Yahoo! News: World News

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• Nuclear sanctions lifted as Iran, U.S. agree on prisoner swap
• Exclusive: In negotiating to free Americans in Iran, U.S. blinked on new sanctions
• Burkina hotel retaken from al Qaeda fighters, but dozens dead
• Taiwan opposition wins presidency, China warns against independence move
• Islamic State kills dozens in Syria's Deir al-Zor city
• Merkel ally threatens legal action over refugee policy
• Obama pardons Iranians charged with sanctions violations
• Kings lock up center Anze Kopitar with 8-year, $80M contract
• U.S. lifts ban on foreign units of American companies operating in Iran
• Top Asian News 12:44 a.m. GMT
• Panda cub Bei Bei making debut at National Zoo
• Taiwan elects 1st female president, rejects pro-China party
• Four U.S. prisoners have not left Iran, freed student has left: official
• A look at the 7 Iranian prisoners released by the US
• Scheduling change allows Felix to go for double in Rio
• Analysis: Prisoner release leaves Republicans in tough spot
• Kobe passes torch, drops out of Rio Olympics consideration
• US, EU lift sanctions against Iran amid landmark nuke deal
• Maldives permits jailed ex-president to have surgery abroad
• New poll shows widening support for UK to leave EU
• Factbox: Five American prisoners released in Iran
• How U.S.-Iran prisoner swap drama unfolded in fits and starts
• Four of five US prisoners still in Iran
• Six Canadians killed in Burkina Faso attack, PM Trudeau says
• Six Canadians among 29 killed in jihadist attack on Burkina hotel
• Republicans praise prisoner release, criticize Obama on Iran
• Nuclear sanctions lifted as Iran, U.S. agree on prisoner swap
• Nuclear deal marks US-Iran thaw, but Saudis sulk
• Iran warmly welcomes sanctions' end, though long thaw ahead
• Six Canadians killed in Burkina attacks
• Iran comes in from the cold as nuclear deal applied
• France to be vigilant Iran nuclear deal 'strictly respected' - Fabius
• Fifth American released in Iran is traveler, reporter, rower
• U.S. Republicans laud Iran prisoner release, attack Obama strategy
• Villarreal draws to pull level with Real Madrid in Liga
• Benfica cuts Sporting's lead with win at Estoril
• O'Sullivan into snooker Masters final after beating Bingham
• UN chief welcomes 'milestone' Iran nuclear deal implementation
• Hillary Clinton praises prisoner release, urges new Iran sanctions
• Jason Rezaian: US reporter free after 543 days in Iran jail

Nuclear sanctions lifted as Iran, U.S. agree on prisoner swap Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:48 PM PST By Lesley Wroughton and Yeganeh Torbati VIENNA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran emerged from years of economic isolation on Saturday when world powers lifted crippling sanctions against the Islamic Republic in return for Tehran complying with a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions. In a dramatic move scheduled to coincide with the scrapping of the sanctions, Tehran also announced the release of five Americans including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian as part of a prisoner swap with the United States. Together, the lifting of sanctions and the prisoner deal considerably reduce the hostility between Tehran and Washington that has shaped the Middle East since Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Exclusive: In negotiating to free Americans in Iran, U.S. blinked on new sanctions Posted: 16 Jan 2016 11:11 AM PST By Lesley Wroughton, Patricia Zengerle and Matt Spetalnick VIENNA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The day before the Obama administration was due to slap new sanctions on Iran late last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry the move could derail a prisoner deal the two sides had been negotiating in secret for months. Kerry and other top aides to President Barack Obama, who was vacationing in Hawaii, convened a series of conference calls and concluded they could not risk losing the chance to free Americans held by Tehran. At the last minute, the Obama administration officials decided to delay a package of limited and targeted sanctions intended to penalize Iran for recent test-firings of a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

Burkina hotel retaken from al Qaeda fighters, but dozens dead Posted: 16 Jan 2016 02:47 PM PST By Mathieu Bonkoungou and Nadoun Coulibaly OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Security forces in Burkina Faso retook a hotel in the capital on Saturday a day after al Qaeda fighters seized it in an assault that killed at least 28 people from at least 18 countries and marked a major escalation of Islamist militancy in West Africa. The assault follows a similar raid in November on a luxury hotel in Mali's capital Bamako which killed 20 people, including citizens of Russia, China and the United States. The Ouagadougou assault, claimed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), marked an expansion of operations for Islamist militants who are stepping up their activities, echoing the growth of Islamic State in the Middle East.

