Qatar extends travel bans on ex-Gitmo detainees
WASHINGTON — Qatar has agreed to temporarily extend travel bans on five senior Taliban leaders released last year from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a senior U.S. official said on Sunday.
The official said the ban would remain in place until diplomatic talks for a longer-term solution are completed. The restrictions had been due to expire today under a May 2014 exchange for Bergdahl. U.S. officials said Friday the Obama administration was closing in on an agreement with Qatar to extend the restrictions for six months that could be announced this weekend. It was not immediately clear why that agreement had not been finalized.
The official said the U.S. remains in “close contact” with Qatari authorities “to make sure these individuals do not pose a threat to the United States.” As a result of the talks to date, Qatar “has agreed to maintain the current restrictive conditions on these individuals as we continue these discussions,” the official said.
Kerry breaks leg in bicycle crash outside Geneva
GENEVA — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has delayed his trip back to the United States to stay in a Swiss hospital overnight after breaking his leg in a bicycle crash Sunday.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said after further consultation that it was sensible for him to remain in the hospital for observation overnight for precautionary reasons.
Kerry had to scrap the rest of a four-nation trip that included an international conference on combating the Islamic State group.
92-year-old becomes oldest woman to complete marathon
SAN DIEGO — A 92-year-old cancer survivor rocked her way into the record books Sunday, becoming the oldest woman to finish a marathon.
Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, N.C., completed Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego in seven hours, 24 minutes, 36 seconds. She was mobbed by well-wishers as she crossed the finish line.
“I’m fine, they’re really pampering me here,” Thompson said in a firm, joyful voice as people all around her shouted congratulations.
Blast injures 4 in Nigerian city
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — A bomb wounded four people Sunday in a market in Maiduguri, a day after 30 people were killed in the northeastern Nigerian city by a suicide bomber and attackers firing rocket-propelled grenades.
The Boko Haram militant group is suspected in the attacks which followed Friday’s inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who said he is moving the headquarters for the Nigerian military’s fight against the extremists to Maiduguri from the capital of Abuja.
Sunday’s blast came from explosives concealed in bags of charcoal at the Gamboru market, said trader Jafar Aminu.
By wire sources