Yahoo! News: World News

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• Syrian army gains ground around Aleppo, looks to Raqqa
• Pope presses Mexican president on corruption and drugs
• Turkey strikes Kurdish militia in Syria, demands it withdraw
• French PM rejects permanent quota system for refugees
• Swedish police investigate killing at refugee center
• Alleged killer of Mexican journalist arrested in Veracruz
• Mickelson takes the lead at Pebble Beach
• Republican candidates brace for South Carolina slugfest
• Lloyd's late goal gives United States 1-0 win over Mexico
• US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79
• The Latest: Pope prays silently before Virgin of Guadalupe
• Double century Voges gives Australia 379 run lead
• Bernhard Langer opens 7-stroke lead in Chubb Classic
• 2 heavily armed British men arrested near Turkish border
• Australia all out for 562, leads by 379 in 1st test vs. NZ
• Obama offers condolences after Justice Scalia's death: White House
• Senate leader McConnell says wait on replacing Scalia
• Thiem bounces Nadal from Argentina Open clay-court event
• Pope urges Mexico leaders to provide 'true justice'
• Ronaldo scores 2 for Madrid; 1st league victory for Neville
• Juventus beats Napoli to lead Serie A, Man U loses again
• Pope gives tough love to Mexico's political, church elite
• Cuba returns dummy Hellfire missile mistakenly received
• Puerto Rico arrests leader of gang in killing of prosecutor
• Sporting routs Nacional to reclaim sole lead in Portugal
• 30 dead in two Nigeria village raids: vigilantes
• Mexico warden, 2 other prison officers charged over riot
• The Latest: Turkey confirms shelling Kurds in Syria
• Chad appoints new prime minister two months before election
• Juve grabs late winner to beat Napoli 1-0 for Serie A lead
• Syrian troops capture village near northern city of Aleppo
• Cuba decorates Russia patriarch after pope visit
• Turkey strikes Kurd, regime forces in Syria, mulls ground attack
• Monfils and Klizan to meet in World Tennis Tournament final
• A polarizing force, Haiti's former soldiers return to streets
• Costa Rica women rout Puerto Rico 9-0 in Olympic qualifying
• Venezuela opposition calls talks on ousting president
• Palestinians plan satellite TV sports channel: founder

Syrian army gains ground around Aleppo, looks to Raqqa Posted: 13 Feb 2016 01:38 PM PST By Paul Carrel, Shadia Nasralla and Tom Perry MUNICH/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Russia said on Saturday a Syria ceasefire plan was more likely to fail than succeed, as Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes took rebel ground near Aleppo and set their sights on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa province. International divisions over Syria surfaced anew at a Munich conference where Russia rejected French charges that it was bombing civilians, just a day after world powers agreed on the "cessation of hostilities" due to begin in a week's time. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated accusations that Russia was hitting "legitimate opposition groups" and civilians with its bombing campaign in Syria and said Moscow must change its targets to respect the ceasefire deal.

Pope presses Mexican president on corruption and drugs Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:26 PM PST By Philip Pullella and Gabriel Stargardter MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis called on Mexico's government on Saturday to fight endemic corruption and drug trafficking and he then prayed with thousands before the icon that unites the country - the Virgin of Guadalupe. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and President Enrique Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The pope also exhorted Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said "devours like a metastasis." Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade.

Turkey strikes Kurdish militia in Syria, demands it withdraw Posted: 13 Feb 2016 01:27 PM PST By Orhan Coskun and Daren Butler ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's military shelled Kurdish militia targets in northern Syria on Saturday and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu demanded that the group withdraw from the area in a move that further complicated the conflict across the NATO member's border. The shelling took place after Kurdish YPG fighters backed by Russian bombing raids drove Syrian rebels from a former military air base, south of the town of Azaz and near the Turkish border. "Today retaliation was taken under the rules of engagement against forces that represented a threat in Azaz and the surrounding area," the prime minister told reporters in comments shown live by state broadcaster TRT Haber.

