| Church bells peal in town retaken by Iraqi troops from Islamic State Posted: 21 Oct 2016 05:12 PM PDT  By Stephen Kalin BARTELLA, Iraq (Reuters) - The din of bullets, mortars and bombs in the northern Iraqi town of Bartella was replaced momentarily on Friday by a sound not heard there for more than two years: the peal of church bells. A cautious calm returned to this historic Christian area following its recapture from Islamic State a day earlier as Iraqi forces push west towards Mosul, the jihadists' last major stronghold in the country. Bartella, once home to thousands of Assyrian Christians, emptied in August 2014 when Islamic State seized control as part of a lightning blitz across large swathes of Iraq and neighboring Syria.
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| U.S. warship challenges China's claims in South China Sea Posted: 21 Oct 2016 11:38 AM PDT  By Idrees Ali and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Friday, drawing a warning from Chinese warships to leave the area. The U.S. action was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, U.S. officials said. The Chinese Defense Ministry called the move "illegal" and "provocative," saying that two Chinese warships had warned the U.S. destroyer to leave.
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| International inquiry blames Syrian government forces for third gas attack Posted: 21 Oct 2016 05:06 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - An international inquiry has blamed Syrian government forces for a third toxic gas attack, according to a confidential report to the United Nations Security Council seen by Reuters on Friday. The fourth report by the 13-month-long inquiry by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the global chemical weapons watchdog, blamed Syrian government forces for a toxic gas attack in Qmenas in Idlib governorate on March 16, 2015. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Sandra Maler) |
| Cameroon train derails; at least 55 dead, hundreds injured Posted: 21 Oct 2016 02:53 PM PDT  By Sylvain Andzongo ESEKA, Cameroon (Reuters) - Fourteen people remained trapped on Friday under the wreckage of a packed passenger train that derailed en route between Cameroon's two largest cities, killing at least 55 and injuring 575, the government said in a communique read on state television. The Camrail inter-city train was traveling from the capital, Yaounde, to the port city of Douala when the accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) near the train station in the town of Eseka, around 120 km (75 miles) west of the capital. Before its departure from Yaounde, he said that a railway employee said additional wagons had been added to the train to accommodate extra passengers, though it was unclear if that played a role in the accident.
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| Parties to Yemen war exchange accusations of breaching ceasefire Posted: 21 Oct 2016 02:50 PM PDT  Warring factions in the war in Yemen exchanged accusations on Friday of violating a 72-hour ceasefire that began just before midnight on Wednesday, with the Saudi-led coalition saying Houthi forces have breached the truce by attacking several cities in both countries. The United Nations announced the ceasefire between the parties earlier in the week. The Saudi-led coalition said in a statement on state news agency SPA that Iran-allied Houthi forces have used rockets, shells, and snipers to attack border cities inside Saudi Arabia in the Jizan and Nijran provinces.
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| Exclusive: U.N. chief mulls future in South Korea where he tops presidential polls Posted: 21 Oct 2016 11:32 AM PDT  By Jean Yoon and Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday he will return to South Korea in January after heading the world body for a decade to consider what role he can play in the future of his country amid a push for him to run for president. "I understand that there are naturally some expectations from many people in Korea that I should make myself available for a better future of Korea that I am conscious of," Ban, 72, who will step down at the end of 2016, told Reuters in an interview. Ban said it was the first time he had spoken publicly about his future beyond the United Nations.
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| Top Asian News 12:24 a.m. GMT Posted: 21 Oct 2016 05:24 PM PDT MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he did not mean he would cut off ties with the United States when he said in China that he was separating from the U.S., adding it's in his country's best interest to stay with America. Despite the clarification, the tough-talking president kept up on his tirades against the U.S., saying in a late-night speech in his southern hometown of Davao city that he would never travel to America "in this lifetime." At an economic forum Thursday in Beijing, where he made a state visit, Duterte declared "my separation from the United States ... |
| US Navy destroyer conducts operation in South China Sea Posted: 21 Oct 2016 05:22 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Navy warship on Friday passed through waters claimed by China near disputed islands in the South China Sea, the Defense Department said, drawing Chinese condemnation.
