Yahoo! News: World News

---

• Missiles in Syria kill 50 as schools, hospitals hit; Turkey accuses Russia
• Germany expects 500,000 refugees this year: newspaper
• Pope courts indigenous Mexicans as Catholic fervor fades
• Around 50 dead as missiles hit medical centers and schools in Syrian towns
• White House says expects China will support new sanctions on North Korea
• Exclusive: Samples confirm Islamic State used mustard gas in Iraq - diplomat
• Brazil court freezes Neymar assets, including yacht and jet
• Obama welcomes Southeast Asian leaders to US for talks
• The Latest: Pope leaves Chiapas after celebrating indigenous
• Cameron, Hollande agree 'firm basis' for EU deal: Britain
• Colombia looks to revive legacy of guerrilla-priest
• Obama: U.S., Southeast Asia can advance 'shared vision' on maritime disputes
• Russia asks U.N. Security Council to discuss Turkish shelling in Syria
• Dimitrov reaches 2nd round of rain-filled Delray Beach
• Pope denounces exploitation of Mexico's indigenous people
• Pope Francis asks indigenous Mexicans for forgiveness
• French ex-FM Fabius says will quit as head of UN climate forum
• Obama, Southeast Asia leaders eye China and trade at California summit
• Warriors chase history, teams chase Warriors in stretch run
• Syria's Assad doesn't see ceasefire possible within a week
• Merkel says supports some kind of no-fly zone in Syria
• U.S. condemns deadly Syrian air strikes against civilian targets
• U.N. peace envoy visits Syria as ceasefire plan struggles
• Mexico seizes load of meth lollipops headed for Nebraska
• EU future not what it once was with 2 big crises at summit
• Antarctica study: Iceberg nearly erases penguin population
• Kidjo says 'Africa on rise' in latest Grammy win
• English FA head doubts Salman's suitability to lead FIFA
• Mexico: Killing of 13 was part of fight between rival gangs
• Turkey says Russia carrying out 'war crime' by Syria hospital attack
• The Latest: French condemns attack on Syrian hospital
• Top Asian News 9:57 p.m. GMT
• UN rights expert seeks reminder for North Korean chiefs
• Turkish warplanes enter Greek airspace ahead of NATO operation
• No Brexit deal for Cameron in Paris after EU chief warns of 'critical moment'
• Kurdish-backed forces take Syrian town near Turkish border
• UN must warn N. Korea leader over possible prosecution: envoy
• UN, US condemn Syria air strikes as 'almost 50 civilians' killed
• No. 3 Danka Kovinic and No. 5 Polona Hercog advance in Rio

Missiles in Syria kill 50 as schools, hospitals hit; Turkey accuses Russia Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:24 PM PST By Ercan Gurses and Suleiman Al-Khalidi KIEV/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Turkey on Monday accused Russia of an "obvious war crime" after missile attacks in northern Syria killed scores of people, and warned Kurdish militia fighters there they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture a town near the Turkish border. An offensive supported by Russian bombing and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias has brought the Syrian army to within 25 km (15 miles) of Turkey's frontier. The Kurdish YPG militia - which Turkey regards as a hostile insurgent force - has exploited the situation, seizing ground from Syrian rebels to extend its presence along the border.

Germany expects 500,000 refugees this year: newspaper Posted: 15 Feb 2016 12:58 PM PST The German government expects 500,000 refugees to come to Germany this year, German newspaper Rheinische Post cited sources from the Federal Labor Office as saying. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told Frank-Juergen Weise, head of both the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Labor Office, to prepare for an influx of that size this year, the newspaper said in an advance copy of a report due to be published on Tuesday. The German Interior Ministry was not immediately available to comment on the report.

Pope courts indigenous Mexicans as Catholic fervor fades Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:05 PM PST By Philip Pullella and Joanna Zuckerman Bernstein SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (Reuters) - Pope Francis embraced the people of Mexico's poor indigenous south on Monday, denouncing their "systemic" exclusion from society and encouraging the use of native languages in Catholic worship in a bid to stem a tide of Protestant conversions. Preaching to a packed crowd at a sports ground in the southern state of Chiapas, the pope quoted the Popol Vuh, a sacred Maya text, and drew comparisons between Catholic and indigenous values. "You have much to teach us," he said, lauding Mexico's native peoples while denouncing "the systemic and organized way your people have been misunderstood and excluded from society." He said the Mass before a Hollywood-style stage set replica of the facade of the colonial-era city's main cathedral.

Around 50 dead as missiles hit medical centers and schools in Syrian towns Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:24 PM PST By Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Lisa Barrington AMMAN/BEIRUT (Reuters) - About 50 civilians were killed when missiles hit five medical centers and two schools in rebel-held Syrian towns on Monday, the United Nations and residents said. Fourteen people were killed in the town of Azaz near the Turkish border when missiles slammed into a school sheltering families fleeing the offensive and a children's hospital, two residents and a medic said. Three crying babies lay in incubators in a ward littered with broken medical equipment.

