NATO leaders will hold their next summit in Brussels in 2017 at the alliance's new headquarters, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said today.
	"We look forward to meet again in 2017 at our new headquarters in Brussels," Stoltenberg said in Warsaw, where leaders had gathered to endorse the alliance's biggest military upgrade since the Cold War.
	NATO's new HQ on the outskirts of Brussels is a futuristic glass-fronted building just across the road from its current nondescript offices, near the city's airport.
	Costing about one billion euros (USD 1.2 billion), the new building will house all the NATO administrative apparatus, plus offices for the 28 member nations and the alliance's partner countries.
	Stoltenberg said the summit in Warsaw, which gave its name to its Cold War adversary the Warsaw Pact, had shown that North America and Europe remained united in the face of a more assertive Russia following its Ukraine intervention.

NATO to hold next summit at new Brussels HQ in 2017

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President Barack Obama today said that whatever the circumstances, European allies in NATO would always be able to rely on the United States.
	"In good times, and in bad, Europe can count on the United States. Always," Obama said at the close of a two-day NATO summit in Warsaw which approved the alliance's biggest military upgrade since the end of the Cold War.
	The president said the 28 nation alliance was at a "pivotal moment... In the nearly 70 years of NATO perhaps never have we faced such a range of challenges all at once, security, humanitarian, political."
	He cited first the Islamic State group threat, then Russia's intervention in Ukraine, Europe's worst migrant crisis since the end of World War II and finally Britain's vote to quit the European Union which has stoked growing fears about the continent's future.
	"In this challenging moment, I want to take the opportunity to state clearly what will never change. And that is the unwavering commitment of the United States to the 

Obama says Europe can 'always' count on US

US President Barack Obama today tried to unify a fractured nation, insisting the shock shootings in Dallas and simmering racial tensions would not derail a common sense of purpose.
	Obama lamented a "painful" week, in which five police officers were gunned down during a protest against the police killings of black Americans, but he rejected comparisons with the civil unrest of the 1960s.
	"I firmly believe America is not as divided as some have suggested," Obama told a press conference at a NATO summit in Warsaw.
	"There is sorrow, there is anger, there is confusion... but there is unity. This is not who we want to be as Americans."
	Obama has said he will cut short his foreign trip and visit Dallas next week after a black extremist opened fire on officers protecting a peaceful march against police brutality.
	Thousands of protesters marched in US cities late Friday, with many remembering the slain officers, but anger remains over the deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando 

Obama seeks to unify US after Dallas shootings

US President Barack Obama today ducked questions about an FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email account for sensitive government business.
	After months of refusing to comment on the ongoing legal probe, with that investigation now completed, Obama said he would "continue to be scrupulous about not commenting on it".
	Obama has backed Clinton's bid to replace him as president after elections this November.
	She is expected to be formally nominated as the Democratic presidential nominee later this month.
	The FBI has been scathing in its criticism of Clinton, even though it decided not to pursue criminal charges.
	FBI director James Comey found Clinton, while careless, did not break the law.
	Republicans have called for Clinton to be prosecuted and for her customary intelligence briefings to stop.
	Obama did say that he shared Comey's concerns about the treatment of classified mail at the State Department, which Clinton once run.
	"I am concerned," he ...

Obama dodges Clinton email question

US President Barack Obama today said he believed that Britain would quit the European Union after the Brexit referendum despite speculation the vote could somehow be reversed.
	"I think we have to assume that a referendum having been passed with a lot of attention, a lengthy campaign and relatively high participation rates is going to stick," Obama said when asked if Britain could go back on the vote.
	The Brexit vote shocked Britain's allies, with Obama having strongly backed the remain camp ahead of last month's referendum, citing the possible impact on Britain's key role in world affairs as a major concern.
	"We will remain close friends, allies, partners, continue to have strong relationships on both sides of the channel," Obama said at the close of a NATO summit in Warsaw, the last of his presidency.
	"Our primary interest is to make sure that the negotiations and this process are as orderly and as sensible as possible."
	On Friday, Obama insisted that Brexit would not undermine .

