Yahoo! News: World News

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• Syria's Kurds rebuked for seeking autonomous region
• Islamic State committed genocide against Christians, Shi'ites: U.S.
• North Korea fires ballistic missile into sea: South Korea
• EU makes Turkey migrant offer but no deal yet
• Iran seen escaping U.N. sanctions over missiles due to ambiguous resolution
• Russia can make powerful Syria military comeback in hours: Putin
• Former ruler Musharraf leaves Pakistan after government lifts travel ban
• Dutch far right leader Geert Wilders on trial for discrimination
• Galvanized England looks to seal Six Nations Grand Slam
• Factbox: Key elements of EU-Turkey migrant plan
• US to declassify military records on Argentina's 'Dirty War'
• Lula, Brazil's tarnished hero, loses more luster in return to government
• EU agrees stance on Turkey migrant deal
• Top Asian News 11:46 p.m. GMT
• Seoul: North Korea fires ballistic missile into sea
• EU agrees migrant deal position to put to Turkey: Luxembourg PM
• UN concerned as Morocco cuts mission in row over W.Sahara
• Liverpool ousts United from Europa League; Sevilla advances
• The Latest: EU agrees migrant plan to put to Turkey Friday
• Impeachment looming? Brazil political crisis explained
• Classy Coutinho sends Man Utd out of Europe
• Luxembourg leader: EU signs off on joint position on migrant plan to be put to Turkey on Friday
• Native American tribe to relocate from Louisiana coast as sea levels rise
• Congress urges resignations of Michigan governor, EPA chief over Flint
• The coal loophole: doubts on China's will to enforce North Korea sanctions
• Guinea govt says two people have died from Ebola
• N. Korea fires ballistic missile into sea: Seoul
• North Korea launches ballistic missile into sea: U.S. official
• Doping, Russia's absence headline world indoor championships
• Failing to beat Everton would complete Arsenal's week of woe
• Adam Scott part of early lead at Bay Hill
• Tunisia's youth must shun Islamic extremism, set example: France
• Niger security forces attacked near border: defense ministry
• Cuban who wrote Obama says she's thrilled to get response
• Iraq's Sadr spurns calls to drop sit-in over 'bastion of corruption'
• Liverpool eliminates Man United in Europa League
• Eight exotic birds killed by hailstorm at Fort Worth Zoo
• South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the sea
• Poland opens first museum honouring Poles who saved WWII Jews

Syria's Kurds rebuked for seeking autonomous region Posted: 17 Mar 2016 12:35 PM PDT By Rodi Said RMEILAN, Syria (Reuters) - Syria's Kurdish-controlled northern regions voted to seek autonomy on Thursday, drawing rebukes from the Damascus government, neighboring power Turkey and Washington over a move that could complicate U.N.-backed peace talks. The vote to unite three Kurdish-controlled provinces in a federal system appears aimed at creating a self-run entity within Syria, a status that Kurds have enjoyed in neighboring Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The proclamation is an open challenge to many of the sides in Syria's five-year-old civil war, as well as their international sponsors, who have mainly been battling for control of what they say must remain a unified state.

Islamic State committed genocide against Christians, Shi'ites: U.S. Posted: 17 Mar 2016 01:22 PM PDT By Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Islamic State has committed genocide against Christians, Yazidis and Shi'ite Muslims, the United States said on Thursday, a finding U.S. officials hope will bring more resources to help the groups even though it does not change U.S. military strategy or legal obligations.     "In my judgment, Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control, including Yazidis, Christians and Shi'ite Muslims," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters, referring to the group by an Arabic acronym. "Daesh is genocidal by self-proclamation, by ideology, and by actions."     Republicans, who control the U.S. Congress, had pressured the Democratic White House to call the militants' atrocities in Iraq and Syria genocide and the House of Representatives on Monday passed a nonbinding resolution 393-0 labeling them as such.     U.S. officials hope the determination will help them win political and budget support from Congress and other nations to help the targeted groups return home if and when Islamic State-controlled areas such as the Iraqi city of Mosul are liberated.     While the genocide finding may make it easier for Washington to argue for greater action against the group, U.S. officials said it does not create a U.S. legal obligation to do more, and would not change U.S. military strategy toward the militants.

