| Twenty-two killed, 94 injured in bomb attack at Turkish wedding Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:40 PM PDT  By Umit Besktas and Tuvan Gumrukcu ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Twenty-two people were killed and 94 wounded when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a wedding celebration in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on Saturday, adding to a surge in violence this week in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The attack appeared to have hit when a large group of people from a wedding party took to the streets in celebration, security sources said. Islamic State militants were believed to be behind the attack, Samil Tayyar, a member of parliament from ruling AK Party said on Twitter, while Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek told broadcaster NTV the blast appeared to be the work of a suicide bomber.
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| Kurds versus Syrian army battle intensifies, complicating multi-fronted war Posted: 20 Aug 2016 07:39 AM PDT  By Angus McDowall BEIRUT (Reuters) - Fighting between the Syrian army and Kurdish forces intensified late on Friday and into Saturday, creating the risk of yet another front opening in the multi-sided civil war. The two sides have mostly avoided confrontation during the five-year conflict, with the government focusing its efforts against Sunni Arab rebels in the west, and the Kurds mainly fighting Islamic State in northern Syria. Fighting there could complicate the battle against Islamic State because of the Kurds' pivotal role in the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) fight against the group.
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| Tens of thousands of Yemenis rally to support Houthi-led council Posted: 20 Aug 2016 11:09 AM PDT  Tens of thousands of Yemenis rallied in the center of the capital on Saturday to show support for the Houthi-led bloc as the head of the group's new governing council vowed to form a full government in the coming days. In apparent response to the Houthi show of force, ambassadors from the G18 group of nations that has backed U.N. peace talks to end Yemen's civil war issued a statement condemning "unconstitutional and unilateral actions in Sanaa." "The Group of Ambassadors repeats its concern that actions taken by elements of the General People's Congress and the Houthis as well as their supporters are making the search for a peaceful solution more difficult," the envoys added in a statement posted on the U.S. embassy's Facebook page.
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| U.S. to send delegation to Turkey for Gulen probe: official Posted: 20 Aug 2016 07:44 AM PDT  U.S. Justice and State Department officials will fly to Ankara to discuss government accusations against Fethullah Gulen, the exiled cleric Turkey accuses of masterminding a failed military coup, according to a Justice Department official. President Tayyip Erdogan has demanded the United States extradite Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, over the July putsch in which more than 200 people, including civilians, were killed. Turkish officials have suggested refusal to repatriate Gulen for trial would seriously strain ties between the two NATO allies.
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| Ex-U.S. Navy SEAL author agrees to pay $6.8 million to government: NY Times Posted: 20 Aug 2016 11:54 AM PDT  A former U.S. Navy SEAL who wrote a book about the daring operation on Osama Bin Laden's compound in Pakistan has agreed to forfeit $6.8 million in book royalties and speaking fees, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing federal court documents. Matt Bissonnette, who wrote the book under the pseudonym "Mark Owen," also apologized in a statement for not getting the book vetted by the Pentagon before it was published in 2012, the New York Times said. In the past the Pentagon has threatened legal action against Bissonnette for alleged violation of non-disclosure agreements because the manuscript was not submitted for a pre-publication security review.
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| Turkish parliament approves deal ending rift with Israel Posted: 20 Aug 2016 02:58 PM PDT  Turkey's parliament approved a reconciliation agreement signed with Israel in June which has brought to an end a six-year rift between the two regional powers, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday. Relations between the two countries crumbled after Israeli marines stormed a Turkish ship in May 2010 to enforce a naval blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, killing 10 Turks on board. Israel, which had already offered its apologies for the raid, agreed under the deal to pay out $20 million to the bereaved and wounded in return for Turkey dropping outstanding legal claims.
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| Guzman relative says 'El Chapo' son released in Mexico Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:38 PM PDT  The son of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has been released following his abduction earlier this week from a Mexico bar, a member of the Sinaloa cartel leader's family said. Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, 29, was freed along with the five other men with whom he was kidnapped, a relative who requested anonymity for security reasons told AFP. Guzman Salazar -- one of Guzman's sons from his first marriage -- was attending a celebration early Monday at a restaurant and bar in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta when gunmen in pick-up trucks swooped in and kidnapped five of his six companions.
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| Officials: 30 killed, 94 hurt in wedding blast in Turkey Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:34 PM PDT  ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A bomb attack targeting an outdoor wedding party in southeastern Turkey on Saturday killed at least 30 people and wounded 94 others, authorities said.
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| Neymar's nerves of steel hand Brazil first football gold Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:34 PM PDT  Neymar struck the winning penalty as Brazil claimed a first ever Olympic football gold medal with victory over Germany on penalties at Rio's Maracana. The 5-4 shoot-out win exacted revenge for a humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany two years ago. Olympic gold was the only major title to have escaped five-time world champions Brazil in their history.
