World News Briefs -- February 25, 2014 (Evening Edition)

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bSpEVSoCzvQ" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>No Bluff: U.S. Planning Possible Withdrawal Of All Troops From Afghanistan -- CNN</b></span></div><br />Washington (CNN) -- We're not bluffing, the Obama administration told Afghanistan on Tuesday in announcing it has started planning for the possible withdrawal of all U.S. troops by the end of the year if no security agreement is signed.<br /><br />Statements by the White House and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel showed President Barack Obama's impatience with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's refusal to sign the agreement that would keep several thousand American troops in the country after combat operations conclude this year.<br /><br />In a phone call with Karzai on Tuesday to discuss upcoming elections for a new Afghan leader, Obama made clear that time was running out to properly plan for keeping any U.S. forces in the country beyond 2014, the White House said.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/25/politics/us-afghanistan-troops/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MIDDLE EAST</b></span></div><br />Syrian opposition prepares <b><a href="http://en.ria.ru/world/20140225/187889910/Syrian-Opposition-Prepares-Spring-Offensive--Moscow.html">‘spring offensive’ - Moscow.</a></b><br /><br />UN: Syrians to be world's<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/un-syrians-world-39-biggest-refugee-group-185915868.html"> biggest refugee group.</a></b><br /><br />Leader of Syrian militant group <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/02/25/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria-al-qaida.html?ref=world">challenges rivals</a></b>.<br /><br />Official: Iran has studied <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/02/25/world/middleeast/ap-ml-iran-military.html?ref=world">Israeli strike tactics</a></b>.<br /><br />Israeli intel minister reaffirms <b><a href="http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/israel-reaffirms-right-act-iran/">right to act on Iran</a></b>.<br /><br />Iranian oil exports rise markedly <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2014/02/24/iranian-oil-exports-rise-markedly-since-interim-deal/">since interim deal: Report</a></b>.<br /><br />US presses Iraq on reports of <b><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140224/DEFREG02/302240036/US-Presses-Iraq-Reports-Arms-Deal-Iran">arms deal with Iran</a></b>. US presses Iraq on reports of <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26335449">Iran arms deal.</a></b><br /><br />Iraqi leaders give conflicting answers <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-iraq-iran-arms-idUSBREA1O1V820140225">on reported Iran arms deal</a></b>.<br /><br />Sunni anger in Lebanon <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/sunni-anger-lebanon-against-army-grows-125950527.html">against army grows</a></b>.<br /><br />Turkey PM Erdogan says 'tapped' <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26336354">phone call to son 'fabricated'</a></b>.<br /><br />Israel hosts German cabinet <b><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140224/DEFREG04/302240031/Israel-Hosts-German-Cabinet-Jerusalem">in Jerusalem</a></b>.<br /><br />Jordan opposition calls for Israel peace treaty <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/25/jordan-opposition-israel-peace-treaty-al-aqsa">to be frozen over al-Aqsa debate</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ASIA</b></span></div><br />Eyeing Afghan exit, U.S. intensifies campaign <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/eyeing-afghan-exit-u-intensifies-campaign-against-haqqani-211644376.html">against Haqqani militants</a></b>.<br /><br />India to block U.S. trade probes, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-india-trade-usa-idUSBREA1O0MH20140225">ready for fight at WTO.</a></b><br /><br />China mulls holidays marking <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26342884">Japanese defeat and Nanjing massacre</a></b>.<br /><br />Philippines says China fired water cannon<b><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140224/DEFREG03/302240034/Philippines-Says-China-Fired-Water-Cannon-Disputed-Shoal"> at disputed shoal</a></b>.<br /><br />Pakistan army launches new air strikes <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-pakistan-airstrikes-idUSBREA1O05S20140225">near Afghan border</a></b>. Pakistan air strikes against militants <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26333578">in tribal areas</a></b>.<br /><br />Thai trade slumps alongside tourism as <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-thailand-protest-idUSBREA1M02H20140225">protest violence takes toll</a></b>.<br /><br />North Korean naval boat crosses <b><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/korea/north-korean-naval-boat-crosses-disputed-sea-boundary-with-south-1.269798">disputed sea boundary with South</a></b>. North Korea 'violates' <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26333574">sea border with South amid drills</a></b>.