Yahoo! News: World News

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• Kerry issues warning as Syrian parties back halt to fighting
• China sends fighter jets to South China Sea island: U.S. sources
• Islamic State tightens grip on Syrian government road to Aleppo
• Chinese president urges officials to diligently implement reforms: Xinhua
• Silence may not be golden as India's Modi lays low during unrest
• U.S., China see progress on North Korea U.N. resolution
• 4 indicted in US on charges of violating Iran sanctions
• Rio mayor criticizes Aussie ban on athletes visiting favelas
• Jose Reyes placed on paid leave pending criminal proceedings
• Kerber loses in 1st match at Qatar Open
• Australia beats New Zealand by 7 wickets in 2nd test
• Terror charges against Mexico rebel leader expire
• Obama makes last attempt to persuade Congress to close Guantanamo
• U.S. lawmakers offer bills to counter Obama Guantanamo plan
• Rio 2016 scraps specific seat tickets in several venues
• Logistics cause delays on first day of Brazil Zika study
• Magnitude 4.9 quake hits near Bakersfield, California: USGS
• Amnesty slams Europe's 'shameful' response on refugees
• Tornadoes injure at least 12 in Louisiana, damages widespread
• Australia v the rest over Hazlewood outburst
• Australia 16 runs from victory in 2nd test at lunch, day 5
• Mayor, ex-cop arrested for suspected gang links in Honduras
• Australia 185-3 at lunch on day 5, 2nd test vs New Zealand
• Lone body found after El Faro sank too decomposed to ID
• Top Asian News 11:55 p.m. GMT
• Fiji cyclone death toll rises to 36: Red Cross
• Ex-leader of Colombia-based drug organization gets 25 years
• Messi scores 2 as Arsenal beaten by Barcelona strike force
• US citizen found dead in northern Dominican Republic
• Macedonian politicians agree to delay date of early election
• Sport tribunal to rule on FIFA voting secrecy amid delay demands
• Juventus comes back to draw 2-2 against Bayern in CL last 16
• Kicking up a stink: Malaysia durian farmers demand mining clampdown
• Brazil police accuse seven of murder over Samarco dam burst
• 'No' vote holds lead as Bolivia referendum count continues
• Abreu reflects on journey, looks ahead
• No stress? That's a big worry for Padraig Harrington

Kerry issues warning as Syrian parties back halt to fighting Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:20 PM PST By Tom Perry and Patricia Zengerle BEIRUT/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebel groups accepted a plan for a cessation of hostilities to begin on Saturday and the United States warned it would be hard to hold the country together if the fighting did not stop. With hostilities reported on several fronts, rebels backed by Saudi Arabia expressed doubts about the proposal, which excludes attacks by the Syrian army and its Russian backers on the jihadist groups Islamic State and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front. Saudi-backed rebels said Russia had stepped up air strikes since the plan was announced on Monday.

China sends fighter jets to South China Sea island: U.S. sources Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:15 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China has sent fighter jets to a disputed island in the South China Sea, where it deployed surface-to-air missiles earlier this month, U.S. government sources said on Tuesday. One U.S. official, however, said China regularly sends jets to Woody Island, part of the Paracel archipelago controlled by Beijing. The deployment was first reported by Fox News. (Reporting by Phil Stewart, Andrea Shalal and Mark Hosenball; Editing by Eric Beech)

Islamic State tightens grip on Syrian government road to Aleppo Posted: 23 Feb 2016 11:07 AM PST By Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters were reported to have tightened their grip on a Syrian government supply route to Aleppo on Tuesday as the army battled to retake the road as part of its campaign to seize the city. As Damascus accepted a U.S.-Russian plan for a "cessation of hostilities" between the government and rebels due to take effect on Saturday, heavy Russian air strikes were also said to be targeting one of the last roads into opposition-held parts of Aleppo. The plan announced by the United States and Russia on Monday is the result of intensive diplomacy to end the five-year-long war.

