| 'No need to write, David,' impatient EU tells Cameron Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:01 PM PDT  By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain need not send a formal letter to the European Union to trigger a two-year countdown to its exit from the bloc, EU officials said, implying British Prime Minister David Cameron could start the process when he speaks at a summit on Tuesday. "'Triggering' ... could either be a letter to the president of the European Council or an official statement at a meeting of the European Council duly noted in the official records of the meeting," a spokesman for the council of EU leaders said.
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| Merkel sees no need to rush Britain into quick EU divorce Posted: 25 Jun 2016 01:45 PM PDT  By Michael Holden and Paul Carrel LONDON/BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel sought on Saturday to temper pressure from Paris, Brussels and her own government to force Britain into negotiating a quick divorce from the EU, despite warnings that hesitation will let populism take hold. Eurosceptics in other member states applauded Britons' decision to leave the European Union in a referendum that sent shockwaves around the world, with far-right demands for a similar vote in Slovakia underlining the risk of a domino effect. With the referendum decision finally made on Thursday and Prime Minister David Cameron having announced his resignation, European politicians and institutions felt free to shower demands on Britain over its future outside the world's largest trading bloc.
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| Somali Islamist militants attack hotel in Mogadishu Posted: 25 Jun 2016 12:01 PM PDT  By Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somalia's al Shabaab Islamist group launched a suicide bomb attack on a hotel in the center of Mogadishu on Saturday before fighters stormed inside, police and the militant group said. Police said at least 15 people had died, including guards at the site, civilians and militants. Police later said fighting had ended but they were searching the site for militants.
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| More than 2.5 million and rising sign UK petition for new EU referendum Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:16 PM PDT  Just days after voting to leave the European Union, more than 2.5 million Britons and UK residents had signed a petition calling for a second vote, forcing lawmakers to at least consider a debate on the issue. Parliament has to consider a debate on any petition posted on its website that attracts more than 100,000 signatures. The proposal, posted before the June 23 referendum, said the government should hold another plebiscite on EU membership if the support for Leave or Remain in a referendum was less than 60 percent in a turnout of under 75 percent of eligible voters.
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| UK's Johnson wins backing from Gove for prime ministerial bid Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:58 PM PDT  Boris Johnson, one of the leaders of the successful "Leave" campaign in Britain's European Union membership referendum, has won the backing of a key colleague to replace David Cameron as prime minister, a newspaper reported. Justice minister Michael Gove called Johnson by telephone on Saturday to say he would back him for the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party, the Sunday Times said. Cameron announced on Friday that he would step down as prime minister by October after voters in the referendum took the historic decision to back the "Leave" campaign which was led by Johnson and Gove.
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| Syrian or Russian air strikes kill dozens in eastern Syria: monitoring group Posted: 25 Jun 2016 08:01 AM PDT Air strikes carried out by Syrian or Russian warplanes killed dozens of people in eastern Syria on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported. The militant group Islamic State controls most of Deir al-Zor province and has laid siege since March last year to the remaining government-held areas in the city of the same name, which is close to Syria's eastern border with Iraq. Deir al-Zor province links Islamic State's de facto capital in the Syrian city of Raqqa with territory it controls in Iraq. |
| Modric and Rakitic fall just short for Croatia again Posted: 25 Jun 2016 05:40 PM PDT  LENS, France (AP) — Croatia's creative midfield pairing of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic has failed to live up to its billing at a major tournament again.
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| Gudni Johannesson claims victory in Iceland presidential vote Posted: 25 Jun 2016 05:34 PM PDT  Reykjavik (AFP) - Political newcomer and history professor Gudni Johannesson claimed victory in Saturday's presidential election in Iceland, after early results showed him garnering 37.8 percent of votes.
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| Top Asian News 12:23 a.m. GMT Posted: 25 Jun 2016 05:23 PM PDT HONOLULU (AP) — As the largest international gathering of coral reef experts comes to a close, scientists have sent a letter to Australian officials calling for action to save the world's reefs, which are being rapidly damaged. The letter was sent Saturday to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull imploring his government to do more to conserve the nation's reefs and curb fossil fuel consumption. The letter, signed by past and present presidents of the International Society for Reef Studies on behalf of the 2,000 attendees of the International Coral Reef Symposium that was held in Honolulu this week, urged the Australian government to prioritize its Great Barrier Reef. |
| Tight turns, long straights: Road America rewards precision Posted: 25 Jun 2016 05:03 PM PDT ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (AP) — Road America's unique 14-turn layout requires precision, while providing drivers some fun behind the wheel. |
| Howard, Besler, Orozco in US lineup vs Colombia Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:54 PM PDT  GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Goalkeeper Tim Howard and defenders Matt Besler and Michael Orozco were inserted into the U.S. starting lineup for Saturday's Copa America third-place match against Colombia.
