Yahoo! News: World News

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• Government and opposition far apart over Assad before Syria peace talks
• Israel calls on powers to punish Iran for its missile tests
• Obama to visit London in bid to keep UK in the EU: report
• U.S., South Korea stage assault drill; North threatens to wipe out enemies
• Libya's Presidential Council calls for transfer of power to unity government
• Greece steps up efforts to move migrants to sheltered camps
• Cummings wins longest Tirreno-Adriatico leg, Stybar leads
• German-born MP to lead British EU exit campaign
• Paine earns berth on US Olympic sailing team in Finn class
• Red-carded Costa denies biting rival as Chelsea exits FA Cup
• Braehmer beats Gutknecht on points again to retain WBA belt
• Gabon ruling party confirms President Bongo as candidate
• Judge tosses immigration suit linked to Mexico grandmother
• Norway wins men's relay ahead of Germany, Canada
• Power leads Team Penske parade in St. Pete qualifying
• Venezuelan protests seek Maduro's ouster
• Sporting wins to keep pressure on Benfica in Portugal
• Chelsea's Costa sent off for Barry neck nuzzle
• Messi fuels Barca's 6-0 rout of Getafe before Arsenal visit
• Rabbitohs continue their high-scoring start to NRL season
• Islamic State using birth control to keep supply of sex slaves: NY Times
• Inter beats Bologna 2-1 to move provisionally 4th in Serie A
• Blackstone selling Strategic Hotels to Anbang for $6.5B
• Despite border closures, Syrians determined to reach Europe
• Brumbies, Sharks stay unbeaten after 3 rounds in Super Rugby
• Slovakian premier's hopes of forming a coalition improve
• Libya's unity government announces it will assume power
• Brazil's Rousseff could lose key coalition ally
• FC Rostov beats CSKA to take top spot in Russian league
• Rebels shoot down Syrian warplane
• Thunderstorms pound U.S. South after days of rain
• Greece vows to resolve migrant build-up on border 'within week'
• Marseille held 1-1 at Lorient for 15th draw of the season
• 14 killed as police, jihadists clash in Yemen's Aden
• Iron Maiden stranded by Chile plane mishap
• Real Madrid backs Nadal after doping accusations from France
• London police seek mystery Shard parachutist
• Venezuela opposition launches protests, Maduro counters

Government and opposition far apart over Assad before Syria peace talks Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:50 PM PST By Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's government on Saturday ruled out any discussion of the fate of the presidency at peace talks this week, just as the lead opposition negotiator said a political transition could not even start unless Bashar al-Assad was no longer president. The statements reflected the huge challenges facing diplomats as they prepare for talks to resume in Geneva on Monday, trying to build on a ceasefire deal that has reduced violence sharply since Feb. 27. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem confirmed his government's participation but said the talks would fail if the opposition had "delusions that they will take power in Geneva that they failed to take in battle".

Israel calls on powers to punish Iran for its missile tests Posted: 12 Mar 2016 11:30 AM PST By Ori Lewis JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday called for world powers to take "immediate punitive steps" against Iran, following its ballistic missile tests last week. A series of tests conducted by Iran's Revolutionary Guards caused international concern, with the United States, France and other countries saying that, if confirmed, the launch of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles would violate U.N. Security Council resolution 2231. Netanyahu has been vehemently opposed to the international deal with Iran which led to the lifting of economic sanctions in January, and his position has put him at odds with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Obama to visit London in bid to keep UK in the EU: report Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:00 PM PST U.S. President Barack Obama will come to London in April and urge British voters to back continued membership of the European Union, The Independent on Sunday newspaper reported. Britons vote in June on whether to remain part of the world's biggest trading bloc and Obama has previously said he wants Britain to stay in the EU and help maintain the post-war transatlantic partnership. Obama is due to attend a technology fair in Germany in late April and a source told the Independent on Sunday he would visit the British capital around that time.

U.S., South Korea stage assault drill; North threatens to wipe out enemies Posted: 12 Mar 2016 12:54 AM PST By Do-gyun Kim POHANG, South Korea (Reuters) - U.S. and South Korean troops staged a big amphibious landing exercise on Saturday, storming simulated North Korean beach defenses amid heightened tension and threats by the North to annihilate its enemies. The landing and assault drills on South Korea's east coast were part of eight weeks of joint exercises between the allies which the South has said are the largest ever. The North has denounced the exercises as "nuclear war moves" and threatened to respond with an all-out offensive.

