Europe's titans clash on Saturday when Germany and Italy meet in the plum Euro 2016 quarter-final with huge stakes for both countries.
     Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is poised to make his first start in the Bordeaux match, while Italy's veteran defender Daniele de Rossi faces a race to be fit.
     Like two heavyweight boxers eyeing up their opponent before the first bell, both teams have talked up the respect factor and down played the significance of Italy winning the last eight meetings at major tournaments.
     In the most recent matches, Italy claimed a 2-1 win in the Euro 2012 semi-finals while Germany romped to a 4-1 win in a meaningless friendly in March.
     Joachim Loew's Germany insists they have no 'Italy trauma' as they look to beat the Azzurri at the ninth attempt on a big stage and throw off their Italian shackles.
     Antonio Conte's Italy has compared taking on the world champions as football's equivalent of 'climbing Everest'. Italy have their own ...

Germany attempt to throw off Italian shackles

PTI Automatic

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal battled their way to a place in the European Championship last four on Thursday winning a penalty shootout 5-3 against Poland in a tense quarter-final.
     Teenage sensation Renato Sanches, who scored Portugal's goal and smashed home one of the penalties, said it was a "wonderful moment for the team and for me for scoring".
     Portugal have reached the last four without winning a single game within 90 minutes.
     "People criticise us but we don't care, because we are in the semis," Sanches said, after Portugal reached the semi-finals for the fourth time in the last five European Championships.
     Poland had started strongly, with Robert Lewandowski scoring his first goal of Euro 2016 inside two minutes in the Marseille clash before 18-year-old Sanches, his new teammate at Bayern Munich, equalised with a powerfully driven shot. The game then went through extra-time deadlocked at 1-1.
     Goalkeeper Rui Patricio and Ricardo Quaresma were Portugal's ..

Shootout win sees Ronaldo's Portugal into Euro semi-finals

Oil prices rose in Asia today as traders welcomed assurances from central bank around the world that they were ready to step in to prevent a global rout following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.
	After the initial shock of last Thursday's referendum sparked a freefall, this week has seen a broad recovery across all asset classes.
	South Korea has promised of USD 17 billion in stimulus and speculation swirls that Japan is planning to further loosen monetary policy while the chances of the US raising interest rates have all but evaporated.
	Yesterday Bank of England boss Mark Carney hinted that policymakers were contemplating a cut in interest rates.
	The news sent European and US shares soaring, and Asian traders picked up the baton today to press more gains.
	The optimism filtered through to the oil market and at about 0315 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery was up 34 cents, or 0.70 per cent, at USD 48.67.
	Brent for September, a new contract, ...

Oil prices up as global markets recover post Brexit

The UN General Assembly has elected Italy to the Security Council under a deal that will see the Netherlands take over the seat in a year.
	The two countries agreed to split the two-year term on the council yesterday after five rounds of voting earlier this week ended with a tie.
	Under the deal, Italy will take up the seat on January 1 and then make way for the Netherlands to take over in 2018.
	The arrangement is rare but not unprecedented at the United Nations.
	The last split term was in 1964-65 between what was then Czechoslovakia and Malaysia.
	Italy was elected with 179 votes in the General Assembly, which has 193 member states.
	During elections on Tuesday, Kazkahstan was elected to the council for the first time along with Bolivia, Ethiopia and Sweden.
	The newly-elected countries will take their place alongside the five permanent council members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
	The other five non-permanent members are: Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine .

UN approves deal for Italy, Netherlands to share Council seat

A US judge has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend, whose case was turned into a global sensation by a hit podcast.
	Adnan Syed, 35, the son of Pakistani immigrants, was sentenced to life imprisonment 16 years ago for the murder of Hae Min Lee in suburban Baltimore.
	The case was largely ignored in the media until it was taken up by weekly podcast "Serial" and turned into a blockbuster when an American journalist revisited the story and cast doubt on Syed's guilt.
	Judge Martin Welch in Baltimore granted Syed's request for a new trial in a court document issued yesterday. "We won a new trial for Adnan Syed," tweeted his defense lawyer Justin Brown.
	Maryland state prosecutors had fought against the move, insisting that Syed was given a fair defence and there was no need to reopen his case.
	The podcast, a mix of investigative journalism, first-person narrative and dramatic storytelling, focused its first season entirely on Syed's story in a ...

