| Turkey's Erdogan blames child bomber for attack that killed 51 Posted: 21 Aug 2016 10:04 AM PDT  By Osman Orsal and Umit Ozdal GAZIANTEP, Turkey (Reuters) - A suicide bomber aged between 12 and 14 carried out the attack on a wedding party in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on Saturday that killed at least 51 people, the president said. The attack was the deadliest in a series of bombings in Turkey this year, and President Tayyip Erdogan said Islamic State was likely behind it. "Initial evidence suggests it was a Daesh attack," Erdogan said in Istanbul on Sunday, using an Arabic name for the hardline Sunni Islamist group.
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| Iraq hangs 36 people sentenced to death for killing of troops in 2014 Posted: 21 Aug 2016 08:40 AM PDT  Iraq said on Sunday it had hanged 36 militants sentenced to death over the mass killing of hundreds of mainly Shi'ite soldiers at a camp north of Baghdad two years ago. It is the highest number of militants executed in one day by the Iraqi government since Islamic State fighters took control of parts of northern and western Iraq in 2014. The executions were carried out at a prison in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya, state television quoted the Justice Ministry as saying.
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| Gaza militant rocket hits Israel, Israel responds with air strikes, shells Posted: 21 Aug 2016 03:39 PM PDT  Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip launched a rocket that landed in the Israeli border town of Sderot on Sunday and Israeli aircraft and tanks responded by shelling the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, the army and police said. The rocket caused no injuries or damage in Sderot, where it landed in a residential area, police said. Multiple air strikes later in the evening hit at least 30 different sites in the Gaza Strip belonging to Hamas, the smaller Islamic Jihad and other militant groups and two people were lightly hurt, Gaza health officials said.
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| Syrian rebels prepare to attack Islamic State town from Turkey Posted: 21 Aug 2016 01:43 PM PDT  By Tom Perry and Suleiman Al-Khalidi BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian rebels are preparing to launch an attack to seize a town from Islamic State on the border with Turkey, a senior rebel said on Sunday, in a move that would frustrate Kurdish hopes to expand in the area. The rebels, Turkish-backed groups fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), are expected to assault Jarablus from inside Turkey in the next few days, said the rebel official, who is familiar with the plans but declined to be identified. "The factions are gathering in an area near the border (inside Turkey)," the rebel said.
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| Libyan forces say they capture mosque, prison from Islamic State in Sirte Posted: 21 Aug 2016 03:00 PM PDT  Libyan forces renewed their push to oust Islamic State from its former North African stronghold of Sirte on Sunday, saying they had seized the city's main mosque and a jail run by the militants' morality police. The forces, mainly brigades from the city of Misrata, say they are close to capturing Sirte after taking most of the city in a three-month campaign and restricting militants to a shrinking residential area in the city center. Since Aug. 1, they have been supported by U.S. air strikes.
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| Yemen's ex-president says could work with Russia to 'fight terrorism' Posted: 21 Aug 2016 11:18 AM PDT  A newly-formed governing council in Yemen could work with Russia to "fight terrorism" by allowing Moscow use of the war-torn country's military bases, Yemen's former president said on Sunday. Ali Abdullah Saleh, a former counter-terrorism ally of the U.S. who was toppled by mass protests in 2011, told state-owned channel Russia 24 that Yemen was ready to grant Moscow access to air and naval bases.
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| Carmelo Anthony caps Olympic odyssey with 3rd gold medal Posted: 21 Aug 2016 05:22 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Carmelo Anthony had one last thing to teach his young teammates.
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| Si Woo Kim wins Wyndham Championship for 1st PGA Tour title Posted: 21 Aug 2016 05:15 PM PDT  GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Si Woo Kim had a productive week at the Wyndham Championship. He claimed one tournament record, a share of another — and, most importantly, his first PGA Tour trophy.
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| Rio police seize passports in raid on Irish Olympics office Posted: 21 Aug 2016 05:12 PM PDT  Brazilian police seized passports from three Irish Olympic officials accused of involvement in black market ticket ring in Rio. The early morning raid at the Irish office in the Olympic Village also netted phones and computers, Irish officials said. Irish International Olympic Committee member Patrick Hickey has already been detained in the inquiry and is being held in Rio's Bangu maximum security prison awaiting a court hearing.
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| The Latest: Athletes, crowd dance to DJs at closing ceremony Posted: 21 Aug 2016 05:11 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The latest on the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (all times local):
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| New Zealand's Walker appointed to IOC athletes commission Posted: 21 Aug 2016 05:05 PM PDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand BMX rider Sarah Walker has been appointed to the International Olympic Committee's athletes commission. |
| Bale ensures Real Madrid makes winning start, Atletico draws Posted: 21 Aug 2016 05:03 PM PDT  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Gareth Bale scored twice to help Real Madrid start the Spanish league with a 3-0 victory at Real Sociedad, while Atletico Madrid was held 1-1 after conceding a last-gasp goal to Alaves on Sunday.
