Yahoo! News: World News

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• Obama urges Russia to stop bombing 'moderate' Syria rebels
• Civilian casualties in Afghanistan hit record high: U.N.
• U.S. senators urge Poland to respect democracy, rule of law
• Israel says its forces shot dead five Palestinian assailants
• Israel's Netanyahu defends gas deal in rare Supreme Court visit
• Libya's presidential council announces revised unity government
• Thiem wins Argentina Open to take 4th career singles title
• Japan economy shrinks during Q4 in body blow for 'Abenomics'
• The Latest:
• Natasha Hastings breaks US women's 300 indoor record
• Top Asian News 12:36 a.m. GMT
• Portable saunas, aquariums found at Mexico prison
• Australian police seize $700 million in methylamphetamine
• Pope wants Mexico free of 'merchants of death'
• Defar makes triumphant return in Boston
• Pope condemns drug trade's 'dealers of death' in Mexico
• Australia close to victory at lunch on Day 4 of 1st test
• Nishikori beats American teen for 4th straight Memphis title
• With trick play in penalty kick, Barcelona routs Celta 6-1
• 'The Revenant' and DiCaprio are winners at BAFTA film awards
• 'The Revenant' sweeps Britain's Baftas with three top gongs
• Messi show as Barca wins 6-1, Bayern restores 8-point lead
• Sinclair scores 159th and Canada beats Trinidad & Tobago 6-0
• Bernhard Langer wins PGA Tour Champions' Chubb Classic
• Beckham kicks off Valentine's Day at NY Fashion Week
• Libya's presidential council announces revised unity government
• Fiorentina snatches 2-1 win over Inter in fight for 3rd spot
• Hopes for peace as C.Africans vote in presidential run-off
• Five Palestinian attackers killed in fresh attacks on Israelis
• Haiti lawmakers elect Senate chief as provisional president
• Lyon romps to 4-1 win against Caen in French league
• Brazil: passenger plane engine catches on fire, no injuries
• Panathinaikos down to 10 men, wins 3-0 at Giannena
• Slovenia to clamp down on migrant border entries
• 13 bodies found in drug-producing area in northern Mexico
• Suspect arrested with guns, bullets at Greece-Turkey border
• List of winners at the 2016 British Academy Film Awards
• Israel: 5 Palestinians killed while attacking Israelis

Obama urges Russia to stop bombing 'moderate' Syria rebels Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:25 PM PST By Tom Perry and Jeff Mason BEIRUT/RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama urged Russia on Sunday to stop bombing "moderate" rebels in Syria in support of its ally President Bashar al-Assad, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to latest efforts to end the war. Major powers agreed on Friday to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties - the Damascus government and numerous rebel factions fighting it. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial center before the conflict.

Civilian casualties in Afghanistan hit record high: U.N. Posted: 14 Feb 2016 08:12 AM PST By Josh Smith KABUL (Reuters) - Civilian casualties of the war in Afghanistan rose to record levels for the seventh year in row in 2015, as violence spread across the country in the wake of the withdrawal of most international troops, the United Nations reported on Sunday. At least 3,545 non-combatants died and another 7,457 were injured by fighting last year in a 4-percent increase over 2014, the international organization said in its annual report on civilian casualties. "The harm done to civilians is totally unacceptable," Nicholas Haysom, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, said in a statement.

U.S. senators urge Poland to respect democracy, rule of law Posted: 14 Feb 2016 01:20 PM PST Poland should recommit to the respect for democracy, human rights, and rule of law, three U.S. senators said in a letter sent to the prime minister, referring to new laws on media and the constitutional court. Poland's ruling party, the conservative and eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS), has packed the constitutional court with its appointees and changed the court's voting system, curbing its ability to censure legislation. It has also passed a law giving the government direct control over the appointment of public media chiefs.

