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08/12/2016 17:54

Editor: Paul Grant + 1 202 898 8322

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TOP STORIES

Trump backs away from ISIS comments, looks for party unity in Pennsylvania

ERIE, Pa. - Republican Donald Trump backs away from comments calling President Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton founders of militant group Islamic State, while Republican Party seeks to project unity behind their candidate. (USA-ELECTION/ (UPDATE 2, PIX, TV), moved, by Steve Holland, 748 words)

Clinton happily yields national spotlight to Trump, avoids its glare

WASHINGTON - If you haven't heard a lot about what Hillary Clinton thinks of string of controversial comments by Donald Trump that generate round-the-clock coverage on cable news broadcasts, there is a reason - it's by design. (USA-ELECTION/CLINTON-STRATEGY, moved, by Amanda Becker, 772 words)

+ See also:

- USA-ELECTION/CLINTON-TAXES (UPDATE 4, PIX, TV, GRAPHIC), moved, by Amanda Becker and Susan Heavey, 645 words

Two company veterans tapped to lead Fox News after Ailes' exit

NEW YORK - Rupert Murdoch names company veterans Jack Abernethy and Bill Shine as co-presidents to lead Fox News after Chief Executive Officer Roger Ailes resigns following sexual harassment allegations. (TWENTY-FIRST FOX-LEADERSHIP/ (UPDATE 2, PIX), moved, by Anna Driver, 521 words)

More airline outages seen as carriers grapple with aging technology

Airlines will likely suffer more disruptions like one that grounds about 2,000 Delta flights this week because major carriers do not invest enough to overhaul reservations systems based on technology dating to 1960s, airline industry and technology experts tell Reuters. (DELTA AIR-OUTAGES/IT (ANALYSIS, PIX), moved, by Jeffrey Dastin and Jim Finkle, 1,148 words)

Foiled attack puts spotlight on Canada PM's security revamp

OTTAWA - Death of Canadian supporter of Islamic State who authorities say was preparing imminent attack increases calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to abandon his plan to scale back 2015 law that gives increased powers to police and intelligence agents. (CANADA-SECURITY/ (PIX), moved, by Andrea Hopkins, 525 words)

+ See also:

- CANADA-SECURITY/INTELLIGENCE (UPDATE 1, PIX, TV), moved, by Andrea Hopkins, 781 words

Turkey seeks 32 fugitive diplomats in post-coup inquiry

ISTANBUL - Turkey is seeking extradition of 32 diplomats who go on the run after they are recalled by Ankara as part of investigations of failed coup attempt, foreign minister says. (TURKEY-SECURITY/ (UPDATE 3, PIX, TV), moved, by Humeyra Pamuk, 751 words)

SPECIAL REPORT

How British firms built a pyramid scheme in China that lost millions

SHANGHAI, China - London address helped draw Chinese investors to EuroFX. But venture was not regulated in United Kingdom. It was scam that flourished in gaps between national systems. (CHINA-INVESTMENT/EUROFX (SPECIAL REPORT, PIX, GRAPHIC), moved, by Engen Tham and Carolyn Cohn, 2,586 words)

+ See also:

- CHINA-INVESTMENT/EUROFX-TIMELINE, moved, by Carolyn Cohn, 308 words

RIO OLYMPICS

Ku wins men's gold to complete South Korean archery sweep

RIO DE JANEIRO - Ku Bon-chan outlasts Frenchman Jean-Charles Valladont in final of men's individual archery to capture his second gold of Rio Olympics and ensure South Korea completes unprecedented sweep of all four titles. (OLYMPICS-RIO-ARCHERY-M-IND/ (PIX), moved, by Ian Ransom, 116 words)

Italians win shooting gold and silver, American makes history

RIO DE JANEIRO - Italy's Diana Bacosi defeats teammate and 2008 Olympic champion Chiara Cainero to win gold medal in women's skeet shooting, marking first one-two finish for Italy in Olympic shooting. (OLYMPICS-RIO-SHOOTING-W-SKEET/ (UPDATE 1, PIX), moved, by Mary Milliken, 359 words)

+ See also:

- OLYMPICS-RIO-SHOOTING/RHODE (UPDATE 3, PIX), moving shortly, by Mary Milliken, 400 words

