| Islamic State closes in on Syrian city of Aleppo; U.S. abandons rebel training effort Posted: 09 Oct 2015 01:00 PM PDT  By Dominic Evans and Parisa Hafezi BEIRUT/ANKARA (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters have seized villages close to the northern city of Aleppo from rival insurgents, a monitoring group said on Friday, despite an intensifying Russian air-and-sea campaign that Moscow says has targeted the militant group. News of the advance came as the United States announced it was largely abandoning its failed program to train moderate rebels fighting Islamic State and would instead provide arms and equipment directly to rebel leaders and their units on the battlefield. The Obama administration is grappling with a dramatic change in the four-year-old Syrian civil war brought about by Moscow's intervention in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
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| Exclusive: U.S. warns governments, bankers Iran sanctions still in place Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:30 PM PDT  By Ron Bousso and Timothy Gardner LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration has privately reminded foreign governments and U.S. bankers that sanctions against Iran remain in effect, cautioning against a rush by Western companies to invest in Iran's oil industry and other businesses until the country fully complies with the July nuclear agreement. The U.S. State Department recently cabled a message, known as a demarche, to embassies around the world to reiterate that sanctions on Iran are still in place, diplomatic and government sources told Reuters on Friday. The demarche stressed that sanctions on Iran would not be lifted until the International Atomic Energy Agency verifies that Tehran has complied with the terms of the deal.
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| Western countries say endorse unity government for Libya Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:10 PM PDT  France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Britain and the United States on Friday endorsed a national unity government in Libya as proposed by the United Nations to end the conflict between two rival governments in the war-torn country. "Delays in forming a unity government will only prolong the suffering of the Libyan people and benefit terrorists seeking to take advantage of the chaos," the Western allies said in a joint statement. The United Nations proposed the national unity government on Thursday to end a war between the internationally recognized government and a competing self-declared administration but the deal faces resistance in Tripoli.
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| China says U.S. human rights report biased Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:44 PM PDT  A U.S. congressional commission's criticism of China's human rights record did not "accord with the facts", the Chinese government said on Friday, the latest friction over a long-running thorn in relations. The U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China said on Thursday that it saw in China "a disturbing deterioration in human rights and rule of law conditions that pose a direct challenge to U.S. national interests and U.S.-China relations". The report comes weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington, during which U.S. President Barack Obama laid out concern over human rights.
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| Rare Syria deal falls victim to Russian escalation Posted: 09 Oct 2015 01:02 PM PDT  By Laila Bassam and Tom Miles BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - Russia's military intervention in the Syrian war has all but destroyed a deal agreed last month to halt fighting between warring sides in two areas of the west, unpicking a rare success for foreign-backed diplomacy in the four-year-long conflict. Implementation of the deal agreed with U.N. help to extricate rebels from the town of Zabadani and trapped villagers from al-Foua and Kefraya has effectively been shelved following Russian air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad, three sources familiar with the talks told Reuters. The deal brokered with Iranian and Turkish help followed a weeks-long offensive by the Syrian military and Shi'ite Islamist Hezbollah to capture the town of Zabadani near the Lebanese border from insurgents who are still holed up there.
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| Six killed in Gaza as Israeli-Palestinian violence widens Posted: 09 Oct 2015 10:07 AM PDT  By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Luke Baker GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli troops shot dead six Palestinians in protests in Gaza and a knife-wielding Jewish man wounded four Arabs in southern Israel on Friday in a wave of violence that has fueled talk of a new uprising against Israel. The soldiers shot across the border into Gaza after the Palestinians came too close to the Israeli frontier, throwing stones and rolling burning tyres, an army spokeswoman said. Gaza medics said six people were killed and 50 wounded.
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| Tribes seek to be heard in Canada vote Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:38 PM PDT  Montreal (AFP) - Several hundred aboriginals banged drums in a loud protest Friday to bring attention to the plight of First Nations in Canada ahead of legislative elections on October 19.
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| 1 fatally shot at Texas Southern University housing complex Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:37 PM PDT  HOUSTON (AP) — A student was killed and another person was wounded during a shooting outside at Texas Southern University student-housing complex on Friday, and police have detained two men for questioning, authorities said.
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| Top Asian News at 11:30 p.m. GMT Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:32 PM PDT PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea is holding what is expected to be one of its biggest celebrations ever Saturday for the 70th anniversary of its ruling party's creation, an attention-getting event that is the government's way of showing the world and its own people the Kim dynasty — now in its third generation — is firmly in control and its military a power to be reckoned with. The military parade kicking off the celebrations could hold some surprises for analysts abroad who will be watching its display of weaponry, particularly its growing fleet of drone aircraft and long-range missiles, very closely. |
| Blevins banned for five weeks, Samoan gets punishment cut Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:18 PM PDT  World Cup disciplinary chiefs on Friday banned Canada centre Nick Blevins for five weeks for a "neck roll" tackle in a group match against Romania. Canada have ended their Pool D campaign after four straight defeats -- including 17-15 against Romania in Leicester on Tuesday --- so the ban on Blevins will not affect the tournament. Judicial officer Simon Thomas of Wales had considered a seven week ban but brought it down because of Blevins' "conduct prior to and at the hearing, his remorse, good character and disciplinary record," said a World Rugby statement.