White House says expects China will support new sanctions on North Korea Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:44 PM PST RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's top national security adviser Susan Rice said on Monday that she expects China will support new international sanctions on North Korea for its recent rocket launches. "I think it unlikely that China wants to be seen by the international community as the protector of North Korea given its recent outrageous behavior," Rice told reporters at a briefing. "Given that, I expect that they will indeed come on board with significant new sanctions and we're working toward that end," Rice said. ...

Exclusive: Samples confirm Islamic State used mustard gas in Iraq - diplomat Posted: 15 Feb 2016 07:52 AM PST By Anthony Deutsch AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Islamic State militants attacked Kurdish forces in Iraq with mustard gas last year, in the first known use of chemical weapons in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, a diplomat said, after tests by the global chemical arms watchdog. A source at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that laboratory tests had come back positive for the sulfur mustard, after around 35 Kurdish troops were sickened on the battlefield last August. The OPCW will not identify who used the chemical agent.

Brazil court freezes Neymar assets, including yacht and jet Posted: 15 Feb 2016 04:35 PM PST SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian authorities have moved to block assets of Barcelona star Neymar, including a yacht, a jet and several properties in his home nation.

Obama welcomes Southeast Asian leaders to US for talks Posted: 15 Feb 2016 04:31 PM PST RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) — President Barack Obama has opened a meeting of leaders from Southeast Asia, saying the landmark gathering on U.S. soil reflects his personal commitment to a strong and enduring partnership with the region's diverse countries.

The Latest: Pope leaves Chiapas after celebrating indigenous Posted: 15 Feb 2016 04:30 PM PST SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) — The latest on Pope Francis' visit to Mexico (all times local):

Cameron, Hollande agree 'firm basis' for EU deal: Britain Posted: 15 Feb 2016 04:27 PM PST British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande agreed Monday that draft proposals to reform Britain's membership of the EU give a "firm basis" for a deal this week, a Downing Street spokesman said. "They agreed that we are making good progress on the UK renegotiation and that the draft text from the European Council provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this week's summit," the spokesman for Cameron's office said. The remarks come after a French official said that "more work is needed, particularly on economic governance" before the EU states could agree a deal designed to prevent Britain leaving the 28-member bloc after a referendum.

Colombia looks to revive legacy of guerrilla-priest Posted: 15 Feb 2016 04:22 PM PST BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Camilo Torres was more talented with the Eucharist than he was with a rifle. In his first firefight after joining Colombia's National Liberation Army in the 1960s, the Roman Catholic priest turned leftist rebel was shot and killed.

Obama: U.S., Southeast Asia can advance 'shared vision' on maritime disputes Posted: 15 Feb 2016 04:19 PM PST RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Monday that the United States and Southeast Asian nations can advance a shared vision of rules and norms for resolving maritime disputes peacefully. Obama made the reference to the South China Sea, where China and several Southeast Asian states have conflicting and overlapping claims, at the beginning of a summit with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Dan Grebler)

Russia asks U.N. Security Council to discuss Turkish shelling in Syria Posted: 15 Feb 2016 04:15 PM PST The United Nations Security Council will on Tuesday discuss Turkey's shelling of targets in Syria at the request of Russia, which has voiced concern about Turkish military attacks on Russian-backed Kurdish militia fighters, according to an email exchange. Turkey shelled Kurdish YPG positions for a third straight day to try to stop its fighters from seizing Azaz, just 8 km (5 miles) from the border. Ankara fears the YPG, backed by Russia, are trying to secure the last stretch of around 100 km along the Syrian border not already under its control.

Dimitrov reaches 2nd round of rain-filled Delray Beach Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:50 PM PST DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Fourth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov persevered through a four-hour rain delay and wind gusts greater than 30 mph to defeat Israeli Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-2 and reach the second round of the Delray Beach Open on Monday.

Pope denounces exploitation of Mexico's indigenous people Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:47 PM PST SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) — Pope Francis denounced the centuries-old exploitation and exclusion of Mexico's indigenous people Monday and prayed before the tomb of their controversial priestly protector during a visit heavy in symbolism to the rolling hills of southern Chiapas state.

Pope Francis asks indigenous Mexicans for forgiveness Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:44 PM PST San Cristóbal de las Casas (Mexico) (AFP) - Pope Francis reached out to Mexico's long-marginalized indigenous population on Monday, asking for forgiveness over their exclusion as he celebrated an open-air mass in native languages in impoverished Chiapas state. While Chiapas is the country's least Catholic state, tens of thousands of people packed into a sports field for the mass held under a papal decree that finally allowed Catholic liturgy in native languages. The pope himself said a few words in one of the native languages and cited Popol Vuh, an ancient Mayan text.

