| Obama plans to send 250 more U.S. troops to Syria: U.S. officials Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:12 PM PDT  HANOVER, Germany/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama plans to send 250 more military personnel to Syria, increasing the U.S. presence on the ground there to about 300 troops to help fight Islamic State militants, a U.S. official said on Sunday. The deployment will come on top of 50 special operations forces whom Obama deployed to Syria last year, two U.S. officials said. One official said the announcement would come in a speech Obama plans to give in Hanover, Germany, on Monday.
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| Migrants seek new routes into Balkans after formal borders sealed Posted: 24 Apr 2016 07:18 AM PDT  By Fedja Grulovic IDOMENI, Greece (Reuters) - After weeks stranded at a closed border in northern Greece, migrants and refugees are seeking out new, irregular routes to get into Macedonia, clambering through forests and over hills under the cover of darkness. As dusk fell on Saturday evening, a Reuters witness saw a group of up to 70 people crossing into Macedonia from Greece, at a point where there is no razor wire fence between the two countries. It was roughly a 20 km (12 mile), or four hour walk from Idomeni, a sprawling tent city hosting thousands of refugees and migrants stranded by a cascade of border shutdowns throughout the Balkans in February.
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| Obama, Merkel push for trade deal as foreign crises weigh Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:36 PM PDT  By Roberta Rampton and Andreas Rinke HANOVER, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday he would do whatever he could to advance a controversial trade deal with the European Union in his last eight months in office, but warned that time was running short. Obama has pushed to complete two trade agreements before his term ends on Jan. 20 - with Pacific nations and with the EU - but has run into a growing swell of populist concerns about the impact on jobs, consumer protections and the environment. "If we don't complete negotiations this year, then upcoming political transitions in the United States and Europe would mean this agreement won't be finished for quite some time." Obama is in Germany to promote the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but the issue was overshadowed by discussions on the crises in Syria, Ukraine and Libya when the two leaders met.
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| Yemeni, UAE troops seize Qaeda-held seaport city: residents Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:15 PM PDT  By Mohammed Mukhashaf and Mohammed Ghobari ADEN/KUWAIT (Reuters) - Yemeni and Emirati soldiers seized Yemen's seaport of Mukalla from al Qaeda fighters on Sunday, depriving the group of the seaport that enabled it to amass a fortune amid the country's civil war. Around 2,000 Yemeni and Emirati troops advanced into Mukalla, local officials and residents said, taking control of its maritime port and airport and setting up checkpoints throughout the southern coastal city. There was little fighting after a mostly Gulf Arab alliance and Yemeni forces mobilised their forces at Mukalla's suburbs, and the militants may have chosen to leave peacefully.
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| Austrian police clash with Italians protesting Brenner border checks Posted: 24 Apr 2016 12:25 PM PDT  BRENNER, Austria (Reuters) - Austrian police used batons and pepper spray to repel Italian marchers who were protesting on Sunday against plans for tighter anti-migrant checks at the Alpine Brenner Pass border. Scuffles broke out when several hundred protesters, including some leftist politicians, tried to breach police barriers at the border where Austria has said it will toughen controls in response to unprecedented migrant flows into Europe. ...
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| Police charge Australian teenager with planning ANZAC terror attack Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:33 PM PDT Australian police have arrested and charged a teenager with a terrorism offense related to planning an attack at Monday's commemorations of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli during World War One. ANZAC Day, April 25, is a major annual holiday in Australia and New Zealand marking the date of the first Gallipoli landings in 1915, in which large numbers of Australian and New Zealand troops fought and died. "We have taken swift action to ensure community safety on the eve of a sacred day on the Australian calendar," New South Wales state Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said in a statement. |
| Protesters in Haiti capital demand chance to vote in runoff Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:19 PM PDT  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — About 2,000 demonstrators have marched in Haiti's capital calling for resolution to a protracted impasse that has repeatedly postponed a runoff presidential election.
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| Report: Mexican police tortured suspects in students' case Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:16 PM PDT  MEXICO CITY (AP) — There is strong evidence that Mexican police tortured some of the key suspects arrested in the disappearance of 43 students, according to a report released Sunday by an outside group of experts.
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| Ex-first overall pick Lecavalier makes retirement official Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:15 PM PDT  Vincent Lecavalier, who captained the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship in 2004, announced on Sunday he is retiring from the National Hockey League. The Los Angeles Kings centre was drafted first overall by the Lightning in the 1998 entry draft and went on to compile an All-Star 17-year career. Lecavalier also represented his native Canada numerous times in international competitions, winning a gold medal at the World Cup of Hockey in 2004.
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| Mahrez takes English player of the year prize Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:09 PM PDT  Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez was on Sunday named as the winner of English football's Player of the Year prize, voted for by his fellow professionals. The 25-year-old French-born Algerian international winger, outstanding in Leicester's incredible charge towards the Premier League title, received the trophy at a lavish awards ceremony in London. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli was named Young Player of the Year at the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards.
