| Netanyahu warns Gaza civilians after Israel destroys apartment block Posted: 24 Aug 2014 11:43 AM PDT  By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Jeffrey Heller GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Palestinian civilians on Sunday to leave immediately any site where militants are operating, one day after Israel flattened a 13-story apartment block in Gaza. Seventeen people were wounded in the strike on the structure, which Israel said had housed a Hamas command center. "I call on the inhabitants of Gaza to evacuate immediately from every site from which Hamas is carrying out terrorist activity. Every one of these places is a target for us," Netanyahu said in public remarks at a cabinet meeting.
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| Ukraine defiant on national day, rebels parade captives Posted: 24 Aug 2014 09:18 AM PDT  By Richard Balmforth and Thomas Grove KIEV/DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine marked its independence day on Sunday with a military march-past in Kiev intended to send a message of defiance to Russia, but pro-Moscow rebels countered by parading captured Ukrainian troops through the streets of their main stronghold. The rival events highlighted the divide that will have to be bridged if a compromise on Ukraine is to be reached on Tuesday when Russian President Vladimir Putin meets his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko for the first time in months. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who visited Kiev on Saturday to try to lay the ground-work for a peace deal, said Tuesday's talks were unlikely to produce a breakthrough. Kiev's forces are trying to crush a pro-Moscow separatist revolt in the east of Ukraine, and on Sunday intense artillery fire could be heard around the main rebel bastion of Donetsk.
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| Hundreds dead as Islamic State seizes Syrian air base: monitor Posted: 24 Aug 2014 12:49 PM PDT  By Sylvia Westall BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic State militants stormed an air base in northeast Syria on Sunday, capturing it from government forces after days of fighting that cost more than 500 lives, a monitoring group said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 346 Islamic State fighters were killed and more than 170 members of government forces had died since Tuesday in the fight over Tabqa base, making it one of the deadliest confrontations between the two groups since the start of Syria's war. The Observatory, which monitors violence in Syria through sources on the ground, said fighting raged inside the air base on Sunday.
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| War planes attack Libyan capital again as airport terminal is destroyed Posted: 24 Aug 2014 12:42 PM PDT  By Heba al-Shibani and Ahmed Elumami TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Fire destroyed the terminal at Tripoli's main airport on Sunday, one day after it was seized by militia fighters from the Libyan city of Misrata, witnesses said. Unidentified war planes also attacked targets in the capital, residents said, the latest stage of the worst fighting in Libya since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. All planes in front of it were damaged, as well as many houses and office buildings on airport road. A militia called Operation Dawn, consisting mainly of fighters from Misrata, said on Saturday that it had captured the airport from a rival faction from Zintan in western Libya.
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| Britain says it close to identifying beheading suspect Posted: 24 Aug 2014 09:38 AM PDT  By Babak Dehghanpisheh and Eric Beech BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Britain is close to identifying a suspected British national shown beheading American journalist James Foley in a video released by Islamic State militants last week, the British ambassador to the United States said on Sunday. With Islamic State fighters now in control of vast areas of northern Iraq, the country's president-designate, Haider al-Abadi, used a meeting with the visiting Iranian foreign minister to call for greater international efforts to destroy the Islamist group. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, a Shi'ite Muslim power likely to wield influence over the formation of Abadi's new cabinet, reaffirmed Tehran's support for Iraq's territorial unity and its fight against militants.
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| Kidnappers free American missing in Syria since 2012 Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:29 PM PDT  DUBAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Al Qaeda-linked militants in Syria on Sunday freed an American writer missing since 2012 following what officials said were efforts by the Gulf Arab state of Qatar to win his release. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement Peter Theo Curtis had been held by Nusra Front, al Qaeda's official wing in Syria whose rivalry with Islamic State has fueled war among the insurgents themselves. President Barack Obama, who was briefed on Curtis' release, "shares in the joy and relief that we all feel now that Theo is out of Syria and safe," the White House said. "But we continue to hold in our thoughts and prayers the Americans who remain in captivity in Syria - and we will continue to use all of the tools at our disposal to see that the remaining American hostages are freed," the statement added.
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| Major 7.0-magnitude quake strikes central Peru: USGS Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:55 PM PDT  Washington (AFP) - A major 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck central Peru Sunday, US experts said.
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| Director and actor Richard Attenborough dies aged 90 Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:54 PM PDT  British director and actor Richard Attenborough has died aged 90 after a sparkling career spanning six decades, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) said on Sunday. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of esteemed filmmaker and former BAFTA President, Lord Attenborough," the organisation said in a statement. British film would do well to live up to the example of industry, skill and compassion set by Richard, Lord Attenborough," the organisation said. Attenborough, who appeared in movies such as "Brighton Rock", "The Great Escape" and "Jurassic Park", in a career spanning six decades, died on Sunday lunchtime, his son told broadcaster BBC.