North Korea fires ballistic missile into sea: South Korea Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:52 PM PDT North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Friday that flew about 800 km (500 miles) off its east coast into the sea, South Korea's military said, days after fresh U.S. sanctions were imposed on the isolated state. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missile was likely a medium-range Rodong-missile. The launch comes amid heightened tension on the Korean peninsula with the North remaining defiant in the face of the U.N. Security Council sanctions imposed earlier in the month in response to a nuclear test conducted in January.

EU makes Turkey migrant offer but no deal yet Posted: 17 Mar 2016 05:02 PM PDT By Alastair Macdonald and Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders agreed to offer Turkey financial and political concessions if it stops migrants reaching Greece and will meet the Turkish prime minister in Brussels on Friday to try and clinch the deal.

Iran seen escaping U.N. sanctions over missiles due to ambiguous resolution Posted: 17 Mar 2016 02:02 PM PDT By Louis Charbonneau and Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iran will likely escape new United Nations sanctions, though the U.N. Security Council could issue a public reprimand for recent launches of what Western officials described as ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, diplomats said. Council diplomats said the case for sanctions was weak, hinging on interpretation of ambiguous language in a resolution adopted by the 15-member body last July, part of an historic deal to curb Iran's nuclear work. International sanctions on Tehran were lifted in January under the nuclear deal brokered by Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the United States.

Russia can make powerful Syria military comeback in hours: Putin Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:58 PM PDT By Andrew Osborn and Denis Dyomkin MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia could scale up its military presence in Syria again within hours and would still bomb terrorist groups there despite a partial draw-down of forces ordered after military successes. Speaking in one of the Kremlin's grandest halls three days after he ordered Russian forces to partially withdraw from Syria, the Russian leader said the smaller strike force he had left behind was big enough to help forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad keep advancing. "I'm sure that we will see new and serious successes in the near future," Putin told an audience of more than 700 members of the military at an awards ceremony.

Former ruler Musharraf leaves Pakistan after government lifts travel ban Posted: 17 Mar 2016 05:09 PM PDT By Mehreen Zahra-Malik ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf left Pakistan on Friday for medical treatment in Dubai after the government lifted a travel ban imposed on him as he awaited trial on treason and other charges, his spokesman said. Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the government on Wednesday to lift the travel ban, paving the way for Musharraf to leave. "General Pervez Musharraf has left the country for Dubai," his spokesman Mohammad Amjad said.

Dutch far right leader Geert Wilders on trial for discrimination Posted: 17 Mar 2016 05:07 PM PDT By Toby Sterling and Anthony Deutsch AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Geert Wilders, the right-wing politician who was acquitted five years ago of making anti-Islam remarks, goes on trial again Friday for allegedly inciting hatred against the Dutch Moroccan minority. The case comes as Wilders and other populist politicians - including Donald Trump in the United States and Marine le Pen in France - have won support by calling for a ban on Muslim immigration. State prosecutors say Wilders asked a crowd of supporters in March 2014 whether they wanted more or fewer Moroccans, in the Netherlands triggering the chant: "Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!" to which a smiling Wilders responded: "We'll take care of that." The lawmaker, whose decade-old Freedom Party holds a commanding lead in Dutch popular opinion polls but has never been in power, denies any wrongdoing.

Galvanized England looks to seal Six Nations Grand Slam Posted: 17 Mar 2016 05:05 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Since their last Six Nations Grand Slam 13 years ago, The English have twice played for the sweep and twice come a cropper.

