| Philippine peacekeepers rescued from militants in Golan: U.N. Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:21 AM PDT  Thirty-two U.N. peacekeepers were rescued from Islamist militants who had fired on their post on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights on Saturday, the United Nations said. Another group of U.N. soldiers - also from the Philippines - remained trapped by the Islamists who surrounded their positions on Thursday, and a gun battle was ongoing, the U.N. press office said. The troops are part of UNDOF, a U.N. force that has monitored the disengagement zone between Israel and Syria since 1974, after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. A Reuters cameraman spotted 11 U.N. armoured vehicles returning to their base in Israeli-controlled territory about 12 hours after the peacekeepers came under fire at around 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Saturday.
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| Ferguson slowly starting to make comeback Posted: 30 Aug 2014 07:39 AM PDT FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The unmistakable signs of healing are beginning to dot Ferguson, even the small area of this St. Louis-area suburb that was the center of attention for three weeks. But those in the community know they've got a long way to go. |
| Obama's delay on immigration creates uncertainty Posted: 30 Aug 2014 07:52 AM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's possible delay in taking action on immigration has created uncertainty among advocates and lawmakers from both parties, barely two months before the November national elections.
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| U.S. authorities investigate suspected threat against Obama: reports Posted: 29 Aug 2014 05:38 PM PDT  (Reuters) - Authorities in Connecticut on Friday were investigating a possible threat against President Barack Obama, local media reported. The U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for presidential security, issued a statement saying, "Information has been received by law enforcement regarding a potentially suspicious person and vehicle. We are working with our local law enforcement partners to determine the validity of the information provided. ...
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| Florida schools make play for scholastic chess curriculum Posted: 30 Aug 2014 04:06 AM PDT By Zachary Fagenson FORT LAUDERDALE Fla. (Reuters) - Leaning over chess boards in the middle of classes, seven- and eight-year-olds in one of Florida's largest school districts furrow their brows as they plot moves toward a checkmate. The chess games are part of a weekly lesson given to all 34,000 second- and third-graders in Broward County Public Schools, the sixth-biggest district in the nation, in one of the largest such curriculum experiments in the country. "The act of sitting and filling in a bubble sheet is work." The initiative builds on growing numbers of school-age children playing chess in the United States. Along with Florida, thousands of students in New York City and Chicago are learning chess in school, also taught in major districts in Texas, Michigan and Washington state, among others. |
| U.S. judge halts major part of Texas law restricting abortions Posted: 29 Aug 2014 04:57 PM PDT District Judge Lee Yeakel said the so-called "ambulatory surgical center requirement" was unjust because it placed an undue burden on women by reducing the number of clinics where they could seek abortions and the regulations had no compelling public health interests. "The court concludes, after examining the act and the context in which it operates, that the ambulatory-surgical center requirement was intended to close existing licensed abortion clinics," Yeakel wrote in the decision. The requirement was to have gone into effect on Sept. 1. Under it, clinics would have had to meet a set of building standards ranging from widening halls to having facilities for certain surgeries that abortion rights advocates said were unnecessary, especially when an abortion is medically induced. |
| Rebuilding Gaza will take 20 years, group says Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:51 AM PDT  JERUSALEM (AP) — An international organization involved in assessing post-conflict reconstruction says it will take 20 years under current levels of restrictions to rebuild the Gaza Strip's battered and neglected housing stock following the war between Hamas and Israel.
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| 20 miners rescued, 5 still missing in Nicaragua collapse Posted: 30 Aug 2014 08:59 AM PDT  There had been 28 "guiriseros," or informal gold miners, working in the shaft when the mouth of the mine caved.
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| EU inches toward new sanctions on Russia Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:59 AM PDT  BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Saturday warned that the apparent incursion of Russian troops on Ukrainian soil pushes the conflict closer to a point of no return, with new economic sanctions being drawn up to make Moscow reconsider its position.
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| Minister: Lesotho military seize police HQ, jam radio stations Posted: 30 Aug 2014 02:27 AM PDT  Soldiers have seized control of police headquarters in the tiny African kingdom, a government minister says.
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| Palestinian president: Hamas caused prolonged war Posted: 29 Aug 2014 11:32 AM PDT  Palestine's president blames Hamas for extending fighting with Israel in Gaza.
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| Obama to attend wedding of longtime personal chef Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:08 AM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — Here's what the Obama family had on its plate Saturday evening: the White House chef's wedding.
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| Saudi king warns of terrorist threat to Europe, US Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:06 AM PDT  RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The king of Saudi Arabia has warned that extremists could attack Europe and the U.S. if there is not a strong international response to terrorism after the Islamic State group seized a wide territory across Iraq and Syria.