French ex-FM Fabius says will quit as head of UN climate forum Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:32 PM PST Former French foreign minister Laurent Fabius will step down as president of COP21, the UN's climate forum, after being appointed head of France's constitutional court, according to a resignation letter seen by AFP. Fabius wrote on Monday to President Francois Hollande "to tender (his) resignation" as head of COP21, during which he helped to steer the troubled UN climate talks to a successful conclusion in Paris last December. Fabius, 69, had expected to stay in the one-year post until November, but drew flak in the French political arena for seeking to hold on to two high-profile jobs at the same time.

Obama, Southeast Asia leaders eye China and trade at California summit Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:29 PM PST By Jeff Mason RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and leaders from Southeast Asia gathered on Monday for a summit aimed at boosting trade and creating a common stance on the South China Sea in a gathering the White House hopes will solidify U.S. influence in the region. Obama will discuss efforts to curb North Korea and to fight Islamic State militants during the two-day summit with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at Sunnylands, a California resort. The meeting, at the same location where Obama once hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping, is designed to demonstrate Washington's commitment both as a counterweight to Beijing and as an eager trading partner with ASEAN nations.

Warriors chase history, teams chase Warriors in stretch run Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:27 PM PST TORONTO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors are chasing history. Everyone else in the NBA is chasing the Warriors.

Syria's Assad doesn't see ceasefire possible within a week Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:24 PM PST Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday any ceasefire did not mean each side had to stop using weapons, and nobody was capable of securing the conditions for one within a week. "Regarding a ceasefire, a halt to operations, if it happened, it doesn't mean that each party will stop using weapons," Assad said in Damascus in televised comments.

Merkel says supports some kind of no-fly zone in Syria Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:24 PM PST German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a newspaper interview released on Monday that she favored establishing some sort of no-fly zone in Syria to protect an area where refugees could be safe from attack. It would also be helpful, she said, if supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad came to such an agreement. Turkey has repeatedly called for a safe zone to be set up in northern Syria but the United States and other NATO allies are wary, fearing it would require an internationally patrolled no-fly zone that could put them in direct confrontation with Assad and his allies.

U.S. condemns deadly Syrian air strikes against civilian targets Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:24 PM PST The United States on Monday condemned air strikes conducted by the Syrian government and its supporters against civilian targets in northern Syria, including several hospitals. U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said continuation of the attacks "flies in the face of the unanimous calls by the ISSG (International Syria Support Group), including in Munich, to avoid attacks on civilians, and casts doubt on Russia's willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people." The State Department reiterated its call for all parties to end attacks against civilians and to allow humanitarian relief supplies to reach the people who need them.

U.N. peace envoy visits Syria as ceasefire plan struggles Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:24 PM PST Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations envoy for Syria, has arrived in Damascus and will meet Syria's foreign minister on Tuesday, a Syrian government official said. De Mistura is making the surprise visit as world powers push for a ceasefire in the Syrian conflict. A senior UN official confirmed that de Mistura had arrived in Syria for an unscheduled visit to "follow up on commitments made in Munich." World powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a cessation of hostilities that would let humanitarian aid be delivered in Syria.

Mexico seizes load of meth lollipops headed for Nebraska Posted: 15 Feb 2016 03:14 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Police at Mexico City's international airport have found a load of lollipops with each piece of candy containing a capsule of methamphetamine.

EU future not what it once was with 2 big crises at summit Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:59 PM PST BRUSSELS (AP) — After decades of often unbridled expansion and increasing prosperity, the once-robust European Union is this week looking at its biggest challenge — crumbling from within, says EU President Donald Tusk.

Antarctica study: Iceberg nearly erases penguin population Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:57 PM PST SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Scientists say an estimated 150,000 Adelie penguins have been wiped out on Antarctica's Cape Denison in the five years since a giant iceberg blocked their main access to food.

Kidjo says 'Africa on rise' in latest Grammy win Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:45 PM PST Angelique Kidjo, one of Africa's most prominent musicians, won her third Grammy on Monday and dedicated it to aspiring artists on the continent. The Beninese-born singer won the Grammy for Best World Music Album for "Sings," a collection of her songs infused with Western classical traditions in a collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg. This is the second straight year that Kidjo has won the Best World Music Album prize, after last year's "Eve" that paid tribute to African women.

English FA head doubts Salman's suitability to lead FIFA Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:31 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Sheikh Salman's credentials to run FIFA were questioned by the head of the English Football Association on Monday ahead of next week's election.

Mexico: Killing of 13 was part of fight between rival gangs Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:17 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Prosecutors say the killing of 13 people along a roadside in northern Mexico was the result of a fight between rival gangs.