<br /><br />US-South Korea joint <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/us-south-korea-begin-joint-military-drills/1857740.html">military drills begin.</a></b> <br /><br />Military drills to test <b><a href="http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Military_drills_to_test_inter-Korean_detente_999.html">inter-Korean detente</a></b>.<br /><br />South Korea committee to prepare <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/south-korea-forming-committee-to-prepare-for-reunifcation-with-north-korea/1858571.html">for reunifcation with North</a></b>.<br /><br />China labels Japan <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/02/25/world/asia/ap-as-china-japan.html?ref=world">a 'trouble maker'</a></b>.<br /><br />China rejects Indian politician's <b><a href="http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_rejects_Indian_politicians_expansionism_charge_999.html">expansionism charge</a></b>.<br /><br />Kashmir villagers clash <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/02/kashmir-villagers-clash-with-indian-troops-201422595211803184.html">with Indian troops.</a></b><br /><br />Sri Lanka rejects call <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/southasia/2014/02/sri-lanka-rejects-call-war-crimes-probe-20142254460713165.html">for war crimes probe</a></b>. Sri Lanka rejects UN war crimes probe <b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/10660548/Sri-Lanka-rejects-UN-war-crimes-probe-as-more-bodies-found-in-mass-grave.html">as mass grave discovered</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AFRICA</b></span></div><br />South Sudan conflict deteriorating,<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-conflict-deteriorating-kenya-warns-204540252.html"> Kenya warns</a></b>.<br /><br />Kenya boosts airport defence, <b><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j3AX8ApRtzqz5aggvbKkU056hBEg?docId=4319bc1c-c1c9-45ea-a8d0-f68513d67234">warning of Islamist threat.</a></b><br /><br />UN voices 'deep concern'<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/un-voices-39-deep-concern-39-over-libya-201502221.html"> over Libya unrest</a></b>.<br /><br />Nigerian Islamists kill 59 pupils in<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/nigerian-islamists-kill-59-pupils-boarding-school-attack-181531536.html"> boarding school attack</a></b>. Nigeria school raid <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26338041">'leaves dozens dead'.</a></b> Suspected militants kill 29 <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-nigerian-islamists-kill-29-pupils-in-boarding-school-attack/1858604.html">in northeastern Nigeria</a></b>.<br /><br />Thousands fleeing Boko Haram <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/thousands-fleeing-boko-haram-little-comfort-niger-143056348.html">find little comfort in Niger</a></b>.<br /><br />Nigeria leader defends army's role <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26332968">against Boko Haram</a></b>.<br /><br />France to vote on extending Central African Republic <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/french-extend-car-mission-672/">military mission</a></b>.<br /><br />Algerian opposition parties <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/algerian-opposition-urges-election-boycott/1858673.html">urge election boycott</a></b>.<br /><br />Uganda president:<b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/24/world/africa/uganda-homosexuality-interview/index.html?hpt=hp_t1"> Homosexuals are 'disgusting'</a></b>.<br /><br />Egypt housing minister <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/egypt-housing-minister-form-new-government-2014225123636437550.html">to form new government</a></b>.<br /><br />Pistorius case: Partial televising <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26334682">of trial allowed.</a></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EUROPE</b></span></div><br />Ukraine is not East-West battle:<b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-not-east-west-battle-britain-us-205329712.html"> US, Britain.</a></b><br /><br />Ukraine crisis: Turchynov warns<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26333587"> of 'separatism' risk</a></b>. Pro-Russian rally in Crimea <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pro-russian-rally-crimea-decries-kiev-39-bandits-200048790.html">decries Kiev 'bandits'</a></b>.<br /><br />Ukraine delays announcing <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/ukraine-announce-interim-government-201422571956775789.html">interim government</a></b>.<br /><br />Russia evokes World War Two <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/russia-evokes-world-war-two-media-blitz-ukraine-143446995--sector.html">in media blitz on Ukraine</a></b>.<br /><br />IMF likely to send technical team <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/imf-likely-send-technical-team-ukraine-soon-lagarde-212316994--business.html">to Ukraine soon: Lagarde</a></b>.<br /><br />Mass arrest of protesters <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26337693">at rallies in Russia</a></b>. Police detain 420 people near Red Square; protesters <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/police-detain-420-people-near-red-square-protesters-fear-post-olympic-crackdown/2014/02/24/1ec7aafa-9d8d-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html">fear post-Olympic crackdown</a></b>.