| U.S. assessing if Russian use of Iran base violates U.N. resolution Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:41 PM PDT  The United States is looking at whether Russia has violated a U.N. Security Council resolution on military dealings with Tehran by using an Iranian air base to carry out strikes inside Syria, the State Department said on Wednesday. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said U.S. government attorneys had not yet decided whether they think Russia's use of the Iranian base is a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which was passed as part of the Iran nuclear deal.
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| Making space for coup purge, Turkey starts to release 38,000 prisoners Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:11 PM PDT  By Daren Butler ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey began freeing 38,000 prisoners on Wednesday, after announcing a penal reform that will make space for tens of thousands of suspects rounded up over last month's attempted coup. Western allies worry President Tayyip Erdogan, already accused by opponents of creeping authoritarianism, is using the crackdown to target dissent, testing relations with a key NATO partner in the war on Islamic State. Wednesday's decrees, published in the Official Gazette, also ordered the dismissal of 2,360 more police officers, more than 100 military personnel and 196 staff at Turkey's information and communication technology authority, BTK.
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| Bolivia opens 'anti-imperialist' military school Posted: 17 Aug 2016 12:29 PM PDT  Bolivian President Evo Morales opened a military school on Wednesday which he said would teach an "anti-imperialist" doctrine to counter U.S. policies "based on fear." "The United States created the School of the Americas to indoctrinate the armed forces on pro-imperialism," said Morales, a reference to the Cold War-era U.S. academy that trained Latin American dictators and their military in counter-insurgency and torture techniques. "If the empire teaches domination of the world from its military schools, we will learn from this school to free ourselves from imperial oppression," he said. Ex-coca grower Morales has been a long-time critic of U.S. foreign policy, one of the last leaders left standing from South America's once-dominant populist leftist bloc.
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| Venezuela crushes 2,000 guns in public, plans registry of bullets Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:54 PM PDT  Venezuelan police crushed and chopped up nearly 2,000 shotguns and pistols in a Caracas city square on Wednesday, as the new interior minister relaunched a long-stalled gun control campaign in one of the world's most crime-ridden countries. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said the event marked the renewal of efforts to disarm Venezuelans, through a combination of seizures and a voluntary program to swap guns for electrical goods. Venezuela has the world's second highest murder rate and the street gangs that plague its poor neighborhoods have become increasingly heavily armed in recent years, at a time when a deep recession has reduced resources available to police.
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| Argentine judge starts inquiry into death of Spain's Garcia Lorca Posted: 17 Aug 2016 02:04 PM PDT  An Argentine judge has started an investigation into the death of Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, who is believed to have been executed in 1936 by forces loyal to General Francisco Franco. Garcia Lorca's fate remains a mystery after the site near the Spanish city of Granada where he was believed to have been buried was excavated in 2009 without finding human remains. With efforts by the Spanish justice system stalled, a Spanish human rights group called the Association for the Recuperation of Historic Memory asked Argentine federal judge Maria Servini to take up the case.
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| Three killed, 40 wounded in car bomb near Turkish police station: state media Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:26 PM PDT Three people were killed and 40 were wounded when a car bomb exploded near a police station in Turkey's eastern province of Van near the Iranian border on Wednesday, state broadcaster TRT said, citing the local governor. The station also serves as a police barracks, TRT said, citing a statement from the local governor. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on live television there had been an attack on a police station in Van but did not elaborate. |
| German minister says nothing to regret about report alleging Turkey a hub for Islamists Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:23 PM PDT  BERLIN/ANKARA (Reuters) - German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Wednesday defended a leaked government report alleging Turkey was a hub for Islamist groups, a charge that has further strained tensions with Ankara, a key partner in efforts to stem mass migration. Turkey and Germany have had a series of disputes in recent months, just as the European Union has been trying to secure Turkey's help in tackling the influx of migrants to Europe, of which Germany has taken in the bulk. Ankara has also been incensed by criticism from the West of its crackdown following a failed coup attempt on July 15.
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| Alex Smalley advances in US Amateur at Oakland Hills Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:22 PM PDT BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Qualifying medalist Alex Smalley rallied to beat Scott Harvey 2 and 1 on Wednesday in the first round of the U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills. |
| Icho captures 4th Olympic gold medal in wrestling Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:22 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — With just seconds to spare, Kaori Icho reminded everyone why she's the best women's wrestler in history.
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| Barca beats Sevilla 3-0 to win Spanish Super Cup Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:11 PM PDT  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Arda Turan scored two goals before Lionel Messi added a third as Barcelona beat Sevilla 3-0 on Wednesday to win the Spanish Super Cup with a 5-0 victory on aggregate.