Israel says its forces shot dead five Palestinian assailants Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:35 PM PST Israeli police officers fatally shot two Palestinians who opened fire at them outside Jerusalem's walled Old City on Sunday, police said, on a day when officials said three other Palestinian assailants were killed in two other incidents. A police spokeswoman said two men used automatic weapons to shoot at officers stationed on the Damascus Gate plaza, a busy entrance to the Old City and the scene of many previous violent incidents, and they responded swiftly and shot the two. Earlier, the Israeli army said troops shot and killed two Palestinian teenagers who were throwing stones at cars in the occupied West Bank after coming under fire from one of them.

Israel's Netanyahu defends gas deal in rare Supreme Court visit Posted: 14 Feb 2016 08:33 AM PST By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel's top court on Sunday the country must forge ahead with developing a large natural gas field, with billions of dollars worth of potential exports, for both economic and security reasons. In an unusual step for an Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu testified, at his own request, in the Supreme Court to defend a framework gas deal after opposition parties and non-government organizations filed petitions to block plans to develop the Leviathan field off Israel's Mediterranean coast. Critics, including the anti-trust authority, have argued that planned control of the country's gas reserves by one consortium will limit competition and keep prices high.

Libya's presidential council announces revised unity government Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:55 PM PST Libya's Presidential Council named a revised lineup late on Sunday for a unity government under a United Nations-backed plan aimed at ending the conflict in the North African state. One of the council's members, Fathi al-Majbari, said in a televised statement that the list of 13 ministers and five ministers of state had been sent to Libya's eastern parliament for approval. The U.N. plan under which the unity government has been named was designed to help Libya stabilize and tackle a growing threat from Islamic State militants.

Thiem wins Argentina Open to take 4th career singles title Posted: 14 Feb 2016 05:02 PM PST BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Dominic Thiem defeated Nicolas Almagro of Spain 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (4) to win the Argentina Open on Sunday and claim his fourth ATP singles title.

Japan economy shrinks during Q4 in body blow for 'Abenomics' Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:57 PM PST Japan's economy contracted in the last quarter of 2015, official data showed Monday, dealing another blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's faltering bid to kickstart the world's number three economy. Japan's bid to revive its once-soaring economy, dubbed Abenomics, has also been shaken by a bloodbath on equity markets since the start of the year and a resurgent yen that threatens to dent Japan Inc.'s bottom line. "Japan's economy shrank last quarter for the second time over the past year," said Marcel Thieliant from research house Capital Economics.

The Latest: Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:56 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — The latest on Pope Francis' visit to Mexico (all times local):

Natasha Hastings breaks US women's 300 indoor record Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:50 PM PST BOSTON (AP) — Natasha Hastings broke the U.S. women's 300-meter indoor record in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Sunday, finishing in 36.25 seconds at the Reggie Lewis Center.

Top Asian News 12:36 a.m. GMT Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:36 PM PST MANILA, Philippines (AP) — With the symbolic handshakes and unity photo-op, President Barack Obama's high-profile summit with Southeast Asian leaders in California this week aims to step up pressure against China's increasingly worrisome behavior in disputed waters. Forging a common front and encouraging bolder rhetoric against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, however, will be a challenge among the diverse collection of VIP guests, who did not criticize China by name in past joint summit statements as the disputes flared on and off in recent years. Decisions by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the bloc they lead, can easily be stalled.

Portable saunas, aquariums found at Mexico prison Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:36 PM PST Authorities found minifridges, aquariums and portable saunas at a Mexican prison where 49 inmates were killed in a brawl, officials said Sunday. The warden and superintendent of the Topo Chico prison in the northern industrial city of Nuevo Leon were arrested and accused of failing to apply security measures. Zetas drug cartel leader Ivan Hernandez Cantu, alias "El Credo," had a king-size bed in his cell, a huge flat-screen television and a luxury bath, the Nuevo Leon state prosecutor's office said.

Australian police seize $700 million in methylamphetamine Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:36 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — Australian police said on Monday they had seized 720 liters (190 gallons) of the illicit drug methylamphetamine worth more than 1 billion Australian dollars ($700 million).

