| Bomb blast in central Beirut aimed at bank: minister Posted: 12 Jun 2016 02:11 PM PDT  A bomb exploded outside the headquarters of Lebanese Blom Bank in central Beirut on Sunday, causing damage but no fatalities, the interior minister said. The Lebanese banking sector has been at the centre of an escalating crisis since the United States passed a law requiring banks to take steps to target the finances of the armed Shi'ite political group Hezbollah. Lebanon's central bank has pushed its commercial banks to heed the U.S. act, and Blom Bank is one of those that has closed accounts belonging to people suspected of links to Hezbollah.
|
| 'Road of death' to Aleppo pounded as air strikes cut off rebel areas Posted: 12 Jun 2016 09:29 AM PDT  By Tom Perry and Suleiman Al-Khalidi GAZIANTEP, Turkey/AMMAN (Reuters) - The opposition-held sector of Syria's divided city of Aleppo has been cut off from the outside world in recent days by an escalation of air and artillery strikes on the only road in, putting hundreds of thousands of people under effective siege. A government campaign to fully capture Aleppo would most likely bury what little hope remains of reviving a diplomatic effort to end the five-year-old civil war, after talks and a ceasefire sponsored by the United States and Russia fell apart earlier this year. Aleppo, Syria's largest city before the war when it had more than 2 million people, has been divided for years into rebel and government sectors, and capturing all of it has been one of President Bashar al-Assad's biggest goals.
|
| Whisked to Rome from Khartoum: people-smuggling kingpin or wrong man? Posted: 12 Jun 2016 11:40 AM PDT  Two weeks later, he was flown to Italy in what Italian and British officials hailed as a rare blow against human trafficking. They believed they had caught Medhanie Yehdego Mered, a ruthless kingpin known as "the General" in an illegal network that earned millions of dollars smuggling migrants by boat to Europe via Libya. But friends and family say it is a case of mistaken identity. The man whisked to Rome on a special plane, they say, is impoverished 29-year-old refugee Medhanie Tesfamariam Berhe, a one-time carpenter with no criminal background, who was living quietly in Khartoum seeking to join his siblings in the United States when he was snatched from the Asmara Corner Cafe. The man's Italian lawyer, Michele Calantropo, who met him for the first time in Rome on Friday, says his client is Berhe, not Mered, and he is innocent.
|
| Suicide bomber hits field hospital near Libya's Sirte Posted: 12 Jun 2016 10:06 AM PDT  By Ahmed Elumami TRIPOLI (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed three people at a field hospital for forces fighting Islamic State in their Libyan coastal stronghold of Sirte on Sunday, a security source said, and medical staff appealed for help in treating the wounded. Two other attempted suicide bombings just outside the center of Sirte did not cause casualties, he said. This week they entered Sirte, engaging Islamic State militants in street battles keeping up air strikes against them.
|
| Thousands flee Falluja using first safe exit route secured by Iraqi army Posted: 12 Jun 2016 08:35 AM PDT  By Maher Chmaytelli, Ahmed Rasheed and Isabel Coles BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - The Iraqi army said on Sunday it had secured the first safe exit route for civilians to leave Islamic State's besieged stronghold Falluja, and a Norwegian aid group said thousands of people had already used it to flee in the first day it was open. While it pressed on with its offensive in Falluja, the army also launched a fresh advance in the direction of the northern city of Mosul, Islamic State's de facto Iraqi capital, under cover of airstrikes from a U.S.-led coalition. The assaults by the Iraqi army are taking place at the same time as advances against Islamic State by U.S.-backed fighters and Russian-backed Syrian government forces in Syria, at the opposite end of the militants' self-proclaimed caliphate.
|
| Britain's authority within EU will rise after 'In' vote: PM Cameron Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:36 PM PDT  By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's influence in the European Union will be stronger if it votes to remain in the bloc in a June 23 referendum, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday with the latest polls showing Britons almost evenly split over whether to stay or go. In an interview on BBC television, Cameron - whose "In" campaign has been branded as scaremongering by pro-Brexit supporters for warning of the risks of quitting the 28-nation EU - highlighted the advantages of staying. "If we wake up on June 24 and we are in, Britain's authority within the EU will be stronger," he said.
