Yahoo! News: World News

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• Obama spars with Castro on human rights during historic Cuba visit
• Exclusive: U.N. North Korea sanctions lifted on four ships - U.S. official
• Gunmen attack EU military mission HQ in Mali; 1 attacker killed
• Syrian government refuses to discuss Assad's future
• Paris suspect 'worth weight in gold' to police: lawyer
• Greece asks EU partners for help to make migrant deal work
• Top Asian News 11:59 p.m. GMT
• Police charge 2 people in Sydney with funding Islamic State
• U.S. arrests Turkish businessman accused of evading Iran sanctions
• Spieth gets longtime friend Thomas in Match Play group
• 3 people charged, 1 nabbed on Iran sanctions evasion charges
• Congo ex-vice president guilty in landmark ICC war rape ruling
• For refugees eyeing Europe, a website separates fact from fiction
• Apple's robot rips apart iPhones for recycling
• Hezbollah chief vows to keep up Syria fight until defeat of jihadists
• 3 reported killed in blast at Mexico fireworks factory
• Google helps offer vastly faster Internet in Cuba
• Obama thinks regular U.S. tourism to Cuba could happen 'very soon': ABC
• Communications cut as Congo leader seeks to extend 32-year rule
• Gunman killed in attack on Mali hotel hosting EU mission
• Must-see TV: Cubans marvel at rare questioning of Castro
• Wales boss Coleman bans WAGS from Euros
• Puerto Rico doctor ordered to pay AFLAC $2M in restitution
• Petr Cech voted player of the year in Czech Republic
• 2 climbers die in fall at Mexico's Nevada de Toluca volcano
• Talon wins Benin presidential race as Zinsou concedes defeat
• UN chief fears over DR Congo vote 'impasse'
• Hezbollah says Saudi Arabia, Turkey obstructing Syria peace chances
• Niger opposition rejects 'sham' run-off over low turnout
• Record-breaking Squash star David begins British Open bid with a rush
• LSU freshman Ben Simmons announces he'll enter the NBA draft
• Migrants keep landing in Greece despite EU-Turkey deal
• Clinton hits Trump ahead of his address to pro-Israel lobby
• DRCongo ex-leader guilty of war crimes: ICC
• Gunman killed, two suspects arrested in Mali attack: minister
• New U.S. base in Iraq draws more Islamic State fire, militia threat
• Attack on EU military training mission in Mali over: hotel manager
• Morocco asks UN to shut W. Sahara liaison office

Obama spars with Castro on human rights during historic Cuba visit Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:34 PM PDT By Matt Spetalnick and Frank Jack Daniel HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama pushed Cuba to improve human rights during his historic visit to the Communist-led island on Monday, publicly sparring with President Raul Castro who showed flashes of anger and hit back at U.S. "double standards". In a joint news conference that was tense at times, Obama praised Castro for openly discussing their differences but he said a "full flowering" of the relationship can happen only with progress on the issue of rights. Obama, the first U.S. president to visit Cuba in 88 years, agreed in 2014 to improve relations with the former Cold War foe but he is under pressure at home to push Castro's government to allow political dissent and to further open its Soviet-style economy.

Exclusive: U.N. North Korea sanctions lifted on four ships - U.S. official Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:36 PM PDT The U.N. Security Council agreed on Monday to a Chinese request to remove sanctions on four ships that had been blacklisted for ties to Pyongyang after China secured assurances the vessels would not use North Korean crews, a U.S. official said. The ships were among 31 vessels sanctioned by the 15-member council on March 2 because they were owned by North Korean shipping firm Ocean Maritime Management Company (OMM). "The basis for the listing of the ships is basically that they belong to OMM, so if you make a mistake then you correct the mistake." The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Security Council committee on North Korea sanctions agreed to the request after China secured written commitments that the four ships would no longer use North Korean crews.