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| Rights group: More than 17,000 killed in Syrian state jails Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:09 PM PDT  BEIRUT (AP) — The young Syrian activist was beaten, prevented from going to the toilet and saw her cellmates taken for rounds of whipping when she was held for more than a month in several government detention facilities.
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| Haiti council unveils $55 million election budget Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:06 PM PDT PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitian electoral authorities on Wednesday released details of a $55 million budget to organize a redo of an annulled presidential election that will not be underwritten by the U.S. or monitored by EU observers. |
| Iran acknowledges Russia using its air base to strike Syria Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:04 PM PDT  BEIRUT (AP) — In a move that could reverberate across the Middle East, Iran confirmed Wednesday that Russia is using its territory to launch airstrikes in Syria even as a second wave of Moscow's bombers flew out of the Islamic Republic to hit targets in the war-ravaged country.
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| Parker says goodbye to Olympics after France loses to Spain Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:02 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Before going their separate ways, Tony Parker and Paul Gasol met near mid-court and the new teammates shared a warm embrace following Spain's lopsided win.
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| Runner who helped hurts knee and won't return at Olympics Posted: 17 Aug 2016 05:00 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Abbey D'Agostino never imagined doing the right thing would cause such a stir.
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| Haiti council unveils anti-fraud reforms for vote redo Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:56 PM PDT  Port-au-Prince (AFP) - Haitian authorities on Wednesday announced anti-fraud reforms for a redo of last year's scandalous elections that left the impoverished Caribbean country in political chaos. The Provisional Electoral Council said that in the October 9 election Haitians will be required to cast their ballots where they are registered to vote and people working the polling places will receive more comprehensive training. Haiti has been mired in political crisis since the results of the October 25, 2015 presidential elections were annulled because of massive fraud.
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| Barcelona's Javier Mascherano to miss Liga opener Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:55 PM PDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano will miss the club's Spanish league opener after he injured his leg on Wednesday. |
| Icho grabs historic fourth wrestling gold as Japan's women dominate Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:49 PM PDT  Kaori Icho grabbed a slice of Olympic history as Japan swept all three women's wrestling gold medals on offer at Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. Icho became the first woman in any sport to win four gold medals in individual events across four Games with her victory over Russian Valeriia Koblova Zholobova in the women's freestyle 58kg final. Icho joined five men to have won gold medals in individual events at four straight Olympics.
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| US to play Italy for Olympic gold in women's water polo Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:47 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — It got physical, very physical, and that's just fine with the U.S. women's water polo team.
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| Bolivia's Morales opens 'anti-imperialist' army academy Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:28 PM PDT  Bolivian President Evo Morales inaugurated a new "anti-imperialist" military academy Wednesday, calling it a response to the former School of the Americas, a US program that provided training to Latin American military regimes.
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| Kipruto extends Kenyan steeple streak, misery for Kemboi Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:25 PM PDT  Conseslus Kipruto stormed to victory in the men's 3000m steeplechase at the Rio Olympics on Wednesday to extend Kenya's remarkable winning streak in the event. Kipruto timed an Olympic record of 8min 03.28sec to win Kenya's ninth straight gold in the race since 1988. American Evan Jager took silver in 8:04.28.
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| Report calls on UK to urgently tackle race inequality Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:23 PM PDT  A UK government body on Thursday called for urgent action to tackle race inequality, warning new figures showed the country's reputation for tolerance was under threat following the Brexit vote. In a broad overview of life in Britain for black people and ethnic minorities, the Equality and Human Rights Commission report found the situation has worsened on numerous fronts over the past five years. Race was the motive in 82 percent of hate crimes recorded in England and Wales, while the two nations saw an "unprecedented spike" in hate crimes since Britain voted on June 23 to leave the European Union.
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| Neymar, Brazil come out blazing in Olympic soccer semifinals Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:06 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Maybe Neymar and his teammates can make the Olympics a success for Brazil after all.
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| Netherlands wins shootout in women's field hockey semifinals Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:01 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Ellen Hoog shook off a miss in the shootout and came back to score the game-winner as the Netherlands defeated Germany on Wednesday in the Olympic women's field hockey semifinals.
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| Little League World Series set to open Thursday Posted: 17 Aug 2016 04:00 PM PDT SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — It's not easy to advance to the Little League World Series. Bowling Green Eastern coach Scott Kelley knows that much. |
| Germany in the Olympic final after 2-0 victory over Nigeria Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:51 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — Lukas Klosertmann and Nils Peterson scored to send Germany into the Olympic gold-medal match for the first time with a 2-0 semifinal victory over Nigeria on Wednesday.