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| Tonga signs off at World Cup by giving All Blacks a run Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:16 PM PDT  NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — With spectators' smartphones on record and camera flashes going off all around St. James' Park, Tonga went toe-to-toe with the All Blacks as they performed their pre-game ritual dances.
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| Obama meets Oregon families as two more die in campus shootings Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:15 PM PDT  US President Barack Obama met in Oregon Friday with relatives of victims of a deadly rampage at a community college, as shootings on two more school campuses left two people dead and four wounded. Hundreds gathered outside the gate to the local airport to greet Obama, where he earned a mixed reception. While one sign said "Welcome to Roseburg," others read "Obama is Wrong" and "Nothing Trumps Our Liberty" -- clear signs that the president's visit to the rural, conservative community is not appreciated by all.
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| Migrant injured after jumping on Eurotunnel shuttle to Britain Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:14 PM PDT  A 17-year-old from Eritrea was seriously injured Friday after making an apparent bid to jump on a Eurotunnel shuttle from France to Britain, a firefighter said, adding that his life was not in danger.
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| 5 of the best France-Ireland rugby matches in recent times Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:11 PM PDT  Ireland is enjoying its longest unbeaten streak over France — four matches — since 1973.
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| Peru protesters tell IMF 'imperialists' to go home Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:09 PM PDT  Activists marched through the Peruvian capital Friday to protest what they called the anti-poor policies of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, which are holding their annual meetings here. Around 2,000 demonstrators joined the march, carrying signs with angry slogans and at one point burning the flag of the United States, where the IMF and World Bank are based. "World Bank, universal terror," said another.
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| Development banks boost funding to mitigate climate change Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:07 PM PDT  LIMA, Peru (AP) — The world's top development banks pledged Friday to boost their funding to lessen climate change's impact, aiming for the goal of $100 billion a year that rich countries have pledged to transfer to developing countries by 2020.
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| Death toll in Guatemala slide reaches 253, with 374 missing Posted: 09 Oct 2015 04:07 PM PDT  GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The death toll from the mammoth landslide that buried a neighborhood on the outskirts of Guatemala's capital has risen to 253 as the search for victims enters its second week. Nearly 400 people were still missing Friday.
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| Gunmen kill three Burkina Faso gendarmes near Mali border Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:56 PM PDT Around 50 unidentified gunmen attacked a Burkina Faso gendarmerie brigade near the country's western border with Mali on Friday, killing three in an attack the government blamed on the leaders of a failed coup last month. The attack, in which one gunman died, initially appeared linked to a separatist conflict in northern Mali that involves Islamist militants. There has been a spate of attacks this year in other parts of Mali. |
| Unrest spreads to Gaza as Israeli troops kill six Palestinians Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:55 PM PDT  A fresh wave of stabbings also hit Israel and the West Bank, including a revenge attack by a Jewish suspect that wounded two Palestinians and two Arab Israelis. The Gaza Strip had been mainly calm as unrest has shaken annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank in recent days.
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| Congo gears up to vote on extending veteran leader's rule Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:52 PM PDT  Congo's interior minister on Friday opened the campaigning period ahead of an October 25 referendum on whether veteran leader Denis Sassou Nguesso should be allowed to run for a controversial third term. The constitution currently bars the 72-year-old, who has already had three decades in power, from seeking another presidential term as there is an age limit of 70 as well as a ceiling of two mandates. Sassou Nguesso is among several African leaders who have sparked controversy by seeking to extend their stranglehold on power and the move prompted a massive protest in the country's capital Brazzaville when announced last month.
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| US airman's condition upgraded as he recovers from stabbing Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:48 PM PDT  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A U.S. airman hailed as a hero for helping thwart a European terror attack was upgraded from serious to fair condition Friday as he recovered from three stab wounds suffered in a late-night attack near a bar, UC Davis Medical Center officials said Friday, indicating that his vital signs are stable and normal and he is conscious.
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| New Zealand scores 7 tries, beats Tonga 47-9 at World Cup Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:47 PM PDT  NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — New Zealand pulled away in the last half-hour to cruise to a 47-9 win over Tonga on Friday, but headed into the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals without a complete 80-minute performance in the pool stage.
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| Police: Trio used stolen gun to rob, kill 2 in California Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:43 PM PDT  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Three young transients used a handgun that was stolen from an unlocked car to rob and kill a backpacking Canadian tourist in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco then a yoga instructor two days later on a hiking trail north of the city, authorities said Friday.
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| Portuguese centre-right TV star billed to win presidential poll Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:43 PM PDT  The former leader of Portugal's centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) and prominent television commentator Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Friday announced his bid to run for the presidency in next January's election. Rebelo de Sousa announced his candidacy in Celorico de Basto in the north of Portugal, saying that the country must "leave behind the financial, economic and social crisis". The law professor's announcement came after a coalition of the Social Democrats and the conservative Popular Party won a parliamentary election last weekend despite four difficult years of austerity and many predictions of defeat.
