Russia announces war games after accusing Ukraine of terrorist plot

Here is the latest Front Page from Reuters.

Russia announces war games after accusing Ukraine of terrorist plot
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Vladimir Putin summoned his security council and the Russian Navy announced war games in the Black Sea, a day after the Russian president accused Ukraine of trying to provoke a conflict over Crimea, which Moscow seized and annexed in 2014.

U.S. authorities tipped off Canada to security threat: sources
TORONTO (Reuters) – A Canadian man killed by police on Wednesday had indicated he planned to carry out an imminent rush-hour attack on a major Canadian city, drawing the attention of the U.S. authorities who tipped off Canadian police, intelligence sources said.

Man who scaled Trump Tower in New York facing criminal charges
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The man who scaled Trump Tower in New York on Wednesday in a failed effort to meet the building’s famous namesake will instead have a different sort of appointment: an arraignment in criminal court.

U.S. DEA denies petition to reclassify marijuana
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Thursday denied requests to loosen the classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no medical use.

Republican Trump says backs free trade, not isolationist: CNBC
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States will continue engaging in free trade if he is elected, but will negotiate better deals.

Swimming: Night of individual firsts in Rio pool
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – First time Olympic winners, including Australian teen Kyle Chalmers in the 100 meters freestyle, plundered three of the four golds in the Rio pool on Wednesday but there was no getting past Katie Ledecky.

Putin discusses Crimea security after alleged Ukrainian incursions
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a meeting with his Security Council to discuss additional security measures for Crimea after the clashes on the contested peninsula, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

U.S. court blocks FCC bid to expand public broadband
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A federal appeals court said on Wednesday the U.S. Federal Communications Commission could not block two states from setting limits on municipal broadband expansion, a decision seen as a win for private-sector providers of broadband internet and a setback for FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.

U.S. to allow more marijuana research: sources
SEATTLE (Reuters) – The U.S. government will announce on Thursday that it will allow more research into marijuana but has rejected requests to relax the classification of the substance as a dangerous, highly addictive drug with no medical use, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Bomb attacks, cross-border fire kill 13 in southeast Turkey: sources
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Bomb blasts in two cities in southeast Turkey killed nine civilians and wounded dozens on Wednesday, security sources said, and blamed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for the coordinated attacks targeting police.

Libyan forces capture Sirte convention center from Islamic State
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libyan forces battling to oust Islamic State from Sirte on Wednesday captured a large convention hall complex in the city center, seizing a symbolic base where militants once held meetings and flew their black jihadist flag.

Wall Street bonuses expected to decline for bankers, traders: report
(Reuters) – Wall Street bonuses are expected to decline this year for both bankers and traders, compensation consulting firm Johnson Associates Inc. said on Wednesday.

Delta cancels hundreds more flights, expects normal operations soon
(Reuters) – Delta Air Lines Inc on Wednesday canceled more than 300 flights and upended thousands of travelers’ plans for the third day in a row after a power outage hit its computer systems, though it forecast a return to normal operations later this afternoon.

Cook, bookkeeper and ‘worst of the worst’ held at Guantanamo: report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Detainees at the Guantanamo military prison include fighters who sought to kill Americans, but also men who cooked, translated or had only tenuous militant ties but were nonetheless held for many years, according to a report released on Wednesday that is likely to fuel debate over closing the facility.

Security beefed up at Games after bus attacked with stones
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Rio Games organizers stepped up police patrols around the Olympic Park on Wednesday after a bus was hit by what security officials said were stones hurled by vandals.

‘Grim Sleeper’ killer sentenced to death for LA murders
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A former sanitation worker who became known as the “Grim Sleeper” was sentenced to death on Wednesday for murdering nine women and a teenage girl as he preyed on prostitutes and drug addicts in a Los Angeles crime spree dating back 30 years.

U.S. Secret Service talks to Trump camp about gun rights remark: CNN
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Secret Service has had “more than one” conversation with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s campaign regarding comments the candidate made about gun rights, CNN reported on Wednesday.