Turkey says Russia carrying out 'war crime' by Syria hospital attack Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:01 PM PST ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey accused Russia of carrying out an "obvious war crime" on Monday after two schools, a hospital and a Medecins Sans Frontieres medical center near the Turkish-Syrian border were hit by missiles, killing tens of people. The carnage occurred as Russian-backed Syrian troops intensified their push toward the rebel stronghold of Aleppo and residents blamed the strikes on Russia. Turkey warned that bigger and more serious consequences would be inevitable if Russia does not immediately end such attacks, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said late on Monday. ...

The Latest: French condemns attack on Syrian hospital Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:01 PM PST BEIRUT (AP) — The latest on the civil war in Syria (all times local):

Top Asian News 9:57 p.m. GMT Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:57 PM PST RANCHO MIRAGE, California (AP) — President Barack Obama and the leaders of Southeast Asian nations are gathering in California for an unprecedented two days of talks on economic and security issues amid China's assertive presence in the region. This is the first time the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia are meeting in the U.S. China is not a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. The summit was conceived as part of Obama's mission to raise the U.S. profile and help set the agenda in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region, where China's territorial claims over disputed waters have raised international concerns and led to friction with ASEAN countries.

UN rights expert seeks reminder for North Korean chiefs Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:57 PM PST GENEVA (AP) — A U.N. human rights expert on North Korea wants supreme leader Kim Jong Un to know that he and other senior officials can be held accountable if they are found responsible for crimes against humanity committed under their leadership.

Turkish warplanes enter Greek airspace ahead of NATO operation Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:57 PM PST Turkish warplanes repeatedly entered Greek airspace on Monday, the state ANA news agency said, as NATO prepared to deploy ships to the Aegean Sea against migrant smugglers. The Athens News Agency said six warplanes and a navy transport plane had carried out over 20 violations of Greek national airspace near eastern and central Aegean islands. The incident occurred as a NATO naval group was to launch patrols in the waters between the two countries to deter people-smugglers facilitating the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants into Europe.

No Brexit deal for Cameron in Paris after EU chief warns of 'critical moment' Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:51 PM PST British Prime Minister David Cameron failed to strike a "Brexit" deal with French President Francois Hollande on Monday after European Union chief Donald Tusk warned the issue of Britain's future in the EU posed a "real" risk for the 28-nation bloc. A French official said after the discussions in Paris that there was a "political willingness" to find an agreement, but "more work is needed, particularly on economic governance", before a key EU summit this week. Tusk -- on a lightning tour to discuss "Brexit," as Britain's possible exit from the EU has been dubbed -- warned the bloc was at a "critical moment".

Kurdish-backed forces take Syrian town near Turkish border Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:49 PM PST The Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of the town of Tal Rifaat on Monday, seizing territory close to the Turkish border and pushing east towards Islamic State-held territory, conflict monitors said. The move means the SDF - which include the Kurdish YPG militia - has further consolidated recent gains around the rebel-held Syrian town of Azaz, the last before the border with Turkey. Turkey, which considers the YPG to be a terrorist group, has warned Kurdish fighters in northern Syria they would face the "harshest reaction" if they tried to capture Azaz and has been shelling SDF forces for the past few days.

UN must warn N. Korea leader over possible prosecution: envoy Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:44 PM PST The United Nation's special envoy for human rights in North Korea urged the UN Monday to formally warn the country that its controversial leader and other top officials could be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. A report from Marzuki Darusman, the special rapporteur for the rights situation in North Korea, echoed comments that the UN official made in Tokyo last month, when he called for Pyongyang's leadership to be held criminally responsible for egregious abuses. In his new report, which will be presented to the UN's Human Rights Council on March 14, Darusman called for "an official communication" from the UN to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un about the prospect of investigations and prosecutions, and cited the possibility of pursuing cases at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

UN, US condemn Syria air strikes as 'almost 50 civilians' killed Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:43 PM PST The United Nations and Washington on Monday condemned air strikes on medical facilities and schools in Syria that the world body said killed almost 50 civilians, with the US implicating Russia. Also ahead of a hoped-for ceasefire, Kurdish fighters in northern Syria captured a key town despite Turkish cross-border shelling, a monitor said, as Ankara and Moscow traded accusations over their military entanglement in the conflict. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad poured cold water on the plan for a ceasefire to begin later this week, saying it would be "difficult" to implement.

No. 3 Danka Kovinic and No. 5 Polona Hercog advance in Rio Posted: 15 Feb 2016 01:43 PM PST RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Third-seeded Danka Kovinic of Montenegro and No. 5 Polona Hercog of Slovenia each advanced to the second round of the Rio Open clay-court tournament on Monday.

You are subscribed to email updates from World News Headlines - Yahoo News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States