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| Jihadis capture major Syrian air base in northeast Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:54 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — Islamic State fighters captured a major military air base in northeastern Syria on Sunday, eliminating the last government-held outpost in a province otherwise dominated by the jihadi group, activists and state media said. |
| Large earthquake reported in central Peru Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:50 PM PDT LIMA, Peru (AP) — The U.S. Geological Survey says a large 7-magnitude earthquake has struck central Peru. |
| US Geological Survey reports magnitude 7 earthquake in central Peru Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:43 PM PDT LIMA, Peru (AP) — US Geological Survey reports magnitude 7 earthquake in central Peru . |
| Two inmates beheaded in Brazil prison riot: authorities Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:41 PM PDT  Brasília (AFP) - Inmates rioting to press for better facilities in an overcrowded Brazilian jail have beheaded two fellow prisoners and taken two guards hostage, officials said Sunday. Miguel Llanela, a civilian police officer at the Cascavel state correctional center in the southern city of Parana, also said 80 percent of the facility, which houses 1,400 inmates, has been taken over by prisoners. State prison officials told G1 news the prisoners launched a violent push for better food and cleaner facilities. Brazil currently has more than half a million prisoners and faces severe overcrowding.
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| Iraq pleads for global help in fight against jihadists Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:41 PM PDT  Iraq called Sunday for global support for its fight against jihadists, as Shiite neighbour Iran said it was helping Baghdad resist the militants but not with soldiers on the ground. Iraq is struggling to regain significant parts of the country after a lightning militant offensive led by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group seized second city Mosul in June and swept through the country's Sunni heartland, as security forces fled. The jihadist fighters have been bombarded since August 8 by US air strikes in northern Iraq, allowing Kurdish peshmerga security forces to claw back a limited amount of lost territory, including the Qaraj area, which they retook on Sunday.
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| Benfica wins 1-0 at Boavista, coach sent off Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:39 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Left back Eliseu Pereira scored the lone goal in the first half as Benfica beat newly-promoted Boavista 1-0 on Sunday despite coach Jorge Jesus being sent off at the end of the first half. |
| Hurricane Marie grows stronger in Pacific Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:21 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Marie has grown in strength as it moves out into the Pacific, reaching Category 5 status and provoking dangerous waves along Mexico's western coast. |
| British deputy PM to meet India's Modi in trade trip Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:19 PM PDT  Britain's deputy prime minister Nick Clegg begins a trade mission to India on Monday, where he will meet the country's prime minister Narendra Modi in a bid to strengthen economic ties. The three-day visit by a 40-strong delegation is the latest in a series of similar trips by David Cameron's government, which is keen to foster closer links with the world's largest democracy. Clegg's office said the trip will "take advantage of the opportunities presented by the new Indian government's focus on economic growth" since Modi swept to a landslide victory on a platform of economic reform in May. Clegg will meet with Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley on Monday, while energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey will look for opportunities for companies and ways to collaborate on energy.
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| Dixon gets dramatic Sonoma IndyCar win; Power 9th Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:14 PM PDT  SONOMA, California (AP) — New Zealand driver Scott Dixon passed Mike Conway with three laps to go at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, earning a dramatic IndyCar victory and muddying the overall championship race.
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| Final TV showdown in Scotland's independence debate looms before vote Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:10 PM PDT  By Alistair Smout EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Scotland's future will be debated in a final TV showdown on Monday just weeks before a historic independence referendum with the pro-breakaway camp, behind in the polls, looking for a game-changing performance from its leader. As voting day, Sept. 18, draws nearer, polls show that the campaign to sever Scotland's 307-year union with England and leave the United Kingdom is trailing in the polls, as it generally has been from the start. Several recent polls have shown its support climbing a few points, but according to the most recent "poll of polls" on Aug. 15, based on an average of the last six polls and excluding undecided respondents, support for the pro-independence camp stands at 43 percent against 57 percent for opponents. "It's the last real public chance to reach a large audience," Patrick Brione, director of research at pollster Survation, said of Monday's TV debate.
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| Nigerian town seized by Boko Haram 'part of Islamic caliphate': leader Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:05 PM PDT  Boko Haram's leader said a northeast town seized by the insurgents earlier this month has been placed under an Islamic caliphate, in a video obtained by AFP on Sunday. "Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in (the town of) Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic caliphate," Abubakar Shekau said in the 52-minute video.
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| Teams all on knife-edge in Champions League Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:01 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — With at least $12 million guaranteed for Champions League participants, it's little wonder the final playoffs for the group stage are so tight.