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| Missed opportunities: The gold medals Russia could have won Posted: 21 Aug 2016 05:02 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — There have been boos and scandals for Russia in Rio, but also medals — a lot of them.
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| Cuban star Gurriel singles in big league debut for Astros Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:59 PM PDT  BALTIMORE (AP) — Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch has already described Yulieski Gurriel as an international star. Now, the 32-year-old Cuban is getting a chance to make his mark in the majors.
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| Canada rail safety questioned after train derailment diesel leak Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:52 PM PDT A Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd train derailment in Toronto caused a diesel leak near a residential area on Sunday, authorities said. While a regulation body said there were no injuries, Transport Minister Marc Garneau told reporters about 1,200 liters (317 gallons) of diesel fuel were leaked. The incident began with a westbound train striking an eastbound one that was changing tracks early in the morning, said Transportation Safety Board of Canada spokesman Chris Krepski. |
| Wijnaldum calls for Liverpool League Cup reaction Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:50 PM PDT  Georginio Wijnaldum has called on his Liverpool team-mates to put the disappointment of defeat by Burnley behind them in Tuesday's League Cup tie at second-tier Burton Albion. Liverpool started the Premier League season in enterprising fashion with a thrilling 4-3 win at Arsenal, only to lose 2-0 at promoted Burnley on Saturday despite enjoying over 80 percent of possession. Jurgen Klopp's side reached last season's League Cup final, losing on penalties to Manchester City, and Wijnaldum hopes they can use their first game in this season's competition to get back on track.
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| Priest arrested for child abuse at UK airport Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:45 PM PDT  A British priest accused of child sex offences was arrested at London's Luton airport on Sunday, five years after he went on the run. Laurence Soper was arrested on Sunday as he arrived back in the UK from Kosovo, police said in a statement. Soper, 72, was taken into custody in London and is accused of nine sexual assault offences committed between 1972 and 1986.
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| Bilic expects West Ham to thrive in new home Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:40 PM PDT  Slaven Bilic insists West Ham United's move to the London Stadium will be a big success as long as his team keep winning. Bilic's side celebrated the first Premier League fixture in their new home with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Bournemouth on Sunday thanks to Michail Antonio's 85th minute header. Having spent 112 years playing just a few miles down the road at Upton Park, a storied venue renowned for its hostile atmosphere, West Ham's decision to rent the rather soulless Olympic Stadium, which hosted athletics in the 2012 Games, risks damaging their home advantage and draining the club of some its character.
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| Australia's Luck wins US Amateur with stirring 8-hole run Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:36 PM PDT  BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Curtis Luck was walking along the course, doing the math on how he'd turned a close U.S. Amateur final into a rout by winning eight holes in a row.
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| Rio throws final party to say goodbye to 2016 Olympics Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:29 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil and the world bid farewell Sunday to the first Olympic Games in South America, a 16-day spectacle that combined numerous highlight reel moments with ugly and even bizarre episodes that sometimes overshadowed the competitions.
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| UK unveils plans to tackle Islamist extremism in prisons Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:10 PM PDT  The UK government on Monday unveiled plans to tackle Islamist extremism in prisons, including banning offensive literature and removing inmates from worship if they promote beliefs deemed against "fundamental British values". The justice ministry said extremism in prisons was a growing threat which needed to be treated as an "urgent priority". "For the highest risk terrorists and radicalisers, the government will use all the measures at its disposal, including separation from the mainstream prison population, to contain their risk and prevent the spread of poisonous ideologies.
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| Spain: referee stops match because of racist chants Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:09 PM PDT MADRID (AP) — A referee briefly stopped Sunday's Spanish league match between Sporting Gijon and visiting Athletic Bilbao because of racist chants aimed at Bilbao player Inaki Williams. |
| Kerber wastes shot at No. 1, Murray's long streak ends, too Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:08 PM PDT  MASON, Ohio (AP) — The final step up to No. 1 was simply too big for Angelique Kerber — this time, anyway.
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| Keys withdraws from Connecticut Open with neck injury Posted: 21 Aug 2016 04:04 PM PDT NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Madison Keys withdrew from the Connecticut Open after injuring her neck Sunday during a practice session ahead of the tournament she planned to use as a tuneup for the U.S. Open. |
| Cilic rolls over Rio gold medalist Murray Posted: 21 Aug 2016 03:27 PM PDT  Cincinnati (AFP) - Andy Murray hit the wall after 22 consecutive wins, as the newly-crowned Rio Olympic champion lost the final of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters on Sunday to Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-5.