Obama says must assume Brexit 'is going to stick'

NATO leaders united today behind a "hard-headed" policy of deterrence and dialogue with Russia after launching the alliance's biggest military revamp since the Cold War to counter a resurgent Moscow.
	Alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said alliance leaders "stand together" on Russia, agreeing at a summit in Warsaw to bolster its eastern flank after Moscow's annexation of Crimea and the Ukraine conflict.
	Russian President Vladimir Putin has opposed NATO's decision to put four battalions in Poland and the Baltic states, seeing the expansion into Moscow's Soviet-era backyard as a direct security threat.
	"The alliance is united, we stand together," Stoltenberg said when asked about the leaders' talks on Russia. "The united message is that defence and dialogue are what our relationship is based on."
	Around 200 anti-war activists defied heavy security in central Warsaw to protest against the summit, carrying banners saying "Yes to Peace, No to NATO", AFP journalists saw.
	Unity was the ...

NATO unites to keep pressure on Russia

Boko Haram gunmen killed seven people in a raid on a town in northeast Nigerian Borno state near the border with Cameroon today, residents told AFP.
	Gunmen on motorcycles stormed the town of Rann in Kalabalge district overnight yesterday to today and opened fire on homes, fleeing residents said.
	"They opened fire on homes as we slept and killed seven people before carting away our food supplies and drugs from the only clinic in the town," Rann resident Abba Abiso said.
	He said the Islamists remained in the town for two hours before they left.
	Residents had fled the town into Cameroon and to the town of Gamboru, 28 kilometres away.
	Another witness Ari Ngamsu added: "The Boko Haram gunmen planted two high calibre explosives on the way outside the town but soldiers from Gamboru succeeded in defusing them at daybreak."
	Both witnesses spoke on Cameroonian phone lines, the only means of communication available following the destruction of telecom masts by Boko Haram in previous ...

Boko Haram kills 7 in northeast Nigeria: residents

At least six people were injured on today when they were hit by an avalanche in the Swiss Alps, police said.
	The avalanche was triggered on the Saentis mountain in northeastern Switzerland shortly before 3 pm (1300 GMT), police in the canton of Appenzell Innerhoden said in a statement.
	"According to the initial findings, six people were caught (in the slide) and were injured," it said.
	Police said a massive search and rescue operation was continuing, assisted by three rescue helicopters.

Six injured in Swiss Alps avalanche: police

Sydney Schanberg, the Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent who chronicled the Khmer Rouge's brutal rise to power in Cambodia in the 1970s, died Saturday at age 82.
	That gripping account by Schanberg and his story of his Cambodian friend and assistant Dith Pran's captivity under and survival of the Khmer Rouge reign of terror inspired the 1984 film "The Killing Fields" by director Roland Joffe.
	Schanberg had suffered a massive heart attack Tuesday. He died in Poughkeepsie, New York, said his friend and former colleague at The New York Times, Charles Kaiser.
	"Syd was a brilliant writer, a fearless reporter, and an important role model for me," Kaiser said in a Facebook post.
	"When he was filing on the fall of Cambodia in 1975, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for each new dispatch to arrive. So was every other reporter in the city room. It was some of the most dramatic journalism I have ever read."
	While the diplomatic community and other Western reporters fled Cambodia as the .

'Killing Fields' reporter Sydney Schanberg dead at 82

Police have arrested four Macedonians suspected of fighting for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and are actively looking for three others, an official said today.
	Yesterday's operations included raids in the capital Skopje and northwestern Tetovo, in which computers, mobile phones and passports were seized, said police official Dejana Nedeljkovic.
	"The police have arrested four Islamic State members who fought in Syria and Iraq," she said, adding that of the three others being searched, two were probably still fighting on the frontline.
	According to the Macedonian police, about 130 nationals have left to fight for the jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.
	The Albanian Muslim minority comprises only a quarter of Macedonia's 2.1 million-strong population, most of whom are Orthodox Christians.
	According to Macedonia's criminal code, joining conflicts abroad as well as recruiting citizens to fight in foreign conflicts is punishable by five years in jail.
	Macedonian President Gjorge .

