| Shi'ite cleric among 47 executed in Saudi Arabia, stirring anger in region Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:18 PM PST  By Angus McDowall RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric and dozens of al Qaeda members on Saturday, signaling that it would not tolerate attacks, whether by Sunni jihadists or minority Shi'ites, and stirring sectarian anger across the region. Hundreds of Shi'ite Muslims marched through Qatif district in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province in protest at the execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr, an eyewitness said. Nimr, the most vocal critic of the dynasty among the Shi'ite minority, had come to be seen as a leader of the sect's younger activists, who rejected the quiet approach of older community leaders for failing to achieve equality with Sunnis.
|
| White House: more time needed for new Iran missile sanctions Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:16 PM PST  By Jeff Mason HONOLULU (Reuters) - The White House expects Iran to finish work needed to trigger implementation of an international nuclear deal in the coming weeks, but Washington needs more time to prepare sanctions over its ballistic missile program, a U.S. official said on Saturday. The administration had additional diplomatic and technical work to complete before announcing any new sanctions related to the missile program, but the delay was not a result of pressure from Tehran, said deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes. "We have additional work that needs to be done before we would announce additional designations, but this is not something that we would negotiate with the Iranian government," Rhodes told reporters in Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is on vacation.
|
| Putin names United States among threats in new Russian security strategy Posted: 02 Jan 2016 03:05 AM PST  By Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW (Reuters) - A new appraisal names the United States as one of the threats to Russia's national security for the first time, a sign of how relations with the west have deteriorated in recent years. The document, "About the Strategy of National Security of Russian Federation", was signed by President Vladimir Putin on New Year's Eve. It replaces a 2009 version, endorsed by then- President Dmitry Medvedev, the current prime minister, which mentioned neither the United States not NATO.
|
| Saudi-led coalition ending Yemen ceasefire, state news agency says Posted: 02 Jan 2016 06:12 AM PST  A Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the Houthi movement in Yemen for nine months announced on Saturday the end of a ceasefire that began on Dec. 15, the Saudi state news agency SPA said, in a setback to attempts to end the conflict. The ceasefire began in tandem with peace talks sponsored by the United Nations, but it was repeatedly violated by both sides. The coalition began its military campaign in prevent the Houthis, whom it sees as a proxy for Iran, from taking complete control of Yemen after seizing much of the north last year.
|
| Man who drove car at French troops had jihadi propaganda in computer: prosecutor Posted: 02 Jan 2016 12:41 PM PST By Arnaud Grange VALENCE, France (Reuters) - French investigators found jihadist propaganda material on Saturday in the computer of a man who drove his car into troops guarding a mosque in southern France on New Year's Day but said it did not prove he had links with any terrorist groups. "The inspection of his computer led to the discovery of jihadi propaganda images," local prosecutor Alex Perrin told Reuters. "It shows he had an appreciation of that but it does not prove he had links with terrorist organizations." The 29-year old Frenchman of Tunisian descent rammed his car into a group of four soldiers in a car park outside a large mosque in a suburb of Valence on Friday afternoon, the prosecutor told reporters earlier on Saturday. |
| Vatican accord with Palestine comes into effect Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:28 PM PST  An agreement signed last year making the Vatican's de facto recognition of Palestine in 2012 official has come into effect, the Holy See said on Saturday. The Vatican signed its first treaty with the "State of Palestine" last June when it called for moves to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and backed a two-state solution. "... the Holy See and the State of Palestine have notified each other that the procedural requirements for (the accord's) entry into force have been fulfilled, the Vatican said in a statement on Saturday.
|
| Saudi-led coalition says Yemen truce ends Saturday Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:56 PM PST  SANAA, Yemen (AP) — The truce in Yemen between Shiite rebels and a Saudi-led military coalition has formally ended, according to Saudi Arabia's state-run news agency.
|
| Shiite anger after Saudi Arabia executes top cleric Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:54 PM PST  Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed a prominent Shiite cleric, prompting outrage in Shiite-majority Iran, where angry crowds set fire to the kingdom's embassy and consulate. Nimr al-Nimr, 56, who spent more than a decade studying theology in Iran, was a driving figure behind anti-government protests in Saudi Arabia in 2011. The executions sparked protests in at least one city in Saudi Arabia's oil-rich Eastern Province, where Shiites complain of marginalisation, as well as in Iran, Iraq and Bahrain.
|
| Somali extremists use Donald Trump clip to recruit followers Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:49 PM PST  MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Al-Qaida's East African affiliate has released a recruitment video targeting American blacks and Muslims that includes a clip of presidential candidate Donald Trump calling for Muslims to be banned from entering the United States.