Pope wants Mexico free of 'merchants of death' Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:29 PM PST Pope Francis urged Mexicans on Sunday to reject the devil and build a nation free of "merchants of death" during an open-air mass with 300,000 people in a crime-ridden city. The pontiff used the service in Ecatepec, a rough Mexico City suburb, to touch on two major themes of his trip to Mexico -- drug violence and the plight of migrants. Ecatepec, a city of 1.6 million people, has become infamous for a spate of disappearances of women, whose bodies have turned up in abandoned lots or canals, prompting authorities to declare a "gender violence alert" last year.

Defar makes triumphant return in Boston Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:22 PM PST Two-time Olympic champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia made a triumphant return from a layoff of nearly 2 1/2 years Sunday by winning the women's 3,000 meters at the Boston Indoor Grand Prix athletics meet. The four-time world indoor 3,000 champion had not competed since September of 2013 after delivering a baby daughter in 2014 and suffering a leg injury last year. The only US event on the four-meet IAAF World Indoor Tour was a tuneup for next month's World Indoor Championships at Portland, Oregon, and a status check for the Rio Olympics, still six months away.

Pope condemns drug trade's 'dealers of death' in Mexico Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:13 PM PST ECATEPEC, Mexico (AP) — Pope Francis condemned the drug trade's "dealers of death" and urged Mexicans to shun the devil's lust for money as he led a huge open-air Mass for more than 300,000 people Sunday in this violence-riddled city.

Australia close to victory at lunch on Day 4 of 1st test Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:07 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Australia captured three New Zealand wickets before lunch on the fourth day of the first test on Monday to move closer to an innings victory and a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Nishikori beats American teen for 4th straight Memphis title Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:00 PM PST MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kei Nishikori had practiced against teenager Taylor Fritz a few times over the past couple years without beating the American even once.

With trick play in penalty kick, Barcelona routs Celta 6-1 Posted: 14 Feb 2016 04:00 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi put on another show at the Camp Nou on Sunday, scoring a remarkable goal from a free kick and then helping to set up a hat trick for Luis Suarez — including a daring assist from a penalty kick — as Barcelona thrashed Celta Vigo 6-1.

'The Revenant' and DiCaprio are winners at BAFTA film awards Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:56 PM PST LONDON (AP) — The U.K. film industry showered Valentine's Day love on "The Revenant" Sunday, awarding the endurance epic five prizes, including best picture and best actor, at the British Academy Film Awards.

'The Revenant' sweeps Britain's Baftas with three top gongs Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST Epic survival tale "The Revenant" took top honours including best film on Sunday at Britain's Bafta film awards, boosting its status as a favourite for Oscar success later this month. Mexico's Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu scooped best director for the picture, and Leonardo DiCaprio won best actor for his leading role as grizzled trapper Hugh Glass. "I am overwhelmed," said Inarritu as he accepted the award at a star-studded ceremony in London.

Messi show as Barca wins 6-1, Bayern restores 8-point lead Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:46 PM PST Lionel Messi lit up the Camp Nou on Sunday, scoring with a superb free kick and then helping to set up a hat trick for Luis Suarez as leader Barcelona thrashed Celta Vigo 6-1 in the Spanish league.

Sinclair scores 159th and Canada beats Trinidad & Tobago 6-0 Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:44 PM PST HOUSTON (AP) — Christine Sinclair scored her 159th career goal, passing American Mia Hamm for second on the women's career list, and Canada defeated Trinidad and Tobago 6-0 on Sunday in a group stage match of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.

Bernhard Langer wins PGA Tour Champions' Chubb Classic Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:41 PM PST NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Neither age nor a new putting style has caught up with Bernhard Langer.

Beckham kicks off Valentine's Day at NY Fashion Week Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:40 PM PST Victoria Beckham kicked off Valentine's Day at New York Fashion Week by sending a boyish yet fine-tailored feminine collection down the runway, supported by her famous family and winning lavish praise. Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour led fashionistas braving minus 12 degrees Celsius (11 degrees Fahrenheit) to scurry inside and warm up in the neo-Renaissance surroundings of the Cipriani event space in Manhattan's Financial District for the fall/winter 2016 collection. Models strode the carpeted runway in checks, houndstooth and stripes in a collection that showcased Beckham's increasingly sophisticated and evolving personal style, her Spice Girls days long gone.

