All Wires articles, Saturday 2 January

• ap Influential Shiite cleric among 47 executed in Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia's execution Saturday of 47 prisoners, including an influential Shiite cleric, threatened to further damage Sunni-Shi...
• ap IS counterattacks target Iraqi troops in Ramadi BAGHDAD (AP) — Islamic State group militants continue to launch a series of counterattacks against Iraqi government forces on the edges of the western city o...
• afp Outrage in Iraq over Saudi execution of Shiite cleric The execution in Saudi Arabia of a prominent Shiite cleric Saturday sparked outrage in neighbouring Iraq, from protesters threatening the royal family to pol...
• ap 'Game of Thrones' author blogs that he missed book deadline NEW YORK (AP) — Winter is not coming. "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin says he missed a Dec. 31 deadline to finish "The Winds of Winter," the late...
• ap United finally wins, Arsenal goes clear atop Premier League LONDON (AP) — Manchester United rediscovered what winning felt like as Arsenal edged Newcastle 1-0 to move two points clear atop the English Premier League o...
• ap Man killed by officers was holding phone, not gun, ID'ed LAS VEGAS (AP) — A man who was fatally shot by Las Vegas police while holding a cellphone that was mistaken for a gun had recently been convicted of multiple...
• reuters Iran's Guards say Saudi Arabia will face backlash for executing Nimr -Mehr DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Iran's hardline Revolutionary Guards said Saudi Arabia's ruling Al Saud family would face a backlash for executing a prominent Shi'i...
• ap France quarrels over revoking citizenship of terrorists PARIS (AP) — The push by France's Socialist government to revoke the citizenship of convicted terrorists with dual nationality after the Paris attacks has tu...
• ap NEWS GUIDE: Saudi execution of Shiite leader stokes tensions DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia's execution Saturday of 47 prisoners, including an influential Shiite cleric, has prompted a wave of condemna...
• afp Four Israelis to be charged with anti-Arab 'terror': justice Israeli prosecutors will file charges Sunday against four Jews for their involvement in "severe terror against Arabs and their property", the justice ministr...
• afp Saudi Arabia executes top Shiite cleric Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia executed Saturday a prominent Shiite cleric, who had been behind anti-government protests, drawing angry condemnation from Shiite-m...
• reuters French Cup last 64 results Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results from the French Cup Last 64 matches on Saturday Last 64 Saturday, January 2 Toulouse Rodeo - Stade Montois (IV) 0-1 (half...
• reuters Cuba's Santeria priests predict explosive migration, social unrest in 2016 By Jaime Hamre HAVANA, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Priests offering New Year's prophecies from Cuba's Afro-Cuban religion forecast an explosion in migration and social...
• ap Prep school ex-students call for 2nd probe into abuse claims MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (AP) — Former students who claim they were sexually abused at a prestigious Rhode Island boarding school are calling for an independent inve...
• ap City fights back to win 2-1 at Watford in the Premier League WATFORD, England (AP) — Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero scored two minutes apart as Manchester City came from behind late to beat Watford 2-1 in the English Pre...
• ap BC-SOC--Greek Standings Asteras 4, Panthrakikos 0 PAS Giannina 2, Veria 0 Iraklis 3, Kalloni 0 Platanias vs. AEK Athens, 1300 GMT Levadiakos vs. Atromitos, 1515 GMT Xanthi vs. PAOK ...
• ap Ex-Arkansas governor, US senator Dale Bumpers dies at age 90 Dale Bumpers, a former Arkansas governor and U.S. senator who earned the nickname "giant killer" for taking down incumbents, and who gave a passionate speech...
• pa Laurent Koscielny earns hard-fought win for Arsenal Arsenal laboured to victory over Newcastle to start 2016 with a win and move two points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League. The Gunners were lar...
• pa West Ham's Andy Carroll gets revenge on former club Liverpool with vital goal Liverpool reject Andy Carroll ended the Reds' recent revival as West Ham secured a deserved 2-0 win at Upton Park. Carroll, who was let go by former Anfield ...
• pa Manchester United's winless run ends thanks to Wayne Rooney goal Wayne Rooney scored a superb backheel to ease the pressure on Louis van Gaal and end Manchester United's eight-match winless run. Rooney moved ahead of Denis...
• pa Riyad Mahrez misses penalty as Leicester held by 10-man Bournemouth Leicester lost ground at the top of the Barclays Premier League as they began the new year with a goalless draw against 10-man Bournemouth at the King Power ...
• pa Late goals see City come from behind and sink Watford Manchester City rescued their Barclays Premier League title hopes with a late comeback in a 2-1 victory at Watford. On an afternoon when wins for rivals Arse...
• afp 25 candidates vying for presidency in Comoros Twenty-five candidates out of 28 have been cleared to run in the first round of next month's presidential elections in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Co...
• ap U of Illinois alumni vent over sports woes CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — If Barbara Wilson didn't understand the unhappiness of University of Illinois sports fans when she took over as interim chancellor in ...
• reuters Portuguese championship results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Portuguese championship matches on Saturday Saturday, January 2 Academica 3 Uniao Madeira 1 Boavis...
• reuters Luis Enrique hails Espanyol workrate after 0-0 draw By Tim Hanlon BARCELONA, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Luis Enrique praised the workrate of Espanyol's defence as his side were held to a 0-0 draw by the...
• afp Search for more victims as deadly US floods stress levees Record flooding from the rain-swollen Mississippi River and its tributaries stressed dams and levees to the breaking point in parts of Illinois, one of sever...
• ap Some await worst, others pick up pieces after flooding ST. LOUIS (AP) — The governors of Missouri and Illinois toured flood-ravaged areas Saturday as near-record crest predictions of the Mississippi River and lev...
• afp Saudi summons Iran envoy over 'aggressive' Tehran statement Saudi Arabia summoned Iran's envoy to protest an "aggressive" statement by Tehran on the Saturday execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the fore...
• reuters English Premier League leading scorers LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Following is a list of leading goalscorers in the Premier League after Wayne Rooney moved into second place on Saturday. 1. 260 - A...
• reuters Premier League milestone as Rooney ends goal drought LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney rose to second place on the all-time Premier League scoring list with a clever winner agains...
• pa Two arrested after shooting in McDonald's car park Two people have been arrested after a shooting in a McDonald's car park. The windows were blown out of a blue Volkswagen Golf with two people inside while pa...
• afp California twins born in two different years Twin infants born just as New Year's Champagne corks were popping share the same parents, but different birth years. Maribel Valencia, of San Diego, Californ...
• pa Tribute to 'brilliant' graduate killed in collision with van A "brilliant" university graduate who was killed when he was hit by a van has been named by police. Romanian national Cosmin Cocora, 24, who had moved to the...
• pa Craig Willis kicks Newcastle to long-awaited win as Bath falter Newcastle's biggest home crowd of the season saw Craig Willis boot two late penalties against Bath to secure a first Aviva Premiership victory of the season....
• pa Iraq veterans 'may face war-crimes prosecutions' Iraq War veterans may face prosecution for crimes including murder following a probe into allegations of torture and unlawful killing, the head of the unit i...
• pa Former spy chief 'alarmed' by lack of alertness to terror attack dangers A former spy chief has said she is "alarmed" by the number of people using mobile phones and listening to music when they should be more alert to the danger ...
• pa Saudi Arabia condemned after executing dozens of prisoners Saudi Arabia has been condemned after executing dozens of prisoners, including a cleric who was a prominent figure in the Arab Spring protests against the co...
• pa Ed Slater left fearing for Six Nations chance as Leicester lose to Saracens England forwards coach Steve Borthwick returned to the club he captained for six years only to see Leicester captain Ed Slater sustain an injury that may thr...
• pa Sherlock sniffs out 8.4m viewers for Christmas special TV drama Sherlock attracted 8.4 million viewers, the highest overnight audience of the festive season across all channels with the exception of the New Year'...
• ap Tour de Ski Results LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland (AP) — Results Saturday in the Tour de Ski: 1. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Norway, 1:14:48.3. 2. Petter Northug Jr., Norway, 34.6 second...