Factbox: Key elements of EU-Turkey migrant plan Posted: 17 Mar 2016 05:02 PM PDT By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Following are key elements and negotiating difficulties in a draft EU plan to have Turkey stem the flow of migrants to Greek islands in return for financial and political concessions: 1. RETURNS Turkey to take back anyone who crosses to Greek islands from its coast without regular travel papers. - Turkey needs to amend legislation so that the EU can say it is a "safe third country" for refugees who are sent back.

US to declassify military records on Argentina's 'Dirty War' Posted: 17 Mar 2016 05:01 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will move to declassify U.S. military and intelligence records related to Argentina's "Dirty War," the White House said Thursday, aiming to bring closure to questions of U.S. involvement in a notorious chapter in Argentina's history.

Lula, Brazil's tarnished hero, loses more luster in return to government Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:55 PM PDT By Marcelo Teixeira and Pedro Fonseca SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Nine years ago, during Brazil's economic boom, Josemar Vieira Oliveira moved from the historically poor northeast to the sprawling industrial suburbs of São Paulo, the country's economic powerhouse. Now the 33-year-old spends his days knocking on factory doors across São Bernardo do Campo, the cradle of Brazil's labor movement and political base for the leader millions like Oliveira once thought had ended their economic exclusion: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Six years after he left Brazil's presidency with approval ratings approaching 90 percent, the leftist icon, now 70, is again front-and-center in Brazilian politics.

EU agrees stance on Turkey migrant deal Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:53 PM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders have agreed a common stance on a plan to send tens of thousands of migrants back to Turkey which they will put to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday.

Top Asian News 11:46 p.m. GMT Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:46 PM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Friday fired a medium-range ballistic missile into the sea, days after its leader Kim Jong Un ordered tests likely aimed at developing technology it needs to acquire to build a missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the missile flew 800 kilometers (500 miles) before crashing off the North's east coast on Friday. South Korean military officials said it wasn't immediately known what type of missile was fired. But a South Korean defense official, requesting anonymity citing department rules, said it is the first medium-range missile launched by the North since April 2014 when it fired two.

Seoul: North Korea fires ballistic missile into sea Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:45 PM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Friday fired a medium-range ballistic missile into the sea, days after its leader Kim Jong Un ordered tests likely aimed at developing technology it needs to acquire to build a missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

EU agrees migrant deal position to put to Turkey: Luxembourg PM Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:44 PM PDT European Union leaders have agreed a common position to put to Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in a bid to curb the migration crisis, Luxembourg's premier said at a Brussels summit early Friday. "Agreement on EU position, @eucopresident will present it to Turkish Prime Minister before our EU Council tomorrow," Xavier Bettel wrote on Twitter, referring to European Council President Donald Tusk. A senior EU official said it was "not a deal but a common position" that would allow negotiations to move forward, adding that Tusk had "understood everyone's red lines".

UN concerned as Morocco cuts mission in row over W.Sahara Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:39 PM PDT The UN Security Council expressed concern Thursday over an escalating row with Morocco over Western Sahara, but did not ask Rabat to drop plans to impose a drastic cut in staff at the UN mission in the disputed territory. Morocco has ordered 84 staffers from MINURSO to leave in the coming days, a move the United Nations says will cripple the mission that was set up in 1991 after a ceasefire was reached. "The council has expressed serious concerns," Angolan Ambassador Ismael Gaspar Martins, who holds this month's council presidency, told reporters after a closed-door meeting.

Liverpool ousts United from Europa League; Sevilla advances Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:36 PM PDT MANCHESTER, England (AP) — A stunning solo goal by Philippe Coutinho helped Liverpool eliminate great rival Manchester United from the Europa League, while titleholder Sevilla and tournament favorite Borussia Dortmund also reached the quarterfinals with ease on Thursday.