Gunmen attack EU military mission HQ in Mali; 1 attacker killed Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:49 PM PDT By Tiemoko Diallo and Adama Diarra BAMAKO (Reuters) - Gunmen on Monday attacked a hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako, that had been converted into the headquarters of a European Union military training operation, but there no casualties among the mission's personnel. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which began at around 6:30 p.m. local time (1830 GMT), but Mali and neighboring West African countries have increasingly been the target of Islamist militants, some of them affiliated with al Qaeda. One of the assailants was killed and two suspects were arrested and were being interrogated, the country's internal security minister said.

Syrian government refuses to discuss Assad's future Posted: 21 Mar 2016 01:06 PM PDT By John Irish and Dominic Evans GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) - The fate of President Bashar al-Assad will play no part in talks to end the Syrian war, the head of the government's delegation said, leading the U.N. peace envoy to warn that lack of progress on the issue could threaten a fragile cessation of hostilities. Damascus delegate Bashar Ja'afari said Assad's future had "nothing to do" with the negotiations, which entered their second week on Monday, insisting that counter-terrorism efforts remained the priority for the government. "The (terms of) reference of our talks do not give any indication whatsoever with regard to the issue of the President of the Syrian Arab Republic," he said when asked about the willingness of the government delegation to engage in serious talks on political transition.

Paris suspect 'worth weight in gold' to police: lawyer Posted: 21 Mar 2016 09:32 AM PDT By Jan Strupczewski and Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The only suspected participant in Nov. 13 Paris attacks to be captured alive has been cooperating with police investigators and is "worth his weight in gold", his lawyer said on Monday. Belgium's Interior Minister, Jan Jambon, said the country was on high alert for a possible revenge attack following the capture of 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam in a flat in Brussels on Friday.

Greece asks EU partners for help to make migrant deal work Posted: 21 Mar 2016 01:04 PM PDT By Karolina Tagaris LESBOS, Greece (Reuters) - Greece asked its European partners on Monday for help implementing a deal with Turkey meant to stem an influx of migrants into Europe, as hundreds more - many unaware of the new rules - streamed from their boats onto Greek islands. For months the epicenter of Europe's biggest migrant crisis since World War Two, Greece is struggling to effect the logistics operation needed to process asylum applications from hundreds of migrants still arriving daily along its shoreline. Anyone who arrived after March 20 must be held until their papers are processed and those deemed ineligible are to be sent back to Turkey from April 4.

Top Asian News 11:59 p.m. GMT Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:59 PM PDT SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired five short-range projectiles into the sea on Monday, Seoul officials said, in a continuation of weapon launches it has carried out in apparent response to ongoing South Korea-U.S. military drills it sees as a provocation. The projectiles launched from a site near the northeastern city of Hamhung flew about 200 kilometers (125 miles) before landing in waters off North Korea's east coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The South Korean military was attempting to determine whether the projectiles were missiles, artillery shells or rockets. The firings came three days after Seoul said North Korea launched its first medium-range ballistic missile into the sea since early 2014, ignoring U.N.

Police charge 2 people in Sydney with funding Islamic State Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:59 PM PDT SYDNEY (AP) — Police have charged a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old school girl in Sydney with raising money for the Islamic State group.

U.S. arrests Turkish businessman accused of evading Iran sanctions Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:56 PM PDT By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - An Iranian-born Turkish businessman has been arrested in Florida on charges that he and others conspired to conduct hundreds of millions of dollars in financial transactions for the Iranian government or other entities to evade U.S. sanctions. Reza Zarrab, 33, was charged in an indictment filed in federal court in Manhattan along with one of his employees, Kamelia Jamshidy, and Hossein Najafzadeh, a senior officer at a unit of Bank Mellat in Iran, U.S. prosecutors said on Monday. The arrest came two months after Iran emerged from years of economic isolation when world powers led by the United States and the European Union lifted crippling sanctions against the country in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Spieth gets longtime friend Thomas in Match Play group Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:54 PM PDT AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Defending champion Rory McIlroy will face a player he knows very little about in the Dell Match Play. Jordan Spieth knows one of his opponents all too well.