Russia announces daily ceasefires in Syria’s Aleppo to let in aid
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia said on Wednesday there would be daily three-hour ceasefires in Syria’s Aleppo starting Thursday to allow humanitarian convoys to enter the city safely, a proposal which the United Nations said it would consider.

Appeals court suspends ruling rejecting parts of Wisconsin voter ID law
(Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday suspended a July 19 ruling by a federal judge that struck down parts of Wisconsin’s voter ID law, the Department of Justice said.

Trump Muslim comments do not tarnish view of U.S. freedoms abroad: ambassador
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Donald Trump’s call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States does not tarnish the U.S. commitment to religious freedom in the eyes of foreigners, a State Department official said on Wednesday.

Macri predicts healthy growth, lower inflation in 2017
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – President Mauricio Macri said Argentina’s economy will grow 3.5 percent in 2017, driven by fresh investment as the country recovers from recession and stubbornly high inflation.

As Trump trips, Clinton seeks independents, Republican defectors
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Hillary Clinton’s campaign on Wednesday stepped up its effort to bring in Republicans and independent voters disenchanted with her Republican rival Donald Trump, launching an outreach effort to woo conservative support for her White House bid.

EU making ‘serious mistakes’ over failed Turkish coup: Turkish minister
ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey said on Wednesday the European Union was making grave mistakes in its response to Turkey’s failed coup and was losing support for EU membership from Turks as a result.

Out of sight, out of mind? Europe’s migrant crisis still simmers
ATHENS/ZAGREB (Reuters) – A year after hundreds of thousands of refugees snaked their way across southeastern Europe and onto global television screens, the roads through the Balkans are now clear, depriving an arguably worsening tragedy of poignant visibility.

Exclusive: Vietnam moves new rocket launchers into disputed South China Sea – sources
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Vietnam has discreetly fortified several of its islands in the disputed South China Sea with new mobile rocket launchers capable of striking China’s runways and military installations across the vital trade route, according to Western officials.

Exclusive: ACT shakes up security unit, plans audit after cheating reports
LONDON/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – ACT Inc, maker of America’s most popular university entrance exam, is laying off its head of test security and plans to audit nearly 200 education centers after Reuters detailed widespread cheating in an ACT-owned college-prep program for international students.

One-in-five U.S. Republicans want Trump to drop out: Reuters/Ipsos poll
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Nearly one-fifth of registered Republicans want Donald Trump to drop out of the race for the White House, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday, reflecting the turmoil his candidacy has sown within his party.

Saudi Arabia intercepts two missiles fired from Yemen, Al Arabiya says
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles fired at the kingdom by Yemen’s armed Houthi movement on Wednesday, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported.

Brazil Senate votes to indict Rousseff, put her on trial
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s Senate voted 59-21 early on Wednesday to accept charges against suspended President Dilma Rousseff and put her on trial for breaking budget laws in an impeachment process that is expected to end 13 years of leftist rule by her Workers Party.

Two more golds for Phelps, Hosszu and Ledecky march on
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Michael Phelps won two gold medals on Tuesday, avenging his 200 meters butterfly defeat from the London Olympics and then anchoring the U.S. 4×200 freestyle team to victory on a night of high drama and emotion in the pool.

Games bus hit by gunfire, no one seriously hurt: witnesses
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – A bus carrying journalists at the Rio Games was hit by gunfire on a highway between Olympic venues on Tuesday, witnesses said. No one was seriously injured in the incident.

Phelps wins 21st gold in freestyle relay
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Michael Phelps claimed his second gold medal in one night and the 21st of his career as the United States won the men’s 4×200 meters Olympic freestyle relay on Tuesday.

U.N. censure of North Korea missile thwarted
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council has been unable to condemn the launch of a missile by North Korea that landed near Japan because China wanted the statement to oppose the planned deployment of a U.S. anti-missile defense system in South Korea.