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| Russian indicted on charges he hacked LinkedIn Posted: 21 Oct 2016 05:10 PM PDT SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A Russian man has been charged with hacking and stealing information from computers at LinkedIn and other San Francisco Bay Area companies, federal prosecutors announced Friday. |
| Ecuador judge orders jail for ex-minister in Petroecuador bribery case Posted: 21 Oct 2016 05:10 PM PDT A local judge in Ecuador on Friday ordered preventive prison for a former oil minister on grounds of bribery amid an investigation into a $12 million corruption scandal in the Andean country's state oil company. Ecuador's public prosecutor's office has accused Carlos Pareja, an ally of President Rafael Correa, of receiving $1 million dollars for allegedly helping companies get contracts with Petroecuador. |
| French police stage fifth night of protest, Hollande pledges meeting Posted: 21 Oct 2016 05:04 PM PDT  French police staged protests in Paris and other cities for a fifth night on Friday, in a movement showing no sign of abating despite President Francois Hollande's government attempts to defuse tensions just months before a presidential election. Speaking from a European Council meeting in Brussels, Hollande said he would meet police representatives at his office early next week to hear their grievances.
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| Angry Venezuela opposition vows rallies, alleges coup Posted: 21 Oct 2016 04:55 PM PDT  A furious Venezuelan opposition vowed mass street protests next week, accusing the Socialist government Friday of staging a coup by blocking efforts for a recall referendum against unpopular President Nicolas Maduro. With Maduro vowing to hold onto power, his opponents cranked up the heat in a stand-off that is destabilizing the volatile, oil-rich South American state, stricken by food shortages and violent crime. The opposition MUD coalition called for nationwide demonstrations from next Wednesday against the decision to annul a key stage in the referendum process.
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| Trump gains on Clinton, poll shows 'rigged' message resonates Posted: 21 Oct 2016 04:52 PM PDT  By Emily Stephenson and Amanda Becker NEWTOWN, Pa./CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gained on his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton among American voters this week, cutting her lead nearly in half, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling released on Friday. The polling data showed Trump's argument that the Nov. 8 election is "rigged" against him has resonated with members of his party. "Remember folks, it's a rigged system," Trump told a Pennsylvania rally on Friday.
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| Kershaw stands in the way of Cubs' chance to make history Posted: 21 Oct 2016 04:52 PM PDT  CHICAGO (AP) — All that's left for the Chicago Cubs to do is make history.
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| Mourinho braces for Chelsea return Posted: 21 Oct 2016 04:42 PM PDT  With three Premier League titles, three League Cups and one FA Cup won across his two stints in west London, Mourinho is the most successful manager in Chelsea's history. The love affair ended last December after nine league defeats and what technical director Michael Emenalo termed "palpable discord" between manager and players, but Mourinho prefers to remember the good times.
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| Messi returns for Argentina qualifiers vs. Brazil & Colombia Posted: 21 Oct 2016 04:18 PM PDT  BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Having fully recovered from a groin injury, Barcelona star Lionel Messi was named on Friday in Argentina's squad to face Brazil and Colombia in the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
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| Wonder Woman named a special UN ambassador, despite protests Posted: 21 Oct 2016 04:17 PM PDT  UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations celebrated Wonder Woman's 75th birthday on Friday by naming the comic book character as its new Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Woman and Girls, despite frustration from both inside and outside the world organization that the spot should go to a real — and less sexualized — woman.
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| UEFA's Ceferin tackles dangers in Europe, integrity attacks Posted: 21 Oct 2016 04:12 PM PDT  NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Entering rooms at UEFA headquarters, Aleksander Ceferin still finds it startling and unsettling when staff leap from their seats to greet him. The deference of the Michel Platini era is proving hard to shake off for the officials running European football.
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| Philippine president says he won't sever ties with US Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:46 PM PDT  MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he did not mean he would cut off ties with the United States when he said in China that he was separating from the U.S., adding it's in his country's best interest to stay with America.
