| Trump says U.S. will work to restore peace in Ukraine Posted: 04 Feb 2017 04:14 PM PST  President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko the United States will work to restore peace along the border with Russia. "We will work with Ukraine, Russia, and all other parties involved to help them restore peace along the border," Trump said in a White House statement on Saturday. Renewed violence has flared between Moscow-backed rebels and Ukraine government forces that has caused the highest casualty rate since mid-December.
|
| Iran vows 'roaring missiles' if threatened, defies new sanctions Posted: 04 Feb 2017 05:28 AM PST  By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin DUBAI (Reuters) - A Revolutionary Guards commander said Iran would use its missiles if its security is under threat, as the elite force defied new U.S. sanctions on its missile programme by holding a military exercise on Saturday. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since a recent Iranian ballistic missile test which prompted U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to impose sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the Revolutionary Guards. Trump's national security adviser Michael Flynn said the Washington was putting Iran on notice over its "destabilising activity", and Trump tweeted Tehran was "playing with fire" "We are working day and night to protect Iran's security," head of Revolutionary Guards' aerospace unit, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.
|
| U.S.-backed Syrian force in new phase of Raqqa assault Posted: 04 Feb 2017 11:30 AM PST  By Rodi Said and Tom Perry RAQQA PROVINCE, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) - An alliance of U.S.-backed militias started a new phase of its campaign against the Islamic State-held city of Raqqa on Saturday, aiming to complete its encirclement and sever the road to militant strongholds in Deir al-Zor province. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said in a statement the action was being undertaken with "increasing support from the (U.S.-led) international coalition forces" through both air strikes and backing from coalition special forces on the ground. The SDF, which includes the powerful Kurdish YPG militia, launched its multi-phased campaign in November aimed at encircling and ultimately capturing Raqqa.
|
| Louvre attacker put under formal detention after condition improves Posted: 04 Feb 2017 12:51 PM PST  The knife-wielding attacker who was shot by a French soldier outside the Louvre museum has been declared fit to be interviewed after his condition improved and placed in formal detention, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Saturday. The 29-year-old Egyptian, identified as Abdullah Reda al-Hamamy, was shot several times on Friday after he set upon soldiers with a pair of machetes in what French President Francois Hollande described as a terrorist attack. "His life is no longer in danger," an official at the prosecutor's office said.
|
| China punishes 11 for dereliction of duty after deadly bus fire Posted: 04 Feb 2017 05:32 PM PST The government of the northern Chinese region of Ningxia has punished 11 officials for dereliction of duty after a deadly bus fire last year killed 18 people in the regional capital Yinchuan. The man blamed for starting the fire, Ma Yongping, was executed in December. In a statement late on Saturday carried by the ruling Communist Party's anti-corruption watchdog, the Ningxia government said the fire exposed a lack of concern and lack of sense of responsibility by certain officials. |
| Immigration chaos and long nights led to Washington's court win Posted: 04 Feb 2017 05:14 PM PST  By Dan Levine and Lawrence Hurley SEATTLE/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson arrived in Seattle last Saturday after a trip to Florida, public outrage over the immigration order issued the previous day by President Donald Trump was quickly growing. By late Monday afternoon, just minutes before the court closed for the day, Ferguson, a Democrat, and his team of lawyers were ready to file the first state lawsuit seeking to block the order. On Friday, they won a dramatic courtroom victory when U.S. District Judge James Robart put on hold the travel ban for refugees and citizens of seven mainly Muslim countries.
|
| The Latest: DOJ acts to appeal ruling lifting travel ban Posted: 04 Feb 2017 05:08 PM PST  The Latest on the reaction to a court order blocking U.S. President Donald Trump's ban on travelers and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries (all times Eastern):
|
| Moyes wants more of the same after Sunderland goal spree Posted: 04 Feb 2017 05:00 PM PST  David Moyes insists Sunderland's emphatic 4-0 win over fellow strugglers Crystal Palace must be the foundation for their climb away from the foot of the table. As delighted as he was by the manner of Saturday's victory, Moyes knows Sunderland cannot afford to keep lurching from good results to poor ones if they are to stay in the Premier League. Sunderland remain bottom but they are now level on points with Palace and only two points from safety.
|
| Top Asian News 12:48 a.m. GMT Posted: 04 Feb 2017 04:48 PM PST TOKYO (AP) — In his debut abroad as the first retired general to lead the Pentagon in more than half a century, Jim Mattis found that in Japan and South Korea his experience in uniform is seen as an asset. Not everyone who knows Mattis well in the U.S. shares that view, but he clearly was an instant hit in northeast Asia. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was effusive in his endorsement as the two shook hands Friday before a phalanx of Japanese and international news reporters and cameras. "I was very encouraged," Abe said, "to see someone like you who has substantial experience, both in the military and in security, defense and diplomacy, taking this office." Mattis won easy confirmation by the U.S. |
| China criticizes Mattis' remarks on East China Sea island Posted: 04 Feb 2017 04:48 PM PST  BEIJING (AP) — The U.S. is putting regional stability in East Asia at risk, a Chinese spokesman said, following remarks by President Donald Trump's defense secretary that a U.S. commitment to defend Japanese territory applies to an island group that China claims.
