| U.S.-backed forces advance against Islamic State in Syria Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:22 PM PDT  By Lisa Barrington and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Syrian forces edged closer to an Islamic State stronghold on the border with Turkey on Saturday while Russia's defense minister visited President Bashar al Assad to discuss military operations. The visit came only hours after the Syrian army and its Iranian-backed militias, which have been supported by Russian air power, lost several villages to Islamist rebels as they made significant advances in the countryside south of Aleppo. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebel capture of three villages from government control - Zeitan, Khalsa and Barna - had caused significant losses among government forces and their allies.
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| Polls give boost to Cameron's fight against Brexit Posted: 18 Jun 2016 04:46 PM PDT  By William Schomberg and Paul Sandle LONDON (Reuters) - The campaign to keep Britain in the European Union regained its lead in two opinion polls published on Saturday, giving a boost to Prime Minister David Cameron who is battling to avoid a historic "Out" vote in Thursday's referendum. A third poll also showed a change in momentum in favor of the "In" camp and Cameron got the backing of a leading newspaper when the right-leaning Mail on Sunday urged its readers to vote to remain in the EU. "We are now in the final week of the referendum campaign and the swing back towards the status quo appears to be in full force," Anthony Wells, a director with polling firm YouGov, said.
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| Belgium charges three men with terrorism offences after overnight raids Posted: 18 Jun 2016 12:51 PM PDT  By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian prosecutors charged three men with terrorism offences on Saturday following overnight raids that took place amid heightened security in Belgium and France due to the Euro 2016 soccer tournament. Three months after Islamist bombers killed 32 people in Brussels, police searched dozens of houses across the country and arrested 12 people the night before Belgium's Euro 2016 game against Ireland. Some media reports said the suspects had planned attacks against fans watching the Euro 2016 games in Brussels, and had possibly been targeting Saturday afternoon's Belgium vs Ireland match.
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| Bahraini Shi'ite clerics warn against targeting Muslim sect Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:53 PM PDT Four senior clerics, including the top Shi'ite Muslim authority, Ayatollah Isa Qassem, said in a statement that the Khums, or fifth in Arabic - a tax that dates back to early Islam - represents a pillar of the Shi'ite faith and that it has been collected as a duty for hundreds of years to spend in the service of Islam. Bahrain, where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based, was rocked by mass protests in 2011. |
| Three workers injured in accident at Kia plant in Mexico Posted: 18 Jun 2016 05:20 PM PDT  Three workers were injured at a new Kia Motors factory in northern Mexico on Saturday, after one fell into a sewer ditch and two others attempted a rescue but were also hurt, the head of emergency services said. Luis Felipe Puente, Mexico's national director of emergency services, told Reuters that no explosion had taken place and the workers were being treated at a local hospital. A local emergency services official earlier said there had been an explosion, but later said that was not the case.
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| U.S. seeks answers over Russian strikes on Syrian rebels Posted: 18 Jun 2016 12:54 PM PDT  The Pentagon said on Saturday it has questioned Moscow over air strikes against U.S.-backed Syrian opposition forces earlier this week, saying Russian forces failed to heed U.S. warnings to stop the attack. In a video call with Russian counterparts, the U.S. Department of Defense "expressed strong concerns" about the strikes that hit U.S.-backed Syrian rebels battling Islamic State near the al-Tanf border crossing with Iraq on Thursday, it said in a statement. According to the Pentagon, coalition-backed fighters in Syria were attacked in al-Tanf even though they were part of the "cessation of hostilities," an agreement aimed at creating a truce in the war-torn country.
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| Eddie Jones wants a clean sweep for England over Australia Posted: 18 Jun 2016 05:44 PM PDT  MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — With two wins and a first-ever test series victory in Australia, England coach Eddie Jones isn't about to lower the bar for his expectations of a successful rugby tour Down Under.
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| Lexi Thompson, In Gee Chun share Meijer LPGA Classic lead Posted: 18 Jun 2016 05:38 PM PDT  BELMONT, Mich. (AP) — Her ailing back a bit better after treatment, defending champion Lexi Thompson shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday for a share of the Meijer LPGA Classic lead with In Gee Chun.
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| Oakmont's 1st family of caddies likes watching pros 'suffer' Posted: 18 Jun 2016 05:18 PM PDT  OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Oakmont Country Club's first family of caddying spans three generations, boasts nearly 100 years of combined experience and has only so much sympathy for the players trying to tame their notoriously tough home course at the U.S. Open.
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| The Latest: Red numbers disappearing as Oakmont dries out Posted: 18 Jun 2016 05:10 PM PDT  OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — The latest from the U.S. Open golf championship (all times local):
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| Mexico authorities say people flee homes in 'El Chapo' area Posted: 18 Jun 2016 04:46 PM PDT  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities say that people living in the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa where drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was born are fleeing their homes out of fear of violent clashes and attacks by armed groups.
