| Syrian forces besiege rebel-held Aleppo as Turkish-backed fighters drive Islamic State from border Posted: 04 Sep 2016 11:46 AM PDT  By John Davison and Roberta Rampton BEIRUT/HANGZHOU, China (Reuters) - Syrian government forces and their allies again laid siege to rebel-held eastern Aleppo on Sunday, while Turkish-backed fighters drove Islamic State from all the areas along its border, in two significant but separate developments in the multi-sided conflict. The fighting - two potential turning points in the conflict if the gains can be sustained - complicated efforts by the United States and Russia to reach a ceasefire deal for Syria, whose civil war is in its sixth year. Talks by the Cold War foes on a ceasefire were set to continue on Monday, but "we're not there yet," U.S. President Barack Obama told reporters at the G20 summit in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.
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| China's Xi at G20 says world economy at risk, warns against protectionism Posted: 04 Sep 2016 05:19 AM PDT  By Kevin Yao and Kiyoshi Takenaka HANGZHOU, China (Reuters) - The global economy is being threatened by rising protectionism and risks from highly leveraged financial markets, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the open of a two-day summit of leaders from G20 nations. With the summit taking place after Britain's vote in June to exit the European Union and before the U.S. presidential election in November, observers expect G20 leaders to mount a defense of free trade and globalization and warn against isolationism. The global economy has arrived "at a crucial juncture", Xi said, in the face of sluggish demand, volatile financial markets and feeble trade and investment.
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| As bodies pile up in Philippines, many fear to talk about Duterte’s war Posted: 04 Sep 2016 04:30 PM PDT  By John Chalmers and Andrew R.C. Marshall MANILA (Reuters) - The body of 22-year-old pedicab driver Eric Sison lies in a coffin in a Manila slum with a chick pacing across his casket, placed there in keeping with a local tradition to symbolically peck at the conscience of his killers. Cellphone video footage circulating on social media purports to capture the moment Sison was killed last month when, according to local officials, police were looking for drug pushers in the Pasay township of the Philippines' capital. A poster near the coffin, which lies beside a stinking canal cut between ramshackle homes, demands "Justice for Eric Quintinita Sison".
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| German anti-immigrant party beats Merkel in her home district Posted: 04 Sep 2016 12:35 PM PDT  By Erik Kirschbaum and Andrea Shalal BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats were beaten into third place by the anti-immigrant and anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in a north-eastern state election on Sunday, TV exit polls showed. In a stinging defeat for Merkel in her home district that could weaken her chances of a fourth term in next year's federal elections, the upstart AfD took 21.9 percent of the vote behind the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) in their first election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern by campaigning hard against the chancellor's policies on refugees, according to a projection by ARD TV at 1.15 p.m. ET.
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| China wary after record voter turnout for crucial Hong Kong election Posted: 04 Sep 2016 05:43 PM PDT  By Venus Wu and James Pomfret HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong residents voted on Sunday in record numbers for a bitterly contested legislative election, with a push for independence among a disaffected younger generation of candidates and voters stoking tension with China's government. Hong Kong's pro-democracy opposition is hoping to maintain a one-third veto bloc in the 70-seat legislative council in the face of better mobilized and funded pro-Beijing and pro-establishment rivals. Voters flocked to cast ballots in record numbers with some having to wait several hours after the close of polling to cast ballots at a few particularly congested polling stations.
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| Pope proclaims 'dispenser of mercy' Mother Teresa a saint Posted: 04 Sep 2016 05:38 AM PDT  By Isla Binnie VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Mother Teresa of Calcutta, known as the "saint of the gutters" during her life, was declared a saint of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis on Sunday, fast-tracked to canonization just 19 years after her death. Tens of thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for a service to honor the tiny nun, who worked among the world's neediest in the slums of the Indian city now called Kolkata and become one of the most recognizable faces of the 20th century. A Nobel peace laureate, her legacy complements Pope Francis's vision of a humble church that strives to serve the poor, and the festivities in her honor are a highlight of his Holy Year of Mercy, which runs until Nov. 8.