Taiwan opposition wins presidency, China warns against independence move Posted: 16 Jan 2016 10:44 AM PST By J.R. Wu and Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's independence-leaning opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen won a convincing victory in presidential elections on Saturday and pledged to maintain peace with giant neighbor China, which warned it would oppose any move towards independence. Tsai, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will be thrust into one of Asia's toughest and most dangerous jobs, with China pointing hundreds of missiles at the island it claims, decades after losing Nationalists fled from Mao Zedong's Communists to Taiwan in the Chinese civil war in 1949. Tsai said she would establish "consistent, predictable and sustainable" relations with China and not be provocative, to ensure the status quo.

Islamic State kills dozens in Syria's Deir al-Zor city Posted: 16 Jan 2016 11:38 AM PST By Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic state militants killed dozens of people execution style in attacks on government-held areas in Syria's city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday, a source and a monitoring said. A source close to the Syrian government side said the Islamic State fighters killed at least 250 people, including pro-government fighters and their families when they attacked the neighborhoods of Begayliya and Ayash in the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the violence in the country through a wide network of local sources, said the militants killed dozens.

Merkel ally threatens legal action over refugee policy Posted: 16 Jan 2016 10:51 AM PST By Michael Nienaber BERLIN (Reuters) - A prominent ally of Germany's Angela Merkel has threatened to take her government to court over its open door refugee policy as political pressure grows for the chancellor to reduce the number of new arrivals. Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer said he would send the federal government a written request within the next two weeks to restore "orderly conditions" at the nation's borders, through which one million migrants and refugees passed last year alone. "If it doesn't follow, the state government will have no other choice but to file a suit at the Federal Constitutional Court," Seehofer told Der Spiegel magazine on Saturday.

Obama pardons Iranians charged with sanctions violations Posted: 16 Jan 2016 05:00 PM PST By Yeganeh Torbati and Joel Schectman WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama pardoned three Iranians charged with sanctions violations as U.S. authorities moved to drop charges or commute prison sentences on Saturday for five other men, part of a stunning and secretly negotiated deal that saw four Americans freed by Iran. It also represented a reversal of the past five years of U.S. policy, during which U.S. law enforcement prosecuted illicit trade with Iran, even in common consumer items, as a threat to national security. The prisoner deal with Iran came the same day major powers began to lift economic sanctions against Tehran in exchange for steps to curb its nuclear program, implementing an international nuclear agreement.

Kings lock up center Anze Kopitar with 8-year, $80M contract Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:55 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anze Kopitar is a cornerstone for the Los Angeles Kings, and his new contract could keep him in place for the rest of his career.

U.S. lifts ban on foreign units of American companies operating in Iran Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:48 PM PST By Joel Schectman and Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will allow foreign subsidiaries of American companies to trade with Iran as part of sanctions relief granted under an international nuclear deal, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Saturday. The move will give U.S. companies the chance of gaining a toehold in Iran. U.S. citizens and companies are otherwise banned from trading with Iran, with few exceptions, by American sanctions that will remain in place even after the nuclear deal.

Top Asian News 12:44 a.m. GMT Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:44 PM PST TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen as its first female president Saturday, handing her pro-independence party its first majority in the national legislature and rejecting the China-friendly party that has led the self-governing island for eight years. The result should be deeply unsettling to China, which may respond by further reducing Taipei's already limited ability to win diplomatic allies and participate in international organizations. In a statement issued after Tsai's win, the Chinese Cabinet's body for handling Taiwan affairs reaffirmed its opposition to Taiwan independence, but said it would work to maintain peace and stability between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Panda cub Bei Bei making debut at National Zoo Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:44 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Panda cub Bei Bei is making his public debut at the National Zoo in Washington.