|
| Top Asian News 12:41 a.m. GMT Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:41 PM PST PATHANKOT, India (AP) — Suspected militants infiltrated an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan and fought security forces for hours, leaving at least four gunmen and two Indian troops dead in what is being seen as a possible attempt to undo recent progress in relations between the two rival countries. The attack Saturday at the Pathankot air force base in Punjab came just a week after the first visit to Pakistan in 12 years by an Indian prime minister. Police said they were investigating whether the gunmen came from the Indian portion of Kashmir, where rebels routinely stage attacks, or from Pakistan. |
| Wenger impressed by resilient Arsenal Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:41 PM PST  Arsene Wenger praised Arsenal's grit and determination as they moved two points clear at the top of the Premier League with a tense 1-0 win over Newcastle United. After watching Laurent Koscielny's 72nd-minute strike secure three points at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Wenger said winning ugly will help his players believe they can do so again if they are unable to overwhelm an opponent with their attacking play. "It was a difficult game against a good Newcastle side," the Gunners boss said.
|
| US condemns Kagame move to run for third term as Rwanda president Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:41 PM PST  The United States hit out Saturday at Rwandan President Paul Kagame's decision to run for a third term, saying it was "deeply disappointed" and concerned by the move. "With this decision, President Kagame ignores a historic opportunity to reinforce and solidify the democratic institutions the Rwandan people have for more than 20 years labored so hard to establish," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. Kagame, once a darling of the West, said Friday he would run again in line with a constitutional amendment which won overwhelming backing in a referendum.
|
| 4 gunmen, 2 troops dead in attack on Indian air base Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:41 PM PST  PATHANKOT, India (AP) — Suspected militants infiltrated an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan and fought security forces for hours, leaving at least four gunmen and two Indian troops dead in what is being seen as a possible attempt to undo recent progress in relations between the two rival countries.
|
| 'Angry' Klopp urges Liverpool to raise game Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:36 PM PST  Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that his side must improve their commitment levels if they are to make progress this season following a 2-0 defeat at West Ham United. Klopp has identified this month's games as crucial to Liverpool's campaign, with a League cup semi-final against Stoke City and an FA Cup trip to Exeter City while there are also potentially tough league meetings with Arsenal and Manchester United. "It's no day for being disappointed, it's a day for being angry," said the German, who has now overseen four Premier League defeats in his fledgling Liverpool tenure.
|
| Mexico mayor slain a day after taking office Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:16 PM PST  MEXICO CITY (AP) — The mayor of a city south of Mexico's capital was shot to death on Saturday, less than a day after taking office, officials said.
|
| Dakar Rally spectators injured in car accident in Argentina Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:12 PM PST  ROSARIO, Argentina (AP) — Organizers say four spectators at the Dakar Rally have been injured after a Mini Cooper plowed into the crowd before the start of the race in Argentina.
|
| Mexico mayor assassinated one day after taking office Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:05 PM PST  Several gunmen burst into the home of a newly elected Mexican mayor and shot her dead on Saturday, just hours into her tenure, police said. Gisela Mota, 33, a left-of-center former member of Congress, was gunned down barely 24 hours after taking her oath of office in the city of Temixco, which is about 90 kilometers (55 miles) from the capital Mexico City. Temixco is plagued by organized crime and rampant drug trafficking -- problems the slain mayor had vowed to help clean up.
|
| The Latest: Protesters enter Saudi embassy in Iran Posted: 02 Jan 2016 04:02 PM PST  RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The latest developments following Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 people, including a prominent opposition Shiite cleric who had rallied demonstrations in the kingdom (All times local).
|
| Iranian protesters storm Saudi embassy, foreign ministry calls for calm Posted: 02 Jan 2016 03:45 PM PST DUBAI (Reuters) - Angry Iranian protesters stormed Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran in the early hours of Sunday, smashing furniture and starting fires before being removed by the police. The protesters had gathered outside the embassy to protest against Saudi Arabia's execution of Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent cleric from the kingdom's Shi'ite minority, on terrorism charges that Iran said were unjustified. They then broke into the building and lit fires inside before being cleared by police, the ISNA news agency reported. ... |
| West Indies win toss and bat in third Test against Australia Posted: 02 Jan 2016 03:34 PM PST  Sydney (AFP) - The West Indies won the toss and chose to bat on the opening day of the third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
|
| White House says more work needed before any Iran sanctions Posted: 02 Jan 2016 03:29 PM PST HONOLULU (AP) — The White House said on Saturday it has more diplomatic and technical work to do before it will announce any sanctions in response to ballistic missile launches by Iran. |
| Sporting beats Porto to reclaim Portuguese league lead Posted: 02 Jan 2016 03:26 PM PST LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Islam Slimani scored once in each half to give Sporting Lisbon a 2-0 win over FC Porto that allowed it to reclaim the lead of the Portuguese league from the visitors on Saturday. |
| West Indies wins toss, bats in third test vs. Australia Posted: 02 Jan 2016 03:21 PM PST SYDNEY (AP) — West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss and chose to bat first against Australia in the third test at a cool, overcast Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. |
| Barca draws again to cede provisional Liga lead to Atletico Posted: 02 Jan 2016 03:02 PM PST  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona was held to 0-0 at Espanyol to cede the provisional lead of the Spanish league to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, after Diego Simeone's side got some late heroics from substitute Thomas Partey for the second time in four days.
