| Russia said to send more warplanes to Syria, diplomacy 'on life support' Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:08 PM PDT  By Dmitry Solovyov and Ellen Francis MOSCOW/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Russia is sending more warplanes to Syria to ramp up its air campaign, a Russian newspaper reported on Friday, as the United States said diplomacy to halt the violence was "on life support" but not dead yet. Fighting continued to intensify a week into a new Russian-backed Syrian government offensive to capture rebel-held eastern Aleppo and crush the last urban stronghold of a revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that began in 2011. Moscow and Assad spurned a U.S.-Russian brokered ceasefire agreed to this month and launched attacks on rebel-held areas in Aleppo in potentially the most decisive battle in the Syrian civil war.
|
| Philippines' Duterte likens himself to Hitler, wants to kill millions of drug users Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:24 PM PDT  By Karen Lema and Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to liken himself to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler on Friday and said he would "be happy" to exterminate 3 million drug users and peddlers in the country. Although the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama played down the remark, Duterte's comments triggered shock and anger among Jewish groups in the United States, which could create pressure on the U.S. government to take a tougher line with the Philippines leader. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner on Friday said Duterte's comments, in a rambling speech on his arrival in Davao City after a visit to Vietnam, were "a significant departure" from America's partnership with the Philippines "and we find them troubling." Duterte told reporters that he had been "portrayed to be a cousin of Hitler" by critics.
|
| British PM May says Scotland will have no veto over Brexit Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:09 PM PDT  Prime Minister Theresa May said she will listen to Scotland's concerns over Britain's exit from the European Union but that the devolved Scottish government will not have a veto over the Brexit negotiations. Scotland wants to have more detail about how the British government plans to leave the EU to prevent a "hard Brexit" that would severely damage the economy, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday. After Britain's vote to leave the EU, Sturgeon said Scotland may seek another independence referendum - something that could split the world's fifth largest economy apart just as it attempts to go it alone outside the European bloc.
|
| Regional SAARC summit postponed amid rising Pakistani-Indian tensions Posted: 30 Sep 2016 10:55 AM PDT  By Mehreen Zahra-Malik ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) leaders set for Islamabad in November has been postponed indefinitely, the Pakistani government said on Friday, amid rising tension between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. India's foreign ministry had announced on Tuesday that it would skip the meeting, blaming Pakistan for a deadly assault this month on an army base in the disputed Himalayan state of Kashmir. Pakistan denies the accusations.
|
| In ex-Soviet Georgia, pope issues veiled criticism of Russia Posted: 30 Sep 2016 08:52 AM PDT  By Philip Pullella and Margarita Antidze TBILISI (Reuters) - Pope Francis called for respect for international law and the sovereign rights of nations as he arrived in Georgia on Friday, an implicit criticism of Russia, which keeps troops in two breakaway areas of the ex-Soviet state. Russia, which fought a short war with Georgia in 2008, is one of the few countries that recognize the contested areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. Speaking at the welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace, Francis, in a clear reference to the Georgian situation, said relations between states in the region "can never lay aside respect for the sovereign rights of every country within the framework of international law".
|
| Israeli troops kill Palestinian who stabbed guard at West Bank checkpoint Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:17 PM PDT  A Palestinian who stabbed and wounded an Israeli security guard at a main military checkpoint in the occupied West Bank that separates Ramallah and Jerusalem, was shot and killed on Friday, police said. The incident occurred hours after world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, attended the funeral of Israeli statesman Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was also greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
|
| Euros fight back from morning sweep to pull to 5-3 Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:42 PM PDT  CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — Henrik Stenson tracked the flight of his shot from the middle of the 11th fairway and didn't like where it was headed. The ball had barely settled into a greenside bunker when he flipped the fairway wood end-over-end into the air like a baton.
|
| Allardyce casts shadow over Premier League action Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:31 PM PDT  Premier League chiefs will hope attention returns to on-field matters this weekend after an uncomfortable few days in the spotlight for English football. Sam Allardyce's one-game career as England manager came to a shock end after just 67 days on Tuesday following controversial comments made to undercover reporters, which continued Thursday with Southampton assistant manager Eric Black filmed offering alleged advice on giving bribes to officials at other clubs. Allardyce, 61, was also secretly filmed giving advice on how to circumnavigate transfer rules and mocking England predecessor Roy Hodgson.
|
| Powerful Hurricane Matthew on Caribbean track toward Jamaica Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:27 PM PDT  KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Matthew grew into a powerful Category 4 storm on Friday as it crossed the Caribbean Sea on a course that could have it pounding Jamaica within days.