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| Colombian farmer investigated in killings of 20 people Posted: 18 Jun 2016 04:35 PM PDT BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian authorities say that a farmer being investigated for the disappearance of a woman has confessed to killing 20 people, including his wife and two children as well as missing person. |
| Ken Roczen sweeps motos at High Point National Posted: 18 Jun 2016 04:31 PM PDT MOUNT MORRIS, Pa. (AP) — Ken Roczen won the Red Bull High Point National on Saturday for his third victory in the first four Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship events, sweeping both 450 Class motos. |
| Messi starts for Argentina in Copa America vs Venezuela Posted: 18 Jun 2016 04:25 PM PDT  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Argentina star Lionel Messi started for Argentina in its Copa America match against Venezuela on Saturday.
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| Column: Ronaldo fluffs his lines at Euro 2016 Posted: 18 Jun 2016 04:02 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — With the lightest of flicks and most aerial of jumps, Cristiano Ronaldo diverted the ball off his immaculately coiffed head, past the Austrian goalkeeper who had tormented him all night. Convinced that another footballing record was his, Ronaldo wheeled around in celebration.
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| Euro 2016: Ronaldo misses penalty, Portugal held by Austria Posted: 18 Jun 2016 04:00 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — A record breaking night for Cristiano Ronaldo, but one he'll want to quickly forget.
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| McIlroy, Mickelson and Fowler miss cut at US Open Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:58 PM PDT  OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Rory McIlroy spent the days before the U.S. Open searching for his game.
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| Can NHL elbow into entertainment lineup in Las Vegas? Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:30 PM PDT  LAS VEGAS (AP) — The reality of the NHL's planned move to Las Vegas will hit home for hockey fan Sean Bollig once he finally sees ice on the floor at the new T-Mobile arena just off the Strip and he's able to buy a jersey for its fledgling home team.
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| Hometown Puerto Rico burial for nurse slain at Orlando club Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:22 PM PDT  GUANICA, Puerto Rico (AP) — Family and friends of a 28-year-old nurse and National Guard member slain in the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub gathered Saturday in his Puerto Rican hometown to say an emotional goodbye.
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| Egypt's Morsi sentenced to life in espionage trial Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:18 PM PDT  An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi to life in prison in an espionage trial in which six of his co-defendants were handed death penalties. Morsi, who has been sentenced to death in a separate trial, was Egypt's first democratically elected president but the army overthrew him in 2013 and cracked down on his supporters. The six defendants sentenced to death for helping to pass secret documents to Qatar include three journalists, two from Qatar-based TV channel Al-Jazeera, tried in absentia.
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| Qatar condemns Morsi trial verdict Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:14 PM PDT  Qatar on Saturday rejected the verdict by an Egyptian court in a spy case linking ousted president Mohamed Morsi to passing state secrets to Doha. In addition to Morsi's conviction being upheld and receiving a life sentence, two journalists from the Qatar-based state-funded broadcaster Al-Jazeera were also handed death sentences. "Though it is not final, the verdict is unfounded, goes against truth and contains misleading claims which are contrary to the policy of the State of Qatar towards all sister countries, including Egypt," said the ministry's director of information, Ahmed Al Rumaihi.
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| Belgium anti-terror sweep over 'imminent' attack fears Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:11 PM PDT  Belgian authorities on Saturday charged three men with "attempted terrorist murder" after raiding dozens of homes in raids linked to a reported threat to fans during a Euro 2016 football game. Named by prosecutors as Samir C., Moustapha B. et Jawad B., the trio were among 12 people detained during the overnight raids, hours before thousands of people gathered around screens to watch Belgium play Ireland. The three have also been charged with "participation in the activities of a terrorist group", while the nine others were released after questioning, prosecutors added.
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| Obama extols U.S. national parks in picture-perfect social media moments Posted: 18 Jun 2016 03:06 PM PDT  By Roberta Rampton YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (Reuters) - The moon was just rising over Half Dome, the setting sun reflected off its sheer granite face, as President Barack Obama and his family landed by helicopter in a meadow, the knee-high grass waving wildly while campers cheered. It was a picture-perfect moment designed to resonate on social media as the White House works to cement Obama's environmental legacy as the Jan. 20, 2017 end to his time in office draws nearer. Obama brought his family late on Friday to Yosemite, one of the nation's most popular national parks, on a working vacation.
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| Vardy brings Leicester spirit to England quest Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:38 PM PDT  Encouraged from afar by his club manager Claudio Ranieri, Jamie Vardy is carrying Leicester City's limitless ambition into England's assault on Euro 2016. Having sat out England's opening draw with Russia, Vardy made an instant impact as a half-time substitute against Wales, netting an equaliser 11 minutes after coming on as Roy Hodgson's men came from behind to win 2-1.
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| UK's 'In' camp rises in poll as Brexit economy worries grow: Sunday Times Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:37 PM PDT  Support for Britain staying the European Union has grown, restoring a narrow lead for the "In" camp ahead of Thursday's referendum on whether the country should stay in the bloc, an opinion poll published on Saturday showed. The survey, by polling firm YouGov, showed a 44-43 percent lead for "In," the Sunday Times newspaper reported. It said YouGov attributed the bounce to growing concerns among voters about the economic impact of a so-called Brexit rather than the fatal attack on a British lawmaker on Thursday which has led to the suspension of referendum campaigning.