Libya's Presidential Council calls for transfer of power to unity government Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:50 PM PST By Aidan Lewis TUNIS (Reuters) - Libya's U.N.-backed Presidential Council called on Saturday on the country's institutions to begin a transfer of authority to a unity government, and appealed to the international community to stop dealing with any rival powers. The Presidential Council is tasked with guiding through a transition to end the political chaos and armed conflict that has plagued Libya since the fall of leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Its statement suggests it will seek to take power despite continuing opposition from hardliners in both of Libya's competing parliaments - the eastern House of Representatives (HOR) and the rival General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli.

Greece steps up efforts to move migrants to sheltered camps Posted: 12 Mar 2016 11:37 AM PST By Lefteris Karagiannopoulos and Phoebe Fronista ATHENS/IDOMENI (Reuters) - Greece increased efforts on Saturday to move thousands of migrants near the border with Macedonia to sheltered camps, as the spread of infection became a concern with two people in a sprawling tent city diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Stranded in filthy conditions at a muddy tent city near the northern border town of Idomeni, at least 12,000 people, among them thousands of children, were waiting to cross the frontier although Macedonia and other nations along the so-called Western Balkan route have closed their borders. Greek authorities handed out leaflets in Idomeni on Saturday informing people that the main route to northern Europe was shut. The pamphlets urged them to move to buildings and hospitality centers across Greece that have been set aside for the purpose, according to a government official from the country's refugee crisis management coordination body.

Cummings wins longest Tirreno-Adriatico leg, Stybar leads Posted: 12 Mar 2016 04:25 PM PST FOLIGNO, Italy (AP) — Stephen Cummings of Britain rode solo to victory at the end of the fourth and longest stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Saturday while Zdenek Stybar retained the overall lead.

German-born MP to lead British EU exit campaign Posted: 12 Mar 2016 04:13 PM PST A German-born lawmaker is taking over as head of one of the main campaigns pressing for Britain to leave the European Union, the group announced Sunday. Gisela Stuart, an MP with the main opposition Labour Party, will take over from 1980s finance minister Nigel Lawson as the chair of Vote Leave. Meanwhile influential London Mayor Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Michael Gove, both from the governing Conservative Party, will take up key strategic roles with the group.

Paine earns berth on US Olympic sailing team in Finn class Posted: 12 Mar 2016 04:12 PM PST BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Caleb Paine of San Diego came from behind Saturday in the Finn European Championship to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic sailing team.

Red-carded Costa denies biting rival as Chelsea exits FA Cup Posted: 12 Mar 2016 04:03 PM PST Diego Costa told Chelsea he didn't bite an Everton opponent in a confrontation that led to the fiery striker being sent off on Saturday as his team was knocked out of the FA Cup.

Braehmer beats Gutknecht on points again to retain WBA belt Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:49 PM PST NEUBRANDENBURG, Germany (AP) — Juergen Braehmer defeated fellow German Eduard Gutknecht by unanimous decision for the second time to retain his WBA light heavyweight title on Saturday night.

Gabon ruling party confirms President Bongo as candidate Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:47 PM PST Gabon's ruling party on Saturday confirmed President Ali Bongo Ondimba as its candidate for this year's national elections, which will see him face a challenge from both the opposition and a breakaway faction of his own party. Bongo's bid to secure a second seven-year term in the small, oil-rich nation was formally endorsed at the annual congress of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), attended by thousands of supporters in the capital Libreville. Standing before a huge banner that read "Let's change together", Bongo pledged "to always work for the entire Gabonese population" to build a society based "on merit".

Judge tosses immigration suit linked to Mexico grandmother Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:45 PM PST RENO, Nev. (AP) — The federal government does not have to explain to a Nevada man why his wife_a grandmother and farmer in Mexico_has been denied entry to the U.S. for more than 20 years under "alien smuggling" rules, a federal judge has ruled.

Norway wins men's relay ahead of Germany, Canada Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:33 PM PST OSLO, Norway (AP) — Norway won the men's 4x7.5-kilometer relay Saturday ahead of Germany and Canada, a day after its women's team was also victorious in the relay at the biathlon world championships.

Power leads Team Penske parade in St. Pete qualifying Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:28 PM PST ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Not even illness could slow Will Power on the streets of St. Petersburg.