|
| Column: Giddy one moment, US team searching for clues next Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:27 PM PDT  CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — The Europeans were surging and a raucous crowd at Hazeltine National Golf Club had pretty much been silenced when a bald eagle circled over the tee box on the par-3 13th.
|
| Chad, Niger forces kill 123 Boko Haram in crackdown: Niger Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:15 PM PDT A joint military operation between Chad and Niger has killed 123 Boko Haram militants since July and recovered a significant quantity of weapons, Niger's Defence Ministry said on Friday. Allied Chadian-Nigerien forces launched an offensive against the Islamists after a surprise attack in Niger killed 30 of the country's troops in early June, its deadliest ever attack there. Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Moustapha Ledru said 14 of the two nations' own troops had also died and 39 had been wounded in fighting with the Nigerian militant group over the same period. |
| Yuka Saso lead Philippines to World Junior Girls title Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:14 PM PDT MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (AP) — Yuka Saso led the Philippines to the World Junior Girls team title and also topped the individual standings Friday at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club. |
| The Latest: Matthew now a powerful Category 4 hurricane Posted: 30 Sep 2016 05:07 PM PDT MIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Hurricane Matthew (all times local): |
| American sweep and European rally at Ryder Cup Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:57 PM PDT  CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — Even with the first opening-session sweep in four decades, the Americans were reminded anew Friday that no lead is safe in the Ryder Cup.
|
| Young mother killed when train crashed fought for life Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:55 PM PDT  HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) — Fabiola Bittar de Kroon fought for her life as she lay trapped among the wreckage of the Hoboken Terminal.
|
| France pushes UN draft resolution on Aleppo ceasefire Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:48 PM PDT  France on Friday discussed a UN draft resolution on imposing a ceasefire in Syria's battleground city of Aleppo with Russia, the United States and the two other permanent Security Council members, diplomats said. The draft text calls for a cessation of hostilities in Aleppo, where the Syrian army has launched an offensive to retake the rebel-held east of the city. The proposed resolution would also provide for aid deliveries to besieged eastern Aleppo and the grounding of all Syrian and Russian planes in that area.
|
| Ranieri challenges superstitious Vardy Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:35 PM PDT  Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has challenged Jamie Vardy to prove his curious pre-match drinking ritual still works by ending his goal drought against Southampton on Sunday. Vardy revealed in his new autobiography that he superstitiously drank a glass of port out of a Lucozade bottle the night before every match last season. The England international striker's unusual habit worked a treat as he left opposing defenders punch drunk en route to scoring 24 times in Leicester's incredible Premier League title triumph.
|
| 76ers' Ben Simmons breaks bone in right foot Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:31 PM PDT  Ben Simmons has a broken bone in his right foot and its unknown how long the No. 1 overall pick will be sidelined for the Philadelphia 76ers.
|
| Videos showing police shooting of black man released Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:15 PM PDT  EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) — Video footage released Friday of the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man in a San Diego suburb shows an officer fired four shots almost immediately after the man suddenly raised both hands to chest level and took what was described as a shooting stance.
|
| Ryder Cup Capsules Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:11 PM PDT  CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — A capsule look at Friday's matches from the Ryder Cup:
|
| Hunger-striking ex-Gitmo detainee asks Uruguay for answers Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:10 PM PDT  MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — A hunger-striking former Guantanamo prisoner is threatening to stop drinking liquids to press Uruguay's government into allowing him to leave the South American country and reunite with his family.
|
| Children of Syria's Aleppo bear brunt of violent onslaught Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:07 PM PDT  BEIRUT (AP) — The 6-year-old girl was found trapped under the rubble of her home, destroyed by an airstrike in Syria's rebel-held city of Aleppo. "Dust!" she wailed as rescue workers pried away the stones and debris on top of her, finally freeing her and placing her on a stretcher as she screamed for her father.
|
| 5 soldiers killed in attack on Mexican army convoy Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:04 PM PDT  MEXICO CITY (AP) — The sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman were likely behind a brazen ambush on a military convoy using grenades and high-powered guns that left five soldiers dead and 10 wounded on Friday, officials said.
|
| Egypt militant group claims prosecutor bombing Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:04 PM PDT  An Egyptian militant group said on Friday that it tried to assassinate the deputy prosecutor general with a car bomb, a day after the blast in a Cairo suburb. The prosecutor, Zakareya Azmi, was unharmed.
|
| FBI returns to home of man charged in bombings in 2 states Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:03 PM PDT ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) — Federal investigators are again gathering evidence from the home of a man charged with setting off bombs in New York and New Jersey. |
| NHL, NHLPA expect World Cup of Hockey to return in 2020 Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:03 PM PDT  TORONTO (AP) — The World Cup of Hockey will return, without a doubt, and avoid another 12-year break.