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| At least 22 killed in Turkey wedding attack near Syria Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:33 PM PDT  At least 22 people were killed and dozens more wounded in an attack possibly carried out by a suicide bomber on a wedding party in the Turkish city of Gaziantep near the Syrian border, officials said. The office of Gaziantep governor Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement that 22 people had been killed and 94 wounded in "a bomb attack on a wedding". Mehmet Erdogan, a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmaker for Gaziantep said it was not clear who was responsible for the explosion but there was a "high possibility" it was a suicide attack.
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| The Latest: South Africa's Semenya easily wins women's 800m Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:32 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The latest on the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (all times local):
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| South Africa's Caster Semenya wins 800m gold Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:31 PM PDT  Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - South Africa's Caster Semenya cruised to victory in the women's 800m, producing a devastating final kick to claim her first Olympic gold.
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| Gosepa, Anonia lead Caribbean to 2-1 win over Japan in LLWS Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:20 PM PDT SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Va. (AP) — Donovan Antonia hit a solo home run, Jadon Gosepa allowed one earned run and struck out seven over five innings and Curacao beat Japan 2-1 in the Little League World Series on Saturday. |
| Top Asian News 12:15 a.m. GMT Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:16 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Flying across the Pacific on an Air Force jet bound for Beijing, first lady Hillary Clinton huddled deep into the night with a few aides and advisers, honing her speech for the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women. It was 1995, and it had been a bruising first few years in the White House: Troopergate, Travelgate, Whitewater. Not to mention the failure of her own high-profile efforts — unprecedented for a first lady — to reform the nation's health care system. Even her trip to China provoked controversy. There were objections in some quarters to a first lady wading into tricky diplomatic waters and addressing issues like human rights abuses. |
| The good, the bad and the ugly of the Rio Games Posted: 20 Aug 2016 05:05 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Michael Phelps won more medals than anyone else, again. And then he said farewell, also again.
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| Wenger rails at Arsenal transfer focus Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:59 PM PDT  Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hit out at criticism of his club's transfer policy after he once again came under pressure from supporters to spend money on new players. Wenger has made only one major close-season signing, recruiting Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka from Borussia Moenchengladbach for a reported fee of 35 million pounds ($45.8 million, 40.4 million euros). Asked by a reporter after the game why he was reluctant to part with the club's cash, Wenger replied: "Why do you say I'm reluctant?
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| Oil from refinery blast slickens Nicaragua habitat: environmentalists Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:58 PM PDT  A massive refinery fire in Nicaragua caused an oil spill that has contaminated sensitive nearby coastal habitat, a nonprofit group here said. In the aftermath of the refinery fire at the Puma Energy facility on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, oil has slickened nearly one-half of a square mile of the nearby water and soil, said Victor Campos, director of the Humboldt Center, an environmental group. Meanwhile, authorities said Saturday they hope to soon have the fire contained at the facility, this Central American nation's sole oil refinery.
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| Ken Roczen wraps up second Motocross title in 3 seasons Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:41 PM PDT MECHANICSVILLE, Md. (AP) — Ken Roczen wrapped up his second Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship title in three seasons Saturday, sweeping the 450 Class motos in the Budds Creek National for his eighth victory of the year. |
| Gwen Jorgensen gives US first Olympic gold in triathlon Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:38 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — As she wobbled along on a flat tire four years ago in London, Gwen Jorgensen promised to turn that heartbreak at Hyde Park into a conquering of Copacabana Beach at the Rio Games.
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| Good as gold: US women win 6th straight Olympic hoops title Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:37 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Geno Auriemma and Diana Taurasi shared a long, emotional embrace. Mission accomplished.
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| Executions, burned testicles: apparent massacre stains Mexican police Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:25 PM PDT  By Gabriel Stargardter and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Discrepancies plague the official account of a deadly assault last year in which Mexican police allegedly executed 22 suspected gang members, burned bodies, manipulated the crime scene and tortured survivors, newly-revealed details show. In May 2015, a woman walked into a police station in the western Mexican city of Guadalajara and told investigators a group of about 50 men had broken into a local ranch she administered and said they wanted to buy the property. The woman, whose husband owned the ranch until he disappeared after being kidnapped in 2012, asked security forces to go to the property and flush out the intruders.
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| Golf Capsules Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:23 PM PDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Inbee Park is taking a gold medal back to South Korea to show anyone who doubted whether she should play in the Olympics. |
| Chen wins men's 10-meter for China's 7th diving gold Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:20 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — China won its seventh gold in eight diving events at the Rio Olympics, showing off the superpower's depth with a less heralded champion in men's 10-meter platform.
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| Si Woo Kim opens 4-stroke lead in Wyndham Championship Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:07 PM PDT  GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Si Woo Kim followed his tournament-record 10-under 60 with a third-round 64 on Saturday to increase his lead to four strokes in the Wyndham Championship.
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| Mamun tops world champ Kudryavtseva in rhythmic gymnastics Posted: 20 Aug 2016 04:06 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Russia's dominance in rhythmic gymnastics remains as strong as ever. Yana Kudryavtseva's dominance of the sport's big-time meets, however, is over.