|
| Artemis Racing wins America's Cup World Series in Chicago Posted: 12 Jun 2016 05:13 PM PDT CHICAGO (AP) — Artemis Racing of Sweden won the America's Cup World Series stop on Lake Michigan on Sunday. |
| Bernhard Langer wins windy Senior Players Championship Posted: 12 Jun 2016 05:11 PM PDT FLOURTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Bernhard Langer won the Constellation Senior Players Championship for the third straight year, holing a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday for a one-stroke victory at windy Philadelphia Cricket Club. |
| IndyCar will wait until August for 3rd try at Texas race Posted: 12 Jun 2016 05:05 PM PDT  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — After another soggy day in Texas, the IndyCar Series will wait 2 1/2 months before a third try to race.
|
| US drone attack 'kills two Qaeda fighters' Posted: 12 Jun 2016 04:49 PM PDT  A US drone attack in southern Yemen killed two suspected Al-Qaeda members, the second deadly strike in as many days, security sources said Monday. The drone on Sunday targeted a car driving in Habban, killing "two Al-Qaeda fighters and wounding their driver," one of the sources said. The strike comes after an American drone attack on Saturday killed two other presumed Al-Qaeda members in their vehicle in Marib province, east of the capital Sanaa.
|
| D-Day flag from US boat sells for $514K at Dallas auction Posted: 12 Jun 2016 04:45 PM PDT  DALLAS (AP) — The U.S. flag flown on the stern of the boat that led the first American troops onto Utah Beach on D-Day was sold Sunday for $514,000 at auction in Texas.
|
| Syrian activist survives IS assassination attempt in Turkey Posted: 12 Jun 2016 04:38 PM PDT ISTANBUL (AP) — A Syrian independent media activist working in southeast Turkey survived an assassination attempt Sunday which was claimed by the Islamic State group, |
| Defender Jerome Boateng excels in Germany's opening win Posted: 12 Jun 2016 04:25 PM PDT  LILLE, France (AP) — Just weeks after he had doubts about even making it to the European Championship, a faultless performance by Jerome Boateng at the heart of Germany's defense helped the world champions make a winning start to Euro 2016.
|
| Fifty dead in Florida attack, FBI probes jihadist link Posted: 12 Jun 2016 04:13 PM PDT  US agents were investigating the alleged Islamist links of a slain gunman Sunday after an assault on a Florida gay nightclub left 50 dead. In what became the worst mass shooting in modern US history, carnage erupted at the Pulse club in Orlando before the attacker was shot dead by a police SWAT team. "We know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate," President Barack Obama said.
|
| Froome warms up for Tour by winning Dauphine for 3rd time Posted: 12 Jun 2016 04:01 PM PDT SUPERDEVOLUY, France (AP) — Chris Froome warmed up for the Tour de France by winning the Criterium du Dauphine stage race for the third time on Sunday. |
| Injured George North ruled out of Wales' New Zealand tour Posted: 12 Jun 2016 03:44 PM PDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Winger George North has been ruled out of the remainder of Wales' rugby tour of New Zealand after injuring his hamstring in Saturday's first test against the All Blacks. |
| Man with arsenal sought to 'harm' Gay Pride parade in LA: police Posted: 12 Jun 2016 03:39 PM PDT  A man whose car contained a cache of weapons and bomb-making materials was arrested on Sunday after telling police he wanted to "harm" the Los Angeles Gay Pride parade, authorities said. James Howell, 20, was detained in nearby Santa Monica with multiple weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials in his car, which had Indiana license plates, police said. Santa Monica police chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said on Twitter that Howell told officers about "wanting to harm (the) Gay Pride event," in reference to the annual L.A. Pride parade that took place in Hollywood on Sunday amid beefed up security.
|
| France vows to expel foreign hooligans Posted: 12 Jun 2016 03:19 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — France's government vowed Sunday to expel foreign football hooligans, saying their violence during the European Championship is distracting police from the fight against terrorism.