Macedonia arrests 4 jihadists fighting for IS

Moscow has said it had expelled two US diplomats as a retaliatory move after Washington turfed out two Russian officials over an attack on a US embassy worker last month.
	"After their unfriendly step two employees of the United States embassy had to leave Moscow," Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
	"They were declared persona non grata for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status."
	Ryabkov accused the two US diplomats of being CIA agents and said that one of them had been involved in a brawl with a policeman in Moscow that sparked the tit-for-tat expulsions.
	"We hope Washington recognises all the same the perversity of its anti-Russian line. If they decide to move further along the path of escalation it will not remain unanswered," Ryabkov warned.
	The United States State Department on Friday announced that it had expelled two Russian officials over an attack on a US diplomat in Moscow last month by a policeman.
	State Department spokesman John Kirby 

Russia says two US diplomats expelled in tit-for-tat move

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said today that the alliance's leaders had agreed to maintain a united policy of deterrence and dialogue with a resurgent Russia.
	"The main message... Is that the alliance is united, we stand together," Stoltenberg said when asked about talks the 28 NATO leaders had on Russia at a summit in Warsaw yesterday night.
	"I am very pleased to see how strong that message is in NATO and how united we are behind that message. The united message from dinner is that defence and dialogue are what our relationship is based on."
	Asked if he agreed with French President Francois Hollande's comments yesterday that Russia was not a threat but a partner, Stoltenberg said NATO was now in an entirely new situation.
	"We don't seen any imminent threat against any NATO ally," Stoltenberg said.
	"Russia is neither a strategic partner -- we are not in the strategic partnership with Russia which we tried to develop -- but we are neither in a Cold War situation," he added.
	"We ...

NATO chief says 'we stand together' on Russia

Britain's parliament will vote this month on renewing the Trident nuclear weapons programme, Prime Minister David Cameron said today as he sought to reassure NATO allies alarmed by Brexit.
	Cameron's announcement at a NATO summit in Warsaw comes as the alliance grapples with the implications for its unity after key member Britain shocked the world by voting to leave the European Union.
	Conservative leader Cameron is pushing through the vote on the 20 billion pounds (USD 25 billion) plan to maintain the submarine-based system before he steps down in September in the wake of the EU result.
	"Today I can announce that we will hold a parliamentary vote on the 18th of July to confirm (lawmakers') support for the renewal of a full fleet of four nuclear submarines capable of providing around-the-clock cover," Cameron told a press conference at what will be his final NATO summit after six years in power.
	"The nuclear deterrent remains essential in my view not just to Britain's security but .

British MPs to vote on nuclear deterrent this month

Nine people were killed overnight in the Philippines, authorities said today, as police and suspected anti-drug gunmen pushed ahead with President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on crime.
	Duterte won the May 9 election by landslide largely on a pledge to kill tens of thousands of drug dealers and other criminals, and has urged the police and civilians to help in the killings.
	More than 100 suspects have been killed in the seven weeks since Duterte's election.
	One pre-dawn raid in the town of Matalam, about 900 kilometres south of Manila, left eight "drug personalities" dead today, including a woman, regional police spokesman Superintendent Romeo Galgo told reporters.
	One other person was arrested on suspicion of drug offences, Galgo said, adding that three pistols and four grenades were found on the dead suspects.
	In Manila, police said they found a yet to be identified dead man, his entire head wrapped in tape, on a poorly lit road late yesterday. His torso was covered with 

9 new deaths in controversial Philippines drug war

Andy Murray admits the no-nonsense style that coach Ivan Lendl employed to great effect during his playing career can help steer him to a third Grand Slam title tomorrow.
     The world number two tackles Canada's Milos Raonic, looking to add this year's All England Club crown to his 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon titles, both of which were won when Lendl was first working with the 29-year-old.
     "I do think it helps. I do think in these situations it can make a difference," said Murray as he analysed the influence of Lendl who won eight majors in his own playing career although never triumphed at Wimbledon.
     "I don't think he'd be doing this job if he didn't believe in me and believe that I could win these events, because he doesn't need to. That helps.
     "The information I get from him, the psychological help that I get from having him around, being able to chat to him at these events, before the big matches, you know, makes a difference. That's why I think we've been a ..

Murray learning from no-nonsense Lendl

North Korea today appeared to have test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), Seoul's defence ministry said, a day after the US and South Korea decided to deploy an advanced missile defence system in the South.
	"The North launched what was believed to be an SLBM from waters off the (northeastern) port of Sinpo at around 11:30 am (0230 GMT)", the South Korean defence ministry said in a press statement.
	No further details were immediately available.
	North Korea previously fired an SLBM on April 23 in a test hailed as an "eye-opening success" by leader Kim Jong-Un, who at the time declared his country had the ability to strike Seoul and the US whenever it pleased.
	Saturday's launch came after Seoul and Washington announced their decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system, or THAAD, to the Korean peninsula and the North warned US sanctions against its leader amounted to a "declaration of war".
	Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its .

