| Turkey's Erdogan stages mass rally in show of strength after coup attempt Posted: 07 Aug 2016 01:04 PM PDT  By Humeyra Pamuk and Nick Tattersall ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan told a rally of more than one million people on Sunday that July's failed coup would be a milestone in building a stronger Turkey, defying Western criticism of mass purges and vowing to destroy those behind the putsch. The "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally" at the Yenikapi parade ground, built into the sea on the southern edge of Istanbul, was a show of strength by Erdogan, who has been angered by European criticism of his combative response to the coup and by U.S. reluctance to hand over the man he accuses of masterminding it. Banners in a sea of red Turkish flags read "You are a gift from God, Erdogan" and "Order us to die and we will do it".
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| Islamic State militants claim capture of U.S. weapons in Afghanistan Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:26 AM PDT  By Josh Smith KABUL (Reuters) - Militants linked to Islamic State have released photos that purport to show weapons and equipment that belonged to American soldiers and were captured by the group in eastern Afghanistan. The photos, which came to light on Saturday, show an American portable rocket launcher, radio, grenades and other gear not commonly used by Afghan troops, as well as close up views of identification cards for a U.S. Army soldier, Specialist Ryan Larson. The U.S. military command in Kabul denied any suggestion the soldier had been captured, saying he "has been accounted for and remains in a duty status within his unit." American special operations troops have been fighting alongside Afghan forces in a renewed offensive against militants who claim allegiance to Islamic State in Nangarhar Province, which borders Pakistan.
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| Jets pound rebels after they break Aleppo siege Posted: 07 Aug 2016 02:28 PM PDT  By Lisa Barrington and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian insurgents who broke the siege of rebel-held eastern Aleppo on Saturday in a significant territorial gain came under intense air attack from pro-government forces on Sunday trying to repel the advance which also cut government-held Aleppo's main supply route. Rebels have taken most of a large government military complex southwest of Aleppo city in a major offensive begun on Friday to break a month-long siege and are now attacking further into government held territory. The surprise advance in Ramousah allowed fighters from insurgent areas in western Syria to break through a strip of government-controlled territory on Saturday and connect with fighters in the encircled sector of eastern Aleppo.
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| Iran executes nuclear scientist for spying for U.S. Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:54 AM PDT  Iran has executed an Iranian nuclear scientist detained in 2010 when he returned home from the United States, after a court convicted him of spying for Washington, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday. "Through his connection with the United States, (Shahram) Amiri gave vital information about the country to the enemy," Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei told a weekly news conference, state news agency IRNA reported. Mohseni Ejei said a court had sentenced Amiri to death and the sentence had been upheld by Iran's Supreme court, IRNA said.
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| Islamic State claims responsibility for machete attack in Belgium Posted: 07 Aug 2016 11:06 AM PDT  By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Islamic State claimed responsibility on Sunday for an attack by a machete-wielding man in Belgium that left two female police officers seriously injured, the group's Amaq news agency said on Twitter. Shortly before the claim, Belgian prosecutors had identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Algerian, K.B., who had lived in Belgium since 2012, saying that he may have been inspired by terrorism. The attacker, who shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) during the assault on Saturday, was shot by police and died of his injuries.
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| Thai junta passes ballot box test with referendum win Posted: 07 Aug 2016 08:32 AM PDT  By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Pairat Temphairojana BANGKOK/KHON KAEN, Thailand (Reuters) - Thai voters approved a junta-backed constitution in a referendum on Sunday, preliminary results showed, an outcome that paves the way for an election next year but will also require future elected governments to rule on the military's terms. Voters handed the junta led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha a convincing win in its first major popularity test at the ballot box since it seized power in a 2014 coup. With 94 percent of the vote counted, early results from the Election Commission showed 61.4 percent of Thais had voted for the charter, while 37.9 percent rejected it.
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| For 1st time, Williams sisters lose Olympic doubles match Posted: 07 Aug 2016 05:18 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Serena and Venus Williams never had lost an Olympic doubles match until Sunday night, going 15-0 and earning three gold medals together.
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| Long sets world record in winning Olympic weightlifting gold Posted: 07 Aug 2016 05:12 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Long Qingquan of China set a world record in winning Olympic gold in the men's weightlifting 53-kilogram category Sunday at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
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| Syria army redeploys as rebels battle to retake Aleppo Posted: 07 Aug 2016 05:12 PM PDT  Syrian regime forces redeployed on Sunday to try to avoid being surrounded in neighbourhoods they control in Aleppo, as a rebel alliance said it was launching a battle to recapture the whole city after breaking a three-week government siege. "We announce the start of a new phase to liberate all of Aleppo" after a week of continuous fighting, the group said in a statement. "We will not rest until we raise the flag of the conquest over Aleppo's citadel," it added.