3 people charged, 1 nabbed on Iran sanctions evasion charges Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:53 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Three people have been charged with conspiring to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran, and one has been arrested after they processed hundreds of millions of dollars of transactions on behalf of Iranian businesses or Iran's government, authorities announced Monday as they unsealed an indictment in New York.

Congo ex-vice president guilty in landmark ICC war rape ruling Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:46 PM PDT By Thomas Escritt THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's Jean-Pierre Bemba became the highest-ranking politician convicted by the international war crimes court on Monday, when it judged him responsible for a campaign of rape and murder in Central African Republic. Bemba, who served as vice president from 2003 to 2006, failed to discipline or restrain his Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) soldiers as they rampaged through the neighboring country in 2002 and 2003, the International Criminal Court's presiding judge, Sylvia Steiner, said.

For refugees eyeing Europe, a website separates fact from fiction Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:43 PM PDT By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Desperately seeking new lives, migrants traveling to Europe often hear lies and rumors such as promises of an escort across a forbidden border or offers of steady work that can steer them in the wrong direction and even endanger their lives. Quashing such falsities is the goal of a nonprofit website that has given itself the task of assisting the waves of migrants traveling the Balkan route to Europe, fleeing war and poverty in their homelands. The site http://newsthatmoves.org was developed by Internews, an international media development organization, to combat misinformation, particularly that used by smugglers to dupe bewildered or confused migrants.

Apple's robot rips apart iPhones for recycling Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:27 PM PDT Apple Inc on Monday unveiled a robotic system called Liam to take apart junked iPhones and recover valuable materials that can be recycled, such as silver and tungsten. The move is an attempt to address criticism that Apple's products, while sleek and seamless in design, are so tightly constructed that their components can be difficult to disassemble, refurbish and reuse. Liam, which has been under development for nearly three years, will initially focus on the iPhone 6.

Hezbollah chief vows to keep up Syria fight until defeat of jihadists Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:23 PM PDT The head of Lebanon's Hezbollah on Monday vowed his Shiite movement would keep fighting in Syria alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces until the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda jihadists are defeated. "We went to Syria to help keep the country from falling into the hands of Daesh and Al-Nusra Front," Hassan Nasrallah told Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen, referring to IS and Al-Qaeda's Syria branch. Nasrallah's live interview came a week after key Assad backer, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, announced the partial withdrawal of Moscow's forces from the war-torn country.

3 reported killed in blast at Mexico fireworks factory Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:21 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — An explosion at a building apparently used as a fireworks factory killed at least three people in a township just north of Mexico City.

Google helps offer vastly faster Internet in Cuba Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:14 PM PDT HAVANA (AP) — Google is opening a cutting-edge online technology center at the studio of one of Cuba's most famous artists, offering free Internet at speeds nearly 70 times faster than those now available to the Cuban public. President Barack Obama says Google's efforts in Cuba are part of a wider plan to improve access to the Internet across the island.

Obama thinks regular U.S. tourism to Cuba could happen 'very soon': ABC Posted: 21 Mar 2016 04:13 PM PDT (Reuters) - Regular tourism to Cuba by U.S. citizens could happen "very soon," President Barack Obama said on Monday in an interview in Havana. "Inevitably it's going to happen," he told ABC News during his historic visit to the Communist-led island, noting that direct flights and visits by cruise ships from the United States were to begin soon. Current U.S. regulations limit most visits by U.S. citizens to Cuba to educational or cultural exchanges. (Reporting by Eric Walsh; Editing by Chris Reese)

Communications cut as Congo leader seeks to extend 32-year rule Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:58 PM PDT Communications lines were cut in Congo for a second day Monday and business was slack amid fears of post-election trouble as the country waited for results on President Denis Sassou Nguesso's bid to extend his 32-year rule. The head of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) told the media that the vote counting had been completed and the results nationwide were in the process of being tabulated, without indicating when they might be announced. Congolese authorities shut down telephone and Internet links during the Sunday vote and on Monday for "reasons of security and national safety" and to prevent the "illegal publication" of election results by the opposition.