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| Hwang, Choi lift S. Korea past Chicago to win LLWS Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:00 PM PDT  SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — In the giddy moments after South Korea won the Little League World Series, outfielder Don Wan Sin realized how he wanted to celebrate.
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| Messi's back with 2 goals as Barca wins opener Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:59 PM PDT  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi scored twice to help 10-man Barcelona start the Spanish league with a 3-0 win over Elche in the debut of coach Luis Enrique on Sunday, with the Argentina star looking eager to put last season's disappointments behind him.
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| Fred scores twice, Fluminense wins again in Brazil Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:56 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — Disgruntled striker Fred scored a pair of goals as Fluminense beat Sport 4-0 in the Brazilian league on Sunday, helping the club end a four-match winless streak and silencing fans who had protested against his poor performances recently. |
| Actor-director Richard Attenborough dies at 90 Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:56 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Acclaimed actor and Oscar-winning director Richard Attenborough, whose film career on both sides of the camera spanned 60 years, has died. He was 90.
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| Messi scores twice to start campaign in Spain Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:49 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Lionel Messi and Barcelona are already up and running at full speed in the Spanish league. Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United is still stumbling out of the blocks in the Premier League.
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| Renamo rebels say ceasefire signed with Mozambique government Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:47 PM PDT  Mozambique's government and former rebel movement Renamo have signed a ceasefire ending two years of armed conflict, Renamo said on Sunday. Chief negotiators from the government and Renamo signed the declaration late Sunday night in the capital Maputo ending a nearly year-long negotiation process. "A ceasefire has been signed," Renamo's chief negotiator at the peace talks with the government, Saimon Macuiane, told AFP adding that the "definitive agreement" was effective as of 10:00 pm (2000 GMT) Sunday.
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| Luis Enrique puts stamp on new Barca with Munir Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:46 PM PDT  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — New coach Luis Enrique put his stamp on Barcelona in his winning debut.
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| Mahan comes up with timely victory at The Barclays Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:42 PM PDT  PARAMUS, N.J. (AP) — Hunter Mahan pulled away with three straight birdies late in the final round Sunday to win The Barclays, ending more than two years without a title on the PGA Tour.
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| 3 beheaded in southern Brazil prison riot Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:39 PM PDT SAO PAULO (AP) — Three prisoners were beheaded and at least five other people were injured in a riot that erupted Sunday in a southern Brazilian prison, authorities said. |
| California wine country hit by strong 6.0-magnitude quake Posted: 24 Aug 2014 03:27 PM PDT  A 6.0-magnitude earthquake rocked California's scenic Napa Valley wine country Sunday, the strongest to hit the region in a quarter of a century, seriously injuring three and jolting thousands from their sleep. California's governor declared a state of emergency in the wake of the 3:20 am quake, which ignited fires, burst water mains, caused gas leaks and even cracked roads. The US Geological Service said the temblor was the most powerful to hit the San Francisco Bay area since the 1989 6.9-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake. Among them was David Gadlin, manager of Lucero Olive Oil shop in downtown Napa, who raced to the store to find the floor coated with olive oil, vinegar and shattered glass.
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| Falcao scores as Monaco beats Nantes 1-0 Posted: 24 Aug 2014 02:56 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Radamel Falcao scored in his first start of the season to give Monaco a 1-0 win over Nantes in the French league on Sunday, the team's first victory under new coach Leonardo Jardim. |
| U.S. says American held in Syria has been freed Posted: 24 Aug 2014 02:45 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — An American journalist kidnapped and held hostage for nearly two years by an al-Qaida-linked group in Syria was released Sunday, less than a week after the horrific execution of American journalist James Foley by Islamic militants.
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| Ryu holds off Choi to win Canadian Women's Open Posted: 24 Aug 2014 02:39 PM PDT  South Korea's Ryu So-Yeon held off compatriot Choi Na-Yeon on Sunday to capture the Canadian Women's Open, snapping an LPGA win drought of more than two years. Ninth-ranked Ryu, the 2011 US Women's Open champion whose only other prior LPGA crown came at the 2012 Toledo Classic, matched the season-low LPGA 72-hole total of 23-under par, finishing on 265 to defeat Choi by two shots. Ryu fired a final-round 69, three-under par, to collect a wire-to-wire triumph but only after Choi closed within one stroke with three holes to play. A final six-foot birdie putt at 16 produced Ryu's final margin of victory.
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| Cristobal's pelting rains lash southeast Bahamas Posted: 24 Aug 2014 02:38 PM PDT  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Slow-moving Tropical Storm Cristobal lashed parts of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands with heavy rainfall on Sunday, and one man died and two other people were earlier left missing when they were caught up by swollen rivers on the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
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