Taiwan elects 1st female president, rejects pro-China party Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:44 PM PST TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen as its first female president Saturday, handing her pro-independence party its first majority in the national legislature and rejecting the China-friendly party that has led the self-governing island for eight years.

Four U.S. prisoners have not left Iran, freed student has left: official Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:40 PM PST Four American citizens released by Iran in a prisoner swap with the United States have not yet left Iran while logistical steps are being completed, but a fifth prisoner, student Matthew Trevithick, has left the country, a U.S. official said on Saturday. "There are a number of logistical steps that have to take place associated with bringing together the various American citizens, working with the Swiss government as well as the Iranian authorities," the official told reporters on a conference call. The official said he expected those steps to be completed as soon as possible and that "the work has already begun in terms of working to colocate the four American citizens who are the subject of the negotiation and then getting them on a plane that can depart Tehran." The official said the U.S. government would be able to give more details about the Iranians who were granted pardons or clemency after the U.S. citizens had left Iran.

A look at the 7 Iranian prisoners released by the US Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:40 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S pardoned or dropped the charges against seven Iranians in a prisoner swap for the release of four Americans held by Iran. The seven were accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions. Six of them have dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship, and it is unclear if these individuals will leave the U.S. for Iran.

Scheduling change allows Felix to go for double in Rio Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:39 PM PST Track's governing body made a scheduling change for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics that will allow American sprinter Allyson Felix to go for gold in both the 200 and 400 meters.

Analysis: Prisoner release leaves Republicans in tough spot Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:34 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran's release of four Americans gives President Barack Obama the opportunity to deliver a harsh reminder to the Republicans wanting to succeed him: You can promise to pull back the hand I've extended to Iran and Cuba — nations the U.S. once cut off — but it won't be easy and it may be lonely.

Kobe passes torch, drops out of Rio Olympics consideration Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:31 PM PST MIAMI (AP) — Kobe Bryant is passing the Olympic torch.

US, EU lift sanctions against Iran amid landmark nuke deal Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:31 PM PST VIENNA (AP) — The U.N. nuclear agency certified Saturday that Iran has met all of its commitments under last summer's landmark nuclear deal, crowning years of U.S.-led efforts to crimp Iran's ability to make atomic weapons. For Iran, the move lifts Western economic sanctions that have been in place for years, unlocking access to $100 billion in frozen assets and unleashing new opportunities for its battered economy.

Maldives permits jailed ex-president to have surgery abroad Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:30 PM PST COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Maldives government said Saturday that it has given permission to an imprisoned ex-president to travel to Britain for surgery.

New poll shows widening support for UK to leave EU Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:24 PM PST A new opinion poll published Sunday showed the number of Britons wanting to leave the European Union rising in the wake of the Paris terror attacks and Cologne assaults. The Survation poll for the centre-right, eurosceptic, Mail on Sunday newspaper excludes undecided voters. Survation's last poll published in September showed 49 percent in favour of staying, and 51 percent for leaving when undecided voters were excluded.

Factbox: Five American prisoners released in Iran Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:20 PM PST (Reuters) - Iran has released five American prisoners, including a Washington Post reporter, a Christian pastor and a former U.S. Marine, U.S. officials said on Saturday. The Americans released as part of a prisoner swap with Iran are Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post's Tehran bureau chief, Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho, Amir Hekmati, a former Marine from Flint, Michigan, and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, U.S. officials said.

How U.S.-Iran prisoner swap drama unfolded in fits and starts Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:19 PM PST By Lesley Wroughton, Matt Spetalnick and Yeganeh Torbati VIENNA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The first glimpse of a secretly negotiated U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange came on Saturday in a flurry of early morning electronic filings in federal courts from New York to California as prosecutors dropped sanctions violations cases against more than half a dozen Iranians. The low-key legal steps were followed by Iran's announcement via state media that it was freeing four Iranian-Americans, including Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian and Christian pastor Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine. Hours later, Secretary of State John Kerry said they had all been released and would soon be on their way home.