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| Peabody gets U.S. court approval for clean-up deals, executive bonuses Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:51 PM PDT  Bankrupt coal company Peabody Energy won U.S. court approval on Wednesday for agreements with three states to partially cover $1.14 billion in potential environmental liabilities and for a bonus plan for its six top executives. Under the agreements, Wyoming can receive $127 million in cash if Peabody walks away from its mine cleanup obligations in the state while in bankruptcy, while New Mexico would receive $32 million and Indiana would get $17 million. Peabody's agreements with Wyoming, New Mexico and Indiana are similar to deals reached by bankrupt coal miners Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources on self-bonds in Wyoming and West Virginia.
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| Olympians divided about women with high testosterone levels Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:49 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Olympic Games is running into a storm of controversy involving Caster Semenya, the favorite in the women's 800 meters. The South African, the unwilling face of track's ethical and medical dilemma over women with high levels of testosterone, sharply divides opinion — even among fellow competitors.
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| Southern California wildfire rages unchecked after evacuations Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:42 PM PDT  A Southern California wildfire raged unchecked in thick brush on Wednesday after destroying dozens of houses near a highway corridor between Los Angeles and Las Vegas and forcing as many as 80,000 residents to flee their homes, officials said. September and October are often the peak of the state's wildfire season.
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| Firenadoes rage in California as blaze menaces 82,000 Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:34 PM PDT  An inferno scorching swathes of southern California threatened the homes of more than 82,000 people Wednesday, sending flaming "firenadoes" tearing across the brush and prompting a state of emergency. More than 1,300 firefighters were battling the giant blaze, with more on the way, but they were unable to contain the blaze as of early Wednesday. Dramatic local TV news footage captured from the front line of the wildfire in the town of Phelan showed tornado-like flaming vortexes -- known as "firenadoes" -- sent spinning into the air by the unusual ferocity of the blaze.
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| 'Auction' of NSA tools sends security companies scrambling Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:34 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — The leak of what purports to be a National Security Agency hacking tool kit has set the information security world atwitter — and sent major companies rushing to update their defenses.
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| UN chief renews call for end to hostilities in Yemen Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:27 PM PDT  UN Chief Ban Ki-moon repeated his call Wednesday for all sides in the conflict in Yemen to "immediately cease all hostilities," following a devastating series of raids resulting in numerous civilian deaths and injuries. "Civilians, including children, are paying the heaviest price in the ongoing conflict, as civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, continue to be hit," he said.
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| Police case against IOC executive seized naked by Rio police Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:26 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The IOC hierarchy is used to being treated like royalty in Olympic host cities. Brazilian police afforded Patrick Hickey no such deference early Wednesday, bringing a TV crew to film the IOC executive being arrested in a Rio de Janeiro hotel room while naked.
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| UN launches independent probe into South Sudan rampage Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:22 PM PDT  JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The United Nations secretary-general is launching an independent investigation into allegations that U.N. peacekeepers did not respond to prevent multiple cases of abuse and sexual violence against civilians and foreigners in South Sudan's capital.
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| Father: Lochte back in US; Rio judge orders passports held Posted: 17 Aug 2016 03:05 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The father of American swimmer Ryan Lochte said Wednesday his gold medal-winning son arrived back in the United States before a Brazilian judge ordered that Lochte and U.S. teammate Jimmy Feigen stay in Brazil as authorities investigate their claim they were robbed during the Olympics.
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| Boko Haram kills five in attack on reopened highway Posted: 17 Aug 2016 02:54 PM PDT  Boko Haram killed five traders in an ambush on a highway in northeast Nigeria that was recently reopened after coming under repeated attack from the Islamist group, a military source said Wednesday. A convoy of vehicles carrying Nigerian immigration officials and a group of traders were travelling from Gamboru, on the border with Cameroon, to the city of Maiduguri when they came under fire on Monday. The immigration men drove off towards Maiduguri, leaving the traders behind," an army officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.
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| Three dead in protests after DR Congo massacre Posted: 17 Aug 2016 02:49 PM PDT  Three people, including a policeman, were killed Wednesday in clashes in a town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a massacre sparked angry accusations of security failures by the government, local officials said. In the first fatal incident, "a policeman and a civilian were killed, nine people were injured, (comprising) six civilians and three soldiers", Beni Mayor Edmond Masumbuko said. The head of Beni's civil society movement, Gilbert Kambale, said the civilian fatality was a young man who was killed by a policeman.
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