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| Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza after rocket attack, 4 wounded Posted: 21 Aug 2016 03:15 PM PDT  Israel targeted Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip by air and with tank fire Sunday, injuring four people, after a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave crashed into the Israeli city of Sderot. Police said the rocket hit "between two buildings on a road" in Sderot, which is less than four kilometres (2.5 miles) from Gaza, causing no casualties. Army spokesman Peter Lerner said Israeli forces retaliated by hitting targets of the Palestinian Islamist movement in northern Gaza.
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| AIBA head talks judging, losing, and boxing's Olympic future Posted: 21 Aug 2016 03:12 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — International Boxing Association President Ching-Kuo Wu attended all 16 days of the Olympic boxing tournament, and he believes Rio de Janeiro saw the best competition ever staged at the games.
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| Cal, Hawaii arrive for opening US college football game Posted: 21 Aug 2016 03:01 PM PDT SYDNEY (AP) — A chartered Boeing 777 touched down at Sydney airport on Monday morning, delivering the California Golden Bears and team officials for their much-anticipated opening college football game of the season on Saturday against Hawaii. |
| Two French volunteers 'murdered off Madagascar' Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:56 PM PDT  Two young French volunteers found dead Sunday on an island off the northeast coast of Madagascar were likely murdered, French and Madagascan authorities said. Local mayor Bessaou Ismak Ado Crophe on the resort island of Sainte Marie told AFP that the bodies of both victims, a man and a woman in their twenties, showed signs of head trauma, with officials suspecting murder. The French foreign ministry in a statement condemned the "odious crime that claimed the lives of two French nationals".
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| Benfica stumbles to 1-1 draw with Setubal Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:53 PM PDT LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Defending champion Benfica was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Setubal in the Portuguese league on Sunday. |
| Diminished threat to Mexico coast from Tropical Storm Kay: US forecasters Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:52 PM PDT  Miami (AFP) - Tropical Storm Kay strengthened slightly off Mexico's Pacific coast, but new projections on Sunday predict it will peter out without causing major damage, US forecasters said.
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| Manny Banuelos agrees to minor league deal with Angels Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:50 PM PDT ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Left-hander Manny Banuelos has agreed to a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels following his release by the Atlanta Braves. |
| Nicaragua refinery fire under control: officials Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:49 PM PDT  Firefighters have contained a massive refinery fire on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, officials said Sunday. The blaze at the Puma Energy facility ignited Wednesday when one of four huge fuel tanks exploded at the site in the port of Puerto Sandino, some 70 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the capital Managua. "For all practical purposes, we have extinguished the fire," said Salvador Gallo, deputy director of the national firefighter department, who said however that there have been some "small, residual" flareups.
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| Palestinian rocket strikes Israel, drawing Israeli reprisal Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:41 PM PDT  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military carried out a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip late Sunday, targeting Hamas positions in response to a Palestinian rocket attack that hit an Israeli border town earlier in the day.
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| Shields becomes 1st American boxer with 2 Olympic golds Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:28 PM PDT  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Claressa Shields had Olympic gold around her neck and a secret keepsake in her warmup jacket pocket. She reached in her pocket, pulled out her first gold from London and slipped the medal over her head.
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| Lucas and Kurzawa score as PSG beats promoted Metz 3-0 Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:25 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain overcame a frustrating first half to beat promoted Metz 3-0 on Sunday and move level on points with Lyon and Nice at the top of the French league.
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| Phenomenal Kipchoge golden as sun sets on Rio Olympics Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:05 PM PDT  Kenya's phenomenal Eliud Kipchoge stormed to a runaway marathon win and the USA basketball stars celebrated gold as a police raid clouded the final day of the Rio Olympics on Sunday. As a Mongolian weightlifter was kicked out for drugs and police swooped on Irish officials over an alleged ticket scam just hours before the closing ceremony. It wasn't really easy but I felt comfortable," said Kipchoge, who is tipped for an assault on Dennis Kimetto's world record.
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| 'IS child bomber' kills at least 51 at Turkey wedding Posted: 21 Aug 2016 02:00 PM PDT  A suicide bomber as young as 12 killed at least 51 people at a wedding in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday, pointing the finger at the Islamic State group. The explosion was the latest attack to rock the key NATO member in a horrific year that has seen strikes blamed on Kurdish and Islamist militants as well as a bloody July 15 botched coup.
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| Bacca scores 3, Donnarumma saves penalty in AC Milan win Posted: 21 Aug 2016 01:56 PM PDT  ROME (AP) — Carlos Bacca scored a hat trick and 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a penalty in added time as AC Milan opened its season in dramatic style with a 3-2 win over Torino and former coach Sinisa Mihajlovic on Sunday.
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