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| Croatia upsets Spain 72-70 as Saric blocks Gasol's last shot Posted: 07 Aug 2016 05:11 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Dario Saric blocked Pau Gasol's shot just before time expired, preserving Croatia's 72-70 upset of Spain in an Olympic men's basketball Sunday night.
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| Evicted from Tanzanian wetland, herders win 10-year battle for compensation Posted: 07 Aug 2016 05:02 PM PDT By Kizito Makoye DAR ES SALAAM (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Ten years after losing their homes and grazing lands in a "brutal" eviction from a vast Tanzanian wetland, a group of more than 600 farmers have won their battle for compensation. The livestock keepers and their families were forcibly removed from their villages in the Ihefu Basin, in the country's southern highlands, under a government program to protect the wetlands that act as a natural buffer for the Great Ruaha River. According to Hellen-Kijo Bisimba, executive director of the Dar es Salaam-based Legal and Human Rights Centre, the eviction of local residents was conducted by heavily armed police, game wardens and anti-poaching unit officers, and resulted in both the loss of farmland and the death of livestock. |
| Ichiro Suzuki gets 3,000th career hit, Marlins beat Rockies Posted: 07 Aug 2016 05:00 PM PDT  DENVER (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki tripled off the wall for his 3,000th career hit in the major leagues, becoming the 30th player to reach the milestone as the Miami Marlins beat the Colorado Rockies 10-7 Sunday.
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| New storm forms off Mexico; toll in earlier storm hits 38 Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:57 PM PDT  MEXICO CITY (AP) — The death toll from the remnants of Hurricane Earl grew to 38 in Mexico on Sunday as a new tropical storm formed off the country's Pacific Coast.
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| Whipping winds affect day 2 of Rio Games Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:49 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The whipping gusts that disrupted athletes and spectators alike were just a prelude to the winds of change that roared through Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night: Serena and Venus Williams lost an Olympic doubles match for the first time. |
| Dutch cyclist van Vleuten fractures spine during crash Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:48 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten sustained three small fractures to her spine and will remain hospitalized in intensive care after crashing Sunday during the women's Olympic road race.
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| With an eye-popping score, US gymnasts put world on notice Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:43 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The nerves were there. Unmistakable. Unavoidable. Standing in the darkened tunnel before entering Rio Olympic Arena on Sunday night, the U.S. women's gymnastics felt the pressure that comes not from outside expectations but those held within.
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| What to watch at the Rio Games on Monday Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:43 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Day 3 of the Rio Games features medal action in gymnastics, swimming, fencing, women's rugby, judo and more. Here are some things to watch (all times local):
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| At least 38 dead in Mexico in landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Earl Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:39 PM PDT  Landslides triggered by remnants of Tropical Storm Earl have killed at least 38 people in Mexico, officials said Sunday. A total of 28 died in central Puebla state, at least 15 of them minors, as landslides buried several houses, the state government said.
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| South Korea's Eun Jeong Seong wins US Women's Amateur Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:37 PM PDT SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (AP) — South Korea's Eun Jeong Seong won the U.S. Women's Amateur on Sunday at Rolling Green to become the first player to win the event and U.S. Girls' Junior in the same year. |
| Knox wins Travelers after history-making 58 from Furyk. Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:30 PM PDT  CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Russell Knox nicknamed himself "The Beast" after playing two good rounds at the Travelers Championship.
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| Left wrist 'not perfect,' Rafa Nadal wins return at Olympics Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:29 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — White tape peeking out from under the red sweat band on his injured left wrist, Rafael Nadal was back in action Sunday, playing his first match in 2½ months.
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| 58! Furyk sets a PGA Tour record at Travelers Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:20 PM PDT  CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Jim Furyk has a place in PGA Tour history all to himself with a new magic number in golf.
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| SKorean women win 8th straight Olympic gold in team archery Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:16 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The South Koreans win the women's Olympic team archery title all the time.
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| Libya's NOC calls on rival factions to protect Zueitina terminal Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:15 PM PDT  Libya's state oil company on Sunday called on rival armed factions to avoid damaging the oil terminal in Zueitina, following reports of possible clashes at the eastern port. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) said it was concerned by reports of "imminent conflict" between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) in the vicinity of Zueitina. The PFG signed a deal late last month with Libya's U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to reopen Zueitina and two other ports that it has been blockading.
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| Egyptian beach player: Hijab won't keep me from sport Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:13 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — When Doaa Elghobashy made her debut at the Copacabana venue on Sunday night, she was proud to represent Egypt as part of the nation's first Olympic beach volleyball team.
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| Dutch rider van der Breggen wins Olympic gold in road race Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:11 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Sailing past her crumpled teammate, Anna van der Breggen suddenly realized she was the only hope the Netherlands had of defending its gold medal in the women's Olympic road race.