The Latest: EU agrees migrant plan to put to Turkey Friday Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:26 PM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — The Latest on European efforts to respond to the migration crisis (all times local):

Impeachment looming? Brazil political crisis explained Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:22 PM PDT Complex corruption scandals have plunged Brazil into political instability, with leftist President Dilma Rousseff facing impeachment proceedings and her iconic predecessor and mentor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva risking jail. Here is a summary of the crisis and the possible next steps, after lawmakers on Thursday relaunched impeachment proceedings against Rousseff and a judge blocked Lula's nomination to her cabinet. - What is Lula accused of?

Classy Coutinho sends Man Utd out of Europe Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:18 PM PDT Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho's stylish goal earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Thursday as Jurgen Klopp's men eliminated their arch foes from the Europa League. Trailing 2-0 from last week's one-sided first leg, Louis van Gaal's United claimed a foothold in the last-16 tie when Anthony Martial won and scored a 32nd-minute penalty to restore hope at Old Trafford.

Luxembourg leader: EU signs off on joint position on migrant plan to be put to Turkey on Friday Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:17 PM PDT BRUSSELS (AP) — Luxembourg leader: EU signs off on joint position on migrant plan to be put to Turkey on Friday.

Native American tribe to relocate from Louisiana coast as sea levels rise Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:17 PM PDT By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A small Native American community in coastal Louisiana is to be resettled after losing nearly all its land partly due to rising seas, a first in the United States. The band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, a Native American tribe living in the Louisiana coastal wetlands, has lost some 98 percent of its land since the 1950s. This is the first time an entire community has had to be relocated due in part to rising sea levels, said Marion McFadden, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Congress urges resignations of Michigan governor, EPA chief over Flint Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:16 PM PDT By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Thursday called for the resignations of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy on the grounds that they failed to quickly intervene in the city of Flint's contaminated drinking water crisis. Snyder, a Republican, and McCarthy, a presidential appointee, sat side by side before the House Oversight Committee as lawmakers from both parties grilled them on their response to the crisis, which has turned into a full-blown health emergency. Republicans on the committee pinned much of the blame on the EPA, which many party members want to eliminate because they feel it is too powerful.

The coal loophole: doubts on China's will to enforce North Korea sanctions Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:10 PM PDT By Megha Rajagopalan BEIJING (Reuters) - Over two weeks after the United Nations slapped harsh new sanctions on North Korea, several Chinese shipping and trade sources say they have not been told of any curbs on the import of coal from the isolated nation - a lifeline for its struggling economy. China accounts for about 90 percent of North Korea's trade and its help is crucial in enforcing the sanctions announced by the United Nations on March 2 to punish Pyongyang for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Coal is particularly important to the economic health of North Korea because it is one of its only sources of hard currency and its largest single export item.

Guinea govt says two people have died from Ebola Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:09 PM PDT Two people from the same family have died from Ebola in Guinea, the government said Thursday, the first re-emergence of the virus in the country since the outbreak there was declared over in December. The announcement came on the same day that the World Health Organization said the latest flare-up of Ebola in neighbouring Sierra Leone had officially ended. The UN health agency confirmed Guinea's new cases on its Twitter account.

N. Korea fires ballistic missile into sea: Seoul Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:08 PM PDT North Korea fired what appeared to be a medium-range ballistic missile into the sea Friday, just days after leader Kim Jong-Un ordered further nuclear warhead and missile tests, South Korea's defence ministry said. A ministry spokesman said the missile was launched from Sukchon in the country's southwest at 5:55 am (2055 GMT Thursday) and flew 800 kilometres (500 miles) into the East Sea, also called the Sea of Japan. Military tensions have been soaring on the divided Korean peninsula since the North carried out its fourth nuclear test on January 6, followed a month later by a long-range rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.

North Korea launches ballistic missile into sea: U.S. official Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:07 PM PDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea has launched a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, a U.S. official told Reuters on Thursday, adding it appeared to be fired from a road-mobile launcher. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said details on the launch were still being gathered but noted that it appeared to be a medium-range missile. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Chris Reese)

Doping, Russia's absence headline world indoor championships Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:03 PM PDT PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The face of Ashton Eaton is plastered on walls and buildings all over the city as the poster athlete for the world indoor championships.