Chinese president urges officials to diligently implement reforms: Xinhua Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:51 PM PST Chinese officials at all levels need to implement reforms and address lingering problems, China's president Xi Jinping said Tuesday, according to state news agency Xinhua. Xi made the remarks to high level officials including premier Li Keqiang at a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Overall Reform, the agency reported. The Central Leading Group, meant to help the senior leadership directly spearhead reform efforts, was established in 2013.

Silence may not be golden as India's Modi lays low during unrest Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:12 PM PST By Andrew MacAskill and Douglas Busvine NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Amid the clamor of unrest sweeping university campuses and the state of Haryana near New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided on a strategy that risks emboldening political opponents: silence is golden. Advisers describe a leader who is on top of events, but who prefers not to get sucked into rowdy debate on India's public square. "He (Modi) believes that his popularity comes from being seen as a serious politician who gets on with his work," said a leader of Modi's ruling party, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

U.S., China see progress on North Korea U.N. resolution Posted: 23 Feb 2016 02:48 PM PST China and the United States signaled on Tuesday they were near agreement on a U.N. resolution against North Korea for its Jan. 6 nuclear test. "Important progress has been made in the consultations and we are looking at the possibility of reaching agreement on a draft resolution and passing it in the near future," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. China and the United States have not entirely seen eye to eye on how strong the response should be to North Korea since the nuclear test, Pyongyang's fourth, with Washington urging harsh punitive measures and Beijing emphasizing dialogue.

4 indicted in US on charges of violating Iran sanctions Posted: 23 Feb 2016 05:01 PM PST SEATTLE (AP) — A man arrested at the U.S.-Canada border last week is one of four people accused of conspiring to violate trade sanctions by sending technical equipment to Iran — some of which ended up with the Iranian military, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

Rio mayor criticizes Aussie ban on athletes visiting favelas Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:56 PM PST RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio mayor Eduardo Paes has criticized the Australian Olympic Committee's decision to declare the city's favelas off limits for its 450 athletes during the Olympics in August.

Jose Reyes placed on paid leave pending criminal proceedings Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:51 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes was placed on paid leave Tuesday under Major League Baseball's new domestic violence policy pending completion of criminal proceedings. He will not report to spring training.

Kerber loses in 1st match at Qatar Open Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:46 PM PST DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber made a disappointing return to tournament tennis on Tuesday, losing 7-5, 6-1 to China's Zheng Saisai in the second round at the Qatar Open.

Australia beats New Zealand by 7 wickets in 2nd test Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:46 PM PST CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second cricket test at Hagley Oval on Wednesday to sweep the two-match series 2-0.

Terror charges against Mexico rebel leader expire Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:39 PM PST A Mexican judge has ruled that the charges of terrorism, rebellion and sedition against Zapatista rebel leader Subcomandante Marcos reached their statute of limitations after 21 years, authorities said Tuesday. The court in the southern state of Chiapas said 12 other rebels were also no longer facing those and other charges, which were lodged in 1995. Marcos would have faced 40 years in prison if convicted of the terrorism charges, but the statute of limitations expired earlier this month.

Obama makes last attempt to persuade Congress to close Guantanamo Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:35 PM PST By Jeff Mason and Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama launched a final push on Tuesday to persuade Congress to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, despite strong opposition from lawmakers who do not want detainees transferred to the United States. The Pentagon-authored plan proposes 13 potential sites on U.S. soil to hold some 30-60 detainees in maximum-security prisons but does not identify the facilities. U.S. law bars transfers to the United States, and lawmakers are unlikely to lift those restrictions, especially in an election year.

U.S. lawmakers offer bills to counter Obama Guantanamo plan Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:35 PM PST Republican lawmakers introduced legislation on Tuesday to counter President Barack Obama's bid to close the Guantanamo detention center, underscoring the difficulty he faces keeping a promise to close it before leaving office next year. Republican Representative Ed Royce, the chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a measure that would force the Obama administration to publicize plans for transfers from Guantanamo. Currently, the administration must inform Congress of plans for any transfers, but those notices are classified.

Rio 2016 scraps specific seat tickets in several venues Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:34 PM PST RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Organizers of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics have decided to scrap assigned seat tickets in certain sections at some sports and venues, including the main stadium.