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| Russia wins women's handball gold over France Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:55 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Russia won a hard-fought contest against France to take Olympic women's handball gold Saturday, drawing motivation from a speech by coach Evgeny Trefilov that emphasized the team's underdog status.
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| Officials: 22 killed, 94 wounded in bomb attack at wedding party in southeastern Turkey Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:53 PM PDT ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Officials: 22 killed, 94 wounded in bomb attack at wedding party in southeastern Turkey . |
| Mexico: 8 dead bodies reported dead in Veracruz field Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:51 PM PDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican authorities say that eight dead bodies were abandoned in a field in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz. |
| Canadian man's bomb did not fully detonate before police shot him: report Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:49 PM PDT  A homemade bomb set off last week by a Canadian man who was apparently inspired by Islamic State, failed to fully detonate, a senior police official told the National Post newspaper on Saturday. While there was a blast in the back seat of a taxi in Strathroy, Ontario, as police closed in, it came from the detonators, and explosive material did not go off, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deputy commissioner Mike Cabana said. The RCMP could not immediately be reached for comment on the newspaper report.
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| Kerber reaches final, win away from unseating Williams Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:33 PM PDT  MASON, Ohio (AP) — Angelique Kerber reached the Western & Southern Open final Saturday, leaving her one win away from unseating Serena Williams at No. 1.
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| Suarez, Messi share 5 goals as Barca starts title defense Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:28 PM PDT  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Luis Suarez scored a hat trick and Lionel Messi added two more goals as Barcelona started its Spanish league title defense in style by routing Real Betis 6-2 on Saturday.
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| Congo opposition rejects talks with Kabila government over election Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:26 PM PDT  By Aaron Ross KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congo's main opposition alliance on Saturday rejected talks with the government of President Joseph Kabila over elections that were due to have been held in November but have been delayed and called for a general strike on Tuesday. The opposition wants Kabila to end his 15-year rule in December as mandated by the constitution but authorities say the vote cannot be held until at least next July and the top court says Kabila can stay in power until the election is held. It is also a setback for African Union mediator, Edem Kodjo, who earlier said the way was open for all-party talks to begin on Tuesday to secure agreement on the election.
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| Who's the best freestyle wrestler? Maybe 'The Russian Tank' Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:12 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — American Jordan Burroughs' stunning loss in Friday's Olympic wrestling tournament re-opened the debate over the world's best pound-for-pound freestyle competitor.
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| Froome's Sky wins Vuelta opener, Contador's Tinkoff labors Posted: 20 Aug 2016 03:09 PM PDT  OURENSE, Spain (AP) — Chris Froome had a successful start to the Spanish Vuelta with Sky winning the team time trial as the grand tour got underway Saturday.
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| Golfer Park silences doubters with Rio win Posted: 20 Aug 2016 02:59 PM PDT  Park In-Bee wasn't even sure she'd play in the Olympics until recently, dogged by a stubborn thumb injury and questions in South Korea over whether she could lead the country's splendid women golfers in Rio. With five South Koreans in the world's top 10, pressure was high to bring back medals.
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| Congo opposition rejects talks with Kabila government over delayed election Posted: 20 Aug 2016 02:55 PM PDT KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congo's main opposition alliance on Saturday rejected talks with the government of President Joseph Kabila over elections that were due to have been held in November but have been delayed and they called for a general strike on Tuesday. The opposition wants Kabila to end his 15-year rule this year as mandated by the constitution but authorities say the vote cannot be held until at least next July and the top court says Kabila can stay in power until the poll is held. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Marguerita Choy) |
| Penske drivers Pagenaud and Power feeling no ill will Posted: 20 Aug 2016 02:55 PM PDT  LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — They sat next to each other taking question after question after IndyCar practice, shrugging off the thought that tension might have crept into their everyday lives.
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| Firefighters make steady progress against California blaze Posted: 20 Aug 2016 02:48 PM PDT  By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Firefighters had a Southern California wildfire mostly surrounded on Saturday, after making significant progress in cooler temperatures overnight on a blaze that has destroyed 105 homes and forced widespread evacuations, officials said. The Blue Cut fire, named after a narrow gorge where it ignited about 75 miles (120 km) northeast of Los Angeles on Tuesday in an area called the Cajon Pass, has burned more than 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares) of drought-parched brush, said fire information officer Mike Lopez. At its height, the blaze, which authorities called uncannily fierce, had forced authorities to order more than 80,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
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| Turkey Gaziantep blast appears to be suicide bomber, Deputy PM Posted: 20 Aug 2016 02:46 PM PDT ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A blast targeting a wedding in Turkey's Gaziantep on Saturday appeared to have been caused by a suicide bomber, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek told broadcaster NTV. Security sources said the attack killed eight people and wounded 60. A parliamentary deputy from the ruling AK Party said on Twitter that Islamic State militants were believed to be behind the attack. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by David Dolan; editing by Patrick Markey) |