N Korea test-fires submarine-launched missile: Seoul

Roger Federer insists he will be back at Wimbledon in 2017, when he will be pushing 36, despite his heartbreaking loss to Milos Raonic in the semi-finals.
     The seven-time champion suffered a shock 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 defeat in a match where he crucially failed to convert break points in the fifth and ninth games of the fourth set.
     The great Swiss, who won the last of his 17 majors at Wimbledon four years ago, looked heavy and flat-footed in the final set against a player who is nine years his junior.
     He even stumbled and fell in the fifth set, lying face down in the turf of Centre Court where he has enjoyed his greatest moments.
     "I hope to be back on Centre Court, to be very clear for you," said Federer, whose lengthy wave to all parts of the arena prompted speculation that it was indeed goodbye.
     "I was looking at Centre Court as in thank you for the crowd. That's what I was going through, not thinking about this might be my last Wimbledon."
     Had .

I'll be back at Wimbledon, vows beaten Federer

Cristiano Ronaldo's battle-hardened Portugal stand between hosts France and a cathartic victory in tomorrow's Euro 2016 final at Stade de France.
     The stadium was targeted by suicide bombers during France's friendly against Germany last November in attacks across Paris that left 130 people dead.
     It cast a black shadow over the tournament, but following a joyous semi-final victory over Germany, France aim to prevail in a third major final on home soil after the 1984 European Championship and 1998 World Cup.
     "There is lots of fervour and lots of joy and happiness in France," France coach Didier Deschamps said after the 2-0 win over Germany in Marseille.
     "It's a really great story. We don't claim to have the power to solve all the problems of the French people. But we have the power to generate emotions and make them forget their worries."
     The November attacks, claimed by Islamic State, struck particularly close to France forward Antoine Griezmann.
     He was on .

France face Ronaldo in poignant Euro 2016 final

Andy Murray will chase his second Wimbledon crown against first-time finalist Milos Raonic after the title contenders took contrasting paths to the All England Club showpiece.
     Murray made it to his third Wimbledon final with a ruthless 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 demolition of Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych, while Raonic stunned Roger Federer with a 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory yesterday.
     Raonic's first win on grass against a top 10 opponent shattered Federer's hopes of claiming a record eighth All England Club crown and 18th major.
     The 34-year-old Swiss star was on the brink of becoming the oldest All England Club finalist in 42 years when he took a two sets to one lead, but the big-serving Raonic hit back to avenge his 2014 Wimbledon semi-final loss against Federer.
     "There was a little opening and I took it," said Raonic, who is the first Canadian man to make a Grand Slam final.
     "It's a big impact for Canada. Hopefully, it will be even bigger if I win on Sunday.
  

Murray, Raonic into Wimbledon final

Reigning Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt, who suffered a torn hamstring at the Jamaican Olympic trials, will be named to Jamaica's team for the Rio Olympics on Monday, the Gleaner newspaper reported.
     Citing unnamed sources, the Kingston newspaper reported the Jamaica Olympic Association will list Bolt after the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) entered him among four runners for the 100 and 200 metres after a meeting of the JAAA selection committee.
     Only three runners can represent Jamaica in each event at Brazil, leaving the final decision to team management in Rio to choose the final lineup.
     Bolt withdrew from the Jamaican championships last week after winning his 100m semi-final heat, saying he had a low-grade torn hamstring and later tweeting a photo of work being done on the back of his left leg.
     But by being provisionally listed on the Jamaican team, Bolt can still chase a third consecutive Olympic sweep of 100, 200 and 4x100 ...

Bolt on Jamaican list for Rio: report

US President Barack Obama will cut short a trip to Europe and travel to Dallas next week in the wake of the deadly ambush in the city that left five police dead, the White House has said.
	"The president has accepted an invitation from Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to travel to Dallas early next week," spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement yesterday, adding that Obama would return to the United States tomorrow night -- one day ahead of schedule.
	Obama, who was in Warsaw this week attending a NATO summit, weighed in on the attacks from the Polish capital, calling the episode "vicious, calculated and despicable."
	Micah Johnson, the 25-year-old black Army veteran who carried out the sniper-style attack, killed five police while wounding seven more, as well as injuring two civilians.
	Before being killed by police, he told officers he wanted to kill white cops in retaliation for the harsh treatment of blacks by law enforcement.
	Earlier in the week, two black men were killed by ...

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