Great Britain won their first Olympic Games women's hockey gold medal with a dramatic shoot-out triumph over two-time defending champions the Netherlands.
     The British twice came from behind in normal time to draw 3-3 and then clinched a 2-0 shoot-out victory.
     It was the Dutch team's first loss at an Olympics since 2004 -- after a run of 21 wins -- and shattered their bid to become the first team to win three successive gold medals.
     Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch played the starring role for the British team, pulling off four saves in the shoot-out.
     Britain, playing in their first final, had only won two bronze medals at past Games, in 1992 and 2012.
     But they were in front in the opening period against the Dutch when Lily Owsley scored from close range after Sophie Bray had dribbled past three defenders.
     Kitty van Male levelled in the first minute of the second period, firing the ball into the top corner of the goal.
     Maartje Paumen, bidding for her third ...

Britain stun Dutch for first women's hockey gold

PTI Automatic

Turkey wants to repair its ties with Egypt, after relations soured over the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said today.
	Relations between Ankara and Cairo took a nosedive after the Egyptian military deposed Morsi on July 30, 2013.
	Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader, had been a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party-led (AKP) government.
	Erdogan repeatedly condemned the ouster as a "coup d'etat" against Morsi, and in a show of solidarity at rallies he has often flashed the four-finger "Rabaa" hand salute -- seen as a symbol of the Muslim Brotherhood.
	"We think we need to develop economic and cultural ties with Egypt as countries that use the two sides of the Mediterranean," Yildirim told reporters at a briefing in Istanbul.
	However he sounded a note of caution that high-level relations would not be repaired overnight.
	"We think we need to start from somewhere," he said.
	It is .

Turkey wants to repair ties with Egypt: PM

A British-Australian man has been detained in Dubai for highlighting the work of an Afghan refugee charity on social media, a campaign group and his brother has said.
	Scott Richards, 41, was arrested on July 28 and has been held at Al Murraqabat police station ever since, without being charged and without access to a lawyer, according to UK-based support group Detained in Dubai.
	The father-of-two is accused of breaching a new law on promoting foreign charities, according to the support group's founder, Radha Stirling, who is also a long-time friend of Richards.
	"The police have said that they're investigating him for breaching the charity law by sharing information about a charity registered outside the United Arab Emirates on Facebook," she told AFP yesterday.
	Brett Richards said his brother had also mentioned the name of the US-registered "Keep Qambar Warm" charity, which supports the Charahi Qambar refugee camp near Kabul, in an interview with local media.
	"He pointed to their 

British-Australian man held in Dubai over charity support

Mexican officials warned northwestern communities to be on alert today as Tropical Storm Kay churns off the Pacific coast.
	At 0900 GMT (local time) the centre of Kay was located some 495 kilometres southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported.
	The storm, which was heading towards the northwest at a speed of six miles per hour, was packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour, the NHC said.
	Even though the storm was not expected to make landfall, Mexican officials warned coastal communities to be on alert.
	Kay could unleash "very strong focused storms in southern Baja California," Mexico's National Meterological Service said. It urged residents to "exercise caution."
	According to the NHC, Kay's tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 97 kilometres from its centre -- not quite reaching land, but enough to churn up dangerous waves and pummel the region with heavy rain and strong winds.
	Memory is ...

Mexico on alert for Tropical Storm Kay

The Philippine government and communist guerrillas have agreed to ceasefires from tomorrow, both sides said, ahead of crucial peace talks next week to end one of Asia's longest insurgencies.
	Both sides said a break from the fighting will create a conducive environment at the negotiations next week in Norway, which are aimed at reaching a political settlement after 30 years of failed talks.
	The Communist Party of the Philippines declared a seven-day unilateral truce hours after President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to free its top jailed leaders yesterday.
	The government responded by saying it will restore a unilateral ceasefire that was declared in July but abruptly withdrawn by Duterte just days later after a rebel ambush.
	"The... Ceasefire will last for as long as necessary to bring peace to the land and also to provide an enabling environment for the success of the peace negotiations," Duterte peace adviser Jesus Dureza told reporters Saturday.
	Dureza said he and at least six ..