Libya's presidential council announces revised unity government Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:30 PM PST Libya's Presidential Council named a revised line-up late on Sunday for a unity government under a United Nations-backed plan aimed at ending the conflict in the North African state. One of the council's members, Fathi al-Majbari, said in a televised statement that a list of 13 ministers and five ministers of state had been sent to Libya's eastern parliament for approval. The U.N. plan under which the unity government was named is aimed at bringing together Libya's warring factions and helping tackle a growing threat from Islamic State militants.

Fiorentina snatches 2-1 win over Inter in fight for 3rd spot Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:10 PM PST MILAN (AP) — Substitute Khouma Babacar scored in stoppage time to give Fiorentina a controversial 2-1 win over 10-man Inter Milan in the battle for third place in Serie A, while AC Milan boosted its bid for the final Champions League spot with a 2-1 win over Genoa on Sunday.

Hopes for peace as C.Africans vote in presidential run-off Posted: 14 Feb 2016 03:08 PM PST Election officials began counting ballots Sunday after the Central African Republic voted in delayed legislative elections and a presidential run-off it hopes will bring peace after the worst sectarian violence since independence in 1960. "For the first time we have a true opportunity to turn our backs on war," said Paterne, a voter in his 40s, as he queued at a polling station in the capital Bangui. The two men in the close presidential race are both former prime ministers who have campaigned on promises to restore security and boost the economy in the mineral-rich but chronically unstable and impoverished country.

Five Palestinian attackers killed in fresh attacks on Israelis Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:54 PM PST Five Palestinians were killed attempting to attack Israelis Sunday in a string of attacks across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The Palestinian health ministry named those killed as Nihad Waked and Fuad Waked. Later in the day, a Palestinian tried to stab Israeli border police between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the West Bank before being shot dead, Israeli authorities said.

Haiti lawmakers elect Senate chief as provisional president Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:39 PM PST PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Lawmakers chose the Senate chief on Sunday to lead a caretaker government that will fill the void left by the end of President Michel Martelly's term last week and perhaps ease tensions that suspended elections and pushed deeply polarized Haiti into political crisis.

Lyon romps to 4-1 win against Caen in French league Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:38 PM PST PARIS (AP) — Lyon clawed its way back into the battle for the Champions League spots with a 4-1 thrashing of Caen in the French league on Sunday.

Brazil: passenger plane engine catches on fire, no injuries Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:23 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — The Brazilian airline Gol says an engine on one of its jetliners caught fire as it prepared for takeoff from the Brasilia airport, but no one was injured.

Panathinaikos down to 10 men, wins 3-0 at Giannena Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:21 PM PST ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Panathinaikos beat Giannena 3-0 in the Greek league on Sunday despite playing more than half the game a man down.

Slovenia to clamp down on migrant border entries Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:08 PM PST Slovenia said Sunday it would clamp down on the number of migrants allowed to enter the country, ahead of tougher measures set to be announced by neighbouring Austria later this week to slow down the influx. The two EU member states, which also belong to the passport-free Schengen zone, have become key transit nations for migrants and refugees trekking up through the Balkans to reach western Europe. Austria, which has hardened its stance in recent weeks, will in the coming days announce a daily cap on the number of migrants allowed to enter the country via its main border crossing with Slovenia.

13 bodies found in drug-producing area in northern Mexico Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:06 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — An official in the Mexican state of Sinaloa says the bodies of 13 people have been found in a rural area.

Suspect arrested with guns, bullets at Greece-Turkey border Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:01 PM PST THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Greek police say they arrested a British citizen on the main border crossing to Turkey carrying a large weapons cache.

List of winners at the 2016 British Academy Film Awards Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:00 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Winners of the 2016 British Academy Film Awards, presented Sunday:

Israel: 5 Palestinians killed while attacking Israelis Posted: 14 Feb 2016 02:00 PM PST JERUSALEM (AP) — Five Palestinians were killed and another critically wounded while attempting to attack Israelis in four separate incidents in the West Bank and Jerusalem on Sunday, according to the Israeli police and military. No Israelis were injured in the attacks.

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