|
| U.S. concerned execution of Nimr will exacerbate sectarian tensions Posted: 02 Jan 2016 02:57 PM PST By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government expressed concern on Saturday that Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric, could exacerbate sectarian tensions, and urged all leaders in the Middle East to "redouble efforts" to de-escalate regional tensions. "We reaffirm our calls on the Government of Saudi Arabia to respect and protect human rights, and to ensure fair and transparent judicial proceedings in all cases," John Kirby, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said in a statement, after the execution of Nimr al-Nimr and 46 other people. |
| Iran 'sponsors terror', has 'no shame': Saudi Posted: 02 Jan 2016 02:41 PM PST  Saudi Arabia accused Iran of sponsoring terror and undermining regional stability, as a diplomatic spat between both countries escalated Saturday over the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. "The Iranian regime is the last regime in the world that could accuse others of supporting terrorism, considering that (Iran) is a state that sponsors terror, and is condemned by the United Nations and many countries," said a foreign ministry spokesman in a statement carried by the official SPA news agency. The statement was the second after the kingdom's foreign ministry announced it had summoned the Iranian ambassador in Riyadh to protest an "aggressive" statement by Tehran on the execution of Saudi Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
|
| White House: Iran work for nuclear deal likely finished in coming weeks Posted: 02 Jan 2016 02:24 PM PST The White House expects that Iran will finish the work it needs to trigger implementation of a landmark nuclear deal with world powers in the coming weeks, White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said on Saturday. Rhodes said Iran still had a number of important things to do after having shipped its stockpile of low enriched uranium out of the country. "I would expect the Iranians to complete the work necessary to move forward with implementation in the coming weeks," Rhodes told reporters in Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is on vacation. |
| Drowned toddler becomes first 2016 migrant casualty in the Aegean Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:58 PM PST  A drowned two-year-old boy became the first known migrant casualty of the year on Saturday after the crowded dinghy he was travelling in slammed into rocks off Greece's Agathonisi island, the coastguard said. The rubber vessel had set off from Turkey in the early morning in windy weather. The charity Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS), which helps save migrants and refugees at sea, deployed its fast-rescue Responder boat to help bring the stranded passengers to safety in a joint operation with the Hellenic coastguard.
|
| Newly installed mayor of Mexican city killed Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:52 PM PST  The newly installed mayor of the Mexican city of Temixco was killed on Saturday, according to a tweet from Morelos state Governor Graco Ramirez. Gisela Mota formally took office with the new year on Friday. Mexico City newspaper EL Universal said she was attacked at her home by four armed gunmen.
|
| French Cup trip from Indian Ocean ends in loss for amateurs Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:47 PM PST PARIS (AP) — A sixth-division team which traveled from the Indian Ocean to Corsica couldn't take home a win in the French Cup on Saturday. |
| US routs Czech Republic 7-0 in world junior quarterfinals Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:36 PM PST  HELSINKI (AP) — Auston Matthews had a hat trick to lead the United States to a 7-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the world junior hockey championship.
|
| Saudi execution risks fueling sectarian tensions: US Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:22 PM PST  The US also urged Riyadh to "respect and protect" human rights, said State Department spokesman John Kirby, following the execution of Nimr al-Nimr. The executions sparked angry condemnation from Shiite-majority Iran and Iraq, while the EU similarly expressed concern about possible "dangerous consequences" in a region already fraught with sectarian tensions. "The United States also urges the government of Saudi Arabia to permit peaceful expression of dissent and to work together with all community leaders to defuse tensions in the wake of these executions," Kirby said in a statement.
|
| Israel searches for gunman who killed 2 in Tel Aviv attack Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:18 PM PST  JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police continued their manhunt Saturday for a gunman who killed two people and wounded several others when he opened fire at a bar in Tel Aviv the day before.
|
| Bill Clinton to stump for Hillary on Monday Posted: 02 Jan 2016 01:01 PM PST  Bill Clinton will hit the campaign trail Monday for his wife Hillary -- his first appearance on the stump for the former first lady's 2016 White House bid. The former president's visit to New Hampshire in support of his wife, who leads polls for the Democratic nomination, comes with Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump sharpening his attacks on both Clintons. Bill Clinton will hold a rally at a community college in the city of Nashua and another event later Monday in Exeter.
|
| Police hunt for gunman after deadly Tel Aviv pub attack Posted: 02 Jan 2016 12:49 PM PST  Israeli security forces pressed a manhunt Saturday for the Arab Israeli suspected of killing two people and wounding seven others at a Tel Aviv pub, with the motive still unknown. Police partially lifted a gag order on Saturday, naming the suspected shooter as Nashaat Melhem, 31, from the Arab village of Arara in northern Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a cautious tone in Saturday evening remarks at the site of the shooting, refraining from defining it as anything beyond a murder.
|
| Normality returns to EPL as Arsenal, City, United win Posted: 02 Jan 2016 12:37 PM PST  MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Normality was restored in the most unpredictable of Premier League seasons as Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United won to kick off 2016, with two of English football's biggest stars grabbing winners after lean spells.
|