|
| Rusney Castillo, Puerto Rico stay in contention in Caribbean Posted: 04 Feb 2017 04:46 PM PST MEXICO CITY (AP) — Rusney Castillo homered and drove in three runs, helping Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic 10-2 on Saturday to remain in contention for the Caribbean Series. |
| US advances to Davis Cup quarters, 3-0 over Switzerland Posted: 04 Feb 2017 04:34 PM PST  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Jack Sock and Steve Johnson won their doubles match in three sets Saturday, sending the United States to the Davis Cup quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over Switzerland.
|
| Rebels in Ukraine say commander is killed in a car bombing Posted: 04 Feb 2017 04:26 PM PST  AVDIIVKA, Ukraine (AP) — A top rebel commander in eastern Ukraine was killed along with another person when their car exploded, rebels said Saturday, blaming Ukraine's special services for the blast.
|
| Thousands protest in US, Europe over Trump travel ban Posted: 04 Feb 2017 04:03 PM PST  From London and Paris to New York and Washington, thousands of people took to the streets Saturday in American and European cities to protest US President Donald Trump's travel ban, even as it was suspended by a federal judge. In an executive order issued on January 27, Trump slapped a blanket ban on nationals of seven mainly Muslim countries -- Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen -- barring their entry to the United States for 90 days. On the other side of the Atlantic, about 3,000 people demonstrated in New York, Trump's home town where protests against the property magnate-turned-world leader are near-daily.
|
| US suspends enforcement of travel ban; Trump bashes judge Posted: 04 Feb 2017 03:50 PM PST  WASHINGTON (AP) — The government on Saturday suspended enforcement of President Donald Trump's refugee and immigration ban and scurried to appeal a judge's order, plunging the new administration into a crisis that has challenged Trump's authority — and ability to fulfill campaign promises.
|
| Losing return for Berahino as West Brom beats Stoke 1-0 Posted: 04 Feb 2017 03:19 PM PST  WEST BROMWICH, England (AP) — West Bromwich Albion maintained its push for the Europa League as it beat Stoke 1-0 on Saturday with Saido Berahino making a quick return to The Hawthorns.
|
| Regional party chief urges Fillon to drop French presidential bid Posted: 04 Feb 2017 03:10 PM PST French presidential candidate Francois Fillon faced mounting pressure from his own conservative camp to withdraw from the race on Saturday, as a senator from The Republicans party warned it could split if he refused to bow out. Senator Bruno Gilles, head of the party's influential Bouches-du-Rhone region, said in a radio interview that party faithful had "turned the page" and overwhelmingly wanted a change of candidate. Fillon, 62, has been embroiled in a deepening scandal since satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchaine reported he had paid his wife hundreds of thousands of euros of public money for work she may not have done. |
| Watford beats 10-man Burnley in Premier League Posted: 04 Feb 2017 02:58 PM PST  WATFORD, England (AP) — Burnley lost away from home once again as Watford beat the 10-man Clarets 2-1 on Saturday in the Premier League.
|
| U.S. backs off bid to reopen CIA 'black site' prisons: officials Posted: 04 Feb 2017 02:57 PM PST  The Trump administration has for now backed off a draft executive order that would have called for a review of whether the United States should reopen overseas "black site" prisons, where interrogation techniques often condemned as torture were used, U.S. officials have told Reuters. The New York Times, citing unidentified officials, on Saturday said the White House was circulating a revised version that did not have language that contemplated reopening the prisons. A senior administration official confirmed the initial draft was no longer under consideration.
|
| Serbia in Davis Cup last eight, champions stay alive Posted: 04 Feb 2017 02:49 PM PST  Paris (AFP) - Serbia reached the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Saturday to set up a possible mouthwatering clash between Grand Slam heavyweights Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal while champions Argentina stayed alive.
|
| Bees and bowlers upset Sri Lanka as South Africa wins series Posted: 04 Feb 2017 02:38 PM PST  JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Allrounder Dwaine Pretorius claimed career-best figures as South Africa beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the third one-day international at the Wanderers on Saturday.
|
| In teary vigil for late wife, Lula lashes out at detractors Posted: 04 Feb 2017 02:32 PM PST  São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil) (AFP) - Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a wake Saturday for his late wife, ending it with harshly worded criticism for the couple's detractors in an ongoing corruption scandal. Leftist party staff and hundreds of citizens, many wearing the red shirt of the Workers' Party and carrying posters that read "President Lula," went to Sao Bernardo do Campo in metropolitan Sao Paulo to offer their condolences to Latin America's most popular leftist leader.
|
| With Madrid matchup approaching, Napoli routs Bologna 7-1 Posted: 04 Feb 2017 02:21 PM PST  ROME (AP) — If Napoli can carry this form into the Champions League, Real Madrid may be in for a real challenge.