Philippines, rebels declare ceasefire ahead of talks

The UN human rights investigator has said she hopes to visit the Philippines to probe alleged extrajudicial killings, but President Rodrigo Duterte's government bluntly declared she was unwelcome.
	Police have shot dead 665 suspects with vigilantes killing 889 others in an anti-drug crackdown, the Philippine police chief told a Senate hearing earlier in the week.
	Rejecting UN allegations the crackdown amounted to a crime under international law, Duterte's chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Friday challenged the UN special rapporteur on human rights to visit the Philippines and investigate.
	"I welcome the invitation from the government assuming this will enable unlimited engagement with the authorities and other key actors and stakeholders concerned with the recent wave of alleged extra-judicial executions," the rapporteur, Agnes Callamard, told AFP in an email.
	However, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella clarified Saturday "UN mouthpieces" had wrongly assumed Panelo's ...

UN rights prober seeks Philippines visit, is rebuffed

Syrian government warplanes were again in the air over the mainly Kurdish-held city of Hasakeh early today despite a US warning against any new strikes that might endanger its military advisers, a monitor said.
	It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft, which were in the skies throughout the night, had carried out any bombing runs as there were heavy artillery exchanges on the ground, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
	Deadly clashes erupted between pro-government militia and the US-backed Kurdish forces on Wednesday. The following day, the regime launched its first ever air strikes against the Kurds.
	The unprecedented strikes against six Kurdish positions in the northeastern city prompted the US-led coalition to scramble aircraft to protect US special operations forces advisers deployed with the Kurdish forces.
	It was the first time the coalition had confirmed deploying warplanes against the Syrian air force.
	Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis warned that ..

Regime planes over Syria's Hasakeh despite US warning: monitor

Two-time Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva announced her retirement with a bitter broadside at international athletics chief Sebastian Coe over the Olympic ban imposed on Russian athletes for state-sponsored doping.
     "Yelena Isinbayeva is finishing her career today," the 34-year-old told reporters a day after being elected onto the International Olympic Committee's athletes commission.
	"I thought I would be very sad but the election has inspired me. I am not saying goodbye to sport, just to my sport.
	"But I am happy I have fulfilled myself and achieved my dreams," added the world record holder.
     Isinbayeva was unable to defend her title in Rio after the Russian squad was banned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over a state-sponsored doping scandal which rocked track and field.
	Had she not been excluded from the Russian team in Rio, she would have been lining up for the pole vault final in the Olympic Stadium later Friday.
	"Why am 

Isinbayeva quits with Coe broadside

Australia will look to restore some battered pride when they begin their one-day series against Sri Lanka tomorrow, hoping that some fresh blood can help reverse a string of defeats on a miserable tour.
     Days after losing their title as the world's top Test team, the reigning champions in 50-over cricket will be determined to stop the rot when they take to the field in the first of five ODIs against an upbeat Sri Lanka.
	Angelo Mathews' side completed a 3-0 series whitewash over the tourists on Wednesday when they won the final Test in Colombo by 163 runs, a result which led to Australia being toppled by India at the top of the rankings.
	Australian captain Steve Smith admitted they had been totally outclassed after failing to come to terms with the turning Sri Lankan wickets, both with bat and ball.
	While Smith remains at the helm of the ODI side, the squad will be bolstered by one-day specialists such as allrounders Aaron Finch and James Faulkner, along with young spinner Adam .

Struggling Aussies look for ODI redemption

With a world championship looming in 2017, athletic's chief Sebastian Coe is not setting a deadline for Russia's return to international competition.
     Coe, head of the International Associaton of Athletics Federations (IAAF), enforced a ban on Russia last November after an independent World Anti-Doping Agency report unveiled systematic state-sponsored doping in the country.
	Only one Russian athlete, long jumper Darya Klishina, was cleared to compete at the Rio Games, and that because she was based in the United States and subject to approved international anti-doping testing.
	Many athletes are wondering whether Russia will be at the world championships in London next year.
	"I don't know what the timeframe is," Coe told AFP in an interview when asked about how the tainted track and field team would return.
	"But I didn't come into athletics wanting to stop athletes competing.
	"I'm not an isolationsist by nature. I know this has to be resolved.
	"This isn't the case of saying ...