• pa Travellers urged to go to Hull with nods for Wales and Scotland's Western Isles Hull, Wales and Scotland's Western Isles have been named among the Rough Guides' top places for tourists to visit this year. The Yorkshire city featured alon...
• ap French Cup trip from Indian Ocean ends in loss for amateurs PARIS (AP) — A sixth-division team which traveled from the Indian Ocean to Corsica couldn't take home a win in the French Cup on Saturday. La Sainte-Marienne...
• reuters Body of ex-Ivory Coast defender Gohouri found in Rhine BERLIN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The body of former Ivory Coast defender Steve Gohouri has been recovered from the River Rhine after he went missing in mid- Decembe...
• pa Police safety pledge after Facebook death threats against school Police have promised to ensure the safety of everybody at a school which has been threatened on social media. The principal of Montgomery High School in Bisp...
• pa Tributes to 'happy lad' who died after being mauled by dog The family of a man who died after he was attacked by his dog whilst suffering an epileptic fit have paid tribute to a "happy lad who was always smiling". Li...
• pa UK must make communities more resilient during floods - Environment Agency chief Higher defences will not be enough on their own to deal with flooding, the Environment Agency's chief executive said as parts of the UK braced themselves for...
• reuters Israeli championship results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Israeli championship matches on Saturday Saturday, January 2 Beitar Jerusalem 1 Bnei Yehuda 0 Hapo...
• reuters Toure, Aguero strike as Man City comeback stuns Watford LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Manchester City showed they are in no mood to give up on the Premier League title race, scoring twice in the final eight minutes to...
• reuters Greek championship results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Greek championship matches on Saturday Saturday, January 2 Asteras Tripolis 4 Panthrakikos 0 Irakl...
• reuters English premier league summaries Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Summaries from the English premier league matches on Saturday Watford 1 Aleksandar Kolarov 55og Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure 82, ...
• reuters English premier league results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the English premier league matches on Saturday Saturday, January 2 Arsenal 1 Newcastle United 0 Leices...
• reuters Aviva Premiership results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Aviva Premiership matches on Saturday RESULTS Gloucester Rugby 27 London Irish 14 Newcastle Falcon...
• reuters Saudi Arabia summons Iranian ambassador over "hostile" remarks on executions - SPA DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia on Saturday summoned the Iranian ambassador in Riyadh and conveyed a strong protest against Iran's "hostile" remarks on...
• ap Idaho man finds art in back hair NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — One man's back hair is another man's canvas. At least that's how Mike Wolfe, 35, of Nampa, Idaho, has decided to approach manscaping. Wol...
• ap BC-SOC--Spanish Standings Espanyol 0, Barcelona 0 Atletico Madrid vs. Levante, 1930 GMT Malaga vs. Celta Vigo, 2105 GMT Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Sociedad, 1100 GMT Real Betis vs. Eibar...
• ap Two-year twins: Babies born Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in San Diego SAN DIEGO (AP) — Twins in San Diego are getting some attention because, though born just minutes apart, one has a birthday in 2015 and one in 2016. Jaelyn Va...
• ap Governors tour flooded areas amid threat to more homes ST. LOUIS (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri and Gov. Bruce Rauner of Illinois toured flood-ravaged areas Saturday as near-record crest predictions of the Mis...
• ap Italy confirms higher cancer, death rates from mob dumping ROME (AP) — An Italian parliament-mandated health survey has confirmed higher-than-normal incidents of death and cancer among residents in and around Naples,...
• reuters Guinness PRO12 results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Guinness PRO12 matches on Saturday RESULTS Ulster 7 Munster 9 Glasgow Warriors 11 Edinburgh Rugby ...
• reuters EU warns of "dangerous consequences" of Saudi cleric execution BRUSSELS, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief warned on Saturday that Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric r...
• afp Trump Muslim remark 'used in jihadist recruitment video' Republican White House frontrunner Donald Trump's call for a ban on Muslims entering the US have been used by Somalia's Shebab in a jihadist recruitment vide...
• ap BC-SOC--English Summaries Summaries Saturday from English football (home teams listed first): Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny (72). Halftime: 0-0. Halftime: 0-0. Manchester United: Anthony...
• ap TV ratings for New Year's 6 Bowls down 13 percent overall Lopsided games and having the College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year's Eve led to a 13 percent drop in TV ratings for the New Year's Six Bowls from ...
• ap Sanders campaign says it's raised $33M since October WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders raised more than $33 million during the past three months in his bid to win the Democratic nomination, his camp...
• reuters England newcomer Hales loving life in test arena By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Alex Hales is loving life in cricket's test arena, the England opener said after chalking up his maiden half-cen...
• ap Saudi-led coalition says Yemen truce ends Saturday SANAA, Yemen (AP) — The truce in Yemen between Shiite rebels and a Saudi-led military coalition has formally ended, according to Saudi Arabia's state-run new...
• ap BC-SOC--Scottish Standings Dundee 2, Dundee United 1 Celtic 1, Partick Thistle 0 Inverness CT 2, Ross County 0 Kilmarnock 2, Hearts 2 Motherwell 3, Hamilton Academical 3 St. Johnstone ...
• ap Search continues for missing autistic boy, 5, who fled party ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Police on Saturday recanvassed an eastern Pennsylvania neighborhood where a 5-year-old boy with autism wandered away from a New Year's ...
• ap Rooney's moment of magic earns United a belated win MANCHESTER, England (AP) — A moment of magic from Wayne Rooney. Both strikers on the scoresheet. And, most importantly, three points. After a troubled end to...
• ap Cities look at subsidized housing to stem teacher shortages SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As the days get shorter, first grade teacher Esmeralda Jiménez watches the dimming afternoon sky outside her classroom window the way he...
• reuters Ranieri ready to pop champagne as Leicester hit 40 points LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri prepared to pop the champagne corks on Saturday despite a missed penalty in a goalless draw ...
• ap Funerals held for Palestinians killed in months of violence RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Tens of thousands of people attended funerals in the West Bank on Saturday for Palestinians killed in violence over the past few m...
• reuters Real Madrid need more consistency, says Benitez MADRID, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Under-fire Rafa Benitez said Real Madrid needed to be more consistent and also accused his players of easing off in games ahead of ...
• reuters Shi'ite cleric among 47 executed in Saudi Arabia, stirring anger in region By Angus McDowall RIYADH, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric and dozens of al Qaeda members on Saturday, signalling it...
• pa Leicester have bid accepted for Birmingham winger Demarai Gray Leicester have had a bid accepted by Birmingham for Demarai Gray, Press Association Sport understands. The January transfer window only opened on Saturday bu...
• pa Judy Murray could step in and coach Heather Watson Heather Watson will be coached on an interim basis by Great Britain's Fed Cup captain Judy Murray for the first few weeks of her 2016 season, according to re...
• pa Former England boss Stuart Lancaster will not be filling Japan head coach role Stuart Lancaster will not be filling the post of Japan head coach recently vacated by Eddie Jones, Press Association Sport understands. A report states that ...
• ap Leicester held to 0-0 by 10-man Bournemouth in EPL LEICESTER, England (AP) — Leicester missed a penalty and was held to 0-0 at home by 10-man Bournemouth in the English Premier League on Saturday. Defender Si...
• ap The Latest: Search resumes in Oklahoma for missing singer The latest developments on flooding in the Midwest (all times local): Noon The search for a missing country music singer from Arkansas has resumed at a north...
• ap Barcelona held to 0-0 at Espanyol in Catalan derby BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona drew for a third time in four rounds of the Spanish league after being held to 0-0 at crosstown rival Espanyol on Saturday....
• ap Alec Baldwin, Richard Linklater join polar bear plunges EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Actor Alec Baldwin and director Richard Linklater have braved the chilly waters off New York's Long Island at separate polar bear p...
• reuters Wenger hails Arsenal solidarity after win over Newcastle LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Scraping a victory when under pressure is often a sign of backbone in potential title winners and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was...