Venezuelan protests seek Maduro's ouster Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:26 PM PST Venezuela's opposition held a national day of protest Saturday, the opening salvo in its new strategy to oust President Nicolas Maduro, who responded with a rally of his own. No clashes were reported, a relief for a country torn by tensions and where anti-government protests in 2014 left 43 people dead. Venezuela's opposition is counting on the power of the street to force the deeply unpopular Maduro to listen to calls for change, after it won a landslide victory in legislative elections last December only to see the courts hamstring its new authority.

Sporting wins to keep pressure on Benfica in Portugal Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:18 PM PST LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Sporting Lisbon kept the pressure on title rival Benfica with a 2-1 win Saturday at Estoril to take the provisional lead of the Portuguese league.

Chelsea's Costa sent off for Barry neck nuzzle Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:17 PM PST Chelsea's snarling striker Diego Costa was sent off during his side's 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Everton on Saturday after bizarrely nuzzling the neck of opposing midfielder Gareth Barry. The Brazil-born Spain international was booked in the first half for a foul on Barry and in the 84th minute the pair clashed again after Costa took exception to a challenge by the former England international. Costa leapt up from the pitch and thrust his head into Barry's before moving his mouth towards his neck and motioning as if to bite the Everton midfielder, only to apparently think better of it.

Messi fuels Barca's 6-0 rout of Getafe before Arsenal visit Posted: 12 Mar 2016 03:13 PM PST BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi scored one goal and figured in four more to keep Barcelona on course to retaining its Spanish league title with a 6-0 rout of Getafe on Saturday, increasing its Spanish record to 37 games without a loss in all competitions.

Rabbitohs continue their high-scoring start to NRL season Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:56 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — The South Sydney Rabbitohs have continued their high-scoring start to the National Rugby League season, scoring nine tries, including three from Aaron Gray, to beat the Newcastle Knights 48-6.

Islamic State using birth control to keep supply of sex slaves: NY Times Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:53 PM PST The Islamic State is using several forms of contraception to maintain its supply of sex slaves, the New York Times reported on Saturday, citing interviews with more than three dozen Yazidi women who escaped from the militant group. The New York Times reported that Islamic State used "oral and injectable contraception, and sometimes both" to ensure that the women did not become pregnant and could be passed among the fighters. Islamic State militants consider the Yazidis to be devil-worshippers.

Inter beats Bologna 2-1 to move provisionally 4th in Serie A Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:42 PM PST MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan beat Bologna 2-1 to move provisionally a point above Fiorentina into fourth place in Serie A on Saturday and maintain its bid for the final Champions League spot.

Blackstone selling Strategic Hotels to Anbang for $6.5B Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:40 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blackstone Group has agreed to sell Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. to a Chinese firm for $6.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the deal.

Despite border closures, Syrians determined to reach Europe Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:23 PM PST PIRAEUS, Greece (AP) — Clutching an English phrase book, Mohammed Sawadi is preparing to head north.

Brumbies, Sharks stay unbeaten after 3 rounds in Super Rugby Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:05 PM PST WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The ACT Brumbies and Durban-based Sharks are the only unbeaten teams in Super Rugby after a third round which posed new questions about the strength of New Zealand teams.

Slovakian premier's hopes of forming a coalition improve Posted: 12 Mar 2016 02:02 PM PST Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's efforts to form a new government got a boost on Saturday after the head of a rival party said it would negotiate with him after all. Fico, whose centre-left Smer party won the most votes but lost its parliamentary majority at last weekend's inconclusive election, has until Friday to form a government. Smer needs to find at least two and probably three coalition partners among the eight parties that won parliamentary seats.

Libya's unity government announces it will assume power Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:57 PM PST Libya's UN-backed unity government announced Saturday it was taking office despite lacking parliamentary approval, saying that a majority petition signed by lawmakers was equivalent to a vote of confidence. In a statement, the presidential council headed by premier-designate Fayez al-Sarraj urged institutions to immediately "make contact with the unity government in order to organise the modalities of passing over power in a peaceful and organised way". It also urged the international community, international and regional organisations -- including the UN, Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference -- to "cease any relations with executive authorities not linked to the unity national government".

Brazil's Rousseff could lose key coalition ally Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:51 PM PST Brasília (AFP) - Brazil's largest political party said Saturday it will take 30 days to decide whether to break with President Dilma Rousseff as she faces an impeachment battle. Calls within the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party to ditch the leftist leader's coalition have been growing as Rousseff faces a bruising recession, a spiraling corruption scandal and a probe of alleged electoral violations, as well as possible impeachment. The huge centrist party, known as the PMDB, is seen as a kingmaker in Brazil, and losing its backing would be a devastating blow for the country's first woman president.