Gunman killed in attack on Mali hotel hosting EU mission Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:49 PM PDT Four gunmen attacked a hotel hosting an EU military training mission in Mali's capital on Monday, with one shot dead by security guards, according to a source within the mission. Gunfire was heard in the area by witnesses and AFP correspondents from around 2000 GMT as the armed assailants attempted to enter the premises of a hotel owned by Mali's "Azalai" chain, before fleeing return fire from security guards.

Must-see TV: Cubans marvel at rare questioning of Castro Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:45 PM PDT HAVANA (AP) — Cubans were glued to their televisions on Monday, many watching in a state of shock as President Raul Castro faced tough questions from American journalists who challenged him to defend Cuba's record on human rights and political prisoners.

Wales boss Coleman bans WAGS from Euros Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:43 PM PDT Wales manager Chris Coleman will ban the wives and girlfriends of his players from their team hotel at Euro 2016. Coleman is well aware that the presence of the WAGs has been a contentious issue at major tournaments since England's 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany was somewhat overshadowed by the presence of Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney and others. With Wales hoping to make an impact at their first major tournament in 58 years, Coleman revealed on Monday that, at least during for the group stage of the tournament in France, he wants his players to focus on football with no family distractions.

Puerto Rico doctor ordered to pay AFLAC $2M in restitution Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:39 PM PDT SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A Puerto Rico doctor found guilty in a multimillion-dollar federal fraud case has been ordered to pay a U.S. insurance company more than $2 million in restitution.

Petr Cech voted player of the year in Czech Republic Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:33 PM PDT PRAGUE (AP) — Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has been voted the Czech Republic's player of the year for 2015.

2 climbers die in fall at Mexico's Nevada de Toluca volcano Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:25 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Red Cross in Mexico says it is bringing down the bodies of two climbers who died in a fall at the Nevada de Toluca volcano.

Talon wins Benin presidential race as Zinsou concedes defeat Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:24 PM PDT Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou on Monday conceded defeat to Patrice Talon, handing the businessman victory in Benin's presidential elections in a vote hailed as an example for democracy in action. The head of Benin's independent electoral commission, Emmanuel Tiando, later said that Talon had won 65.39 percent of the vote, with Zinsou on 34.61 percent. Talon, in a statement issued on his Facebook page, declared himself "proud of my homeland Benin which has once again shown its attachment to democracy".

UN chief fears over DR Congo vote 'impasse' Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:12 PM PDT UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed grave concern Monday over the fate of elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, warning of the danger of political violence. The DRC is supposed to hold elections in November, but the chances of them actually taking place are growing dimmer, with President Joseph Kabila suspected of planning to extend his rule after his mandate runs out at the end of the year.

Hezbollah says Saudi Arabia, Turkey obstructing Syria peace chances Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:01 PM PDT Hezbollah accused Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Monday of obstructing efforts to reach a political solution in Syria, saying Riyadh did not want to see any progress at Geneva peace talks aimed at ending five years of conflict. Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Saudi Arabia have for years been on opposing sides of Syria's civil war, but relations have worsened in recent months - mirroring the growing hostility between Riyadh and Tehran, the region's two rival powers."What is disrupting any progress towards a political solution is firstly Saudi Arabia, and secondly Turkey," Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah told Al Mayadeen television in an interview.

Niger opposition rejects 'sham' run-off over low turnout Posted: 21 Mar 2016 03:00 PM PDT Niger's opposition on Monday slammed the final round of the country's presidential elections as a "sham" due to a low voter turnout, challenging any attempts to claim victory by incumbent President Mahamadou Issoufou. Voter participation was a crucial issue in Sunday's vote following the opposition's boycott call and the dramatic evacuation of Issoufou's challenger, Hama Amadou, suddenly flown from jail to Paris last week for medical treatment. "The people of Niger have massively rejected this sham of an election," said the COPA 2016 opposition coalition.