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| Partnership deals in vogue to counter low growth Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:02 PM PDT LONDON (AP) — With global economic growth slowing, inflation staying low and digital innovation generating uncertainty, companies are increasingly looking at partnership deals with other firms, even competitors, to boost revenues, consulting firm EY said Monday. |
| Mexico hampered probe into apparent student massacre, panel says Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:53 PM PDT  By Anahi Rama and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A panel of international experts on Sunday accused Mexico's government of undermining their probe into the fate of 43 trainee teachers apparently massacred in 2014, the most notorious human rights case in Mexico in recent years. The independent panel said the government's stonewalling stopped them from reaching the truth as they wrap up their work and prepare to leave Mexico. The case has drawn international attention and stirred protests and outrage in Mexico, where violence has surged in a decade-long drug war.
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| Obama to send up to 250 more troops to Syria: senior official Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:52 PM PDT  US President Barack Obama will on Monday announce plans to send up to 250 more military personnel to Syria, according to a senior administration official, intensifying US assistance to rebels as a ceasefire falters. Obama "tomorrow will announce that he has authorized up to 250 additional forces deploying to Syria," the source said, adding that the president would confirm the deployment in a speech in the northern city of Hanover. US troops in Syria are mandated to advise and assist Syrian rebel and anti-Islamic State forces.
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| Serbian voters resoundingly endorse leader's pro-EU policies Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:52 PM PDT  By Ivana Sekularac and Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia's pro-western Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic won a resounding endorsement in Sunday's general election for his policy of pursuing European Union membership, securing four more years in power with a parliamentary majority. Vucic went to the polls two years early, saying he wanted a clear mandate from Serbia's 6.7 million voters for reforms to keep EU membership talks launched in December on track for completion by 2019.
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| Serbia's pro-EU populists win vote, initial projections show Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:47 PM PDT  BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — The incumbent pro-European Union populists swept Serbia's parliamentary election in a landslide Sunday, leaving pro-Russia nationalists far behind, according to preliminary unofficial results.
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| Charley Hoffman birdies final hole to win Texas Open Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:39 PM PDT  SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Charley Hoffman made a 9-foot birdie putt on the final to win the Valero Texas Open on Sunday.
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| After latest knockout, Golovkin renews his chase of Canelo Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:29 PM PDT  INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Saul Alvarez is under pressure that has nothing to do with his fight against Amir Khan in two weeks.
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| Jimenez's late goal keeps Benfica top in Portugal Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:27 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Raul Jimenez scored a late goal to ensure Benfica reclaimed the lead of Portuguese league with a 1-0 win at Rio Ave on Sunday. |
| Leicester winger Mahrez voted England's player of the year Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:17 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez became the first African to be named English football's player of the year on Sunday, straight after the Algerian helped his team close in on the Premier League title.
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| Sanders pressured to quit White House race as Clinton weighs VP picks Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:15 PM PDT  Bernie Sanders fended off pressure Sunday to bow out of the race for the White House, as his rival, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, weighs potential runningmates. The New York Times reported that Clinton's advisers and allies have begun extensive discussions on a potential vice presidential candidate, and are putting together a list of 15 to 20 prospects. Clinton has described what sort of person would fit the bill, and has set objectives for the search, the Times said.
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| Pagenaud overcomes contact to win at Barber Motorsports Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:06 PM PDT  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Simon Pagenaud led most of the way and overcame late contact with Graham Rahal to win at Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday for his second straight IndyCar victory.
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| Michelle Wie withdraws because of neck spasms Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:53 PM PDT  DALY CITY, Calif. (AP) — Michelle Wie withdrew from the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic on Sunday because of neck spasms after playing the first 15 holes in 11 over.
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| Marseille's dismal form continues in 1-1 draw with Nantes Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:48 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — Marseille's miserable home form continued Sunday as it was held 1-1 by mid-table Nantes, while Monaco is level with Lyon in their fight for second place after drawing 1-1 at Rennes.
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| British astronaut runs marathon in space Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:43 PM PDT  British astronaut Tim Peake ran a marathon in space in record time on Sunday, strapped into a treadmill on the International Space Station as thousands ran the London Marathon below. Peake opened the race by counting down in a video message as runners waited at the start line in the British capital. "Hello ! Fancy a run?" Peake wrote on Twitter before the race, accompanied by a photograph of London from above.
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| Buffon stops penalty as Juventus puts title within reach Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:40 PM PDT  ROME (AP) — Gianluigi Buffon saved a late penalty and Juventus took a big step toward a fifth consecutive Serie A title with a 2-1 win at Fiorentina on Sunday.
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| Pilot jailed in Russia may return 'in weeks': Ukraine leader Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT  Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Sunday he hoped to see a Kiev-born pilot who received a 14-year jail sentence in Russia return home as part of a prisoner swap "in a few weeks". The case of 34-year-old Nadiya Savchenko has further strained ties between the two neighbours as Ukraine fights a pro-Russian eastern insurgency that Moscow denies backing, despite evidence of its troops entering the war zone. Poroshenko said last Tuesday that he had telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin and appeared to have a struck a deal in which Savchenko would be swapped for two alleged Russian soldiers captured and convicted in Ukraine.