FC Rostov beats CSKA to take top spot in Russian league Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:47 PM PST MOSCOW (AP) — Surprise title challenger FC Rostov snatched top spot in the Russian Premier League on Saturday with a 2-0 win over CSKA Moscow.

Rebels shoot down Syrian warplane Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:38 PM PST Rebels shot down a Syrian government warplane over western Syria on Saturday, rebels and a military source said, although there were conflicting accounts on whether it had been brought down by a missile or anti-aircraft guns. The Syrian military source said militants had targeted a warplane while it was landing in Hama province, bringing it down, and calling the attack a breach of a "cessation of hostilities" agreement. A rebel group operating in the area, Jaish al-Nasr, said it had brought down the jet with anti-aircraft guns.

Thunderstorms pound U.S. South after days of rain Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:33 PM PST (Reuters) - A line of severe thunderstorms hit Louisiana on Saturday, adding more rain to flooded rivers across the lower Mississippi Valley after days of downpours, meteorologists said. Drenching rains this week have killed three people in Louisiana and one in Oklahoma. Two fishermen remain missing in Mississippi, state emergency management officials said.

Greece vows to resolve migrant build-up on border 'within week' Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:24 PM PST Greece said Saturday it aimed to "resolve" the migrant build-up on the Macedonian border within a week, as Chinese artist Ai Weiwei hauled a white grand piano to the muddy frontier to highlight their plight. As the rain poured down on Idomeni camp, where some 12,000 people are stranded in miserable conditions, a surreal scene played out with Syrian refugee Nour Alkhzam sitting at the piano and playing for 20 minutes under cover of plastic sheeting held up by Ai and a handful of others. The stunt was the latest in a series of projects by the dissident artist to shine a spotlight on the people caught up in Europe's worst migrant crisis since World War II.

Marseille held 1-1 at Lorient for 15th draw of the season Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:23 PM PST PARIS (AP) — Marseille had goalkeeper Steve Mandanda to thank for scraping a 1-1 draw at Lorient in the French league on Saturday as its miserable season continues.

14 killed as police, jihadists clash in Yemen's Aden Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:11 PM PST At least 12 Al-Qaeda fighters and two policemen were killed late Saturday in fighting on the ground and coalition air strikes on second city Aden, security sources said. Fighter jets and Apache helicopters from the Saudi-led coalition carried out four air strikes in support of the security forces, they said. Clashes in the port city's Mansura residential district continued late Saturday after breaking out in the late afternoon after security forces set up new checkpoints, they added.

Iron Maiden stranded by Chile plane mishap Posted: 12 Mar 2016 01:05 PM PST British heavy metal band Iron Maiden said Saturday they were temporarily stranded when their plane was badly damaged in a runway accident in Chile that injured two ground crew. The band, which is in South America on a world tour, said its members and equipment were not on board at the time, and later announced it had found new transportation to get to its next show, in Cordoba, Argentina Sunday. The "Book of Souls" tour was launched last month in support of the heavy metal legends' latest album.

Real Madrid backs Nadal after doping accusations from France Posted: 12 Mar 2016 12:55 PM PST MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid has joined the defense of Rafael Nadal after doping accusations made by a former French minister.

London police seek mystery Shard parachutist Posted: 12 Mar 2016 12:45 PM PST London police were hunting for a man who parachuted off The Shard, western Europe's tallest skyscraper, then scarpered from the scene Saturday. "I saw him making his way down between the buildings and land, and then pack up his chute and bolt," said Justin Knock, 41, who works nearby. A spokeswoman for The Shard said: "We can confirm that we are investigating an incident involving a member of the public this morning.

Venezuela opposition launches protests, Maduro counters Posted: 12 Mar 2016 12:34 PM PST By Girish Gupta and Andrew Cawthorne CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition launched a new protest campaign on Saturday to oust President Nicolas Maduro, but support was thin and the ruling Socialists countered it with their own "anti-imperialist" rally. The opposition alliance is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to oust Maduro via protests, a recall referendum or a constitutional amendment to cut his term. "Venezuela is in chaos ... more misery, more crime and more destruction," said Ruth Briceno, 35, a law student among several thousand opposition supporters in wealthy east Caracas.

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