Four of five US prisoners still in Iran Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:00 PM PST Four Americans released as part of a prisoner swap with Iran are still inside the country, a senior US official said Saturday. "As of our latest information, the plane has not departed Iran," the official said. "The fifth US citizen who was released, as a separate but clearly associated good will gesture from Iran, Matthew Trevithick, he has already departed Iran," the official said.

Six Canadians killed in Burkina Faso attack, PM Trudeau says Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:57 PM PST Six Canadian citizens were killed when gunmen stormed a hotel in the capital city of Burkina Faso on Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday. "We offer our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all those killed," Trudeau said in a statement. Security forces in Burkina Faso retook a hotel in the capital on Saturday a day after al Qaeda fighters seized it in an assault that killed at least 28 people from at least 18 countries and marked a major escalation of Islamist militancy in West Africa.

Six Canadians among 29 killed in jihadist attack on Burkina hotel Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:56 PM PST At least 29 people, including six Canadians, were killed in an attack on a top hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, the latest country to be drawn into a regional jihadist battle against the West and its allies. Interior Minister Simon Compaore said 176 people had been rescued after security forces retook the four-star Splendid hotel and nearby Cappuccino restaurant on Saturday, more than 12 hours after the attack began. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau six Canadian citizens were among those killed.

Republicans praise prisoner release, criticize Obama on Iran Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:51 PM PST The release of four Americans detained by Iran won praise on Saturday from several Republicans running for president, along with condemnation of the Obama administration for its dealings with the Islamic Republic.

Nuclear sanctions lifted as Iran, U.S. agree on prisoner swap Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:50 PM PST By Lesley Wroughton and Sam Wilkin VIENNA/DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran emerged from years of economic isolation on Saturday when world powers began to lift crippling sanctions against the Islamic Republic in return for Tehran complying with a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions. In a dramatic move scheduled to coincide with the scrapping of the sanctions, Tehran also announced the release of five Americans including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian as part of a prisoner swap with the United States. Together, the lifting of sanctions and the prisoner deal considerably reduce the hostility between Tehran and Washington that has shaped the Middle East since Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Nuclear deal marks US-Iran thaw, but Saudis sulk Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:36 PM PST The implementation of the Iran nuclear deal marked a major step forward in Washington's cautious rapprochement with Iran, but will further strain ties with Saudi Arabia. While President Barack Obama's government insists its goal was simply to halt the spread of atomic weapons, experts detect an effort to bring a new balance to its Middle East relationships. "One of Obama's visions for this region, at least in the Gulf, is equilibrium.

Iran warmly welcomes sanctions' end, though long thaw ahead Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:32 PM PST TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The announcement on Saturday that Iran had satisfied its obligations under a nuclear deal with world powers was expected to pave the way for a new economic reality in the Islamic Republic, free from years of harsh international economic sanctions.

Six Canadians killed in Burkina attacks Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:27 PM PST Six Canadians were killed in an attack carried out overnight by jihadists at a top hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday. "Canada strongly condemns the deadly terrorist attacks that took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso," Trudeau said in a statement, noting that "several people, including six Canadian citizens" were killed in the violence. "On behalf of all Canadians, we offer our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of all those killed and a speedy recovery to all those injured," he added.

Iran comes in from the cold as nuclear deal applied Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:24 PM PST Iran took a huge step to ending its international isolation Saturday as sanctions on the Islamic republic were lifted following the entry into force of last July's momentous nuclear deal with major powers. "Implementation Day" for the accord came after the International Atomic Energy Agency said its "inspectors on the ground verified that Iran has carried out all measures" agreed under the agreement. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, representing the six world powers, said that as a result "multilateral and national economic and financial sanctions related to Iran's nuclear programme are lifted".