Failing to beat Everton would complete Arsenal's week of woe Posted: 17 Mar 2016 04:00 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — Out of the Champions League. Out of the FA Cup. Out of the Premier League title race?

Adam Scott part of early lead at Bay Hill Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:55 PM PDT ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jason Day one-putted his last seven holes Thursday and had a 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Tunisia's youth must shun Islamic extremism, set example: France Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:53 PM PDT By John Irish TUNIS (Reuters) - France on Thursday called on Tunisia's youth to resist the path of Islamic extremism and set the example for the rest of the region, while Paris vowed to firm up security and economic ties with Tunis as it struggles with rising Islamist militancy. With its free elections and secular history, France's former North African colony has been a target for jihadists looking to upset the young democracy just five years after Tunisians overthrew their autocratic leader Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in a model of democratic transition. It has since managed the political transformation but is suffering the effects of home-grown radicalization and instability in Libya, where a political void has enabled the Islamic State militant group to expand with violence spilling into Tunisia.

Niger security forces attacked near border: defense ministry Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:51 PM PDT Three gendarmes were killed in one of two attacks against security and defense forces near Niger's borders with Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali, the ministry of defense said in a statement on public television on Thursday. The attacks highlight the difficulties surrounding border security in West Africa, which has suffered several high-profile extremist attacks in the past five months. Niger has also been targeted numerous times by Nigeria-based Islamist group Boko Haram, which has launched cross-border attacks in its effort to carve out an emirate in Nigeria's northeastern region.

Cuban who wrote Obama says she's thrilled to get response Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:48 PM PDT LA HABANA (AP) — A 76-year-old Cuban woman who invited President Barack Obama to her Havana home received a response from the U.S. leader Thursday in one of the first letters to travel directly to Cuba in decades.

Iraq's Sadr spurns calls to drop sit-in over 'bastion of corruption' Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:28 PM PDT Influential Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr rejected calls to cancel a planned sit-in on Friday at the gates of Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, which he called "a bastion of support for corruption".He published a statement on his website on Thursday in response to politicians who asked him to drop the protest over concern that it could lead to violence near the sensitive district, which houses government offices and embassies. Sadr called for the sit-in last week to press Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to replace cabinet ministers with technocrats unaffiliated with political parties in order to counter systemic political patronage that has abetted corruption. Early on Friday, the Interior Ministry published a statement saying it had not authorized the sit-in but did not indicate how it would deal with any protesters who do show up.

Liverpool eliminates Man United in Europa League Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:26 PM PDT MANCHESTER, England (AP) — A stunning solo goal by Philippe Coutinho helped Liverpool eliminate great rival Manchester United from the Europa League, while titleholder Sevilla and tournament favorite Borussia Dortmund also reached the quarterfinals with ease on Thursday.

Eight exotic birds killed by hailstorm at Fort Worth Zoo Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:23 PM PDT (Reuters) - Eight exotic birds were killed at the Fort Worth Zoo on Thursday by a violent hail storm that dropped ice pellets the size of golf balls, a zoo spokeswoman said. Among the birds killed were five flamingos, a pelican, an ibis and a black-necked swan chick, said Alexis Wilson, the zoo's director of communications.

South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the sea Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:20 PM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the sea.

Poland opens first museum honouring Poles who saved WWII Jews Posted: 17 Mar 2016 03:19 PM PDT Poland on Thursday opened its first museum in tribute to Poles who lost their lives helping Jews during World War II, on the exact spot where Nazis executed a young family for providing shelter. President Andrzej Duda honoured descendants of the Polish rescuers who he said had made "dramatic choices", before cutting the ribbon at the museum in the southeastern village of Markowa. Poland was the only Nazi-occupied country where saving Jews carried the death penalty.

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