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| 'Exciting' England encourage limited overs captain Morgan Posted: 04 Sep 2016 05:29 PM PDT  England limited overs captain Eoin Morgan said he was "excited" by his team's progress in 50-over cricket despite a season-ending four-wicket loss to Pakistan in Cardiff on Sunday. It also denied Morgan's men, who back in June tied an ODI with Sri Lanka in Nottingham before winning that series, a maiden unbeaten season in white-ball cricket ahead of Wednesday's lone Twenty20 against Pakistan in Manchester. England may still be fifth in the International Cricket Council ODI rankings but they have made significant progress since their embarrassing first-round exit at last year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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| The Latest: France puts 3 in US QFs for 1st time in 89 years Posted: 04 Sep 2016 05:21 PM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Open (all times local):
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| Nadal falters late, loses to Pouille in US Open's 4th round Posted: 04 Sep 2016 05:16 PM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Nadal kept making a stand, kept coming back, kept showing he would not depart quietly from this U.S. Open. Facing a much younger, much-less-accomplished opponent, Nadal twice erased a set deficit. Then he staved off a trio of match points.
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| Un-retired Sevastova beats Konta, into US Open quarterfinals Posted: 04 Sep 2016 05:12 PM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — Latvian tennis player Anastasija Sevastova wore a Yankees cap to her news conference after she reached her first major quarterfinal.
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| England's Casey charges into final round in Boston Posted: 04 Sep 2016 04:50 PM PDT  England's Paul Casey stuck to his game plan Sunday with a five-under par 66 at the Deutsche Bank Championship, giving him a shot at just his second win on the PGA Tour. The 39-year-old Casey stormed into Monday's final round of the second of four FedExCup playoff events by seizing a three-shot lead over American Brian Harman who finished with a 68 on Sunday. "I am obviously over the moon," Casey said.
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| US Open Glance Posted: 04 Sep 2016 04:48 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — A look at Sunday's play in the $46.3 million U.S. Open tennis championships: |
| Cape Verde liberal MFD hopes to strengthen grip at polls Posted: 04 Sep 2016 04:46 PM PDT  Cape Verde's liberal Movement for Democracy (MFD) looked set to cement its hold over the Atlantic island Sunday with an expected victory in municipal elections seen as a key indicator for a presidential vote next month. More than 360,000 Cape Verdians turned out to vote across the 22 municipalities of the archipelago, which is one of Africa's most stable democracies. The MFD only ousted the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) from power after 15 years in a general election in March, but has long enjoyed a majority in the municipalities.
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| Australia's Lynn, Finch to miss Sri Lanka T20 series Posted: 04 Sep 2016 04:36 PM PDT  Batsman Chris Lynn will return home and miss Australia's two Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka after suffering a shoulder injury in training, Cricket Australia said Monday. Lynn missed Sunday's five-wicket win in the fifth one-day international against the Sri Lankans in Pallekele after dislocating his shoulder during a fielding drill in the warm-up. "Consequently he will be unavailable for the remaining matches and instead will return to Brisbane to undergo further investigation to determine the full extent of the injury," team physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement.
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| UK casts doubt on points-based immigration after Brexit Posted: 04 Sep 2016 04:19 PM PDT  British Prime Minister Theresa May has committed to cracking down on immigration from the European Union, while casting doubts on introducing a points-based system, according to her comments released on Sunday. May's plans for immigration policy in the wake of Britain's decision to leave the EU remained a key discussion point as she travelled to the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou to attend the G20 summit. "They (voters) wanted to see an ability to be able to control the movement of people from the European Union.
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| Nelly Korda wins first Symetra Tour title Posted: 04 Sep 2016 03:54 PM PDT SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Nelly Korda won the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title. |
| Nationalists overtake Merkel's party in German state vote Posted: 04 Sep 2016 03:53 PM PDT  BERLIN (AP) — A nationalist, anti-immigration party performed strongly in a state election Sunday in the region where German Chancellor Angela Merkel has her political base, overtaking her conservatives to take second place amid discontent with her migrant policies.