|
| The Latest: McIlroy's bow caps European comeback Posted: 30 Sep 2016 04:02 PM PDT  CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times local):
|
| Mother sues airline for flying 5-year-old son to wrong city Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:49 PM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — A woman has filed a lawsuit against JetBlue Airways for mixing up her 5-year-old son with another boy and flying him to the wrong city.
|
| Glaxo paying $20M to resolve SEC charges of China bribery Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:45 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — GlaxoSmithKline PLC has agreed to pay $20 million to resolve U.S. regulators' allegations that the pharmaceutical giant's China operations bribed officials to boost drug sales. |
| Dozens still held in Gabon over post-election violence Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:44 PM PDT  Some 70 people, including several opposition figures, were still in detention nearly a month after a wave of post-election violence erupted in Gabon, a judicial source said on Friday. Thirty-nine people have been charged for their alleged role in rioting and looting that broke out in Gabon after the disputed vote. Violence erupted on August 31 after President Ali Bongo was first declared the winner of the contested vote.
|
| Matthew strengthens to Category 4 storm headed for Jamaica, Cuba Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:41 PM PDT  By Rebekah Kebede KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters) - Hurricane Matthew strengthened on Friday into the Caribbean's first major hurricane in four years as it moved towards Jamaica and Cuba with winds of up to 140 miles per hour (220 kph) powerful enough to wreck houses, forecasters said. Matthew was about 465 miles (750 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) designated it as a Category 4, the second strongest on the Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity. It is forecast to make landfall as a major storm on Monday on Jamaica's palm-fringed southern coast, home to tourist resorts as well as the capital and Jamaica's only oil refinery.
|
| Gunmen ambush Mexican military convoy, kill 5 soldiers Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:33 PM PDT  The sons of imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman were probably behind a grenade attack on a military convoy in northern Mexico on Friday, killing five soldiers, authorities said. The gunmen, who also fired several rounds from assault rifles, freed a wounded suspect who was being escorted by the soldiers in an ambulance during the pre-dawn ambush in Culiacan, capital of the state of Sinaloa. Guzman's sons were "very probably" responsible for the attack, which freed a suspect identified as Julio Oscar Ortiz Vega, alias "El Kevin," General Alfonso Duarte, a regional commander, told reporters.
|
| Sotomayor rallies Puerto Rico women during visit to island Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:24 PM PDT SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Justice Sonia Sotomayor is using a visit to her parents' native island to urge Puerto Rican women to develop their skills and challenge themselves as she shared stories about her failures. |
| E.Guinea asks ICJ to have case against leader's son dropped Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:23 PM PDT  Equatorial Guinea has asked the UN's top court to tell France to suspend its legal proceedings against the son of the central African nation's president, the International Court of Justice said in a statement on Friday. French prosecutors accuse Equatorial Guinea's vice-president Teodorin Obiang -- the son of the country's leader -- of looting state coffers to fund his lavish tastes. Among his alleged purchases are the famous white glove of pop star Michael Jackson's, private jets and sprawling properties.
|
| Get a grip -- Jones gets England into judo Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:16 PM PDT  Eddie Jones wants his England team to get a grip so he will bring in a group of judo experts to freshen up their tackling techniques ahead of the November Tests. The 56-year-old, who has guided England to a Six Nations Grand Slam and 3-0 series win over his native Australia in his short spell in charge, believes the ancient Japanese martial art can be a useful tool in rugby. A visit to the British judo training base in Wolverhampton, central England, where he met former world champion Kate Howey, made a big impression on the Australian.
|
| Penney offers refunds on questionable towels, comforter set Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:15 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — Starting Wednesday, J.C. Penney Co. says it will be offering refunds to shoppers who purchased certain towels and a comforter set though it still is unable to figure out whether they're actual knockoffs. |
| Feeling heat, Mickelson off to winning start at Ryder Cup Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:12 PM PDT  CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — Phil Mickelson came to Minnesota this week at the center of the Ryder Cup storm, having been the most vocal of the American players in lobbying for change following three straight losses to Europe.
|
| Germany's Merkel says she has not changed course on migrant policy Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:04 PM PDT  German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted on Saturday that she had not reversed course on her policy on migrants, two weeks after she said she wished she could turn back the clock to better prepare Germany for last year's influx. Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) suffered electoral routs in two state elections last month as voters rejected her open-door migrant policy just a year ahead of a federal election. Taking some of the blame for her party's drubbing, Merkel struck a conciliatory tone and said she would if she could "turn back the time by many, many years" to prepare Germany for the influx.
|
| IMF leader cites 'historic milestone' for China Posted: 30 Sep 2016 03:03 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, is calling the inclusion of China's renminbi as the fifth currency in an elite group of the world's reserve currencies an "important and historic milestone" for the international financial system.
|