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| Spain clinches Euro 2016 spot with 4-0 win over Luxembourg Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:39 PM PDT  LOGRONO, Spain (AP) — Santi Cazorla and Paco Alcacer scored two goals each to help Spain beat Luxembourg 4-0 on Friday and secure a spot for the holders in next year's European Championship.
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| Woodcock injures right hamstring, could be ruled out of RWC Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:36 PM PDT NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Tony Woodcock may have played his last game for New Zealand after hobbling off with a right hamstring injury during the 47-9 win over Tonga at the Rugby World Cup on Friday. |
| Switzerland joins England in qualifying for Euro 2016 Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:35 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Switzerland will return to the European Championship for the first time since co-hosting the tournament eight years earlier after thrashing San Marino 7-0 on Friday with seven different scorers.
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| Spain and Switzerland secure spots in Euro 2016 Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:34 PM PDT  MADRID (AP) — Spain will defend its European Championship title next year, while Switzerland will return to the tournament for the first time since co-hosting it eight years earlier.
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| 1 student killed, 3 wounded at Arizona campus during fight Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:31 PM PDT FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — An overnight brawl between two groups of students escalated into violence Friday when a freshman at Northern Arizona University opened fire on four fraternity members, killing one and wounding three. |
| Suspensions at the Rugby World Cup Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:31 PM PDT  Sept. 21 - No. 8 Dominiko Waqaniburoto (Fiji) suspended for one week for a lifting tackle on England's Jonny May. Cited by Douglas Hunter of Scotland. Admitted to foul play, sanctioned by Lorne Crerar of Scotland. Missed match vs. Australia.
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| Samoa's Tuilagi has appeal partially upheld, still suspended Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:30 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Samoa winger Alesana Tuilagi's suspension was reduced from five weeks to two when his appeal at the Rugby World Cup was partially upheld on Friday.
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| P. J. Harvey releases first poetry collection Posted: 09 Oct 2015 03:19 PM PDT  British singer P. J. Harvey released her first book of poetry on her 46th birthday on Friday -- based on journeys to Afghanistan, Kosovo and the United States. The book, entitled "The Hollow of the Hand", is a collaboration with photographer Seamus Murphy and is based on travels between 2011 and 2014. "Gathering information from secondary sources felt too far removed for what I was trying to write about," Harvey said in a statement released by the book's publishers, Bloomsbury.
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| Ireland, France out to avoid All Blacks in RWC quarterfinals Posted: 09 Oct 2015 02:58 PM PDT  The Rugby World Cup is about to get serious for Ireland and France.
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| Pre-election clash in Guinea capital kills two, wounds 33 Posted: 09 Oct 2015 02:58 PM PDT  By Saliou Samb CONAKRY (Reuters) - Two people were killed and at least 33 were wounded in Guinea on Friday in clashes between supporters of President Alpha Conde and his main rival before Sunday's election, witnesses and a senior police source said. Shots were fired, security forces fired teargas and wielded batons outside the house of Conde's rival, Cellou Dalein Diallo, in the capital, while activists armed with stones and clubs roamed the streets, reducing traffic to a minimum, they said. Eighteen of those wounded were members of the security forces, state television said.
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| Tensions rise ahead of Guinea presidential poll Posted: 09 Oct 2015 02:57 PM PDT  Tensions flared in Guinea ahead of Sunday's presidential election, only the country's second such democratic vote, as the opposition warned of fraud and incumbent President Alpha Conde appealed for a massive victory. After a largely peaceful campaign, Conde's main rival Cellou Dalein Diallo this week called for the poll to be delayed as ethnic tensions emerged and clashes between supporters of the two contenders left at least two people dead on Thursday. Returning to Conakry after a three-week tour across the mineral-rich but destitute nation, Diallo asked for the vote to be delayed on the grounds that the electoral roll has been stacked in favour of Conde.
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| New climate-financing pledges at IMF talks closer to $100 billion-a-year Posted: 09 Oct 2015 02:56 PM PDT  By Randall Palmer LIMA (Reuters) - The world's rich countries most likely will be able to reach the goal of providing $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poor countries combat and adapt to climate change, as the result of increased pledges made in Lima, key ministers said on Friday. The World Bank and other international banks made billions of dollars of new pledges on Friday, on top of promises that have been made by individual countries. "This bodes well for meeting the goal of $100 billion," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told a news conference after a session at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Lima.
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| Official: Lottery scam linked to killing of Jamaica family Posted: 09 Oct 2015 02:55 PM PDT KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Attackers killed six members of the same family and set their clapboard home on fire in northern Jamaica, and the island's security minister on Friday linked the massacre to the island's international lottery scam crime rings. |
| Bernhard Langer takes 2-shot lead in SAS Championship Posted: 09 Oct 2015 02:53 PM PDT CARY, N.C. (AP) — Bernhard Langer shot a 7-under 65 in windy conditions Friday to take a two-stroke lead in the Champions Tour's SAS Championship. |