Before Valeant overhaul, Ackman met investors at brainstorming event
BOSTON (Reuters) – Six weeks before Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc revealed plans to reorganize and pay down debt, similar ideas to improve the drugmaker’s fortunes were discussed at a private shareholder dinner attended by top investor and board member William Ackman, according to a source who participated.

Gymnastics: U.S. blow away opposition to win gold
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – There were a few wobbles here and there, even for Simone Biles, but those imperfections could not stop the United States from blowing away the opposition to capture the Olympic women’s team title with a record margin on Tuesday.

Exclusive: Vietnam moves new rocket launchers into disputed South China Sea – sources
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Vietnam has discreetly fortified several of its islands in the disputed South China Sea with new mobile rocket launchers capable of striking China’s runways and military installations across the vital trade route, according to Western officials.

Trump ignites firestorm with remarks on gun rights, Clinton
WILMINGTON, N.C. (Reuters) – Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that gun rights activists could act to stop his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton from nominating liberal U.S. Supreme Court justices, igniting yet another firestorm of criticism just as he sought to steer clear of controversy.

Verizon eyes automotive technology market, could spur other deals
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Verizon Communications Inc’s recent purchases of two vehicle tracking firms could spark more deals as the No. 1 wireless provider and rival AT&T see fleet management as a source of growth, analysts said.

Putin and Erdogan move toward repairing ties amid tension with West
ST PETERSBURG/ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Russia and Turkey took a big step toward normalizing relations on Tuesday, with their leaders announcing an acceleration in trade and energy ties at a time when both countries have troubled economies and strains with the West.

Out-of-control California wildfire grows, forces schools to close
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A wildfire burning out of control in mountains and foothills east of Los Angeles mushroomed more than 50 percent overnight, forcing authorities to order three school districts to cancel classes due to heavy smoke and dangerous conditions.

Florida says four new locally transmitted Zika cases, Congress must act on funds
(Reuters) – Florida has four new cases of people likely infected with Zika through mosquito bites in Miami, Governor Rick Scott said on Tuesday, as he urged Congress to reconvene and approve additional money to combat the virus.

U.S. recovers data recorder from sunken cargo ship El Faro
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The data recorder from the cargo ship El Faro, which sank near the Bahamas during a Caribbean hurricane last October, has been recovered, offering possible answers about why the vessel went down, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said on Tuesday.

Trump flops with Silicon Valley donors; Clinton falls short, too
(Reuters) – When Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman announced last week that she wouldn’t vote for her party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump, she pledged to raise money for the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, and to urge like-minded Republicans to follow suit.

Clinton extends lead over Trump to 7 points: Reuters/Ipsos
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s lead over Republican rival Donald Trump increased to more than 7 percentage points in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday, from less than 3 points on Thursday.

Icahn on CNBC: Republican presidential candidate Trump is right on economy
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Billionaire activitist investor Carl Icahn on CNBC said Tuesday that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is “right on the economy.”

U.N. calls for urgent humanitarian pause in Aleppo fighting
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations on Tuesday called for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo, in which it said two million residents were left without access to running water or electricity after attacks hit civilian infrastructure last week.

Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen capital resume, nine civilians killed: residents
ADEN (Reuters) – A Saudi-led military coalition conducted air strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Tuesday for the first time in five months, residents said, after U.N.-backed peace talks to end the conflict broke down over the weekend.

Russia vs. U.S.: a tense race, a strained aftermath
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – The women’s 100 meters breaststroke final at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Monday had already crackled with tension in a tight finish but it was nothing compared to what transpired afterwards.

Turkey formally arrested 16,000 people in coup investigation: minister
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Tuesday 16,000 people have been formally arrested and remanded in custody in connection with last month’s failed coup attempt, while another 6,000 detainees were still being processed.