France to be vigilant Iran nuclear deal 'strictly respected' - Fabius Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:23 PM PST France will keep a close eye out to ensure that Iran's nuclear deal with diplomatic powers is strictly respected, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Saturday in a statement. Welcoming the deal's implementation, Fabius said that it was an important step in international efforts to control nuclear proliferation. "By being constructively firm, France has strongly contributed to the conclusion of this agreement.

Fifth American released in Iran is traveler, reporter, rower Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:23 PM PST By Jonathan Landay and Scott Malone WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Reuters) - The fifth American released by Iran on Saturday after 40 days in prison is a journalist and student who had traveled and worked in conflict-torn nations including Syria, Mali and Afghanistan, pausing along the way to try to start a rowing team. Matthew Trevithick was released from Evin Prison in Tehran by Iranian authorities independently of four other Americans who were released in a prisoner swap as international sanctions were due to be lifted on Iran. It is unclear why Trevithick, who was in Tehran studying Dari, was imprisoned and his detention had not been reported by major media outlets.

U.S. Republicans laud Iran prisoner release, attack Obama strategy Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:22 PM PST By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential candidates on Saturday praised the release of five Americans held in Iran, but said the Obama administration had conceded too much to win their freedom. In a multi-pronged arrangement between two long-time enemies, the United States and Iran agreed on a prisoner swap on the same day their historic nuclear deal was fully implemented, which cleared the way for the lifting of sanctions on Tehran. On the presidential campaign trail, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie accused Obama of being "an expert at making bad deals with the Iranians." Florida Senator Marco Rubio said the United States should not be involved in prisoner deals because they only encourage the taking of more hostages.

Villarreal draws to pull level with Real Madrid in Liga Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:21 PM PST BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Villarreal's scoreless draw with Real Betis was good enough for it to provisionally pull level on points with third-place Real Madrid in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Benfica cuts Sporting's lead with win at Estoril Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:20 PM PST LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Benfica fought back to beat Estoril 2-1 and pull to within two points of Portuguese league leader Sporting Lisbon on Saturday.

O'Sullivan into snooker Masters final after beating Bingham Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:07 PM PST Ronnie O'Sullivan is one match away from a record-equalling sixth Masters title after beating world champion Stuart Bingham 6-3 in the semi-finals at London's Alexandra Palace on Saturday. O'Sullivan will now face Barry Hawkins in Sunday's best-of-19 frame final in a match where a win over his fellow Englishman would see him tie fellow snooker great Stephen Hendry's record of six Masters titles. Playing his first major event for nine months, O'Sullivan raced into a 5-1 lead over Bingham with breaks of 121 and 81.

UN chief welcomes 'milestone' Iran nuclear deal implementation Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:06 PM PST UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the implementation of the Iran nuclear accord Saturday and voiced hope that the success will boost regional stability. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) certified earlier that Iran had carried out all of its commitments under the historic deal, clearing the way for the lifting of international sanctions. The UN Security Council has imposed four sets of sanctions on Iran from 2006 to 2010, but these resolutions will be scrapped with the entry into force of the accord.

Hillary Clinton praises prisoner release, urges new Iran sanctions Posted: 16 Jan 2016 02:59 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Saturday praised the release of Americans held by Iran, but urged new sanctions on Tehran over its ballistic missile testing program. "I am greatly relieved by the safe return of American prisoners from Iran," the former U.S. secretary of state said in a statement following announcements of a historic and multi-faceted deal between Iran and the United States. She said if she were elected president in November, her approach to Iran would be "to distrust and verify. ...

Jason Rezaian: US reporter free after 543 days in Iran jail Posted: 16 Jan 2016 02:55 PM PST Jason Rezaian was arrested at his Tehran home on July 22, 2014. As The Washington Post's Tehran correspondent, the dual American-Iranian citizen occupied a top post among the very few foreign reporters based in the Iranian capital. Iran's nuclear talks with the United States, its foe since the Islamic revolution of 1979, should have been the biggest story of the California-born journalist's life.

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