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| Levante, Getafe concede late goals to stay in danger of drop Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:02 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Levante and Getafe both conceded late goals in disappointing draws at home on Sunday that hurt their chances of avoiding relegation from the Spanish league. |
| 'Congo rumba king' dies after stage collapse Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:59 PM PDT  Papa Wemba, one of Africa's greatest music stars, died Sunday after collapsing on stage during a festival in Ivory Coast. The Congolese world music legend, renowned as the "king of Congolese rumba" for the fusion of Cuban and electronic rock that he pioneered in the 1970s, was 66. Video footage broadcast live on television showed the dramatic moment that Papa Wemba -- wearing a bold black and white patterned tunic and oversized bowler hat -- slumped to the floor behind a group of dancers, before performers rushed to his aid.
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| Polish president slams EU's lack of 'solidarity' with E. Europe Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:57 PM PDT  Polish President Andrzej Duda defied European Union criticism of his country's government on Sunday, accusing the bloc of showing "too little solidarity" with its eastern members. Poland has come under fire for refusing to take in its share of asylum-seekers under an EU plan to tackle Europe's migration crisis, citing security fears following last month's jihadist attacks in Brussels. The conservative government has also faced criticism over controversial reforms that prompted the EU to launch a probe in January to determine if proposed changes to Poland's constitutional court violate the bloc's democracy rules.
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| Uruguay accuses 5 suspects of links to Mexican drug cartel Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:56 PM PDT MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayan prosecutors are requesting the arrest and prosecution of two Mexicans and three Uruguayans linked to a Mexican drug cartel on money laundering and related charges. |
| Serbia's pro-European PM set for landslide win Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:54 PM PDT  Serbia's pro-European Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic was set to win a landslide victory in Sunday's general election, according to initial projections. Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party was on track to take 52.6 percent of votes, with the Socialists -- who have been in the ruling coalition since 2012 -- in second place with 12.9 percent, according to independent observing group CESID. The far-right Radicals were also set to return to parliament after four years without seats, led by ultra-nationalist Vojislav Seselj who was recently acquitted of war crimes charges arising from the 1990s Balkan conflicts.
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| Serbian Prime Minister Vucic claims victory in general election Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:54 PM PDT BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia's pro-western Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic claimed victory in the country's general election on Sunday after a pollster's projections showed his conservative Progressive Party winning around half of the votes cast. "The citizens of Serbia again gave us the honor to lead the government," Vucic told supporters. Vucic went to the polls two years early, saying he wanted a new mandate from voters for negotiations to join the European Union, which will entail potentially painful economic restructuring. ... |
| Austria far right freezes out coalition in presidency race Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:50 PM PDT  By Kirsti Knolle VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's far right won more than a third of the vote in the presidential election on Sunday and will face an independent in next month's run-off, dumping out the country's two main parties from the post for the first time. It was the Freedom Party's best result in a national election after a campaign that focused on the impact of the migrant crisis, which has seen around 100,000 asylum seekers arrive in Austria since last summer. Norbert Hofer, who ran on an anti-immigrant and anti-Europe platform, won 36.4 percent of the vote to become head of state.
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| Report slams obstacles, torture in Mexico students case Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:47 PM PDT  Independent investigators issued a scathing report Sunday on the disappearance of 43 Mexican students, accusing the government of obstructing their probe and alleging that some suspects were tortured. After a yearlong investigation ending this month, the foreign experts from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights were unable to resolve a case that has shocked the international community and sparked protests against President Enrique Pena Nieto. The experts also cited medical reports showing "significant indications of mistreatment and torture" against 17 of the more than 100 suspects detained in the case, with some claiming they received electric shocks in their testicles and bags were placed over their heads.
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| Nadal wins Barcelona Open, equals clay-court record Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:37 PM PDT  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal beat defending champion Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-5 to win the Barcelona Open for the ninth time on Sunday, equaling Guillermo Vilas' record of 49 career clay-court titles.
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| Austrian government in shock as far-right triumps Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:36 PM PDT  Vienna (AFP) - Austria's government was licking its wounds Monday after a historic debacle that saw the opposition anti-immigrant far-right triumph in a presidential ballot two years before the next scheduled general election.
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| Palace beats Watford 2-1 to face Man U in FA Cup final Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:23 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Twenty-six years on from its one and only appearance in the FA Cup final, Crystal Palace has another chance to win its first major trophy following a 2-1 defeat of Watford in the semifinals at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
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| Syria-born Greek mayor takes charge of 'lucky' refugees Posted: 24 Apr 2016 01:19 PM PDT  As the sun finally sets, children make a beeline for a nearby square and mothers with prams step out for an evening stroll. The latest residents of a previously abandoned summer resort -- extensively looted as a result of the Greek economic crisis -- these Syrians consider themselves among the "lucky" ones. "I spent two weeks in a tent, in the water at Idomeni," said Wis Najjar, referring to the slum-like camp on the Greek-Macedonian border where about 10,000 people remain stranded since the closure of the migrant route through the Balkans in February.
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