• ap Arsenal beats Newcastle 1-0 to go 2 points clear in EPL LONDON (AP) — Arsenal gained a two-point lead at the top of the English Premier League by overcoming Newcastle 1-0 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Laurent K...
• afp Bill Clinton to stump for Hillary in New Hampshire on Monday: reports Former President Bill Clinton hits the campaign trail Monday for his wife Hillary -- his first appearance on the stump for the former first lady's White Hous...
• ap Trial in NYC set to air GM ignition switch recall issues NEW YORK (AP) — A civil trial set to start this month in New York City will test the legal boundaries of hundreds of claims remaining against General Motors ...
• ap Villa adrift at bottom of EPL after losing to Sunderland SUNDERLAND, England (AP) — Sunderland ended a five-match losing streak in the English Premier League in beating last-place Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday. The B...
• ap States plan renewed debate on LGBT rights, religious freedom JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — With same-sex marriage now legal nationwide, lawmakers in numerous states are preparing for a new round of battles in 2016 over wh...
• afp Dubai property giant to restore hotel damaged in fire Dubai property giant Emaar Properties promised Saturday to restore its luxury 63-storey hotel in the emirate, which was damaged in a spectacular fire on New ...
• reuters La Liga summaries Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Summaries from the La Liga matches on Saturday Espanyol 0 Barcelona 0 Halftime: 0-0;Attendance: 28,975 - - - Next Fixtures (GMT):...
• reuters English premier league top scorers Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Top scorers of the English premier league on Saturday 15 Romelu Lukaku (Everton) Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) 14 Odion Ighalo (Wa...
• ap Body of former Ivory Coast international Steve Gohouri found BERLIN (AP) — A body found in the Rhine river on New Year's Eve was identified Saturday as that of former Ivory Coast footballer Steve Gohouri. Duesseldorf p...
• ap West Brom beats 10-man Stoke 2-1 with late goal in EPL BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Jonny Evans scored in injury time for West Bromwich Albion to beat Stoke 2-1 and win a second straight match in the English Premie...
• ap The Latest: Suspect shot by Vegas police had convictions LAS VEGAS (AP) — The latest on the fatal shooting of a suspect by police who mistook the cellphone he was holding for a gun (all times local): 9:33 a.m. A Ph...
• ap Israel searches for gunman who killed 2 in Tel Aviv attack JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police continued their manhunt Saturday for a gunman who killed two people and wounded several others when he opened fire at a bar i...
• afp Stokes attacks to give England the edge Ben Stokes unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes late in the afternoon to give England the edge on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at...
• ap Norwich beats 10-man Southampton 1-0 through Tettey goal NORWICH, England (AP) — Alex Tettey scored a 76th-minute winner as Norwich beat 10-man Southampton 1-0 to pull further clear of relegation trouble in the Eng...
• reuters Arsenal go clear, Leicester held, relief for Van Gaal By Toby Davis LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Arsenal's Premier League title charge rolled on as they moved two points clear at the top with a scrappy 1-0 victory ...
• reuters La Liga top scorers Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Top scorers of the La Liga on Saturday 15 Luis Suarez (Barcelona) 14 Neymar (Barcelona) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 12 Lucas ...
• afp Thousands of Palestinians in Hebron funeral for slain assailants Thousands of Palestinians gathered Saturday in Hebron to bury 14 men whose bodies had been held by Israel after being killed carrying out attacks. Israel han...
• ap England 317-5 after 1st day of 2nd test in South Africa CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Ben Stokes' counterattacking half-century put England on top at 317-5 against South Africa at stumps on the first day of the s...
• pa Ben Stokes cuts loose as England build momentum in second Test Ben Stokes unleashed some powerful late hitting as England ended day one of the second Test against South Africa in a strong position. The all-rounder arrive...
• afp Body of ex-Ivory Coast footballer found in Rhine The body of former Ivory Coast international Steve Gohouri has been found in the Rhine, German police said Saturday three weeks after he was reported missing...
• ap Paris to commemorate Charlie Hebdo attack victims PARIS (AP) — Paris will commemorate the victims of the attacks on the satirical Charlie Hebdo newspaper and a kosher supermarket that left 17 people dead in ...
• ap 2 ex-premiers running neck-to-neck in Central African vote BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Two former prime ministers are running neck-and-neck in presidential elections to end years of violence pitting Musli...
• reuters Iraqi figures urge severing of new Saudi ties over Nimr execution By Stephen Kalin and Maher Chmaytelli BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Iraq's prime minister condemned Saudi Arabia's execution of Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on S...
• afp 'Serious concerns' over Saudi's execution of Shiite cleric: EU The European Union on Saturday raised serious concerns over Saudi Arabia's execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, warning it could have "dangerou...
• afp Police hunt for gunman after deadly Tel Aviv pub attack Israeli security forces pressed a manhunt Saturday for the gunman who killed two people and wounded seven others at a Tel Aviv pub, with the motive for the a...
• reuters Leaders Barca held in derby stalemate by Espanyol By Tim Hanlon BARCELONA, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both hit the woodwork as Barcelona were held 0-0 by Espanyol on Saturday in a hard-fo...
• pa Cheating students pose university challenge Nearly 50,000 university students have been caught cheating in the last three years, according to new figures. Students from outside the EU were four times m...
• pa Teenager 'dies after falling in harbour after New Year celebrations' A teenager is believed to have died after falling in to a harbour following New Year celebrations , police said. CCTV shows a man believed to be Joshua Caley...
• pa Steven Gerrard: Wayne Rooney is still the man for England Steven Gerrard insists Wayne Rooney should still be the go-to man for England at Euro 2016. Rooney, who took over as England skipper when Gerrard retired fro...
• reuters Execution of Saudi cleric latest blow to hopes of rapprochement with Iran By Sam Wilkin DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Iranian clerics, officials and students attacked Sunni Muslim-ruled Saudi Arabia on Saturday for executing Shi'ite cle...
• ap New Year's homicide toll rises in El Salvador SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — The Central American nation of El Salvador is off to a bloody start to the new year after a shockingly violent 2015. Officia...
• reuters Shi'ite Muslims worldwide decry execution of Saudi cleric By Sam Wilkin DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's execution of a leading cleric from the Shi'ite Muslim minority drew protests from around the world agai...
• reuters Arsenal go clear, Leicester held, relief for Van Gaal By Toby Davis LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Arsenal's Premier League title charge gathered momentum as they moved two points clear at the top with a scrappy 1-0 ...
• ap BC-SOC--English Standings West Ham 2, Liverpool 0 Arsenal vs. Newcastle, 1500 GMT Leicester City vs. Bournemouth, 1500 GMT Manchester United vs. Swansea, 1500 GMT Norwich vs. Southamp...
• ap BC-SOC--English Results LONDON (AP) — Results from English football: West Ham 2, Liverpool 0 Arsenal vs. Newcastle Leicester City vs. Bournemouth Manchester United vs. Swansea Norwi...
• pa Alcoholic drinks 'should have calorie labelling' Alcoholic drinks should have calorie counts on their packaging to help fight obesity, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said. The lobby group, which...
• ap BC-SOC--Scottish Results EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND (AP) — Results from Scottish football: Dundee 2, Dundee United 1 Celtic vs. Partick Thistle Inverness CT vs. Ross County Kilmarnock vs. H...
• ap Somali extremists use Donald Trump clip to recruit followers MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Al-Qaida's East African affiliate has released a recruitment video targeting American blacks and Muslims that includes a clip of pr...
• afp Saudi execution of Shiite cleric sparks outrage Saudi Arabia's execution Saturday of a prominent Shiite cleric and 46 other men prompted outrage in parts of the Middle East, with Iran warning Riyadh would ...
• ap South African group reports slight drop in rhino poaching JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The number of rhinos poached in South Africa in 2015 was slightly lower than in the previous year, representing modest progress by law en...
• reuters Iraqi PM condemns execution of Saudi Shi'ite cleric Nimr BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Saturday the execution of Saudi Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr would have repercussions ...