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| French prime minister, booed, hopes Socialists can bridge divides Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:03 AM PDT  By Natalie Huet and Elizabeth Pineau PARIS/LA ROCHELLE France (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was jeered on Saturday on the way to his Socialist Party's end-of-summer gathering, where attacks on the government's pro-business economic policy highlighted an uncomfortable divide within France's left. Stepping off the train in the western port town of La Rochelle, booed by left-wing militants and unionists, Valls said it was healthy for a party to debate policy, but warned that Socialists needed to stand united or risk losing voters. Valls reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday, evicting rebel leftist ministers who had urged President Francois Hollande for an economic policy U-turn away from budgetary rigor, and further angering many on the Socialist party's left wing.
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| Juventus coach Allegri starts with win at Chievo Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:01 AM PDT  MILAN (AP) — New Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri kicked off his time in charge with a victory as his team won 1-0 at Chievo Verona in the Serie A opener.
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| Islamic State militants behead captive Lebanese soldier: video Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:53 AM PDT  Islamic State militants beheaded a Lebanese soldier who was one of 19 captured by hardline Syrian Islamists when they seized a Lebanese border town for few days this month, a video posted on social media showed on Saturday. The soldier, recognizable as Ali al-Sayyed, a Sunni Muslim from north Lebanon, was shown blindfolded with his hands tied behind his back, writhing and kicking the dusty ground while a militant announces he will be killed. Islamic State, which declared a "caliphate" in June in parts of Iraq and Syria under its control, has been cited as a major security threat by Western governments since posting a video in August of the beheading of U.S journalist James Foley. The Lebanese army declined to comment but security and Islamic State sources confirmed the latest beheading.
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| Wimbledon champ Kvitova out at US Open Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:52 AM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was stunned in the third round of the U.S. Open by a scrambling, moon-balling qualifier ranked No. 145.
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| Pro-Russia rebels confident after making gains Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:51 AM PDT  STAROBESHEVE, Ukraine (AP) — As the survivor of a tank attack on a Ukrainian army truck was being carried into an ambulance, he was showered with verbal abuse by a rebel fighter.
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| California governor lauds passage of 'historic' sick leave bill Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:45 AM PDT  By Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) - A measure to grant California workers mandatory sick leave that passed the state legislature early on Saturday appeared poised to become law after Governor Jerry Brown lauded it as a historic achievement. The bill would require employers to provide at least three days of annual paid sick leave to workers, who would accrue the time off at a rate of one hour per 30 hours worked. If Brown signs the measure into law, California will join Connecticut as the only states mandating paid sick leave, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Business groups have mostly opposed efforts to impose mandatory paid sick leave, saying that they could force businesses to pare back work forces and raise prices.
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| EU leaders pick Italian as bloc's new top diplomat Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:19 AM PDT  BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders picked Italy's top diplomat to become the 28-nation bloc's new foreign policy chief for the next five years.
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| Southampton beats West Ham 3-1 for 1st league win Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:36 AM PDT  LONDON (AP) — France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin scored twice as Southampton beat West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday to earn a first win of the season under new manager Ronald Koeman.
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| Japan's Nishikora advances in US Open Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:23 AM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — Japan's Kei Nishikori advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Saturday with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, victory over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina.
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| Wimbledon champion Kvitova upset by Krunic Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:12 AM PDT  (Reuters) - Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was ousted by 145th-ranked qualifier Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia 6-4 6-4 in the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday, joining a long list of women's upset victims. The 21-year-old Krunic, who aims to graduate from university in Serbia this year with a degree in economics, registered the shock result when the error-prone Czech whipped a cross court forehand just wide of the line. ...
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| Man City loses, Man United draws in Premier League Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:01 AM PDT  LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Manchester City slumped to a surprise first defeat in the defense of its Premier League title on Saturday, losing 1-0 to Stoke as the problems of arch-rival Manchester United mounted despite an encouraging debut from new signing Angel Di Maria.
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| Iran's president dodges question on held reporter Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:56 AM PDT  CAIRO (AP) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani declined to specifically discuss the case of a detained Washington Post journalist during a nationally televised news conference Saturday.
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| Corvette Museum to completely fill in sinkhole Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:56 AM PDT  A massive sinkhole that swallowed eight prized sports cars won't be a permanent attraction at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky.