Logistics cause delays on first day of Brazil Zika study Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:29 PM PST JOAO PESSOA, Brazil (AP) — U.S. and Brazilian health workers seeking to determine if the Zika virus is causing a surge in birth defects ran into the chaotic reality of northeastern Brazil on their study's first day Tuesday. Traffic and logistical problems shredded their schedule, delaying or preventing meetings with mothers and babies.

Magnitude 4.9 quake hits near Bakersfield, California: USGS Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:28 PM PST (Reuters) - A magnitude 4.9 quake struck northwest of Bakersfield, California, on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake was extremely shallow, just over 1,000 feet (some 320 meters) below the surface of the Earth. It was centered three miles (six km) southwest from the town of Wasco, some 24 miles (38.5 km) northwest of Bakersfield. (Reporting by Sandra Maler in Washington; Editing by Peter Coeoney)

Amnesty slams Europe's 'shameful' response on refugees Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:17 PM PST European countries' "shameful" response to the migrant crisis and their efforts to counter the threat of attacks risk undermining their historic commitment to human rights, Amnesty International warned on Wednesday. Several countries in the European Union's passport-free Schengen area have reimposed border controls in response to a huge wave of migrants and refugees fleeing war and persecution in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. "That Europe, which is the richest bloc in the world, is not able to take care of the basic rights of some of the most persecuted people in the world, is shameful," said Amnesty Secretary General Salil Shetty.

Tornadoes injure at least 12 in Louisiana, damages widespread Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:16 PM PST By Bryn Stole BATON ROUGE, La. (Reuters) - Several tornadoes cut a swath of damage across southeast Louisiana and Mississippi on Tuesday, injuring at least a dozen people, knocking down a water tower, and destroying homes and businesses, according to forecasters and emergency officials. Weather officials were tracking more than a dozen reports of tornadoes in the region on Tuesday afternoon, said Mike Efferson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in New Orleans. About 31,000 customers were without power in Louisiana, according to Entergy Louisiana, the main electricity supplier in the area.

Australia v the rest over Hazlewood outburst Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:13 PM PST Australian Josh Hazlewood's expletive-laden outburst in the second Test against New Zealand has sparked a war of words about his tirade and the use of stump microphones in the game. While Australians leapt to Hazlewood's defence, Test stars in other countries condemned his actions. Hazlewood was fined 15 percent of his match fee for verbal abuse of the umpires which was broadcast around the world during the final over before lunch on Tuesday.

Australia 16 runs from victory in 2nd test at lunch, day 5 Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:06 PM PST CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Australia was only 16 runs from a match and series victory which will re-establish it as the world's top-ranked test nation when lunch was taken Wednesday on the last day of the second cricket test against New Zealand.

Mayor, ex-cop arrested for suspected gang links in Honduras Posted: 23 Feb 2016 04:06 PM PST Police in Honduras on Tuesday arrested eight people, including a mayor of a town close to the capital and a former policeman, on charges of links to one of the country's most feared criminal gangs, officials said. The suspects were thought to be connected to Mara Salvatrucha, a gang that counts among the most vicious in the country. Honduras' government has been waging a hardline campaign against gangs that make the country, along with neighboring El Salvador and Guatemala, among the most dangerous nations in the world.

Australia 185-3 at lunch on day 5, 2nd test vs New Zealand Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:57 PM PST CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Scores at lunch Wednesday on the fifth day of the second cricket test between New Zealand and Australia at Hagley Oval. Australia needs 16 runs to sweep the two-test series.

Lone body found after El Faro sank too decomposed to ID Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:55 PM PST JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The one body found by Coast Guard crews searching for the El Faro was too decomposed to identify, so it was left to be collected later while searchers continued seeking survivors.

Top Asian News 11:55 p.m. GMT Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:55 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — Shortly after 7:30, the servers at China's biggest North Korean restaurant become singers. They emerge for their nightly performances in orange and purple satin dresses and stiletto heels, belting out ballads with their arms extended, would-be divas shimmering under hot lights. On some other night, when the house is packed and the soju flowing, this might set off a drunken singalong, with tables of South Korean tourists clapping wholesomely in the front and smoky huddles of their expat businessmen compatriots leering not-so-wholesomely from the back. But not tonight. In the northeast corner of Beijing, the Okryugwan restaurant is feeling the far-flung effects of the latest standoff on the Korean Peninsula.