• afp Saudi-led coalition announces end of Yemen ceasefire A Saudi-led coalition battling Iran-backed rebels in Yemen announced the end Saturday of a ceasefire that had been violated on a daily basis since it was dec...
• ap 2nd test: South Africa vs. England Scoreboard CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Scoreboard Saturday at stumps on the first day of the second test between South Africa and England at Newlands: Alastair Cook ...
• reuters Leaders Barca held in derby stalemate by Espanyol BARCELONA, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both hit the woodwork as Barcelona were held 0-0 by Espanyol in a hard fought derby that could see ...
• reuters Scottish Premiership results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Scottish Premiership matches on Saturday Saturday, January 2 Celtic 1 Partick Thistle 0 Dundee 2 D...
• reuters Newly installed mayor of Mexican city killed MEXICO CITY, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The newly installed mayor of the Mexican city of Temixco was killed on Saturday, according to a tweet from Morelos state Gover...
• reuters Late Stokes burst gives England the edge By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Ben Stokes struck a sparkling unbeaten 74 to help England finish the opening day of the second test against Sout...
• afp Saudi using execution to settle political scores: Amnesty Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric indicates the kingdom is "using execution to settle political scores", rights group Amnesty Internation...
• afp Outsider takes early lead in C.Africa presidential race Early results from Central African Republic's presidential election Saturday gave former premier Faustin Archange Touadera a slim lead in the capital after a...
• ap The Latest: Germany says Saudi death sentences 'inhumane' RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The latest developments following Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 people, including a prominent opposition Shiite cleric who had r...
• reuters Tesco Kipa ends talks with Turkey's Begendik on store sales ISTANBUL, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Tesco's subsidiary in Turkey has decided to hang onto some of its stores instead of selling them to rival Turkish retailer Begend...
• ap Carroll heads West Ham to 2-0 win over former club Liverpool LONDON (AP) — West Ham striker Andy Carroll scored against his former club as the Hammers defeated Liverpool 2-0 Saturday in their first Premier League doubl...
• afp England 317 for five at close against South Africa England were 317 for five at the close of play on the first day of the second Test at Newlands on Saturday. Ben Stokes was 74 not out with Jonny Bairstow alo...
• afp Executed Saudi cleric: An influential Shiite advocate Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr, executed in Saudi Arabia Saturday, was a charismatic religious leader who delivered fiery speeches demanding more rights f...
• pa Sergio Aguero ready to return to his best, promises Pellegrini Manuel Pellegrini is convinced star striker Sergio Aguero will soon be firing for Manchester City. Aguero has produced two largely ineffectual performances f...
• pa Arsene Wenger resting Mesut Ozil between matches to keep Arsenal star fresh Arsene Wenger has revealed Mesut Ozil rarely trains between matches as he looks to keep the in-form German at peak fitness. The 27-year-old is enjoying a pur...
• pa Louis van Gaal may not add to Manchester United strike force in January Manchester United may have one of the worst goalscoring records in the league but that does not mean Louis van Gaal will definitely be buying a striker in Ja...
• reuters Carroll is the 'cherry on the pie' for West Ham's Bilic By Jamie McGeever LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic hailed Andy Carroll as the "cherry on the pie" after the injury-prone strike...
• ap 2 tourists die in swimming accidents at Thai island of Samui BANGKOK (AP) — Two foreign tourists, from China and Australia, died Saturday in separate swimming accidents at the southern Thai resort island of Koh Samui, ...
• ap India air force base attack leaves 4 gunmen, 2 troops dead PATHANKOT, India (AP) — Suspected militants infiltrated an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan on Saturday and exchanged fire with security f...
• reuters German officials condemn Saudi execution of Shi'ite cleric BERLIN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A German foreign ministry official condemned the execution in Saudi Arabia of prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr, saying ...
• reuters Test Series South Africa v England scoreboard Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Scoreboard at stumps on the first day in the second Test between South Africa and England on Saturday in Cape Town, South Africa ...
• afp 750 West Africans stranded in Nigeria evacuated More than 750 foreigners from eight west African countries, stranded in the southeastern Nigerian port of Calabar since Christmas after their ferry broke dow...
• ap Egypt arrests 3 Facebook admins ahead of Jan. 25 anniversary CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian authorities arrested three people who administer 23 Facebook pages, accusing them of using the networking website to incite against sta...
• ap Prosecutor: Attack on French soldiers not linked to terror PARIS (AP) — A French prosecutor says investigators see no links between a man who rammed his car into four soldiers guarding a mosque in the southeastern ci...
• afp Historic Vatican accord with Palestine takes effect The Vatican's first accord with the Palestinians -- an agreement that Israel has attacked as counter-productive to the Middle East peace process -- has come ...
• reuters Former Central African Republic PM leads in presidential vote By Crispin Dembassa-Kette BANGUI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A former prime minister of Central African Republic held a slim lead in a presidential election many vote...
• afp Deadly attack on Indian air base over after 14 hours A dramatic assault on an Indian air base near the Pakistan border was finally declared over Saturday 14 hours after suspected Islamist militants struck, leav...
• afp Turkey needs Israel, says Erdogan Turkey must accept that it needs Israel, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday, as the two countries seek to thrash out a deal on normalising ties. NA...
• reuters Dubai blaze raises questions over Gulf skyscraper design By Andrew Torchia DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A blaze that engulfed a Dubai skyscraper on New Year's Eve - the emirate's third high-rise fire in three years - h...
• afp Bahrain breaks up anti-Saudi protests Police in Shiite-majority Bahrain used tear gas Saturday to disperse protesters demonstrating over Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, wit...
• reuters Man who drove car at troops not linked to terrorist group - French prosecutor VALENCE, France, Jan 2 (Reuters) - French investigators have found no evidence that a man who drove his car into troops guarding a mosque in southern France ...
• reuters Iran's top leader tweets tribute to executed Saudi cleric DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tweeted a tribute to a prominent Shi'ite executed by Saudi Arabia on Saturday, adding his v...
• ap Ukraine to ban array of Russian food imports MOSCOW (AP) — Ukraine says it will introduce a wide-ranging ban on food imports from Russia in a week, a response to Russia's ban on food products from Ukrai...
• reuters Shi'ite cleric's execution may hit Saudi-Iraq rapprochement By Maher Chmaytelli and Stephen Kalin BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's execution of a Shi'ite Muslim cleric could undermine efforts to improve relat...
• pa Guus Hiddink urges Chelsea to relieve goalscoring burden from Diego Costa Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink has told his attacking players that the goalscoring burden does not fall on Diego Costa alone. Costa is the Blues' highe...
• reuters Germany says Saudi execution of Shi'ite cleric deepens its concern BERLIN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A German foreign ministry official expressed concern on Saturday about the execution in Saudi Arabia of prominent Shi'ite Muslim cl...
• reuters Carroll header seals West Ham win over Liverpool LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Andy Carroll scored with a trademark towering header to sink his former employers as West Ham United got 2016 off to a flying start...
• afp Missing Hong Kong bookseller 'assisting in investigation': wife A missing Hong Kong employee from a publisher of books critical of China was "assisting in an investigation", his wife said Saturday, as police also probe th...
• ap Abrasive Cruz tries to use personality to his advantage MECHANICSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Ted Cruz's reputation as an arrogant, grating, in-your-face ideologue has dogged him throughout the Republican presidential race. ...
• reuters Militants attack Indian air base near Pakistan, 7 dead By Mukesh Gupta and Rupam Jain Nair PATHANKOT/NEW DELHI, India, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Militants launched a deadly attack on an Indian Air Force base near the Pak...
• reuters Vietnam protests after China lands plane on disputed Spratlys HANOI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Vietnam formally accused China of violating its sovereignty and a recent confidence-building pact on Saturday by landing a plane on ...
• pa Hackers 'target Islamic State on BBC website' The BBC website has been hit by hackers who claim they launched the cyber attack in an attempt to thwart potential online propaganda from Islamic State. The ...
• pa Probe after 'homophobic abuse aimed at drag queen' on London Underground An incident in which a man was caught on camera appearing to carry out a homophobic rant at a Tube passenger is being investigated by police. British Transpo...