US judge grants new trial for 'Serial' murderer

Legislators will vote on removing Brazil's suspended president Dilma Rousseff from office just days after the Olympic Games end in Rio, the Senate president has said.
	The vote will take place between August 25-27 after a final debate, Renan Calheiros -- who is overseeing Rousseff's impeachment trial in the upper house -- told journalists in the capital Brasilia.
	That will provide a few days' breathing space after the end of the August 5-21 Olympics, the first ever to be held in South America.
	The Senate had originally considered August 16 for the impeachment vote before moving the date to August 22, which was also rejected as too close to the Games, amid fears that political tensions would ruin the atmosphere.
	Rousseff, 68, was suspended on May 12 in a Senate vote, which followed a similar vote in the lower house. The Senate must next vote by a two thirds majority in order to finally strip her of the presidency.
	The leftist leader is accused of breaking budget laws by taking ...

Brazil impeachment vote to follow Olympics: official

Tesla has said a driver was killed while using its "autopilot" self-driving mechanism on its Model S electric car, leading to a federal safety investigation.
     Tesla said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had opened a "preliminary evaluation" into the performance of Autopilot after the electric car company notified the agency of the fatality.
     In a statement yesterday, Tesla said the fatality was "a tragic loss" and was the first such incident with its Autopilot system activated.
     "This is the first known fatality in just over 209 million kilometres where Autopilot was activated," the company said.
     "Among all vehicles in the US, there is a fatality every 94 million miles. Worldwide, there is a fatality approximately every 60 million miles," it said.
     "It is important to emphasise that the NHTSA action is simply a preliminary evaluation to determine whether the system worked according to expectations."
     Tesla, known for its high-end ...

Tesla driver killed on 'autopilot' mode, US probe opened

The hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic has begun to shrink, signaling good news for the environment several decades after an international accord to phase out certain pollutants, researchers said today.
	The study found that the September ozone hole has shrunk by 1.5 million square miles (four million square kilometers) since 2000 -- an area about the size of India.
	"It's a big surprise," said lead author Susan Solomon, an atmospheric chemist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in an interview with Science magazine.
	"I didn't think it would be this early."
	The ozone hole was first discovered in the 1950s.
	It reached record size in October 2015, but Solomon and colleagues determined that this was due to the eruption of the Chilean volcano Calbuco.
	The overall trend toward recovery became apparent when scientists studied measurements from satellites, ground-based instruments and weather balloons in the month of September, not October when the ozone hole typically .

Signs of 'healing' ozone layer over Antarctic: study

Oil prices fell sharply today, backing away from USD 50 a barrel on profit-taking and diminishing worries about supply disruptions in Nigeria and Norway.
	Analysts said some oil traders cashed out following a two-day rally on Tuesday and yesterday that followed a big drop in oil prices after Britain's vote to leave the European Union.
	Oil was also depressed by gains in the dollar after Bank of England governor Mark Carney signaled likely monetary stimulus this summer due to the economic hit from Brexit. A stronger dollar weakens demand for oil and commodities that are sold in the US currency on international markets.
	"After a couple of days of rampant rallying, crude is heading lower once more amid a stronger dollar," said ClipperData analyst Matt Smith.
	US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in August dropped USD 1.55 to USD 48.33 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
	Brent North Sea oil for August delivery fell 93 cents to USD 49.68 a barrel in ...

Oil prices retreat from USD 50 a barrel

A 13-year-old girl who was fatally stabbed in her home today by a Palestinian attacker in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank is a US citizen, the State Department said.
	"We have now confirmed that she is a US citizen," department spokesman John Kirby said of the girl identified as Hallel Yaffa Ariel. "This brutal act of terrorism is simply unconscionable.

Teen killed in West Bank stabbing is US citizen: State Dept

US chocolate maker Hershey said today it had rejected a preliminary takeover bid of about USD 23 billion from food giant Mondelez, whose brands include Cadbury.
	The Hershey board of directors said it "carefully reviewed" a bid of USD 107 per share for the company and "determined that it provided no basis for further discussion between Mondelez and the company.