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| Joe Durant beats Miguel Angel Jimenez in Minnesota playoff Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:09 PM PDT BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Joe Durant made a 10-foot eagle putt on the first hole of a playoff with Miguel Angel Jimenez on Sunday to win the PGA Tour Champions' 3M Championship. |
| Canada beats young US squad in straight sets Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:08 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A towel draped over his left shoulder, Erik Shoji sat on the bench alongside big brother Kawika and pondered what might be going so wrong for the young United States team in its Olympic volleyball opener against hard-hitting Canada.
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| Despite sanctions, North Korea prices steady as Kim leaves markets alone Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:06 PM PDT  By James Pearson and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - Food and fuel prices in North Korea have remained largely stable under leader Kim Jong Un, despite tightening international sanctions to punish the North for its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, rare data from inside the isolated country shows. The relative stability of both prices and the currency - in contrast to the volatility seen under his father Kim Jong Il - is partly attributable to the younger Kim's hands-off approach to an increasingly market-based economy and also, experts say, suggests some policy learning in Pyongyang. Once reliant on a Soviet-style centrally-planned economy, North Korea is now home to a thriving system of semi-legal but policed markets known as "jangmadang", where individuals and wholesalers can buy and sell privately-produced or imported goods.
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| Elderly Japanese emperor to address public after abdication reports Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:05 PM PDT  By Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Akihito will make a rare video address to the nation on Monday in which the 82-year-old monarch is expected to outline his concerns that he cannot do his job fully but avoid saying outright that he wants to abdicate. Public broadcaster NHK reported last month that Akihito, who has had heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer, wanted to step down in a few years - a move that would be unprecedented in modern Japan. Once considered divine, Japan's emperor is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the "unity of the people" and has no political power.
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| Giant Turkish anti-coup rally packs Istanbul waterfront area Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:02 PM PDT  ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey will continue fighting whatever powers seek to undermine the government, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Sunday as he addressed a massive flag-waving rally in Istanbul in the wake of the country's abortive July 15 coup.
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| World champion cyclist Armitstead says 5th in Rio a victory Posted: 07 Aug 2016 04:00 PM PDT  Defiant cycling world champion Lizzie Armitstead defended her participation at the Olympics on Sunday despite missing drug tests, saying it was a victory for her. The 27-year-old Briton finished fifth in the women's road race around Rio on Sunday but her very participation was controversial. Armitstead missed three drug tests over a 12-month period, which would normally have seen her disqualified from the Games.
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| US women's field hockey team faces No. 3 Australia next Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:58 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The United States could make another bold statement in women's field hockey at the Olympics on Monday.
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| Kiwis avoid major upset against U.S. to reach Olympic semis Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:52 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — New Zealand narrowly avoided a major upset against the United States on Sunday to join Australia, Canada and Britain in the playoffs for the first rugby sevens medals awarded at the Olympics.
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| Majlinda Kelmendi wins Kosovo's 1st Olympic medal Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:46 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Go gold or go home.
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| US women shatter records in rout of Senegal Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:42 PM PDT  Five-time defending champion United States stretched its Olympic women's basketball win streak to 42 games Sunday with its most lopsided Games victory ever, a 121-56 rout of Senegal. Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart and Sylvia Fowles each netted 15 points to lead seven double-figure scorers for the Americans, all of whom produced points to set a one-game US Olympic record in the Group B preliminary round match. The 65-point victory margin surpassed the prior US mark from a 107-47 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo set at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
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| Australia remain on course for New Zealand sevens final in Rio Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:40 PM PDT  Favourites Australia remained on course for a final showdown with trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand after the top four seeded sides safely negotiated the quarter-finals of the women's rugby sevens at the Olympics on Sunday. The Wallabies were given an earlier scare in their final pool match, scrambling to a 12-12 draw with the United States at the Deodoro Stadium. "We played them in (our training camp) in Florida and we knew what they had," Kiwi back Kelly Brazier said of the US team.
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| 'Pogback': Pogba near to joining United for world-record fee Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:39 PM PDT  MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Paul Pogba is close to joining Manchester United for a world-record transfer fee, with manager Jose Mourinho saying Sunday the France midfielder will be at the right club "to be the best player in the world."
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| Mexico overcomes early scare, beats Fiji 5-1 in men's soccer Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:37 PM PDT  BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Erick Gutierrez scored three goals early in the second half and added another late in the game to help defending Olympic champion Mexico beat Fiji 5-1 on Sunday.
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| Shock over horror bike crash as Phelps readies for bow Posted: 07 Aug 2016 03:33 PM PDT  A sickening cycling crash caused jitters at the Rio Olympics on Sunday, as swimming superstar Michael Phelps prepared to launch his quest for glory. Chinese diving queen Wu Minxia sealed a record fifth diving title and in their debut Games, tiny Kosovo became the 100th country to win an Olympic gold medal. Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten was leading the women's road race when she crashed head-first on the final descent, lying motionless by the road.
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