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| VENICE WATCH: Director's praise for Robin Williams Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:46 AM PDT  VENICE, Italy (AP) — VENICE, Italy — The Venice Film Festival is bringing 11 days of red carpet premieres, innovative movies and Hollywood glamour to the Italian city. Here's what has been catching the eye of The Associated Press:
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| India beats England by 6 wickets in 3rd ODI Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:42 AM PDT  NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Ambati Rayudu hit an unbeaten 64 to help India coast to a six-wicket victory over England in the third one-day international at Trent Bridge on Saturday, putting the tourists 2-0 ahead in the five-match series.
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| 49ers' Aldon Smith apologizes for suspension Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:35 AM PDT  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has apologized to the organization and its fans after receiving a nine-game suspension from the NFL for a series of off-field legal issues.
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| Palace draws 3-3 with Newcastle in Premier League Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:32 AM PDT  NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Wilfried Zaha marked his return to Crystal Palace with a late equalizer to secure a 3-3 draw at Newcastle on Saturday in the Premier League.
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| China and Hong Kong poised for showdown over democracy Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:30 AM PDT  By James Pomfret HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong is poised for a showdown with China when the Chinese parliament meets later on Sunday, with the largely rubber-stamp body likely to snuff out hopes for a democratic breakthrough in the regional financial hub at elections due in 2017. Political reform has been a constant source of friction between Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and the mainland since the former British colony was handed back to Communist Party rulers in 1997. ...
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| European warrant issued for missing boy's parents Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:27 AM PDT  LONDON (AP) — A European arrest warrant has been issued for the parents of a critically ill 5-year-old boy who was taken out of a British hospital against doctors' advice, police said Saturday.
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| QPR grabs 1st win, beats Sunderland 1-0 Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:23 AM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Queens Park Rangers beat Sunderland 1-0 Saturday to come off the bottom of the Premier League with its first win this season.
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| Stoke stuns Man City 1-0 in Premier League Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:22 AM PDT  MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Mame Diouf scored a spectacular solo goal to give Stoke a surprising 1-0 win over defending champion Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
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| Ukraine says Russian tanks flatten town; EU to threaten more sanctions Posted: 30 Aug 2014 09:11 AM PDT  By Richard Balmforth and Adrian Croft KIEV/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine said Russian tanks had flattened a small border town and pro-Russian rebels had made fresh gains in its east, as EU leaders signalled on Saturday they would threaten more sanctions against Moscow over the crisis. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, attending an EU summit in Brussels, said he was hoping for progress in finding a political solution, but told journalists there were now thousands of foreign troops in his country. Russia has repeatedly dismissed accusations from Kiev and Western powers that it has sent soldiers into its neighbour, or supported pro-Russian rebels fighting a five-month-old separatist war in Ukraine's east.
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| Redknapp reveals Remy set for Chelsea switch Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:13 AM PDT  Chelsea are set to sign France striker Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers before Monday's transfer deadline, according to the Hoops manager Harry Redknapp. Remy was set to start for QPR in their 1-0 Premier League win at home to Sunderland on Saturday, but Redknapp revealed the 27-year-old was pulled out of the team after Chelsea's approach. The Blues are reported to have triggered an £8 million ($13 million, 10.1 million euros) release clause in Remy's contract after settling on the former Marseille forward as a replacement for Spain striker Fernando Torres, who is joining AC Milan on a two-year loan.
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| Leverkusen battle back against Hertha to go top Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:11 AM PDT  Bayer Leverkusen moved top of the Bundesliga on Saturday after twice coming from behind to beat Hertha Berlin 4-2. Following their impressive win in Dortmund last week, Leverkusen made it two wins from two thanks to late goals from Julian Brandt and Karim Bellarabi. "This was a very tough game for us and because of that it was very valuable," Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt said.
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| Stuttering Monaco held with Falcao absent Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:05 AM PDT  With Radamel Falcao left out of their side, Monaco continued their stuttering start to the Ligue 1 season on Saturday as they drew 1-1 with Lille at the Stade Louis II. Falcao's replacement in the starting line-up was Dimitar Berbatov and the Bulgarian earned his side a point with a 61st-minute equaliser to cancel out Nolan Roux's first-half opener for the visitors. Leonardo Jardim's side were unable to find a winner and have managed just one victory, and four points, from the first month of the new campaign. Lille, in contrast, will be satisfied with a result that maintains their unbeaten start to the season and gets them back on track after their midweek Champions League play-off exit at the hands of FC Porto in Portugal.
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| Gambrel Porn: Why Not a Sprawling Gambrel in the Georgica Association for $24.9M? Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:02 AM PDT  Plenty of room for a large extended family in this impeccably decorated (by Steven Gambrel) house. Plus, you get Georgica Association bragging rights, as well as the cabanas, sailing and tennis that...
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