|
| Schweinsteiger seals 2-0 win for Germany over Ukraine Posted: 12 Jun 2016 03:04 PM PDT  LILLE, France (AP) — Bastian Schweinsteiger marked his return from injury by sealing a 2-0 win for Germany over Ukraine in the world champions' opening game at Euro 2016 on Sunday.
|
| F1: Hamilton dedicates Canadian Grand Prix victory to Ali Posted: 12 Jun 2016 03:00 PM PDT  MONTREAL (AP) — Lewis Hamilton had something on his mind before he was ready to ascend to the top step of the Formula One podium for the second week in a row.
|
| Suspected Orlando shooter called 911, swore allegiance to Islamic State: NBC Posted: 12 Jun 2016 02:35 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Omar S. Mateen, the Florida resident suspected of killing 50 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, called 911 before the shooting and swore allegiance to Islamic State, NBC News said on Twitter. In a posting on its web site, MSNBC said Mateen swore allegiance to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. (Reporting by Timothy Ahmann; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
|
| Reaction to Florida nightclub mass shooting Posted: 12 Jun 2016 02:33 PM PDT  ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Reaction to the Florida mass shooting at the Pulse Orlando nightclub Sunday when police say a gunman wielding an assault-type rifle opened fire before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers; at least 50 people were killed and dozens of others wounded.
|
| Conte bets on "chameleon" Italy to upset Belgium Posted: 12 Jun 2016 02:26 PM PDT  LYON, France (AP) — Coaching the weakest Italy in recent memory, coach Antonio Conte hopes his side's "chameleon-like" ability to vary formations and interchange players will be enough to defy their doubters by going far in the European Championship.
|
| Charteris to captain Wales against Chiefs Posted: 12 Jun 2016 02:16 PM PDT  WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Lock Luke Charteris will captain Wales for the first time when the tourists play two-time Super Rugby champions the Chiefs at Hamilton on Tuesday.
|
| The Latest: Germany beats Ukraine 2-0 at Euro 2016 Posted: 12 Jun 2016 02:05 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — The Latest from soccer's European Championship (all times local):
|
| 'Conjuring 2' scares off competition to top box office Posted: 12 Jun 2016 02:04 PM PDT  Horror movie "The Conjuring 2" topped the box office in its debut, according to industry estimates released Sunday, breaking a run of underperforming big budget sequels. The supernatural fright-fest, starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as a paranormal-investigating couple, took in $40.4 million on its opening weekend, almost matching the $41.9 million take of the 2013 original in 2013. Its success follows the recent disappointments of a number of high-profile follow-ups, including "Alice Through the Looking Glass" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows," seen as having underperformed.
|
| Bolivia's Evo Morales leaves hospital after knee surgery Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:56 PM PDT  LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivian President Evo Morales was released from a hospital Sunday after knee surgery to correct a soccer injury.
|
| Zlatan ready to step on to Euro 2016 center stage for Sweden Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:54 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his famous ego are ready for their European Championship close-up.
|
| Former Niger Delta militants urge Avengers to join in government talks Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:48 PM PDT  By Tife Owolabi YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - A group of Nigerian former militants have urged the Niger Delta Avengers, who have claimed responsibility for a recent string of attacks on oil and gas facilities, to join in discussions with the government, a statement said on Sunday. Last week, the Avengers said they would not cooperate with a government initiative to start talks with them and other militants over their demands for a greater share of oil wealth and pollution in the impoverished southern swamp area. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said: "If indeed your cause is to avenge the injustice done to the Niger Delta region then, we urge you to ceasefire and join us to the table of negotiation with the federal Government." MEND, one of largest militant groups until it signed up for a government amnesty in 2009, said in a statement it had nominated a team of negotiators on its own behalf.
|
| UEFA threaten Russia, England disqualification over fan clashes Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:41 PM PDT  UEFA on Sunday threatened to kick Russia and England out of the European Championship finals over fan violence but admitted there were stadium security flaws. The French government gave police chiefs new powers to ban alcohol sales and consumption around stadiums. The UEFA warning followed three days of violence in Marseille involving Russian and English fans, culminating in incidents inside the Stade Velodrome after Saturday's 1-1 draw between the countries.