Fiji cyclone death toll rises to 36: Red Cross Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:53 PM PST The death toll from the Fiji super-cyclone hit 36 on Wednesday, with fears it will continue to climb as relief teams reach isolated communities, the Red Cross said. "Officially now it is 36 dead," the acting head of the Red Cross's Pacific office Ahmad Sami told AFP. Severe tropical cyclone Winston lashed the Pacific nation overnight Saturday, packing wind gusts of 325 kilometres (202 miles) per hour and leaving a trail of destruction.

Ex-leader of Colombia-based drug organization gets 25 years Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:46 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — The one-time leader of a Colombia-based drug trafficking organization has been sentenced in Manhattan federal court to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal charges last year.

Messi scores 2 as Arsenal beaten by Barcelona strike force Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:33 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Barcelona's strike force proved too hot for Arsenal to handle as Lionel Messi scored both goals for the titleholders in a convincing 2-0 victory in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.

US citizen found dead in northern Dominican Republic Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:31 PM PST SOSUA, Dominican Republic (AP) — A U.S. citizen who worked for more than a decade as a reporter for The New York Times was found dead at her home in a northern beach town of the Dominican Republic, officials said Tuesday.

Macedonian politicians agree to delay date of early election Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:30 PM PST SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Macedonia's main political parties agreed late Tuesday to delay the date of early elections initially agreed for April 24, following a demand by the opposition that was supported by the European Union and U.S.

Sport tribunal to rule on FIFA voting secrecy amid delay demands Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:21 PM PST FIFA contender Prince Ali bin al Hussein said the international sports tribunal should delay the world football leadership election on Friday if it cannot be guaranteed to be "free, fair and honest". The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it would rule by Thursday, the eve of the vote, whether to order FIFA to change the organisation of the vote. The prince has been joined by Jerome Champagne, another of the five contenders to replace Sepp Blatter, in demanding greater guarantees over the integrity of the increasingly tense election.

Juventus comes back to draw 2-2 against Bayern in CL last 16 Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:20 PM PST TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 match on Tuesday.

Kicking up a stink: Malaysia durian farmers demand mining clampdown Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:11 PM PST By Emily Chow KUANTAN, Malaysia (Reuters) - Malaysian farmers of the famously pungent durian fruit are calling for tighter regulations on mining they say is destroying arable land and tainting the water they need to churn out their yellow, spiky-shelled crop. Farmers in major growing state Pahang plan to spend nearly two weeks marching over 250 kilometers to parliament in Kuala Lumpur to protest the impact of bauxite mining on output of the food, sometimes described as Southeast Asia's 'King of Fruits'. Parts of Pahang have been transformed over the last few years by a mining boom to feed China's appetite for bauxite, a key ingredient of aluminium.

Brazil police accuse seven of murder over Samarco dam burst Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:08 PM PST By Stephen Eisenhammer RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian police in the state of Minas Gerais on Tuesday accused six Samarco executives and one contractor of murder in connection with the deaths of 19 people caused by a burst tailings dam at a mine in November. The Samarco chief executive at the time of the incident, Ricardo Vescovi, was among those accused. In Brazil only prosecutors, and not police, can formally bring criminal charges but public accusations often anticipate charges being filed.

'No' vote holds lead as Bolivia referendum count continues Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:07 PM PST LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Official results in Bolivia with 95 percent of the vote counted Tuesday showed 52 percent of voters rejecting President Evo Morales' bid to change the constitution so he can run for a fourth consecutive term in 2019.

Abreu reflects on journey, looks ahead Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:03 PM PST GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jose Abreu's offseason trip to his native Cuba meant so much to the slugger. He was still talking about his precious time in his homeland after the Chicago White Sox held their first full-squad workout on Tuesday.

No stress? That's a big worry for Padraig Harrington Posted: 23 Feb 2016 03:01 PM PST PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — For all the emotional stress of trying to win a golf tournament, Padraig Harrington can't seem to live without it.

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