• pa Campaigners claim rail fares 'divorced from reality' after average 1.1% rise Train fares in Britain rise by an average of 1.1% today. It is the smallest annual increase since 2010 but campaigners warned that some passengers would be "...
• reuters Carroll header seals West Ham win over Liverpool LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Andy Carroll scored with a trademark towering header to sink his former employers as West Ham United got 2016 off to a flying start...
• afp Pakistan Twenty20 captain Afridi backs Amir selection Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi Saturday backed Mohammad Amir's return to international cricket, saying the team must move on, after the paceman wa...
• reuters Iranian seminary students march against Saudi Arabia -Mehr DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Seminary students marched through the Iranian holy city of Qom on Saturday to protest against Saudi Arabia's execution of prominent ...
• reuters Man who drove car at troops not linked to terrorist group - French prosecutor VALENCE, France, Jan 2 (Reuters) - French investigators have found no evidence that a man who drove his car into troops guarding a mosque in southern France ...
• ap Facade of warehouse collapses onto Spanish street, 5 injured MADRID (AP) — Spanish emergency services say five people have been taken to a hospital with injuries after the front wall of a warehouse collapsed onto a str...
• ap Gerrard wants to coach at Liverpool after retiring as player LONDON (AP) — Steven Gerrard could return to English Premier League team Liverpool in a coaching role after his playing days with the Los Angeles Galaxy come...
• ap Health care repeal vote to open a political year in Congress WASHINGTON (AP) — It's been like a long-delayed New Year's resolution for Republicans. But 2016 will finally be the year when they put legislation on Preside...
• reuters Iraq's Sadr calls for protests in Gulf, Iraq, after Nimr execution BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Prominent Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on Saturday for demonstrations in Gulf countries and in Iraq to protest the ...
• reuters Anti-IS group claims cyber-attack on BBC, says was only a test LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A group of computer hackers that wants to target Islamic State has claimed it was behind a cyber attack on the BBC which it intende...
• ap Swimmers splash into 2016 in NYC Polar Bear plunge NEW YORK (AP) — New Year's Day was a time to chill out for a throng of adventuresome swimmers who started 2016 with a dip in the Atlantic Ocean off New York ...
• reuters Executed Saudi preacher gave voice to anger of Shi'ite minority RIYADH, Jan 2 (Reuters) - When Saudi Arabian security forces arrested Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr in July 2012, it sparked days of protests where three peopl...
• pa Mauricio Pochettino: Next 10 games are vital Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham's next 10 games could make or break his side's chances of winning the title this season. Spurs sit fourth at the halfw...
• ap Egyptian writer acquitted of violating public morals CAIRO (AP) — A Cairo court has acquitted an Egyptian writer who had faced a possible jail sentence for publishing sexually explicit material that allegedly v...
• reuters Suicide bomber kills three in Somali capital, police say By Abdi Sheikh MOGADISHU, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A suicide bomber attacked a popular restaurant in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, on Saturday, killing himself and...
• reuters Shi'ites across the Middle East decry execution of Saudi cleric By Sam Wilkin DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's execution of a leading cleric from the Shi'ite Muslim minority drew warnings of a backlash against the ...
• reuters Hezbollah slams Saudi execution of Shi'ite cleric, blames US support of Riyadh BEIRUT, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Shi'ite Hezbollah condemned the execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, calling it an "assas...
• ap 4 shot dead including man, wife in suburban Los Angeles home ROWLAND HEIGHTS, Calif. (AP) — A man shot and killed his wife and two others in his home on New Year's Eve before his son wrestled the gun away and fatally s...
• ap Inquiry: UK soldiers who fought in Iraq may face prosecution LONDON (AP) — The head of an official British investigation into alleged abuses during the Iraq War says that U.K. soldiers may face prosecution for crimes i...
• reuters Hales hits maiden test half-century as England reach 167-3 By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Alex Hales scored a maiden test half-century as England scored quickly after lunch to move on to 167 for three a...
• pa Plans to hit litterbugs with fines of up to £150 Fines for dropping rubbish are set to rise to £150 under plans to hit litter louts "in the pocket". Ministers are preparing to publish a strategy that will "...
• pa Boy George back on The Voice and 'getting there' with rebuilding his career Boy George, who will be back in the spotlight as a new judge on The Voice, has said he is "getting there" in attempts to rebuild his career in the UK. The Cu...
• pa Police forces lagging behind in ethnic minority recruitment More than two thirds of the UK's police forces have a disproportionate number of white officers compared with ethnic minority officers, figures reveal. The d...
• pa Teenager Abby floored by lung infection after face swelled up A teenage girl has spoken of her shock after a cough led to a catastrophic lung infection, causing her entire face to swell up and leaving her struggling to ...
• pa Coming back after a baby 'the hardest thing I've done' says Jessica Ennis-Hill Jessica Ennis-Hill has described getting back to competitive track-and-field athletics after she gave birth to her son as "the hardest thing I've ever done"....
• reuters After alert, German minister urges closer ties to foreign agencies BERLIN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Saturday closer cooperation with foreign security services was needed after a N...
• reuters Hezbollah slams Saudi execution of Shi'ite cleric as "assassination" BEIRUT, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Shi'ite Hezbollah condemned the execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, calling it an "assas...
• reuters Iraq's Maliki says Nimr execution will topple Saudi government BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The execution of prominent cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on Saturday will mark the end of Saudi Arabia's government, said Nuri al-Mal...
• ap Somali police: Suicide bomber kills 1 in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber killed himself and one civilian in a bombing of a restaurant in the Somali capital, M...
• ap Munich police remain on alert following New Year Eve threat BERLIN (AP) — Police in the German city of Munich are maintaining a heightened presence following warnings of a planned attack on New Year's Eve. Two Munich ...
• ap Brisbane goes top on goal difference in A-League SYDNEY (AP) — Brisbane Roar moved into first place on goal difference in the A-League on Saturday with a 2-1 home win over the Perth Glory. After a scoreless...
• reuters Iraqi MP says Nimr execution serves Islamic State BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's execution of prominent Saudi Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr serves the interests of Islamic State, a prominent Iraqi l...
• reuters Anger as Shi'ite cleric among 47 in mass Saudi terrorism execution By Angus McDowall RIYADH, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric and dozens of al Qaeda members on Saturday, signalling it...
• reuters Iran-backed Iraqi militias want ties with Saudi cut over Nimr execution - al-Sumaria TV BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Prominent Iran-backed Iraqis called on the government in Baghdad on Saturday to sever ties with Saudi Arabia over its execution of...
• reuters Scores of Saudi Shi'ites march in protest at cleric's execution RIYADH, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Scores of Shi'ite Muslims marched through the Qatif district of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province on Saturday in protest at the execu...
• reuters Saudi-led coalition ending Yemen ceasefire, state news agency says DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the Houthi movement in Yemen for nine months announced on Saturday the end of a ceasefir...
• afp Shock, anger after deadly Taliban attack on Kabul French eatery Emotions ran high Saturday in a Kabul neighbourhood where a Taliban suicide bomber struck a French restaurant popular with expats, killing two people includi...
• pa X Factor host Caroline Flack 'cried after first live Sunday night show' X Factor host Caroline Flack says she cried after the first live Sunday night show - and her life is "like a sad film". Flack, who has just finished her firs...
• reuters British soldiers may face Iraq prosecutions - investigator LONDON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - British soldiers may be put on trial for alleged crimes committed in Iraq including murder, the head of a government unit investiga...
• afp Brother of Shiite cleric executed in Saudi calls for calm The execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia on Saturday could arouse anger among the minority's youths, his brother warned, while c...
• afp Chinese artist Weiwei to create refugee memorial on Lesbos Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei on Friday announced plans to create a memorial on the Greek island of Lesbos to the plight of refugees, many of whom have ...
• pa Obese 'referred in hundreds due to hospitals' lack of equipment investment' A lack of investment by hospitals in equipment to scan obese patients is responsible for hundreds of referrals elsewhere within the NHS, a charity has claime...