Record-breaking Squash star David begins British Open bid with a rush Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:57 PM PDT Nicol David's bid to regain the British Open title accelerated on Monday as she hurtled to a five–minute whitewash in the third game of a straight games victory over one of Egypt's rising young players. The record-breaking Malaysian won 11-8, 11-9, 11-0 against Mayar Hani, a 19-year-old from Cairo who upset the seedings to come through the qualifying competition, and who for a few moments looked as though she could cause more trouble. "I was able to impose myself when it mattered," said David, who reached parity with a volley-drive combination, forced Hani to concede a penalty point with a mistimed stroke down the middle, and then pressured the youngster to angle the ball down off a sidewall.

LSU freshman Ben Simmons announces he'll enter the NBA draft Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:56 PM PDT BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU freshman forward Ben Simmons, who led the Tigers in scoring, rebounds and assists this season, has decided to turn pro and relinquish his final three seasons of college eligibility.

Migrants keep landing in Greece despite EU-Turkey deal Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:48 PM PDT More than 1,600 migrants have landed in Greece since a landmark EU-Turkey deal on curbing the influx took effect, officials said Monday, as Greek authorities scramble to implement complex new rules. On the island of Lesbos, the main arrival point for migrants crossing the sea from Turkey, officials are struggling to switch from the old system to the new while awaiting hundreds of promised EU reinforcements. "It won't be easy," said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

Clinton hits Trump ahead of his address to pro-Israel lobby Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:43 PM PDT Hillary Clinton on Monday bashed Donald Trump as prejudiced and insufficiently pro-Israel, signalling some of the leading Democrat's likely points of attack should she face the Republican frontrunner in November's US presidential election. Hundreds of people at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) confab, including rabbis, plan to walk out in protest when Trump takes the stage. US presidential hopefuls routinely make pilgrimages to AIPAC during election years.

DRCongo ex-leader guilty of war crimes: ICC Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:43 PM PDT Former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba was Monday found guilty of a ruthless campaign of widespread rapes and killings by his private army in the Central African Republic, in a landmark war crimes verdict. It is the first case at the International Criminal Court to highlight both sexual violence as a weapon of war and a military commander's overall responsibility for the actions of his troops, and was swiftly welcomed by rights groups. The judges found Bemba guilty on all five charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, saying he had retained "effective command and control" over 1,500 men he sent in to CAR to quell an attempted coup against the then president.

Gunman killed, two suspects arrested in Mali attack: minister Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:42 PM PDT A gunman was killed and two suspects were arrested in an attack on Monday on the headquarters of a European Union military training operation in Mali's capital Bamako, the West African nation's interior security minister said.

New U.S. base in Iraq draws more Islamic State fire, militia threat Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:41 PM PDT By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A fledgling U.S. base in northern Iraq came under attack again on Monday from Islamic State and even drew a threat from an Iran-backed Shi'ite militia, two days after a U.S. Marine there was killed in a rocket attack. Firebase Bell, as the artillery outpost is called, is the first independent U.S. base of its kind in Iraq since the return of American forces to the country in 2014 and is the latest sign of deepening U.S. military involvement in the conflict. Bell's existence was meant to be kept secret until it was deemed operational, the U.S. military said, but Islamic State appeared to learn of the U.S. presence before the American public did.

Attack on EU military training mission in Mali over: hotel manager Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:39 PM PDT ABIDJAN (Reuters) - An attack by gunmen on Monday that targeted a hotel in Mali's capital Bamako that had been converted into a base for a European Union military training operation has ended, the company that manages the hotel said. Azalaï Hotels, which runs the Nord-Sud Hotel, also posted on Twitter that the assailants had been repelled and the building had been secured. (Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

Morocco asks UN to shut W. Sahara liaison office Posted: 21 Mar 2016 02:36 PM PDT Morocco has asked the United Nations to close its military liaison office in Western Sahara, amid a row between Rabat and the world body over the status of the disputed territory. The move came just a day after Morocco -- angry after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon used the term "occupation" to describe the territory's status -- expelled most of the non-Moroccan civilian members of the UN's MINURSO mission. "MINURSO has received a request to close its military liaison office in Dakhla," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.

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