Coe says no deadline for Russia's return from doping ban

The UN has used World Humanitarian Day to plead for help for Libya, saying millions of Libyans and migrants were engulfed in a worsening crisis.
	"More than 2.4 million people in Libya are in need of humanitarian assistance," Martin Kobler, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Libya, said in a statement yesterday.
	"They lack medicines, vaccinations and suffer from poor hospitalization services. Almost 300,000 children are out of schools and almost 350,000 Libyans are displaced within the country."
	Kobler also noted the predicament of more than 270,000 migrants who fled their home countries and are stranded in Libya.
	"The humanitarian needs created by the crisis in Libya are enormous and this should serve as an incentive for us to do our utmost to give hope to the people, particularly those in urgent need of humanitarian assistance," he added.
	The ouster of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 plunged Libya into chaos, with rival militias jockeying violently for power.
	The ...

2.4 mn in Libya need aid, UN says on World Humanitarian Day

Portugal has said it may take diplomatic action after the twin sons of the Iraqi ambassador were arrested on suspicion of savagely beating a 15-year-old boy.
	The incident happened in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday in Ponte de Sor, central Portugal, following a brawl between local people and pupils at a nearby flight school where one of the twins is enrolled, the Portuguese media said yesterday.
	A source close to the inquiry said the 17-year-old twin sons of the Iraqi ambassador in Lisbon, Saad Mohamed Ridha, were arrested but then released because they had diplomatic immunity.
	The boy suffered a fractured skull and other extensive injuries and has been placed in an artificial coma, local media said.
	Amid rising anger at the attack, the foreign ministry yesterday said the incident was "a case of great seriousness."
	The ministry will take "the necessary and appropriate measures... If the judicial authorities request it," the ministry said, pointing to the brothers' diplomatic ...

Iraqi envoy's sons accused of assault in Portugal

Bogota has pushed for the United Nations to supervise Colombia's ceasefire with the FARC rebels, even before the country votes on a peace deal to end the long-running civil war.
	The government and the country's biggest rebel force, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), laid the groundwork for a full peace deal when they signed a definitive ceasefire in June.
	That deal will be followed by a full peace accord only if the agreement is approved in a referendum in the coming months.
	"We need the mission to deploy as quickly as possible," Sergio Jaramillo, Colombia's high commissioner for peace, told reporters yesterday.
	Jaramillo said that when the referendum is held, the ceasefire mission should be already on the ground, giving "guarantees to Colombians that they can vote freely."
	The first group of observers, of which there will eventually be 450, primarily from Latin America, has arrived in Colombia to verify the disarmament and monitor the ceasefire.
	"From what I ...

Colombia urges UN to supervise ceasefire with rebels

The ratings agency Fitch has cut its outlook for Turkey's sovereign debt rating to "negative", saying last month's coup attempt underscored risks to political stability in the country.
	The agency yesterday affirmed the country's rating at BBB-, a notch above junk grade.
	Fitch said political uncertainty follow the failed coup will impact economic performance and could hurt economic policy.
	"The authorities are responding to the coup attempt with a purge of the followers of those it blames, with around 70,000 public sector workers suspended so far," the agency said in a statement.
	"The implications for checks and balances, which in Fitch's opinion have eroded in recent years, are unclear, as is the potential for further disruption from those behind the coup attempt."
	Elements within the Turkish military on July 15 attempted the ouster of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but were quickly repulsed by loyalists.
	The poor rating will help elevate the prices Turkey pays to borrow 

Fitch cuts Turkey debt outlook after coup attempt

The Pentagon has moved to tamp down talk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying extra troops along the border were associated with a regular military exercise.
	Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he could not rule out a "full-scale" Russian invasion.
	His warning came amid increasing violence in the pro-Moscow separatist east and accusations that Russia is increasing its forces, replenishing munitions and building up military hardware in the region.
	Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis yesterday said the United States was concerned by the increasingly strident rhetoric from both Ukraine and Russia.
	"We are concerned about Russia's continued occupation of Crimea, and we are concerned about the heightened level of violence in eastern Ukraine," he said.
	"What we don't see (is) this unicorn a lot of people are chasing, this idea that there's some massive short-term build up or movement about to happen."
	Russia holds military exercises in the region each year, ...