MacLennan repeats as trampoline champion in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO - Canada's Rosie MacLennan makes it habit of rising to the occasion whenever she sees Olympic rings beneath her while she soars through air, and she becomes first trampoline gymnast to win back-to-back golds. (OLYMPICS-RIO-TRAMPOLINE-W/ (UPDATE 1, PIX), moved, by Colleen Stopforth, 257 words)

China's Wang and Cai walk to 20-kilometer gold, silver

RIO DE JANEIRO - Wang Zhen leads compatriot Cai Zelin across line for Chinese 1-2 in men's 20-kilometer walk at Rio Olympics, claiming his first major title after bronze at London Games and two world championship silvers. (OLYMPICS-RIO-ATHLETICS/M-WALK20 (PIX), moved, by Nick Mulvenney, 324 words)

+ See also:

- OLYMPICS-RIO/HIGHLIGHTS (PIX), moving shortly, 2,000 words

UNITED STATES

Weak U.S. retail sales, inflation data dim prospect of Fed rate hike

WASHINGTON - U.S. retail sales are unexpectedly flat as Americans cut back on discretionary spending, pointing to moderation in consumption that could temper expectations of sharp pickup in economic growth. (USA-ECONOMY/ (WRAPUP 3, PIX, GRAPHICS), moved, by Lucia Mutikani, 902 words)

Sandusky asserts innocence at hearing on bid for new trial

BELLEFONTE, Pa. - Jerry Sandusky, former football coach convicted in 2012 of molesting 10 boys, takes stand for first time in his own defense, forcefully denying he abused anyone, as hearing on his bid for new trial in Pennsylvania gets under way. (PENNSYLVANIA-SANDUSKY/ (UPDATE 1, PIX), moved, by David DeKok, 524 words)

Firefighters make leap to smoke-jumping

WINTHROP, Wash. - On 100-degree day, Matt Mueller does sit-ups in semicircle with seven other experienced firefighters training to parachute into wildfire. Better known as "rookie candidates," they are determined to make it through five-week program at North Cascades Smokejumper Base. (USA-FIREFIGHTERS/SMOKEJUMPING (PIX), moved, by Melissa Fares, 811 words)

AMERICAS

Changing Cuba pays homage to Fidel Castro ahead of 90th birthday

HAVANA - Cuba is awash with official tributes to former leader Fidel Castro ahead of his 90th birthday Saturday, even as its people and leadership begin to look beyond legacy of Communist-ruled state's founding figure. (CUBA-FIDEL/ (PIX, TV), moved, by Sarah Marsh, 725 words)

ASIA

Vibrant Thai tourist sector braces for impact of deadly Mother's Day

HUA HIN/BANGKOK - On what should be bonanza long weekend for tourist industry in seaside playground favored by Thailand's royal family, shops and restaurants are shuttered, streets are empty and security forces are advising people to stay in their hotels. (THAILAND-SECURITY/BLAST-TOURISM (TV, PIX, GRAPHIC), moved, by Pairat Temphairojana and Khettiya Jittapong, 799 words)

U.S. drone kills Islamic State leader for Afghanistan, Pakistan -officials

PESHAWAR, Pakistan/WASHINGTON - Leader of Islamic State's branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan is killed in U.S. drone strike, Pentagon spokesman says after Afghan ambassador to Pakistan announces news to Reuters. (AFGHANISTAN-ISLAMICSTATE/ (UPDATE 3), moved, by Jibran Ahmad and Yeganeh Torbati, 541 words)

EUROPE

Putin gets new right-hand man as chief of staff exits

MOSCOW - Month before parliamentary elections, President Vladimir Putin replaces his long-time ally Sergei Ivanov as Kremlin chief of staff, appointing low-profile former diplomat in his place. (RUSSIA-KREMLIN/ (UPDATE 2, PIX), moved, by Alexander Winning and Maria Tsvetkova, 469 words)

MIDDLE EAST

U.S.-backed forces wrest control of Syria's Manbij from Islamic State

BEIRUT - U.S.-backed forces seize full control of northern Syrian city of Manbij near Turkish border after last remaining Islamic State fighters, who were using civilians as human shields, leave, spokesman for group says. (MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-ISLAMIC STATE (UPDATE 4, PIX), moved, by Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Lisa Barrington, 500 words)

08/12/2016 17:54