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| More than 100 treated after chemical accident in northeastern Kansas Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:45 PM PDT  By Dave Kaup ATCHISON, Kansas (Reuters) - More than 100 people were treated for respiratory problems after a chemical spill at an MGP Ingredients Inc facility on Friday generated a chemical cloud over the northeastern Kansas city of Atchison before authorities declared the threat over. Authorities evacuated children from local schools, urged residents to remain in their homes and advised people not to enter the city of about 11,000 people located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Kansas City, Kansas. "I'm not even sure how to describe it." Seventy-two people were treated locally for respiratory discomfort and an additional 30 received treatment at regional medical facilities, although the injuries were minor, said Trey Cocking, Atchison city manager.
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| Czech president accused of scrapping Holocaust survivor medal due to Dalai Lama Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:44 PM PDT  By Robert Muller PRAGUE (Reuters) - Czech President Milos Zeman has decided against awarding a state medal to a Holocaust survivor after the man's nephew, a Czech government minister, met exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama against the president's wishes, the minister said on Friday. The Czech Republic has been engulfed in political furor over the Dalai Lama's meetings this week with Culture Minister Daniel Herman against the wishes of China's government - which sees the Dalai Lama as a separatist - and Zeman, who has strongly pushed for a closer economic relationship with China.
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| Trump gains on Clinton despite furor over women, election comments Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:41 PM PDT  Donald Trump gained on Hillary Clinton among American voters this week, cutting her lead nearly in half despite a string of women accusing him of unwanted sexual advances and the furor over his disputed claims that the election process is rigged, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Friday. The survey also showed that 63 percent of Americans, including a third of Republicans, believe the New York real estate mogul has committed sexual assault in the past, though the Republican presidential candidate has denied the recent accusations. Clinton, the Democratic former secretary of state, led Trump 44 percent to 40 percent, according to the Oct. 14-20 poll, a 4-point lead, with the Nov. 8 election fast approaching.
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| 55 killed in Cameroon train derailment: minister Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:27 PM PDT  Yaoundé (AFP) - Fifty-five people were killed and almost 600 injured when a packed Cameroon passenger train derailed on Friday while travelling from the capital Yaounde to the economic hub Douala, the transport minister said. The train, crammed with people due to road traffic disruption between the two cities, came off the tracks just before reaching the central city of Eseka, transport minister Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o said. The train left Yaounde at around 11:00 am (1000 GMT) and derailed around midday some 200 kilometres from the capital, the transport minister said.
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| Goffin and Gasquet reach European Open semifinals Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:25 PM PDT  ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Top-seeded David Goffin of Belgium had more trouble than expected against Romanian qualifier Marius Copil, rallying to win 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the European Open on Friday.
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| Toulon struggle to down Sale in European Cup Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:24 PM PDT  Three-time champions Toulon edged Sale 15-5 in the European Champions Cup on Friday, but their failure to claim a bonus point could prove fatal to their chances of reaching the knockout round. If we didn't start like that, we would not have won," said Toulon coach Diego Dominguez. Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond admitted that his team fell just short against the misfiring French superstars.
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| Mercedes boss had "a few words" with Hamilton Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:24 PM PDT  Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff admitted on Friday that he had "a few words" with world champion Lewis Hamilton about his recent behaviour. "I think we all underestimate the pressure that these guys are under and go through at these times," Wolff told reporters at a news conference for team bosses after Fridayâ s practice sessions at the United States Grand Prix. "When they come to the last few races and the whole season depends on the outcomes, it is big pressures on them," said Wolff.
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| US concerned about South Africa quitting ICC Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:23 PM PDT  The United States expressed concern on Friday over South Africa's decision to withdraw its support from the International Criminal Court. While not itself a member of the court, the United States likes other countries to accept its jurisdiction, seeing it as an arm against the impunity sometimes enjoyed by rogue leaders. The decision followed a dispute last year when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited South Africa, despite facing an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes.
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| Nico Rosberg fastest in Friday practice at US Grand Prix Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:21 PM PDT  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Mercedes duel is hitting full throttle at the U.S. Grand Prix.