• ap Moderate 5.3 earthquake rocks Afghanistan, Pakistan KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A moderate 5.3-magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan was felt in the capital, Kabul, and across the border in Pakistan, but ...
• ap England wins toss, bats in 2nd test vs. South Africa CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and chose to bat in the second test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday. B...
• pa Elephant fossil dating back 100,000 years found on Isle of Wight A fossil from an extinct species of elephant dating back 100,000 years has been discovered on the Isle of Wight. The shoulder bone of the Palaeoloxodon antiq...
• reuters Saudi-led coalition ending Yemen ceasefire, state news agency says DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the Houthi movement in Yemen for nine months announced on Saturday the end to a ceasef...
• pa Tennis superstar Serena Williams says she has learned to love her curves Tennis superstar Serena Williams says she has learned to love her curves, despite years of criticism and the risks and difficulty of playing sport with large...
• pa South Africa turn to former skipper Graeme Smith for help South Africa have sent an SOS to former captain Graeme Smith ahead of the second Test against England. The Proteas were soundly beaten in the series opener i...
• reuters England lose Cook to reach 76-1 at lunch By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - England lost captain Alastair Cook but made use of good batting conditions to move to 76 for one wicket at lunch...
• afp Three injured in Mogadishu suicide attack: police A suicide bomber blew himself up in a restaurant in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Saturday, injuring three people, police and witnesses said. The attack tar...
• afp Pakistan to use pink ball in first-class final Pakistan will experiment with the pink ball in the final of its premier first-class cricket tournament in preparation for a possible day-night Test against A...
• reuters Malaysia seeks to suspend bauxite mining after environmental scare -cabinet source KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Malaysia is pushing to suspend bauxite mining due to concerns about its impact on the environment, a cabinet source said on S...
• reuters Australian championship results and standings Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Australian championship matches on Saturday Saturday, January 2 Brisbane Roar 2 Perth Glory 1 Melb...
• pa Claudio Ranieri plans a breather for Leicester goals ace Jamie Vardy Claudio Ranieri is ready to rest Jamie Vardy and hopes Leicester's title rivals suffer a burn-out. The Foxes boss would be prepared to give their 15-goal top...
• reuters Bahrain police fire tear gas at dozens protesting Saudi cleric's execution -witness DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Bahrain police fired tear gas at several dozen people protesting the execution by Saudi Arabia on Saturday of a prominent Saudi Shi'...
• reuters Smith yet to confirm consulting role with South Africa team By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith said on Saturday an announcement on his rejoining the team in a consult...
• pa Engineers hold key to world's challenges says Duke of Edinburgh The Duke of Edinburgh believes engineers hold the key to meeting the challenges of the world's growing population and it was "curious" there is not a Nobel P...
• reuters Nimr execution is Saudi "crime" says Iran-backed Iraqi militia -al-Ahd TV BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's ruling family committed a crime by executing Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the leader of a powerful Iranian-backed I...
• reuters Brother of executed Shi'ite cleric hopes any reaction will be peaceful DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The brother of prominent Saudi Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr said on Saturday the family was shocked by news of his brother's e...
• reuters Yemen's Houthis condemn execution of "holy warrior" Nimr DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi movement mourned a Shi'ite cleric executed by Saudi Arabia on Saturday as a "holy warrior", in a strong rebuke of the...
• pa Bournemouth sign Juan Iturbe on loan from Roma Bournemouth have wasted no time making their first move in the transfer window with the loan capture of winger Juan Iturbe from Roma. The 22-year-old, an Arg...
• reuters Afghan forces free 59 prisoners from Taliban jail in south KABUL, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Afghan special forces freed 59 prisoners from a Taliban jail in Helmand, officials said on Saturday, as government troops redouble t...
• reuters Iranian cleric says Nimr execution will bring down Saudi government DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A prominent cleric with close links to Iran's ruling establishment denounced the execution on Saturday of a Saudi Shi'ite cleric and...
• pa Campaigners claim rail fares 'divorced from reality' after average 1.1% rise Train fares in Britain rise by an average of 1.1% today. It is the smallest annual increase since 2010 but campaigners warned that some passengers would be "...
• reuters Yemen's Houthis condemn execution of "holy warrior" Nimr DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi movement mourned a Shi'ite cleric executed by Saudi Arabia on Saturday as a "holy warrior", in a strong rebuke of the...
• reuters Lebanese Shi'ite council condemns Saudi execution of prominent cleric BEIRUT, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council condemned the execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, saying...
• pa Looters branded 'scum' after disabled man's bike stolen from flooded home A pensioner has branded looters "scum" after her disabled son's mountain bike was stolen from their flooded home. Wendy Law, 71, said that she was sickened t...
• pa 'Ex-EastEnders actress' missing with children Concern is growing for a woman who reportedly starred in EastEnders, after she disappeared with her two young children. Sian Blake, 43, who is said to have p...
• pa Boy, 16, critical after being stabbed by knifemen on mopeds A 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after he and another teenager were stabbed by knifemen on mopeds. Both youngsters were stabbed in th...
• reuters Iranian cleric predicts fall of Saudi government over Nimr execution DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A prominent cleric with close links to Iran's ruling establishment denounced the execution on Saturday of a Saudi Shi'ite cleric and...
• reuters Iraq MP says Nimr execution will fuel Sunni-Shi'ite strife -TV BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's execution of prominent Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr was intended to fuel Sunni-Shi'ite strife and "set the region on...
• reuters Brother of executed Shi'ite cleric hopes any reaction to killing will be peaceful DUBAI, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The brother of prominent Saudi Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr said on Saturday the family was shocked by news of his brother's e...
• reuters Test Series South Africa v England line-ups Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Line-ups for the second Test between South Africa and England on Saturday in Cape Town, South Africa England won toss and decided...
• ap Winter Classic: Canadiens top Bruins 5-1 at home of Patriots Boston native Mike Condon stopped 27 shots to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 5-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday in the NHL Winter Classic at the ...
• ap Heat too much for Mavericks early in 106-82 win MIAMI (AP) — Miami jumped a slow-starting and inaccurate Dallas to set up a 106-82 win against the Mavericks on Friday, moving within one game of the lead in...
• reuters England win toss, to bat in second test v South Africa By Mark Gleeson CAPE TOWN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and opted to bat in the second test against South Africa at Newlands ...
• pa Greg Dyke hails Roy Hodgson's 40 years in management Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has paid a glowing tribute to England boss Roy Hodgson as he reaches the 40th anniversary of his first managerial app...
• afp North Korea leader opens 'Sci-Tech Complex' in Pyongyang North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has opened a science and technology complex in Pyongyang, the North's state media said on Saturday, adding another ostentatio...
• pa Oyster card glitch gives free travel in London A technical glitch has meant that passengers travelled for free in London today. Transport for London's (TfL) Oyster card readers suffered a system fault. So...
• reuters One Day International New Zealand v Sri Lanka scoreboard Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Scoreboard at close of play in the fourth One Day International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on Saturday in Nelson, New Zeal...
• ap The Latest: Obamas return to vacation home after dinner KAILUA, Hawaii (AP) — The latest on President Barack Obama's annual two-week vacation in Hawaii (all times local): 9 p.m. President Barack Obama and the firs...
• ap NBA Capsules MIAMI (AP) — Hassan Whiteside had 25 points and 19 rebounds, Gerald Green added 19 points off the bench and the Miami Heat rolled past the Dallas Mavericks 1...
• ap BC-BKN--NBA Standings %hdrmisc(At A Glance<%) %byline(By The Associated Press%) ___ Washington 103, Orlando 91 Toronto 104, Charlotte 94 Miami 106, Dallas 82 Chicago 108, New York...
• reuters Suicide bomber kills three in Somali capital, police say By Abdi Sheikh MOGADISHU, Jan 2 (Reuters) - A suicide bomber attacked a popular restaurant in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, on Saturday, killing himself and...
• ap Tough tennis act to follow: Can Serena dominate again? BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — There may be no tougher act to follow in any sport in 2016 than Serena Williams' attempt to match her nearly perfect season of ten...