Exclusive: BP seeks buyers for China petchem JV stake in up to $3 billion deal – sources
FRANKFURT/HONG KONG (Reuters) – British oil major BP is seeking buyers for its 50 percent stake in a Chinese petrochemicals joint venture, its single largest investment in China, in a deal that would fetch $2-$3 billion, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Japan warns China of worsening ties over East China Sea dispute
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan warned China on Tuesday that ties were “deteriorating markedly” over disputed East China Sea islets, and China’s envoy in Tokyo reiterated Beijing’s stance that the specks of land were its territory and called for talks to resolve the row.

King denies tearful Efimova in 100m breaststroke
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Lilly King of the United States won the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 100 meters breaststroke on Monday, denying Russia’s Yulia Efimova who was greeted with resounding boos from the Rio de Janeiro crowd.

New images suggest China militarizing disputed islands: NY Times
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Recent satellite photographs show China appears to have built reinforced aircraft hangars on its holdings in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, the New York Times reported on Monday.

Trump seeks a campaign reset with Detroit economic speech
DETROIT/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican Donald Trump sought to regain momentum for his White House campaign on Monday by proposing sweeping tax breaks, cuts to federal regulations and a revival of the stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline project.

Cool temperatures, few mosquitoes make Games Zika-free, so far
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – So far, at the Olympics many feared would be the Zika Games, so good.

Harassment case against Roger Ailes will remain in New Jersey court
(Reuters) – Former Fox News Channel Chairman Roger Ailes on Monday dropped a bid to move a sexual harassment lawsuit by a former anchor from New Jersey to a federal court in New York.

California wildfire forces closure of scenic Highway 1
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – An epic wildfire that has killed one person and blackened about 60,000 acres along the California coast, forced authorities on Monday to shut down a portion of scenic Highway 1 near Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Republican national security experts: Trump would be ‘dangerous’ president
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Fifty prominent Republican national security officials, including a former CIA director, on Monday called party nominee Donald Trump unqualified to lead the country and said he would be “the most reckless president in American history.”

Michael Phelps’ purple blotches spotlight ‘cupping’ trend
NEW YORK (Reuters) – It wasn’t just Michael Phelps’ big win on Sunday that had people talking about the U.S. swimming star. It was also the dark purple circles on his shoulders.

Florida is investigating apparent new case of locally transmitted Zika
(Reuters) – Florida health officials are investigating a new non-travel- related case of Zika virus in Palm Beach County, but it is not yet clear whether the person contracted the virus from local mosquitoes or from a recent trip to Miami.

U.S. urges Russia to halt Syria sieges; Russia slams aid politicization
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council must not allow civilians on both sides of the Syrian city of Aleppo to be cut off from humanitarian aid, the United States said on Monday as Russia accused Washington of politicizing a humanitarian issue.

Thailand, seeking stability, approves military constitution
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A democratically elected government will take power in Thailand at the earliest by December 2017, a senior Thai official said on Monday, after the country endorsed a military-backed constitution paving the way for a general election.

Amazon Japan raided on suspicion of antitrust practices: Nikkei
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has raided the office of Amazon Japan on suspicion of pressuring retailers to offer products on more favorable conditions than on rival sites, the Nikkei business daily reported on Monday.

Death toll in Pakistani hospital bombing rises to 45
QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) – A bomb at a hospital in Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta on Monday killed 45 people and wounded more than 50, the provincial health minister said, significantly raising the casualty toll from initial estimates.

Japan emperor worries about age, remarks seen as suggesting he wants to abdicate
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, in a rare video address to the public on Monday, said he worried that age may make it difficult for him to fully carry out his duties, remarks seen as suggesting the elderly monarch wants to abdicate.

American, Australian kidnapped in Afghan capital: officials
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan authorities are searching for an Australian and an American who were kidnapped by gunmen in the capital, Kabul, officials said on Monday.

Gawker, Hulk Hogan in settlement talks over privacy case: WSJ
(Reuters) – Gawker Media Group is engaged in preliminary talks with the former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan to reach a settlement over a $140 million court judgment that led the company to file for bankruptcy protection, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

More records fall as Phelps collects 19th gold
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Michael Phelps picked up his 19th gold medal on a second night of world records in the Olympic pool, with Katie Ledecky cruising to women’s 400 meters freestyle victory and Britain’s Adam Peaty running away with the men’s 100 breaststroke.