<br /><br />European Commission sees recovery<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26338372"> 'gaining ground'</a></b>.<br /><br />Scottish leader: Opinion polls show <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-scottish-leader-opinion-polls-show-independence-race-tightening/1857779.html">independence race tightening</a></b>.<br /><br />Pope makes first overhaul <b><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/2014/02/24/pope-takes-step-reform-vatican-finance/VxGFiKn1sYiyczdsqlW41N/story.html?">of Vatican in 25 years</a></b>.<br /><br />IRA suspect walks free after 'reckless' error by prosecution means case against him over <b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2567709/BREAKING-NEWS-IRA-suspect-walks-free-case-against-1982-Hyde-Park-bombing-collapses.html">1982 Hyde Park bombing collapses</a></b>.<br /><br />850 Chinese and Russian millionaires <b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/10660376/850-Chinese-millionaires-and-Russian-oligarchs-have-bought-British-visa.html">'bought' British visa</a></b>.<br /><br />Spain's Repsol accepts <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/spain-39-repsol-accepts-5b-argentine-unit-203954224.html">$5B for Argentine unit</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAS</b></span></div><br />US governors discuss economy, jobs,<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/us-governors-discuss-economy-jobs-other-issues-with-obama/1858452.html"> other issues with Obama</a></b>.<br /><br />U.S. expels three Venezuelan diplomats, <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-venezuela-protests-diplomats-idUSBREA1O1E820140225">gives them 48 hours to leave.</a></b><br /><br />Venezuela death toll rises to 13 <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1N14E20140225">as protests flare.</a></b><br /><br />Venezuela's Maduro criticised <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26334703">by party loyalist</a></b>.<br /><br />Costa Rica seeks court ruling on <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/costa-rica-seeks-court-ruling-nicaragua-border-dispute-025303941.html">Nicaragua border dispute</a></b>. Costa Rica seeks court ruling on <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-costarica-nicaragua-idUSBREA1O05520140225">Nicaragua border dispute</a></b>.<br /><br />Informants who helped US catch drug lords say rewards<b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/25/informants-us-catch-drug-lords-rewards-not-paid"> have not been paid.</a></b><br /><br />Judge sets Mexican trial for <b><a href="http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Judge-sets-Mexican-trial-for-El-Chapo-in-motion-5266564.php">'El Chapo' in motion</a></b>.<br /><br />Seven U.S. court districts <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/seven-us-court-districts-bring-indictments-against-mexican-drug-lord-guzman/2014/02/24/0af29144-9d82-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html">indict drug lord Guzmán</a></b>.<br /><br />Mysterious polio-like illness <b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/23/polio-like-illness-california/5703827/">affects kids in California</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR</b></span></div><br />Terror linked to Syrian war is biggest threat to Britain since 9/11, <b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2567627/Terror-linked-Syrian-war-biggest-threat-Britain-9-11-security-chief-warns.html">security chief warns.</a></b><br /><br />Iraq: Sunni Arabs turn<b><a href="http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/iraq/articles/20140225.aspx"> on Al Qaeda again</a></b>.<br /><br />Norway in danger from Syria jihadis: <b><a href="http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Norway_in_danger_from_Syria_jihadis_intelligence_agency_999.html">intelligence agency.</a></b><br /><br />British police arrest<b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/02/25/world/europe/ap-eu-britain-terrorism-arrests.html?ref=world&_r=0"> ex-Guantanamo detainee</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS</b></span></div><br />Top Bitcoin exchange<b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26333661"> MtGox goes offline</a></b>. Bitcoin exchange MtGox offline <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/25/bitcoin-exchange-mtgox-offline-amid-rumours-of-theft">amid rumours of theft</a></b>.<br /><br />Worst drought in decades hits Brazil coffee belt <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/25/brazil-drought-threatens-coffee-crops">as buyers brace for price rise</a></b>.<br /><br />Sina Weibo: Profits at <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26333438">'China's Twitter' surge</a></b>.<br /><br />Facebook quietly ends <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26332191">email address system</a></b>.

World News Briefs -- February 25, 2014 (Evening Edition)

No Bluff: U.S. Planning Possible Withdrawal Of All Troops From Afghanistan -- CNN Washington (CNN) -- We're not bluffing, the Obama admi...

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