Hershey says it has rejected Mondelez takeover bid

US First Lady Michelle Obama said today she was "proud" that a woman might be elected president of the United States this year, during a speech in Madrid to promote education for girls.
	"I'm proud to say that this year, for the first time in history, we might just elect a president -- a female president of the United States," she said, without naming presumptive Democratic White House nominee Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama's former rival who went on to become his secretary of state.
	Her comments come as President Obama prepares to campaign with Clinton for the first time next Tuesday in the swing state of North Carolina, one of about a dozen battleground states where November's election is expected to be decided.
	Michelle Obama, accompanied by her daughters Malia and Sasha and her mother Marian Robinson, arrived in the Spanish capital on Wednesday night from Morocco.
	The US first lady and her daughters struggled to hold down their billowing dresses as they descended from their ...

Michelle Obama 'proud' woman may be elected US president

The Pentagon said today it will let transgender personnel serve openly, a major milestone for America's vast military, and said it would pay for related medical treatment.
	Lifting the ban on transgender service members "is the right thing to do for our people and for the force," Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said in a statement.
	"We're talking about talented Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity to serve. We can't allow barriers unrelated to a person's qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining those who can best accomplish the mission."
	Up until five years ago, the US military still banned gay troops from openly discussing their sexuality under a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
	The new transgender policy will be phased in during a one-year period, but effective immediately, the military can no longer discharge or deny reenlistment to troops based solely on their gender identity.
	Transgender service members currently on duty can now 

US military lifts ban on transgender personnel

In the production hall of the world's biggest tartan maker, huge iron spools rotate amid the roar of machines as threads of every colour are pulled together at lightning speed to produce its distinctive weaves.
	A week after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the referendum has left dark clouds hanging over the business in Selkirk, near Scotland's border with England.
	Lochcarron of Scotland produces 1,500 types of tartan including a blue and rose pastel version worn by Princess Diana, a product 100 per cent "Made in Scotland".
	But the firm, which employs 94 people, is now watching the fate of sterling on the money markets, and worrying about its future after the shock Brexit vote.
	The factory depends heavily on high-precision equipment and raw materials which come from Europe, the prices of which could skyrocket due to sterling plunging against the euro.
	"That would be the first impact," says production boss David Riddell.
	For many in Selkirk, an hour's drive south of ...

Scotland's tartan and whisky makers hold breath after Brexit

At least 70 regime and rebel fighters have been killed in 24 hours in a government assault and a jihadist-led counterattack in northern Syria, a monitor said today.
	The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30 regime soldiers and 39 rebel fighters had been killed in battles around Al-Maleh, north of Aleppo, since yesterday afternoon.
	Jihadists fighting for the Al-Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, were also killed, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman, who did not provide a precise number.
	The government of President Bashar al-Assad has been attempting to seize Al-Maleh for more than two years.
	His forces have been trying for months to surround Aleppo by cutting supply lines between rebel-held districts of the city and nearby Turkey, which supports opposition forces.
	For nearly a week, regime troops backed by Syrian and Russian warplanes have been battling for control of Al-Maleh.
	Assad's regime is also attempting to cut the Castello Road, a key supply route from .

At least 70 killed in north of Syria's Aleppo: monitor

Embattled British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn came under fire today for allegedly comparing the state of Israel to "self-styled Islamic states."
	Britain's chief rabbi condemned the comments, made at the launch of a report on anti-Semitism in the party, as "offensive" and said they were likely to cause more concern about Labour's stance.
	Veteran socialist Corbyn is clinging to office despite a huge revolt by Labour lawmakers who say he did not campaign hard enough to keep Britain in the EU in last week's vote for Brexit.
	"Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslim friends are for those of various self-styled Islamic states or organisations," said Corbyn.
	Amid a barrage of criticism, Corbyn denied comparing Israel with the so-called Islamic State (IS) group.
	But Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: "The comments by the leader of the Labour party at the launch, however they were intended, are themselves offensive, 

