before starting his acceptance speech and saluted voters by patting his heart with his right hand. |
| Nice loses ground on Monaco after 2-0 home loss to Bastia Posted: 26 Feb 2016 02:21 PM PST PARIS (AP) — Nice lost ground in the race for second place in the French league after losing 2-0 at home to Corsican side Bastia on Friday. |
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