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| Jamie Vardy coping with distractions at Euro 2016 Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT  CHANTILLY, France (AP) — Jamie Vardy could be forgiven for having other things on his mind than just playing for England while at the European Championship in France.
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| Mexico's Daniel Suarez sets sights on NASCAR Xfinity title Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:29 PM PDT NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Daniel Suarez had his breakout moment last weekend, holding off Kyle Busch at Michigan to become the first Mexican winner in NASCAR national series history. |
| Egyptian court hands ex-president Mursi another life sentence Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:25 PM PDT  Egypt's former president Mohamed Mursi was handed another life sentence on Saturday, after a court found him guilty of espionage and leaking state secrets. Mursi, leader of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, has already been sentenced in three other cases, including the death penalty for a mass jail break during the 2011 uprising against former president Hosni Mubarak and a life sentence for spying on behalf of Palestinian group Hamas. The court on Saturday also said the death penalty had been approved for six others accused alongside Mursi, including three journalists sentenced in absentia.
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| Christo's 'walk on water' art work rained off Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:24 PM PDT  Thousands of people stepped out onto artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff's latest work in northern Italy on Saturday, seizing the chance to "walk on water" until bad weather forced the evacuation of the floating walkway. Organisers ordered the temporary evacuation of the walkway of 200,000 floating cubes covered in orange fabric floating atop Lake Iseo on Saturday evening, after wind and rain made it unstable. "It's a very physical project, you need to go there (to understand it)," Christo said Thursday of the project called "The Floating Piers" which is open to the public from June 18 to July 3.
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| Assad discusses military cooperation with Russian defense minister Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:22 PM PDT Syrian President Bashar al Assad met Russia's defense minister during a visit to the Syrian capital and discussed military cooperation, state television said on Saturday. State media did not disclose any details of the previously unannounced visit by Sergei Shoigu, who said he was sent to Damascus by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed the visit and said Shoigu discussed military-technical cooperation between the two countries and the fight against insurgents. |
| Resilience, substitutes won it for Boks - Coetzee Posted: 18 Jun 2016 02:19 PM PDT  New South Africa coach Allister Coetzee hailed the resilience of his team and the impact of the replacements after a dramatic 32-26 second Test triumph over Ireland Saturday. Trailing by 16 points with 16 minutes left, the Springboks scored three unanswered tries to level the series at one win each and set up a winners-take-all final Test in Port Elizabeth next Saturday. Ireland were superior for most the international at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg before fading with Coetzee admitting the 1,750-metre (5,750 feet) altitude was a factor.
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| Dead trees, dry earth: Western US a tinderbox Posted: 18 Jun 2016 01:58 PM PDT  Tens of millions of dead trees, record temperatures in June and persistent drought can only mean one thing for the American West this fire season: it's going to be a tinderbox. Experts are already predicting that Alaska and the Southwest will be hit hard by fires, while California could see its worst season yet. "Many areas of California are still in severe and exceptional drought," Daniel Berlant, spokesman for state firefighting agency Cal Fire told AFP.
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| The Latest: Ronaldo takes selfie with fan after match Posted: 18 Jun 2016 01:58 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — The Latest from soccer's European Championship (all times local):
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| London protest as France blocks migrant aid convoy Posted: 18 Jun 2016 01:48 PM PDT  Protesters rallied outside the French embassy in London on Saturday after an aid convoy intended for migrants was turned back by French border police. After gathering near parliament in London, the convoy of around 250 vehicles, including a 38-tonne truck full of aid, set off for the southeast English port of Dover. After returning to London, demonstrators let off flares and waved socialist party placards reading "refugees welcome", "open the borders" and "fight racism and Islamophobia".
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| Poll gives UK's 'Out' camp 2-point lead ahead of EU vote: Mirror Posted: 18 Jun 2016 01:47 PM PDT  The campaign for Britain to leave the European Union held a two-point lead over the rival "In" camp, according to an opinion poll conducted on Wednesday and Thursday and was reported by The Mirror newspaper on Saturday. With Britain due to vote on its EU membership referendum on June 23, the YouGov poll, which was carried out for ITV television's Good Morning Britain show, put "Out" ahead of "In" by 44-42 percent, the Mirror reported on its website. Earlier on Saturday, an opinion poll conducted after a fatal attack on a British lawmaker on Thursday showed the campaign for Britain to stay in the EU had taken a three-point lead over the "Out" camp.
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| Russia's defense minister visits Syria, meets Assad Posted: 18 Jun 2016 01:36 PM PDT  MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's defense minister visited Syria on Saturday to meet the country's leader and inspect the Russian air base there, a high-profile trip intended to underline Moscow's role in the region.
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| Dustin Johnson takes 1-shot lead in US Open Posted: 18 Jun 2016 01:34 PM PDT  OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Dustin Johnson took the 36-hole lead in the U.S. Open on Saturday without ever hitting a shot.
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