French PM rejects permanent quota system for refugees Posted: 13 Feb 2016 07:28 AM PST By Andreas Rinke and Tatiana Jancarikova MUNICH/BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls rejected on Saturday the idea of a permanent quota system for distributing refugees across Europe, putting Paris at odds with Germany ahead of a summit to discuss the EU crisis over migration. Speaking to reporters at a security conference in Munich, Valls said France would stick to its pledge to take on 30,000 of the 160,000 refugees European countries have agreed to divide among themselves, but would not accept additional numbers. "We won't take any more," Valls said.

Swedish police investigate killing at refugee center Posted: 13 Feb 2016 01:32 PM PST Police are investigating a killing at an asylum center in Sweden after a fight broke out among residents. It is the second such incident in a month after a 22-year- old employee at a refugee center for unaccompanied minors was stabbed to death, prompting concerns that authorities were being overwhelmed by the number of asylum seekers in the country. Police said the fight broke out on Saturday afternoon in Ljusne, a town of about 2,500 people on Sweden's east coast, some 240 km north of Stockholm, but gave no further details.

Alleged killer of Mexican journalist arrested in Veracruz Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:20 PM PST The presumed mastermind behind the murder of a Mexican journalist was arrested in the eastern state of Veracruz on Saturday, the state's governor said, as Mexico struggles with a wave of attacks on reporters. Anabel Flores, who covered the police force for regional media outlets, was violently dragged from her home in Veracruz by a group of armed men earlier this week and found dead on a highway. "Josele Marquez (alias) El Chichi is implicated, among other crimes, as (the one responsible) for the assassination of journalist Anabel Flores," Governor Javier Duarte wrote on his verified Twitter account in announcing the arrest.

Mickelson takes the lead at Pebble Beach Posted: 13 Feb 2016 05:03 PM PST PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Phil Mickelson stayed away from all the celebrity commotion Saturday at Pebble Beach. More importantly, he stayed away from bogeys on the toughest day.

Republican candidates brace for South Carolina slugfest Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:41 PM PST Donald Trump and Ted Cruz take the stage with mainstream Republican candidates desperate to knock them off their perch in Saturday night's Republican presidential debate, where fireworks are expected ahead of South Carolina's primary. With the first two nomination contests in Iowa and New Hampshire under their collective belt, the candidates vying to be their party's standardbearer are blanketing the so-called Palmetto State known for its bare-knuckle politics. The state holds its Republican primary on February 20, the same day Democrats vote in Nevada for either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.

Lloyd's late goal gives United States 1-0 win over Mexico Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:38 PM PST FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Carli Lloyd scored off a rebound of her own penalty kick in the 80th minute and the United States beat Mexico 1-0 on Saturday to clinch a spot in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying semifinals.

US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79 Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:29 PM PST Justice Antonin Scalia, a towering conservative voice on the US Supreme Court, has died at the age of 79, setting up a showdown over his succession in the run-up to the US election. The flag outside the Supreme Court was lowered to half-staff in tribute to its longest-serving justice, who died in his sleep while on a hunting trip in Texas according to media reports. "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement.

The Latest: Pope prays silently before Virgin of Guadalupe Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:18 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — The latest on Pope Francis' visit to Mexico (all times local):

Double century Voges gives Australia 379 run lead Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:17 PM PST Adam Voges extended his record to 614 between dismissals with another double century as Australia made 562 for a commanding lead over New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington on Sunday. Voges, given a life on seven, was the last wicket to fall for 239 when the innings folded on the third morning, with Australia 379 ahead of New Zealand's 183. New Zealand faced one over before lunch in which Tom Latham scored one run.

Bernhard Langer opens 7-stroke lead in Chubb Classic Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:17 PM PST NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Kenny Perry calls Bernhard Langer "The Germinator."

2 heavily armed British men arrested near Turkish border Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:16 PM PST THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities say they have arrested two heavily armed suspects near the border with Turkey.

Australia all out for 562, leads by 379 in 1st test vs. NZ Posted: 13 Feb 2016 04:00 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Adam Voges completed his second test double century Sunday and was the last man out for 239 as Australia was dismissed for 562, with a 379-run lead over New Zealand, on the third day of the first cricket test.