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| Paraguay's Carlos Franco wins Shaw Charity Classic Posted: 04 Sep 2016 03:45 PM PDT CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Paraguay's Carlos Franco rallied to win the Shaw Charity Classic on Sunday at chilly Canyon Meadows for his first PGA Tour Champions victory. |
| London replica torched to mark Great Fire anniversary Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:53 PM PDT  A massive wooden replica of 17th century London was torched Sunday on the River Thames to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, which paved the way for the building of the modern city. The torching of the model of London -- as it stood on September 2, 1666 -- was executed by US "burn artist" David Best and live streamed online. The Great Fire started in Thomas Farrinor's bakery on Pudding Lane and raged until September 5, destroying 80 percent of the mostly wooden, walled inner city.
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| Northern Ireland hold Czechs to goalless draw Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:48 PM PDT  Northern Ireland opened their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Group C rivals the Czech Republic in Prague on Sunday. Playing their first competitive game since their 1-0 defeat to Wales in the last-16 phase of Euro 2016, Northern Ireland relied on solid defence and breakaways throughout the game. "We're pleased with the point," said Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.
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| UK PM May says to set out proposals on corporate behavior this year Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:47 PM PDT The British government will put forward proposals later this year aimed at improving corporate behavior, including tackling excessive executive pay, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday. During the contest to become Conservative Party leader and prime minister earlier this year, May pledged to overhaul corporate governance rules, including putting workers on company boards and making shareholder votes on pay binding. "We want to look at the whole issue of corporate behavior and we'll be bringing out some proposals later in the year in relation to this," May told reporters en route to the G20 summit in China. |
| Snodgrass hits hat-trick as Scots cruise Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:45 PM PDT  Taâ Qali (Malta) (AFP) - Robert Snodgrass bagged a hat-trick as Scotland started World Cup 2018 qualifying in perfect fashion with a 5-1 win in Malta. Substitute Steven Fletcher and Chris Martin also got their names on the scoresheet as Alfred Effiong netted nine-man Malta's consolation. It put Gordon Strachan's team top of Group F ahead of England, who won 1-0 in Slovakia thanks to an Adam Lallana winner deep into stoppage time.
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| Holding lucky penny, Allardyce enjoys winning England start Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:42 PM PDT  TRNAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Until Adam Lallana pounced in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Sam Allardyce was about to become the first England manager in 34 years to fail to win his opening game.
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| Germany begins World Cup defense with 3-0 win in Norway Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:24 PM PDT  OSLO, Norway (AP) — Thomas Mueller helped Germany launch a confident start to its World Cup title defense Sunday with a 3-0 away win over Norway.
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| Drama as Africa Cup finals line-up completed Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:15 PM PDT  Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Tunisia and Uganda on Sunday filled the final five 2017 Africa Cup of Nations places that were up for grabs. On a dramatic final day of qualifying, Togo scored five goals, DR Congo and Tunisia four each and Burkina Faso won with a goal nine minutes into stoppage time.
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| Israel strikes Syrian positions after shells land in Golan: army Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:08 PM PDT Israeli aircraft attacked targets in Syria on Sunday after errant mortar fire from fighting among factions in Syria struck the Golan Heights, the Israeli military said. The area where the shells landed in the Israeli-controlled Golan is close to where fighting in the Syrian civil war is taking place and in retaliation, an aircraft targeted "canons of the Syrian regime," an Israeli military statement said. Israel has responded similarly in the past when there has been an overspill of fire into the territory. |
| Denmark begins World Cup qualifying with win, Poland falters Posted: 04 Sep 2016 02:05 PM PDT  COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark to begin World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 win over Armenia, while Poland squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Kazakhstan on Sunday.
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| Germany's anti-migrant populists beat Merkel's party in local vote Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:54 PM PDT  Germany's anti-migrant populists made a strong showing at Sunday's state polls, scoring ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel's party as voters punished the German leader over her liberal refugee policy. The xenophobic Alternative for Germany (AfD) clinched around 21 percent in its first bid for seats in the regional parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Vorpommern, results showed after most ballots were counted.
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| Anti-Maduro protesters freed after Venezuela demo Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:37 PM PDT  Venezuela has released all but one of dozens of protesters rounded up after an angry, pot-banging crowd reportedly surrounded President Nicolas Maduro amid mass protests over the country's crippling food shortages. Of around 30 protesters detained, only one -- apparently a journalist who released videos of the chaotic protests -- remained in custody Saturday, Alfredo Romero of the NGO Venezuelan Justice Forum said on Twitter. With tempers heating up over the woeful state of the economy, Maduro's critics on Sunday pledged new mass demonstrations for the next two Wednesdays to build pressure for a recall vote, while a top socialist said no such referendum was possible before March.