|
| Obama, pope lead condemnation of massacre at US gay club Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:40 PM PDT  US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis on Sunday led the condemnation after a gunman went on the rampage at a gay nightclub in Florida leaving at least 50 people dead. The pontiff condemned the killings as "homicidal folly and senseless hatred" while Obama described them as "an act of terror and an act of hate". The attack in which a gunman opened fire at a packed nightclub in Orlando, Florida, is the worst mass shooting in US history.
|
| Radical Mexican teachers union had financial network Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:34 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Prosecutors in Mexico say a radical teachers union that has led a decade of protests had set up an illegal financial network to fund demonstrations — and line their leaders' pockets. |
| Over 2,500 migrants rescued off Italy over weekend Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:33 PM PDT  More than 2,500 migrants seeking to reach Europe were rescued off the coast of Sicily over the weekend in 20 separate operations, the Italian coastguard said Sunday. Vessels from the Italian navy and coastguard took part in rescue operations, along with ships from volunteer and aid groups. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders said it had recovered one dead body from one of the migrant boats.
|
| Hamilton wins Canadian Grand Prix, dedicates victory to Ali Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:30 PM PDT  Lewis Hamilton secured his second straight victory of the season and his fifth on his favourite circuit on Sunday when he revived his title defence with a memorable triumph at the Canadian Grand Prix. The 31-year-old Briton, who ended seven winless months with his victory in Monaco last month, delivered a gutsy and well-judged drive in his Mercedes to recover from a poor start and finish ahead of Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari. Finn Valtteri Bottas repeated his success of 2015 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve when he claimed the Williams teamâ s first podium finish of the season in third place.
|
| Explosion rocks bank HQ in Lebanese capital Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:20 PM PDT  A bomb blast rocked the western part of the Lebanese capital late Sunday, with the interior minister saying the target was a major bank. An AFP correspondent saw almost all the entire glass facade of the headquarters of BLOM BANK, one of the country's largest, blown out, with debris littering the ground. Interior Minister Nuhad Mashnuq told AFP a bomb containing about 3-4 kilos (6.6-8.8 pounds) of explosives had been "placed behind the back wall of BLOM BANK".
|
| Poland beats Northern Ireland 1-0 to record first Euros win Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:09 PM PDT  NICE, France (AP) — Poland showed it's more than just one man.
|
| Flag protest fires up Sri Lanka in Lord's no-ball row Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:07 PM PDT  Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford called for all no-ball decisions to be taken by the third umpire as his side reacted to an incorrect call in the third Test against England with an extraordinary flag protest at Lord's on Sunday. At stumps, Sri Lanka were 32 without loss in their second innings, needing a further 330 runs on Monday's fifth and final day to reach an imposing victory target of 362. Significantly, Sri Lanka thought they had Alex Hales -- who went on to make 94 -- out for 58 when he as bowled by Nuwan Pradeep.
|
| Weapons, ammo found in car ahead of LA gay pride parade Posted: 12 Jun 2016 01:06 PM PDT  Police in California found weapons, ammunition and bomb-making material in a car belonging to a man who told them he was planning to attend Gay Pride festivities on Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reported. Fifty people were killed and 53 wounded after a gunman identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, a US citizen of Afghan descent, opened fire in a shooting that US President Barack Obama was calling a terror attack and hate crime. The LA Times cited a law enforcement source as saying police discovered the weapons cache after responding to a complaint about a prowler in the beachside city of Santa Monica, west of downtown Los Angeles.
|
| Beirut bomb targeted Lebanese bank - interior minister Posted: 12 Jun 2016 12:52 PM PDT The headquarters of Lebanon's Blom Bank was the target of a bomb blast in Beirut on Sunday, the interior minister told Reuters. The bomb was left in a bag by the back wall of the building, Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk added. "Politically it is clear that target was Blom Bank only," he said, adding that the attack had nothing to do with Islamic State, which has mounted suicide bombings in Beirut. |