Obama offers condolences after Justice Scalia's death: White House Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:52 PM PST LA QUINTA, Calif. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has been informed about the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and expressed condolences to the conservative jurist's family, the White House said on Saturday. "The president and first lady extend their deepest condolences to Justice Scalia's family," White House spokesman Eric Schultz said. "We'll have additional reaction from the president later today." Obama is in California on a golf vacation ahead of a summit with Asian countries next week. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Diane Craft)

Senate leader McConnell says wait on replacing Scalia Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:52 PM PST Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Saturday that the next U.S. president should be the one to nominate a justice to fill the vacancy left on the Supreme Court by the death of Antonin Scalia. "The American people‎ should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice.

Thiem bounces Nadal from Argentina Open clay-court event Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Rising star Dominic Thiem of Austria has knocked former top-ranked Rafael Nadal out of the Argentina Open with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4) victory over the defending champion on Saturday.

Pope urges Mexico leaders to provide 'true justice' Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:24 PM PST Pope Francis urged Mexico's leaders Saturday to provide "true justice" to citizens hit by drug violence and called on bishops to courageously fight the scourge plaguing the country. With President Enrique Pena Nieto by his side at the National Palace, Francis invoked the country's struggles against corruption and crime, one day after arriving on a five-day, cross-country tour that will take him to some of Mexico's hotspots.

Ronaldo scores 2 for Madrid; 1st league victory for Neville Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:19 PM PST BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals to lead Real Madrid to a 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, provisionally lifting it into second place, while Gary Neville finally got his first Spanish league victory in charge of Valencia.

Juventus beats Napoli to lead Serie A, Man U loses again Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:17 PM PST Juventus got a late goal to beat Napoli 1-0 and snatch the lead of Italy's Serie A from its southern rival on Saturday.

Pope gives tough love to Mexico's political, church elite Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:16 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Pope Francis issued a tough-love message to Mexico's political and church elites Saturday, telling them they have a duty to provide their people with security, justice and courageous pastoral care to confront the drug-inspired violence and corruption that are tormenting the country.

Cuba returns dummy Hellfire missile mistakenly received Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:14 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Cuba has returned a dummy U.S. Hellfire missile that was mistakenly shipped there from Europe in 2014, American and Cuban officials said Saturday.

Puerto Rico arrests leader of gang in killing of prosecutor Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:08 PM PST SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities in Puerto Rico say they have arrested the alleged head of an auto theft gang whose other members have been arrested in last month's killing of a prosecutor.

Sporting routs Nacional to reclaim sole lead in Portugal Posted: 13 Feb 2016 03:00 PM PST LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Sporting Lisbon got two goals from Islam Slimani in a 4-0 win at Nacional as it reclaimed the sole lead of the Portuguese league from Benfica on Saturday.

30 dead in two Nigeria village raids: vigilantes Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:49 PM PST At least 30 people have been killed in fresh Boko Haram raids on two villages in northeast Nigeria, vigilantes told AFP Saturday, again calling into question President Muhammadu Buhari's claim that Nigeria had largely defeated the jihadist group. Gun and knife-toting assailants on bikes and in vans stormed the remote villages of Yakshari and Kachifa on Friday and Saturday, said Mustapha Karimbe, a local vigilante assisting the military in the fight against Boko Haram Islamists. "The attackers killed 30 people in two separate attacks on the two villages last night (Friday) and this morning (Saturday)," Karimbe told AFP adding that they also looted and stole cattle.

Mexico warden, 2 other prison officers charged over riot Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:47 PM PST MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — The warden, superintendent and a guard have been arrested on murder charges following a prison riot in northern Mexico that killed 49 people, state prosecutors said Saturday.

The Latest: Turkey confirms shelling Kurds in Syria Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:46 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on the conflict in Syria as government troops, backed by Russian air power, continue to encircle rebel-held districts of the northern city of Aleppo (all times local):

Chad appoints new prime minister two months before election Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:40 PM PST N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad has appointed MP Albert Pahimi Padacke as prime minister of the Central African country following the resignation of his predecessor, state television said on Saturday, heralding a Cabinet reshuffle just two months ahead of presidential elections. President Idriss Deby, a key Western military ally in power for more than a quarter of a century, is set to bid for a fifth term as leader of the oil-producing country in April.