Pentagon downplays talk of Russian troop buildup near Ukraine

US President Barack Obama will visit flood-hit Louisiana next week, the White House said today, after he came under fire for not suspending his summer vacation to survey the damage in the southern state.
	The announcement of Obama's visit to Baton Rouge on August 23 came after a visit to the state earlier today by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence.
	The floods have left at least 13 people dead and affected about 40,000 homes.
	"The president is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts," the White House said, noting the visit was coordinated with local officials.
	"He is also eager to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods... And tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them as they rebuild their community and come back stronger than ever."
	Today, Obama spoke to Homeland Security ...

Obama to visit flood-hit Louisiana on Aug 23: W.House

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump visited Louisiana on Friday, as rescue crews and residents of the US state worked to recover from historic floods that left 13 people dead.
	Trump and his vice presidential nominee Mike Pence toured flood-ravaged areas and met with local Republican leaders and emergency officials.
	US President Barack Obama meanwhile announced he is headed to Louisiana on Tuesday, after days of criticism from some in the southern state for not visiting.
	Officials said about 40,000 homes were impacted by inundating waters and more than 86,000 people had so far registered for federal aid -- with that number expected to grow.
	Trump and Pence met with disaster relief volunteers, toured damaged structures, met an elderly couple who said they had to climb to the roof of their home to escape floodwaters, and joined a short briefing with emergency officials.
	During one stop, Trump reportedly criticized Obama for remaining on vacation during the disaster, ...

Trump visits flood-ravaged Louisiana

Eleven South African soldiers died today and 31 others suffered injuries when the bus they were travelling crashed, authorities said.
	The South African Defence Force said the accident occurred outside the town of Clarens, near the northern border with Lesotho.
	The military did not disclose details of the crash, but private medical rescue, ER24 said the "bus rolled down an embankment".

11 South African soldiers killed in road crash

Around 100 migrants were rescued after their boats ran aground today off the coast of Greece, police said, while two Syrian girls, one of them a baby, drowned off the Libyan coast.
	One group of 67 migrants, including 13 children, was found stranded in their wooden boat off the western Greek port of Methoni on the Peloponnese peninsula, facing southern Italy.
	The migrants, whose nationalities have not been revealed, appear to have been trying to leave Greece for Italy, according to initial reports.
	They were taken to Methoni to be processed and identified, according to harbour police, who revised their earlier figure of around 50 migrants rescued.
	In another incident, a sailboat was stranded off the Aegean island of Mykonos, which is popular with tourists and is near Turkey.
	All 36 migrants on board, including seven children, were rescued by the local authorities.
	After a major lull since the European Union (EU) signed a controversial deal with Turkey to stem the migrant influx ..

100 migrants rescued after being stranded off Greece

The US-led coalition scrambled fighters to protect US advisers working with Kurdish forces after Syrian regime jets bombed the area, in the latest escalation of Syria's bloody conflict, the Pentagon said today.
	Thursday's air strike, conducted by two Syrian SU-24 attack planes, targeted Kurdish forces who were undergoing training from US special operations advisers in the area around the northeastern city of Hasakeh, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said.
	In a bid to intercept the Syrian jets, the coalition scrambled its own jets to the area, but the regime planes had left by the time they arrived.
	"This was done as a measure to protect coalition forces," Davis said.
	"We will ensure their safety and the Syrian regime would be well-advised not to do things that place them at risk. We view instances that place the coalition at risk with utmost seriousness and we do have the inherent right of self defense."
	But the warning appeared to fall on deaf ears -- Syrian regime ...

US scrambled jets to protect its advisers in Syria: Pentagon

Officials in Azerbaijan today said they had arrested four men over suspected ties to US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Ankara of masterminding last month's attempted coup.
	The four are accused of an "abuse of power" while working for a mobile phone company for having passed on private information about subscribers and their call history, Azeri prosecutors said.
	During a search of the home of one of the accused, investigators discovered "religious literature, disks, brochures containing speeches by Fethullah Gulen and other documents," they said in a statement.
	A close ally of Ankara, Baku earlier this week opened a criminal investigation into supporters of Gulen, who is accused by Turkey of ordering the July 15 coup in a bid to remove President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power.
	Gulen has consistently denied any involvement in the failed putsch.
	Azerbaijan last month shut down a private television channel over plans to broadcast an interview with Gulen, "in order .

AFP

AFP

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