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| Joshua knocks out Breazeale to defend IBF heavyweight title Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:54 PM PDT  LONDON (AP) — Anthony Joshua defended his IBF heavyweight title by knocking out Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round Saturday, ending his American challenger's unbeaten record.
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| Jean-Francois Remesy takes Champions lead in Wisconsin Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:52 PM PDT MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Jean-Francois Remesy had two eagles in an 8-under 64 on Saturday to take the second-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions' inaugural American Family Insurance Championship. |
| Most Scots back independence after Brexit: poll Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:49 PM PDT  More than half of Scots now back independence following Britain's decision to leave the European Union, a new poll showed on Sunday. A Panelbase survey for the Sunday Times found 52 percent of respondents wanted to break with the rest of Britain, with 48 percent opposed. Scotland rejected independence in a 2014 referendum, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a second vote was now "highly likely" to prevent Scots being pulled out of the European Union against their will.
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| Serena battles rivals, self-doubt at Wimbledon Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:45 PM PDT  Serena Williams finds herself under siege from revitalised rivals and an army of doubters as the defending champion starts her bid for a seventh Wimbledon title and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown. Since she walked off Wimbledon's Centre Court cradling the Venus Rosewater Dish awarded to the women's champion nearly 12 months ago, Williams has found herself engaged in a losing battle with the history books. In the aftermath of that chastening September day in New York, Williams has appeared a more vulnerable figure.
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| Kerry flies to Rome for Netanyahu meeting Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:44 PM PDT  US Secretary of State John Kerry left Washington on Saturday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the publication of an international report expected to criticize Israeli settlement building. Some reports have suggested he will use the meeting to assess the possibility of reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. This diplomatic group -- the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia -- is concerned that Palestinian violence and Israel's building on occupied land is pushing the prospect of peace further away.
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| Poland, Portugal, Wales through to last 8 at Euro 2016 Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:40 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — The quarterfinal lineup at the European Championship started to take shape on Saturday after three drab matches that will live forever in the record books but not in the memory.
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| Imperious Joshua retains world boxing title Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:39 PM PDT  Anthony Joshua cruised to a seventh round victory over Dominic Breazeale in a first world title defence on Saturday night. The 26-year-old Briton floored his American challenger twice in the seventh round as he retained his International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title and extended his remarkable run of knockouts at the O2 Arena in London. Joshua, who has stopped all 17 professional opponents since winning an Olympic gold medal at London 2012, inflicted Breazeale's first professional defeat in his 18th bout after controlling the fight from start to finish.
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| Ronaldo, Portugal beat Croatia 1-0 at European Championship Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:16 PM PDT LENS, France (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal seized their chance to stay in the chase for an elusive first title together on Saturday. |
| Will Power takes pole for IndyCar's return to Road America Posted: 25 Jun 2016 04:14 PM PDT ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (AP) — A late tire change during qualifying earned Will Power the pole for the IndyCar Series race at Road America. |
| Poland's penalty preparations evident in Switzerland win Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:58 PM PDT  SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) — Poland spent time preparing for a penalty shootout — and it showed.
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| Germany's Merkel signals sober separation from EU 'partner' Britain Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:42 PM PDT  By John Irish and Andreas Rinke BERLIN/HERMANNSWERDER, Germany (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for clear-headed negotiations with "close partner" Britain over its departure from the European Union. Foreign ministers of the EU's six founding members had earlier said Britain should leave the bloc as soon as possible after Britons voted on Thursday to quit the 28-member bloc. "Britain will remain a close partner, with which we are linked economically," she said, adding that there was no hurry for Britain to invoke Article 50 of the EU treaty - the first step it must take to set in motion the exit process.
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| Ken Roczen wins muddy Tennessee National Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:41 PM PDT BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ken Roczen won the Red Bull Tennessee National on Saturday for his fourth victory in the first five Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship events, sweeping both 450 Class motos in muggy and muddy conditions at Muddy Creek Raceway. |
| Poll shows surge in support for independence in Scotland: paper Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:35 PM PDT  Nearly 60 percent of Scots now support Scottish independence after Britain voted to leave the European Union this week, according to an opinion poll reported by a newspaper on Saturday. The Sunday Post said 59 percent of respondents in the poll backed independence from the United Kingdom. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said earlier on Saturday that a fresh independence referendum was possible.
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| Rio official blames financial troubles for pollution woes Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:19 PM PDT  Brazil's "difficult financial conditions" are at fault, the environment secretary of Rio state, Andre Correa, said during an interview with AFP. Knowing the financial difficulties of Brazil, whoever said the bay will be clean in less than 20, 25 years is lying.