Florida governor criticizes Washington for lagging in Zika fight
(Reuters) – Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott on Sunday accused the federal government of lagging in providing assistance to combat the spread of the Zika virus in a Miami-area neighborhood, the site of the first U.S. transmission of the virus.

Islamic State claims responsibility for machete attack in Belgium
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Islamic State claimed responsibility on Sunday for an attack by a machete-wielding man in Belgium that left two female police officers seriously injured, the group’s Amaq news agency said on Twitter.

Trump backers downplay rough week after poll shows him lagging Clinton
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican Donald Trump’s top aides and supporters on Sunday downplayed a chaotic week in which the New York businessman was distracted from his core message by personal spats, as a new poll showed him trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Wind, doping and VIP robbery plague Rio Games
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Damaging wind gusts, a fresh doping controversy and the robbery of a visiting government minister presented the Rio Games with a perfect storm of problems on Sunday, forcing organizers to scramble to keep the world’s biggest sporting event rolling on.

Cuba blames U.S. open door for migrant surge
HAVANA (Reuters) – Havana on Sunday blamed Washington for a surge of Cubans trying to reach the United States by land and sea, accusing the Obama administration of encouraging illegal and unsafe immigration.

Jets pound rebels after they break Aleppo siege
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian insurgents who broke the siege of rebel-held eastern Aleppo on Saturday in a significant territorial gain came under intense air attack from pro-government forces on Sunday trying to repel the advance which also cut government-held Aleppo’s main supply route.

New York Yankees to release Alex Rodriguez, last game on Friday
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The New York Yankees will release Alex Rodriguez, one of the greatest players of his generation and one of baseball’s most polarizing figures, with his final game with the club set for Friday.

Iran executes nuclear scientist for spying for U.S.
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran has executed an Iranian nuclear scientist detained in 2010 when he returned home from the United States, after a court convicted him of spying for Washington, a spokesman for the judiciary said on Sunday.

Track star Pistorius treated in hospital for wrist injuries
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Oscar Pistorius was treated in hospital for wrist injuries on Saturday, a prison service spokesman said, adding the jailed South African track star had denied trying to kill himself.

Turkey’s Erdogan stages mass rally in show of strength after coup attempt
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Hundreds of thousands of Turks are expected at a rally in Istanbul on Sunday summoned by President Tayyip Erdogan to denounce a failed coup, a show of strength staged in the face of Western criticism of widespread purges and detentions.

South Korea presidential office says China ‘out-of-place’ on THAAD
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s presidential office rebuked on Sunday China’s criticism of its decision to deploy an advanced anti-missile defense, urging Beijing to instead play a stronger role against North Korea’s provocations on the peninsula.

Islamic State militants claim capture of U.S. weapons in Afghanistan
KABUL (Reuters) – Militants linked to Islamic State have released photos that purport to show weapons and equipment that belonged to American soldiers and were captured by the group in eastern Afghanistan.

Trump ends difficult week by focusing on Hillary Clinton
WINDHAM, N.H. (Reuters) – Republican Donald Trump on Saturday ended a tough week for his campaign in the state that launched him toward the presidential nomination and he did what Republicans have been urging him to do: Keep the focus on Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Swimming: Golden start for Australia on day of records
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu ended her long wait for Olympic victory and Australia captured two gold medals in an exhilarating first day of swimming competition that saw three world records smashed in Rio on Saturday.

Thais vote for first time since 2014 coup in charter referendum
BANGKOK/KHON KAEN, Thailand (Reuters) – Thais began voting on Sunday in a referendum on a new junta-backed constitution that would pave the way for a general election in 2017 but require future governments to rule on the military’s terms.