|
| Barcelona's Alcacer finally scores to spark win over Bilbao Posted: 04 Feb 2017 02:16 PM PST  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Coach Luis Enrique gave Paco Alcacer another chance, and Barcelona's struggling striker came through with a goal.
|
| Mass demos force Romania gov't climbdown Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:58 PM PST  Romania's premier announced Saturday a dramatic climbdown on legislation that had been seen as a retreat on corruption, after the biggest protests since dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was toppled and executed in 1989. Demonstrators vowed to keep up the pressure on the government, however, after five days of protests culminating in an estimated 330,000 people taking to the streets nationwide on Saturday. Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said in a televised statement that the government would meet on Sunday to repeal an emergency decree that could have seen some corrupt officials escape prosecution.
|
| Bayern held by Schalke, Dortmund beats Leipzig in Bundesliga Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:51 PM PST  BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Schalke as the Bundesliga leader put up another unconvincing display Saturday while Leipzig lost ground in the title race.
|
| Falcao scores twice as leader Monaco beats Nice 3-0 Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:50 PM PST PARIS (AP) — Benjamin Mendy delivered two assists and Falcao scored twice as leader |
| Celta vs. Real Madrid postponed after wind damages stadium Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:45 PM PST VIGO, Spain (AP) — The Spanish league says Real Madrid's away match at Celta Vigo on Sunday can't go ahead after heavy winds damaged Celta's stadium. |
| Anonymous posters criticizing pope appear in Rome Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:45 PM PST  Posters accusing Pope Francis of attacking conservative Catholics appeared around Rome this weekend and were swiftly covered up by city authorities. The posters, put up during the night between Friday and Saturday by mystery activists, featured a picture of a stern-faced pope and the slogan: "Where's your mercy?" The text accused Francis of several interventions targeting conservatives, including what the posters called "the beheading of the Knights of Malta." This was a reference to an ancient Catholic order of knights which is now a worldwide charity and whose former Grand Master handed in his resignation to the pope last week after a two-month, highly public feud. The posters appeared several hours before the Vatican announced the name of the pope's personal delegate to the troubled order, a move that side-lined conservative Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who had been its chaplain since 2014 and is a frequent critic of the pope.
|
| Trump attacks US judge as travel ban rolled back Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:43 PM PST  The US government began to roll back Donald Trump's contentious travel ban targeting citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries Saturday, after a stinging legal defeat for the new president. Government agencies and major global airlines said they would recognize valid visas and cease enforcing Trump's order, after a federal judge in Washington state put a block on the measures pending a wider legal review. Thousands of people from London and Paris to New York and Washington staged fresh protests against the Republican leader, who took office just two weeks ago vowing to shake up American politics as usual.
|
| Traore snatches third place for Burkina Faso Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:32 PM PST  Port-Gentil (Gabon) (AFP) - Alain Traore scored with one minute left to give Burkina Faso a 1-0 win over Ghana Saturday and third place in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Turkey-based attacker thumped an angled free-kick over goalkeeper Richard Ofori and into the net in Gabonese coastal city Port-Gentil. It was the second highest finish in the biennial African football showcase for the Burkinabe Stallions, who finished runners-up four years ago.
|
| 6N: Scotland knocks over Ireland 27-22 at Murrayfield Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:14 PM PST  EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — It says much of Scottish expectations that beating Ireland 27-22 to sensationally open the Six Nations was no turn-up for them at Murrayfield on Saturday.
|
| Maserati North America recalls at least 39,381 vehicles Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:11 PM PST Maserati North America is recalling at least 39,381 vehicles after it discovered two separate defects that could cause fires. |
| Canadians dominate short track speedskating World Cup Posted: 04 Feb 2017 01:11 PM PST  DRESDEN, Germany (AP) — Canadian skaters won three of four events with Marianne St-Gelais, Kim Boutin and Charles Hamelin all victorious at Saturday's short track speedskating World Cup.
|
| Home of ex-Peruvian President Toledo searched in graft probe Posted: 04 Feb 2017 12:56 PM PST  LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peruvian police searched the house of ex-President Alejandro Toledo for five hours on Saturday in a case involving alleged bribes from a Brazilian construction firm under investigation in a major corruption probe.
|
| Hazard sparkles, Chelsea dazzle, rivals are frazzled Posted: 04 Feb 2017 12:55 PM PST  Eden Hazard's brilliant goal in Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Arsenal further buried the title hopes of their Premier League rivals with even angry Arsene Wenger admitting that his London foes are a class act. Antonio Conte's side shattered Arsenal's hopes while Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool hit a new low in a 2-0 defeat at Hull in Saturday's games. Belgian winger Hazard picked up the ball in his own half and waltzed past four opposing players to shoot home at Stamford Bridge after Marcos Alonso opened the scoring with a contentious effort, clattering into Arsenal's Hector Bellerin before heading home.
|