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| Hermine lurks off U.S. East Coast, could regain hurricane strength Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:31 PM PDT  By Daniel Trotta and Chris Prentice NEW YORK (Reuters) - Storm Hermine lurked off the U.S. Middle Atlantic Coast on Sunday, threatening to regain hurricane strength after carving a path of destruction through the South while so far sparing the Northeast from the worst of its wind, rain and sea surge. Overnight, the center of the storm moved farther east and away from the coast than previously forecast, said Rick Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), in a webcast. "Hermine expected to meander off the mid-Atlantic Coast for the next day or two," the center said in its 2 p.m. (1800 GMT) update, placing the center of the storm some 300 miles (480 km) from shore.
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| Poland to make urgent UK visit following attacks on Poles Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:27 PM PDT  Poland on Sunday announced three ministers would make an urgent visit to London following attacks on its nationals in Britain, including a murder which may have been a hate crime. Announcement of the government delegation to Britain came hours after two Polish men were assaulted in a British town, following a vigil for a fellow Pole killed in August. There was an upsurge in the number of reported hate crimes around the period of the June 23 referendum in which Britons voted to leave the European Union.
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| Under pressure, South Sudan agrees to 4,000 new peacekeepers Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:26 PM PDT  JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan has agreed to the deployment of a 4,000-strong regional protection force approved by the U.N. Security Council after first rejecting the peacekeepers as a violation of its sovereignty.
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| Survey finds giant pandas no longer 'endangered' in China Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:19 PM PDT  Decades of conservation work in China have paid off for the giant panda, whose status was upgraded Sunday from "endangered" to "vulnerable" due to a population rebound, officials said. The improvement for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) was announced as part of an update to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the world's most comprehensive inventory of plants and animals. The latest estimates show a population of 1,864 adult giant pandas.
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| Hunting pushes Eastern gorillas close to extinction: Red List Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:16 PM PDT  By Alister Doyle OSLO (Reuters) - Illegal hunting in Democratic Republic of Congo has wiped out 70 percent of Eastern gorillas in the past two decades and pushed the world's biggest primate close to extinction, a Red List of endangered species showed on Sunday. Four of six species of great apes are now rated "critically endangered", or one step away from extinction, by threats such as hunting and a loss of forests to farmland from West Africa to Indonesia, according to the annual list by wildlife experts. Eastern gorillas, revised from a lesser category of "endangered", join their sister species, the Western gorilla, and both species of orangutan which were already on the list as critically endangered.
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| IS ousted from Turkey border as Syria army besieges Aleppo Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:15 PM PDT  Ankara (AFP) - Islamic State jihadists were expelled from their last positions along the Turkish-Syrian border, Turkey said Sunday, as Syrian forces again laid seige to rebel strongholds in war-torn Aleppo.
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| Sculpture honoring fallen soldiers scandalizes Egyptians Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:07 PM PDT  CAIRO (AP) — A provincial governor in Egypt has ordered changes to a sculpture honoring fallen soldiers after many on social media said it appeared to depict an unwanted advance on a woman symbolizing the country.
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| French prospect Ocon wants to drive for Ferrari in future Posted: 04 Sep 2016 01:04 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — Formula One newcomer Esteban Ocon has spoken of his desire to drive for Ferrari in the future, saying it would fulfill a dream of emulating childhood idol Michael Schumacher. |
| Israel hits Syria army after Golan mortar fire Posted: 04 Sep 2016 12:53 PM PDT  The Israeli air force hit Syrian government forces after mortar fire from its war-wracked neighbour struck the Israeli-held zone of the Golan Heights on Sunday, the military said. It said in a statement that "mortar fire" from Syria hit an open area without causing any apparent injuries, but it did not specify how many shells fell. Unlike a similar incident on August 22 the Israelis did not immediately characterise the incident as stray fire.
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| Fire at Ukrainian TV headquarters amid protest; no injuries Posted: 04 Sep 2016 12:50 PM PDT MOSCOW (AP) — A Ukrainian television station has been forced to broadcast from outside its own building after the building caught fire amid a protest. |