Queues, security scares mark shambolic start to Rio Games
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – The Rio Olympic Games got off to a shambolic and nervous start on Saturday, with organizers apologizing to angry fans kept waiting for hours at security checkpoints to enter venues while, outside, shootings and bomb scares kept visitors on edge.

How a ‘chicken gun’ keeps U.S. warbirds aloft
When the United States Air Force tests a new aircraft it needs to make sure it won’t crash should a stray bird slam into the plane’s side. Thankfully, the military has an artillery piece with a 60-foot barrel that hurls chicken more than 400 miles an hour. The chicken gun allows the military to make sure no stray bird will foul up its expensive jets while they’re mid-flight.

Air strike on Syrian hospital kills 10 – Observatory
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An airstrike on a hospital in northwestern Syria on Saturday killed 10 people, including children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Obama administration releases redacted version of drone policy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration released a redacted version of President Barack Obama’s once-secret policy on drone strikes abroad following a freedom of information lawsuit filed last year, the American Civil Liberties Union said on Saturday.

Chicago police may have violated policy in fatal shooting: official
(Reuters) – Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said on Saturday that videos of the police shooting of a black man in the city last month indicate three officers may have violated the department’s policies.

Man yelling in Arabic wounds two Belgian police with machete, then shot dead
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A machete-wielding man yelling “Allahu Akbar!” (God is greatest) injured two female police officers before being shot outside the main police station in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi on Saturday, police in the city said.

South Africans give ruling ANC worst election since apartheid
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – The African National Congress lost its grip on local government in Tshwane, home of South Africa’s capital Pretoria, as results on Saturday gave the opposition Democratic Alliance a second big win in the ANC’s worst election since the end of apartheid.

Intense fighting as Syrian rebels try to break Aleppo siege
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Rebel fighters pressed on with an intense offensive against a major military complex in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Saturday, following gains on Friday, to try to end a siege of opposition-held areas in the city’s east.

Shooting – American teenager Thrasher wins first gold of Games
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Unflappable American teenager Virginia Thrasher won the first gold medal of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Saturday, holding her nerve against two Chinese Olympic champions to clinch the women’s 10m air rifle event.

Islamic State ‘almost completely’ ousted from Syria’s Manbij city: Observatory
BEIRUT (Reuters) – U.S.-backed forces trying to oust Islamic State militants from the Syrian city of Manbij took “almost complete control” of the city on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

China conducts ‘combat patrols’ over contested islands
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s air force sent bombers and fighter jets on “combat patrols” near contested islands in the South China Sea, in a move a senior colonel said was part of an effort to normalize such drills and respond to security threats.

As Turkey’s coup strains ties with West, detente with Russia gathers pace
ISTANBUL/MOSCOW (Reuters) – As Turkey’s relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, President Tayyip Erdogan travels to Russia on Tuesday to meet Vladimir Putin in a trip he may hope will give the West pause for thought.

Railing collapses at New Jersey concert injuring about 30: media
(Reuters) – Dozens of concertgoers suffered minor injuries on Friday night when a railing collapsed during a hip hop concert featuring Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa in west New Jersey, local media reported.

Kerry presses on with Russian talks on Syria despite Aleppo setbacks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is still pursuing an agreement with Russia on military cooperation in the fight against Islamic State in Syria despite major setbacks and skepticism from other administration officials and U.S. allies, U.S. officials with knowledge of the talks said on Friday.

Fire in bar kills 13 in northern French town
PARIS (Reuters) – A fire in a bar in the northern French town of Rouen killed 13 people and injured another six, the interior ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Judge eases restrictions on defendants in armed Oregon occupation
(Reuters) – A federal judge ruled on Friday that eight anti-government militants facing criminal charges in the armed takeover of an Oregon wildlife center can now communicate with each other ahead of a trial set for next month.

Rio kicks off Games with ode to forests, favelas and funk
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Brazil unfurled a vast canvas celebrating its rainforest and the creative energy of its wildly diverse population to the tune of samba, bossa nova and funk in welcoming the world on Friday to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.