• afp China restructures military as Xi eyes 'strong army' China has unveiled changes to the structure of its military, adding three new units, described by President Xi Jinping as "a major policy decision to realise...
• afp Swimmer mauled in suspected Australia shark attack A swimmer suffered wounds to his arms and legs on Saturday after he was mauled in a suspected shark attack off Queensland state on Australia's east coast, of...
• reuters NHL-Canucks edge Ducks in shootout Jan 1 (Reuters) - Right winger Alex Burrows ended his goal drought at the right time -- even though the tally won't count in his personal statistics. Burrows...
• ap Magnitude-4.5 quake shakes in ocean off Northern California FERNDALE, Calif. (AP) — Another moderate earthquake in the Pacific about 30 miles offshore of far Northern California was felt lightly by some along the coas...
• ap Burrows scores in shootout, Canucks beat Ducks 2-1 VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Alexandre Burrows scored in the first round of the shootout and Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves to help the Vancouver Canuck...
• ap Australia goes with two spinners in 3rd test vs West Indies SYDNEY (AP) — It was a decision a decade in the making: Australia selected Nathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe for the third test against the West Indies, marking ...
• ap Stanford romps to victory over Iowa in Rose Bowl PASADENA, California (AP) — Stanford showed why it finished just outside the final four in the College Football Playoff and romped to a 45-16 victory over Io...
• afp Federer looks to Brisbane as 2016 launch-pad Roger Federer said on Saturday he was looking at defending his Brisbane International title as a launch-pad to the new season. The 17-time Swiss grand slam c...
• reuters NBA-Highlights from Friday's NBA games Jan 1 (Reuters) - Highlights from National Basketball Association games on Friday: - - - Wizards 103, Magic 91 Guard John Wall had 24 points and 13 assists a...
• reuters Cars torched outside U.S. consulate in Tijuana -FBI Jan 2 (Reuters) - The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Mexican authorities are investigating who started a fire outside the U.S. consulate in Tijuana that...
• reuters Somali al Shabaab militants use Donald Trump in recruiting film RIYADH, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Somalia's Islamist militant group al Shabaab has released a recruitment film in the form of a documentary about racial injustice in...
• ap Toll from suicide bombing in Afghanistan rises to 2 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says the toll from a New Year's Day suicide bombing at a French restaurant in Kabul has risen to tw...
• ap Humpback whales slow to arrive in Hawaii HONOLULU (AP) — December usually marks the start of humpback whale season in Hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year. The gian...
• pa NatWest customers lash out over debit cards glitch Angry NatWest customers vented their frustrations through the night as they reported being unable to use their debit cards in shops and having their PINs blo...
• ap Reaction to the death of Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole Reaction to the passing of Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole, who died in Los Angeles on Thursday at age 65: "I am sorry to hear about Natalie Cole's passin...
• ap Rain washes out 4th New Zealand-Sri Lanka ODI NELSON, New Zealand (AP) — The fourth match of the one-day series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was rained out on Saturday, abandoned after just nine ove...
• ap China creates 3 new army units to modernize military BEIJING (AP) — China has created three new military bodies as part of reforms to modernize its military and improve its fighting capacity. State television s...
• ap Japan's emperor wishes for peace in New Year's appearance TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Akihito expressed his hopes for world peace as he appeared Saturday with his wife, Empress Michiko, sons and grandchildren behin...
• afp Heat cool off Mavs as Wade contributes off the bench Hassan Whiteside tallied 25 points and 19 rebounds and the Miami Heat got the job done without Dwyane Wade in the starting lineup with a 106-82 win over Dall...
• ap Las Vegas celebrates gay marriage milestone LAS VEGAS (AP) — Clark County partnered with the Las Vegas business community to mark a local gay marriage milestone on New Year's Eve. According to the coun...
• afp Israel strikes Gaza sites after rocket fire The Israeli air force carried out attacks on Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip early Saturday, Palestinian security sources said, just hours after rockets from t...
• ap Bible translated to modern Alaskan language writing style BETHEL, Alaska (AP) — The Holy Bible is now available in the modern Yupik writing style. The translation to Yupik — spoken by an estimated 18,000 Alaska Nati...
• ap Searchers find body of Seattle philanthropist SEATTLE (AP) — Search and rescue officials near Seattle found the body of a snowshoer on Friday who was identified as a locally well-known philanthropic lead...
• afp Two Australian climbers fall to their deaths in New Zealand Two Australian climbers have fallen to their deaths in New Zealand's Southern Alps, police said on Saturday. Stuart Jason Hollaway, 42, and his partner Dale ...
• ap Man is crushed to death by falling elevator in New York City NEW YORK (AP) — A falling elevator trapped and crushed a man to death on New Year's Eve, and witnesses said he helped a woman to safety before losing his own...
• ap Bar owner: Suspect in Rochester attack plot is a panhandler ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — An ex-convict arrested in a plot to carry out an attack at a bar on New Year's Eve is a panhandler who'd been asked to leave the taver...
• ap Natalie Cole, master of past and present styles LOS ANGELES (AP) — She began as a 1970s soul singer hyped as the next Aretha Franklin and peaked in the 1990s as an old-fashioned stylist and time-defying du...
• reuters NBA-Butler providing the spark for Bulls in Rose's absence Jan 1 (Reuters) - Jimmy Butler has stood up for the Chicago Bulls this season and has helped the franchise transition out of their dependence on the injury-r...
• reuters Reuters Entertainment News Summary Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs. 'Unforgettable' singer Natalie Cole dead at 65 Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole, whose biggest...
• reuters Reuters Health News Summary Following is a summary of current health news briefs. Federal judge blocks Arkansas restrictions on abortion pill A federal judge on Thursday granted a two-w...
• ap Gunmen attack Indian air base near Pakistan border; 2 killed NEW DELHI (AP) — At least four gunmen entered an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan on Saturday morning and exchanged fire with security for...
• ap Sri Lanka wins toss, bowls in 4th ODI vs New Zealand NELSON, New Zealand (AP) — Sri Lanka won a delayed toss and elected to bowl Saturday in the fourth one-day cricket international against New Zealand which wa...
• ap Tamir Rice protesters want Cleveland prosecutor to step down CLEVELAND (AP) — Protesters upset by a decision not to indict two white police officers in the shooting death of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old black boy who had ...
• reuters NBA-Raptors get win as Hornets scoring drys up in final minutes Jan 1 (Reuters) - Guard DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Charlotte Hornets 104-94 on Friday, courtesy of Charlotte being un...
• reuters West Indies deprived of twin spin option by Bishoo injury By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, Jan 2 (Reuters) - West Indies will not be able to match hosts Australia by playing two spinners in the third test at the Sydney Cri...
• ap Ratings plunge for New Year's Eve College Football Playoff DALLAS (AP) — Jimmy Kimmel told people to watch. Even soap opera stars on "General Hospital" made not-so-subtle references to making plans to watch the Colle...
• afp New Zealand, Sri Lanka ODI abandoned The fourth ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was abandoned on Saturday after heavy rain allowed only nine overs to be bowled. The start of the match was ...
• reuters Rain forces NZ v Sri Lanka one-dayer to be abandoned Jan 2 (Reuters) - The fourth one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was abandoned after just nine overs of the hosts' innings after rain int...
• ap Fire destroys cars outside US consulate in Tijuana MEXICO CITY (AP) — A New Year's Day fire on the grounds of the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana has destroyed several U.S. government vehicles, consulate spokeswoma...
• afp Hundreds evacuated as cyclone slams into Tonga Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in Tonga on Saturday when severe tropical cyclone Ula slammed into the tiny Pacific kingdom. However, ther...
• ap Column: Moving semifinals to New Year's Eve a total flop MIAMI (AP) — The College Football Playoff is a marvelous thing. The timing of the national semifinal games? Boy, did they get that one wrong. The Orange Bowl...
• reuters NHL-Florida coach Gallant gets contract extension Jan 1 (Reuters) - The Florida Panthers extended coach Gerard Gallant's contract for a further two years on Friday as the franchise goes through one of their ...