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| Iraqi villager lives to avenge hostages killed by Islamic State Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:19 PM PDT By Michael Georgy QAYYARA, Iraq Reuters) - Sitting on a broken chair at a school where hundreds of families who fled Islamic State are seeking refuge south of Mosul, Younis Ali describes how he lost his four brothers and five sisters. "I have learned that they tried to take one brother as a human shield," he said, speaking of Islamic State, who ruled his village until last week. This happened near Mosul, the last city stronghold of Islamic State that Iraqi forces want to take back with air and ground support from a U.S.-led coalition. |
| Pennsylvania college faculty ends strike after tentative deal Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:16 PM PDT  (Reuters) - A union representing public college faculty in Pennsylvania ended a three-day strike on Friday after reaching a tentative deal with the state on pay, benefits and working conditions. The new agreement, which ends on June 30, 2018, was announced separately by the State System of Higher Education and by the union, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. "Our primary goals were to preserve quality education for our students, protect our adjuncts from exploitation, and make sure the varieties of faculty work are respected," the union's president, Kenneth Mash, said in a statement.
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| Anti-pipeline protestor tosses pumpkin seeds at Canada's Trudeau Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:15 PM PDT  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is usually greeted by cheering crowds when he goes out in public but received a less pleasant welcome in Hamilton on Friday - a handful of pumpkin seeds thrown by a green activist. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp said the woman shoved past reporters and threw the seeds at Trudeau before police wrestled her to the ground. Trudeau, who appeared unharmed, was hustled into his car.
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| Dimitrov to face del Potro in semis of Stockholm Open Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:14 PM PDT STOCKHOLM (AP) — Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria advanced to the semifinals of the Stockholm Open by beating Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-2 on Friday. |
| Bombardier to cut 7,500 more jobs through 2018, mostly in rail Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:13 PM PDT  Bombardier Inc said on Friday it would cut 7,500 jobs, mostly in its train-making division, in a second round of layoffs announced this year, following extended delays and budget overruns in its aerospace business. About two-thirds of the jobs are in Bombardier Transportation, the Germany-based rail unit which had already been slated to eliminate about 3,500 workers. Bombardier, which ended 2015 with 70,900 employees, said in February it would cut 10 percent of its workforce over two years, with nearly half of those jobs in the rail unit.
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| Australia's Minjee Lee opens 6-stroke lead in Blue Bay LPGA Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:10 PM PDT HAINAN, China (AP) — Minjee Lee patiently navigated Jian Lake's undulating greens again Friday to stretch her lead to six strokes in the Blue Bay LPGA. |
| Photos show European Mars probe crashed, may have exploded Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:05 PM PDT  BERLIN (AP) — Europe's experimental Mars probe hit the right spot — but at the wrong speed — and may have ended up in a fiery ball of rocket fuel when it struck the surface, scientists said Friday.
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| Late goal lifts Betis to win at Osasuna in Spanish league Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:04 PM PDT PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — Chile midfielder Felipe Gutierrez scored from a free kick in stoppage time to help Real Betis win 2-1 at Osasuna in the Spanish league on Friday. |
| Greek shipping companies fined $1.5M for pollution, cover-up Posted: 21 Oct 2016 03:03 PM PDT  SEATTLE (AP) — A federal judge in Seattle on Friday ordered two companies owned by a Greek shipping magnate to pay $1.5 million after a jury found that a cargo ship deliberately pumped oil-polluted water into the ocean, then repeatedly lied and falsified records in an effort to deceive inspectors with the U.S. Coast Guard.
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| Drogba fined by league over Impact no-show Posted: 21 Oct 2016 02:59 PM PDT  Didier Drogba has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer chiefs after his refusal to play for the Montreal Impact last weekend, the league said Friday. Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast star Drogba stunned the Impact by demanding to be left out of the squad for their game against Toronto FC on Sunday after discovering he was not in the starting lineup. Although Impact President Joey Saputo said on Tuesday the club had settled its differences with Drogba, the 38-year-old's no-show has brought a league fine.
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