Juve grabs late winner to beat Napoli 1-0 for Serie A lead Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST Substitute Simone Zaza scored two minutes from time and Juventus beat visiting Napoli 1-0 on Saturday to take the Serie A lead from the southern club.

Syrian troops capture village near northern city of Aleppo Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:26 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian government forces on Saturday captured another village near Aleppo, tightening the noose around rebel-held parts of the northern city, Syrian state TV and an opposition activist group said.

Cuba decorates Russia patriarch after pope visit Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:13 PM PST Cuba's president Raul Castro awarded the country's highest honor to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on Saturday, hailing his role in the communist island's relations with Moscow. The 84-year-old president handed the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church the Order of Jose Marti, a Cuban national hero, in the governmental Palace of the Revolution in Havana. The ceremony came a day after talks at Havana airport between Kirill and Pope Francis -- the first such meeting between the heads of their two branches of the Church in nearly a thousand years.

Turkey strikes Kurd, regime forces in Syria, mulls ground attack Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:05 PM PST Turkey's military hit Kurdish and Syrian regime targets Saturday in the northern province of Aleppo, a state-run news agency reported, as Ankara mulled joint ground assault with Saudi troops. Anatolia, quoting a military source, said the armed forces shelled Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) targets around the town of Azaz, and also responded to regime fire on a Turkish military guard post in Turkey's southern Hatay region. There were no further details on the nature of the Turkish strikes but they probably involved artillery fire from tanks.

Monfils and Klizan to meet in World Tennis Tournament final Posted: 13 Feb 2016 02:05 PM PST ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — Fifth-seeded Gael Monfils of France beat Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-3, 6-2 Saturday to set up a World Tennis Tournament final against Martin Klizan of Slovakia, who earlier beat qualifier Nicolas Mahut of France 6-7 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-2.

A polarizing force, Haiti's former soldiers return to streets Posted: 13 Feb 2016 01:48 PM PST By Joseph Guyler Delva PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti disbanded its abusive armed forces two decades ago but uniformed veterans and young recruits are resurfacing to add another destabilizing factor to the volatile Caribbean nation already dealing with a political vacuum. Botched elections have left Haiti without a president and fractious political groups are seeking to choose an interim leader in coming days to oversee a fresh vote, against a backdrop of almost daily protests that often turn violent. Last week, groups of men dressed in military green took to the capital Port-au-Prince in convoys, waving old weapons and sparking rage among anti-government protesters who beat to death one of the veterans.

Costa Rica women rout Puerto Rico 9-0 in Olympic qualifying Posted: 13 Feb 2016 01:46 PM PST FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno and Karla Villalobos each scored three goals and Costa Rica defeated Puerto Rico 9-0 in a group stage match Saturday at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.

Venezuela opposition calls talks on ousting president Posted: 13 Feb 2016 01:43 PM PST Venezuela's opposition said it will launch discussions Sunday aiming to devise a legal procedure within weeks to oust President Nicolas Maduro, whom it blames for the oil-rich country's economic crisis. "Tomorrow there will be a special day of debate among political leaders on this subject," Jesus Torrealba, executive secretary of the opposition coalition MUD, told AFP on Saturday. The center-right opposition's most prominent figure, congressional chairman Henry Ramos Allup, on Friday vowed to speed up efforts to oust Maduro.

Palestinians plan satellite TV sports channel: founder Posted: 13 Feb 2016 01:40 PM PST A new Palestinian satellite sports channel is to carry out a pilot transmission on Wednesday, with plans to start regular broadcasts in the summer, one of its founders said Saturday. Wael Romana, director of the Palestinian Sport Channel, told AFP it would cover Wednesday's friendly between the Palestinian and Algerian Olympic football teams in Algeria. Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub, a constant critic of Israeli restrictions on the movement of Palestinian athletes, welcomed the initiative as a "historic turning point" in the history of Palestinian sport.

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