• ap Rusty Paul, who promoted legacy of dad Les Paul, dies at 74 NEW YORK (AP) — An archivist and filmmaker who promoted the legacy of his father, Les Paul, has died. Lester "Rusty" G. Paul was 74. Publicist Caroline Gallo...
• ap Saturday, January 9 Today is Saturday, Jan. 9, the 9th day of 2016. There are 356 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date: 1719 - France declares war on Spain....
• afp Australia to play two spinners with O'Keefe named in Windies Test Stephen O'Keefe was named Saturday in a two-prong spin attack in Australia's side for the third Test against the West Indies in Sydney. O'Keefe replaces inju...
• ap Saudi beheadings soar in 2015 under discretionary rulings DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia carried out at least 157 executions in 2015, with beheadings reaching their highest level in the kingdom in t...
• reuters Bill Cosby's wife must testify in civil case against him, judge rules Jan 1 (Reuters) - In the same week that comedian Bill Cosby was arrested on sexual assault charges, his wife, Camille Cosby, learned she must testify in a ci...
• afp Baga is a ghost town one year after Boko Haram massacre One year after a massive attack ranked among the worst in Boko Haram's six-year insurgency, the residents of Baga in northeast Nigeria say their home is a gh...
• reuters Australia skipper Smith plots return to test summit By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, Jan 2 (Reuters) - After picking up pretty much every individual honour on offer in a spectacular 2015, Australia captain Steve Smit...
• reuters One Day International New Zealand v Sri Lanka line-ups Jan 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Line-ups for the fourth One Day International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on Saturday in Nelson, New Zealand Sri Lanka won ...
• ap Nevada Supreme Court orders new trial in biker club killing CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of assassinating a Hells Angel leader in a 2011 shootout betwee...
• afp WTA Auckland draw kind for Venus Williams Former world number one Venus Williams begins fine-tuning for the Australian Open against a player barely half her age when the WTA Auckland Classic begins o...
• afp Two killed, seven wounded, in Tel Aviv shooting Two people were killed and at least seven wounded when a gunman opened fire on a pub and nearby cafe in central Tel Aviv, but the motive was not immediately ...
• reuters New Zealand-Sri Lanka ODI reduced to 24 overs each Jan 2 (Reuters) - Play in the fourth one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Saxton Oval will be reduced to 24 overs each after heavy rain...
• reuters Bill Cosby's wife must testify in civil case against him, judge rules Jan 1 (Reuters) - In the same week that comedian Bill Cosby was arrested on sexual assault charges, his wife, Camille Cosby, learned she must testify in a ci...
• reuters NZ keen to host South Africa in pink ball 'extravaganza' Jan 2 (Reuters) - New Zealand are keen to build on the momentum of the inaugural day-night test with their own 'pink ball' match, possibly against the tourin...
• afp 'Trump is disgusting': Skywriters slam White House hopeful Multiple planes took to the skies in California to lampoon Donald Trump in a series of "skywriting" messages, including: "America is great! Trump is disgusti...
• reuters Democrat Clinton raises $55 mln in 4th quarter -campaign WASHINGTON, Jan 1 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton raised $55 million in the last three months of 2015, her campaign said o...
• ap Peyton Manning both transcendent and throwback DENVER (AP) — Not since he was a skinny 18-year-old freshman at the University of Tennessee has Peyton Manning served as a backup. With his longtime understu...
• reuters Southern U.S. states brace for surging Mississippi River flooding Jan 1 (Reuters) - Residents of southern states along the Mississippi River are bracing for the flooding that has swamped communities from the Ohio River Vall...
• reuters Australia go with two spinners for Sydney test By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Australia will field two specialist spinners at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the first time in a decade wh...
• ap Philadelphia celebrates New Year's Day with Mummers Parade PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Outrageously costumed Mummers have strutted and twirled at Philadelphia's annual New Year's Day parade, a colorful celebration that featu...
• afp Djokovic begins 2016 season in Qatar Six weeks after completing one of the greatest seasons in tennis history, Novak Djokovic begins his 2016 campaign and warm-up for his Australian Open defence...
• pa Car breakdowns expected to spike on back-to-work Monday Monday is set to be the worst day for car breakdowns as motorists attempt to restart vehicles left idle over Christmas. The RAC revealed that it has dealt wi...
• pa Four killed in separate New Year's Day car crashes Four men were killed in two separate car crashes just hours into the new year. In the first, a blue Peugeot carrying three young men and a woman ended up on ...
• ap San Francisco's black rhino, oldest in North America, is 45 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Zoo celebrated the 45th birthday of the oldest black rhinoceros in North America with a special cake of rolled oats an...
• ap Haiti president says postponed runoff vote slated for Jan 17 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitian President Michel Martelly has announced that a postponed presidential runoff vote will be held on Jan. 17. Martelly says...
• ap NFC North on the line for Packers and Vikings at Lambeau NEW YORK (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings at the Green Bay Packers, for the NFC North championship, in the final game of the regular season. This is precisely wh...
• reuters National Football League roundup Jan 1 (The Sports Xchange) - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck's early season injuries may have been worse than reported at the time. Luck will miss...
• pa Gotham Season 2 won't disappoint, promises Sean Pertwee Gotham star Sean Pertwee has said fans "won't be disappointed" with the second season when it debuts on Channel 5. The US drama, based on DC Comics' Batman c...
• reuters Australia go with two spinners for Sydney test SYDNEY, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Australia will field two specialist spinners at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the first time in a decade when they host West ...
• reuters Skywriters over Rose Parade plead: 'Anybody but Trump' By Diana Crandall PASADENA, Calif., Jan 1 (Reuters) - Five planes flew over the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on Friday writing messages in the...
• reuters NHL-Canadiens spoil Boston's outdoor party in 5-1 rout Jan 1 (Reuters) - The Montreal Canadiens and their local goalkeeper Mike Condon spoilt New Year's Day for the Boston Bruins, crushing their longtime foes 5-1...
• ap 15 killed in early hours of new year in El Salvador SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — El Salvador, suffering an epidemic of violence, opened the early new year with 15 more people gunned down, including an 11-y...
• pa Crowds enjoy New Year celebrations amid tight security Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in London on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day to ring in 2016 amid heightened police security. More than 8,500 chee...
• pa Three killed, one seriously hurt in separate New Year train incidents Three people have died and one is in a life-threatening condition after being hit by trains during the first nine hours of the new year. British Transport Po...
• reuters Oxley, co-author of landmark U.S. anti-fraud law, dies at 71 By Kim Palmer CLEVELAND, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Representative Mike Oxley, a 12-term Republican congressman from Ohio who co-sponsored a landmark 2002...
• pa Man, 22, killed in attack by own dog A man has died after being attacked by his own dog. The 22 year old, named on Facebook as Liam Hewitson, was bitten by the animal in Preston, Lancashire Poli...
• pa Labour may end pairing agreement in protest at Tory plans to cut Short money Labour is considering withdrawing its co-operation with the Conservatives over parliamentary business in protest at Government plans to cut some of its fundi...
• pa More rain on the way - but river levels 'set to fall' Flood-hit communities will enjoy a welcome respite from further threats over the weekend after experts predicted river levels would fall in the next few days...
• pa Briton held over 'bomb threat' at Schiphol Airport Passengers were evacuated from a Dutch airport terminal when a British man was arrested after reportedly shouting bomb threats at a check-in queue. The line ...
• pa Church apologises to sex abuse victims of shamed bishop A former Archbishop of Canterbury reportedly wrote to police in support of the then Bishop of Gloucester, who was being investigated for sex offences in 1993...
• pa New guidelines 'tell drinkers to cut back on booze' Drinkers will be advised to cut back on alcohol for at least two days each week under new public health guidelines, according to reports. Chief medical offic...
• pa Family of Raoul Moat victim taking Northumbria Police to court The crucial minutes between gun maniac Raoul Moat phoning 999 to say he was hunting for police and him shooting Pc David Rathband in the face will be the sub...