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| Far left set to become a political force in Spain's election Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:09 PM PDT  By Julien Toyer MADRID (Reuters) - The anti-austerity party Podemos is expected to make big gains in Spain's parliamentary election on Sunday, potentially delivering a fresh jolt to Europe's political mainstream after Britain voted to leave the European Union. The last election in December broke the mould of 40 years of stable conservative or Socialist majorities and failed to produce a viable government as upstart parties channeled growing resentment of the establishment following an economic crisis and a raft of corruption scandals. The center-right PP looks set to be the biggest party again, with around 120 seats, but its most natural potential coalition partner, the liberal Ciudadanos ("Citizens"), looks likely to win only about 40 seats, leaving them well short of the 176 needed for an absolute majority.
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| West Virginia's worst flooding in a century kills 24 Posted: 25 Jun 2016 03:04 PM PDT  West Virginia's three most devastated counties and possibly others will receive federal assistance after the state's worst flooding in more than a century killed at least 24 people, officials said on Saturday. President Barack Obama declared a major disaster for West Virginia and ordered federal aid to affected individuals in Kanawha, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties that could include grants for temporary housing, repairs and other programs. Obama spoke with West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin on Saturday afternoon to give his condolences and make sure the governor has the federal resources he needs, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said.
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| Brazil police seek charges in bike path collapse Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:55 PM PDT  SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian police are asking prosecutors to file charges against 14 people in connection with the deaths of two men in the April collapse of an elevated bike path that was heralded as a top legacy project of Rio de Janeiro's Olympics.
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| Column: No Brexit, please! This is football Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:51 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — So soon after Britons voted out of the European Union, this was unexpected: Enthusiastic throngs of Frenchmen merrily turning out to cheer them on.
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| Deadly California wildfire has destroyed 150 homes, more threatened Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:50 PM PDT  By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A massive wildfire burning out of control in the foothills of central California has left at least 150 homes in ruins and damaged another 75, officials said on Saturday, warning that more residents may be forced to flee the advancing flames. The so-called Erskine fire, which broke out on Thursday some 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Bakersfield in Kern County, has already claimed two lives, sent three firefighters to the hospital and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes. More than 1,100 firefighters have been deployed to battle the blaze, which has blackened some 35,700 acres and was zero percent contained as of Saturday afternoon.
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| The Latest: APNewsBreak: Scientists send plea to Australia Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:47 PM PDT  HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on an international gathering of coral reef experts in Hawaii (all times local):
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| I won't beg for England job, says manager Hodgson Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:43 PM PDT  England manager Roy Hodgson believes that the achievements of his four-year tenure speak for themselves ahead of his side's slippery Euro 2016 last 16 tie against underdogs Iceland. Hodgson, 68, goes into the game under extreme pressure, with England having finished second behind Wales in Group B and failed to secure a place in the less daunting other half of the draw. Defeat in Nice would almost certainly lead to Hodgson's contract not being extended, but although he has made no secret of his desire to continue in the role, he said he would not be shouting it from the rooftops.
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| Peru state energy company reports Amazon oil spill Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:42 PM PDT An oil spill in the Amazon region of Peru was detected on Friday night, state energy company Petroperu said in a statement on Saturday, adding that measures were being taken to fix the ruptured pipeline and to protect the environment. Cleanup efforts were focused on preventing spilled oil from being absorbed into the ground, it said. The statement did not give an estimate of how much oil had escaped from the Nor Peruano pipeline in the accident. |
| The Latest: Portugal beats Croatia 1-0 in extra time Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:34 PM PDT  PARIS (AP) — The Latest from soccer's European Championship (all times local):
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| Migrants protest as police prevent NGO from feeding them Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:34 PM PDT THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Migrants at a refugee camp in northern Greece staged a successful protest Saturday against police restricting access to a non-governmental organization that provided the camp with food they prefer to the bland official offerings. |
| Jamaican sprinter reveals Zika infection but is competing Posted: 25 Jun 2016 02:20 PM PDT  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Jamaican sprinter Kemar Bailey-Cole says he has been infected with the Zika virus but will participate in his country's Olympic trials next week.
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| APNewsBreak: Scientists send coral reef plea to Australia Posted: 25 Jun 2016 01:54 PM PDT HONOLULU (AP) — As the largest international gathering of coral reef experts comes to a close, scientists have sent a letter to Australian officials calling for action to save the world's reefs, which are being rapidly damaged. |
| Iceland elects president in vote eclipsed by football fever Posted: 25 Jun 2016 01:50 PM PDT Iceland voted in a presidential election Saturday -- expected to see newcomer Gudni Johannesson cruise to victory on a wave of anti-establishment sentiment -- although the country was more excited about its team's Euro football debut. Johannesson, a 47-year-old history professor and political commentator who has never held public office, only decided to run after the so-called Panama Papers leak in April which detailed offshore accounts and implicated several senior Icelandic politicians, including the prime minister who was forced to resign. Johannesson has vowed to restore Icelanders' faith in the system after years of public anger toward politicians for miring the country in scandals and financial woes. |