Britain's Corbyn under fire over Israel comments

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said today that he is joining Manchester United, ending intense speculation about where the 34-year-old Swedish superstar forward will be playing next season.
     Ibrahimovic, who was a free agent after ending a hugely successful stay at Paris Saint-Germain, becomes the second signing of new United boss Jose Mourinho after that of highly rated Ivory Coast centre-back Eric Bailly from the Spanish outfit Villarreal.
     "Time to let the world know. My next destination is Manchester United," he wrote on Instagram and Facebook, complete with a picture of the United badge, as comments approving of the move -- one of the biggest of the summer so far -- flooded in.
     Ibrahimovic reunites with Mourinho, after they enjoyed a good relationship while together at Italians Inter Milan, in what is likely to be the last major move in a career spanning five countries, starting with Malmo.
     The towering Swede, who hit 62 goals in 116 international matches, had toyed with ...

I'm joining Manchester United - Ibrahimovic

Venus Williams ignored her exile to Wimbledon's unglamourous Court 18 as the five-time champion defeated Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 today.
     Williams, seeded eighth, was a surprise choice to play on one of Wimbledon's smaller outside courts.
     For a while, it seemed she might come to curse the decision of the All England Club schedule makers.
     Venus hadn't lost to a player outside the top 100 at a Grand Slam since a 1999 defeat against Barbara Schwartz at the US Open.
     But the 36-year-old, the oldest woman in this year's main draw, was teetering on the brink of an embarrassing second round exit when world number 115 Sakkari levelled at one-set all.
     Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, held her nerve to subdue Sakkari in two hours and 24 minutes and will play Russian 29th seed Darya Kasatkina or Spain's Lara Arruabarrena for a place in the last 16.
     Venus is firmly in the twilight of her career, having last won one of the four majors at ...

Venus beats court controversy to make Wimbledon third round

Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori struggled into the Wimbledon third round today while Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic and Spanish veteran David Ferrer exited as the All England Club played catch-up after a rain-lashed two days.
     Nishikori saw off France's world number 547 Julien Benneteau 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 on Centre Court and goes on to meet Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov.
     "I started playing more aggressive and more solid," said the 26-year-old Nishikori who has never got beyond the Wimbledon fourth round.
     "It wasn't an easy match. He started well so it was a great match for me."
     Nineteen-year-old Bencic became the highest-ranked casualty at Wimbledon when the seventh seed retired from her second round match against American qualifier Julia Boserup.
     Bencic was 6-4, 1-0 down on Court Three to the world number 225 who is making her Grand Slam debut.
     Bencic, who missed the clay court season with a back injury, had only completed her first round match late ...

Nishikori battles through, Bencic and Ferrer out

The Yugoslav war crimes court today threw out an appeal brought by two former top Bosnian Serb officials against their conviction and upheld a 22-year jail term imposed for their roles in the 1990s conflict.
	Mico Stanisic and Stojan Zupljanin had appealed against the 2013 sentence after they were convicted of leading a campaign to rid Bosnia of Muslims, Croats and other non-Serbs during the 1992-1995 conflict.
	The two men were close associates of one-time Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who was found guilty in March on charges of genocide and war crimes for his role in the fighting that killed more than 100,000 people and left 2.2 million others homeless.
	The appeals chamber at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia dismissed in their "entirety" the appeals brought by Stanisic and Zupljanin, upheld the convictions, and "affirms the sentences of 22 years of imprisonment," judge Carmel Agius said.
	Stanisic, 62, a former Bosnian Serb interior minister, ...

UN judges uphold 22-year jail term for Bosnian Serb leaders

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi today described as a "revolution" the protests that led to the army ousting his Islamist predecessor, in remarks on the third anniversary of the demonstrations.
	Millions took to the streets of Cairo and other cities on June 30, 2013 to call for the removal of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, whose one-year rule had been deeply divisive.
	Sisi, then the army chief, gave Morsi a 48-hour ultimatum to respond to "the people's demands" before ordering the military to overthrow and detain him.
	Egypt is celebrating "this revolution, with which the Egyptian people have regained their identity and corrected its path... Proved to the whole world that their will cannot be broken nor curbed," Sisi said in a speech broadcast on national television."
	His decision to order the removal of Morsi unleashed protests by the Islamist's supporters, and in turn a crackdown in which hundreds of demonstrators were killed.
	Sisi army chief was elected president a year 

AFP

AFP

Page 1605 - Afp