US Secretary of State John Kerry today urged European Union members not to "lose their head" or be "revengeful" after Britain's shock referendum decision to leave 28-nation bloc.
	"I think it is absolutely essential that we stay focused on how, in this transitional period, nobody loses their head, nobody goes off half-cocked, people don't start ginning up scatterbrain or revengeful premises," Kerry said in Brussels.
	He said Washington and Europe must "look for ways to maintain the strength that will serve the interests and the values that brought us together in the first place. And that is what is important."
	Kerry also stressed that despite Britain's decision on Thursday, these common values would endure, and that a "strong EU" remained vital for Washington.
	"The United States cares about a strong EU," he said. "It is through the strength of those countries coming together that we are able to make good things happen."
	Kerry was speaking before heading to London to meet outgoing ..

Kerry calls on EU to stay calm after Brexit shock

PTI Automatic

Palestinians and Israeli police clashed at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound for a second day straight today, with Islamic officials accusing Israeli authorities of breaking a tacit agreement on access during Ramadan.
	Young Palestinians threw stones at Israeli police who deployed at the site, while security forces fired tear gas and sponge-tipped bullets, AFP journalists reported.
	Calm later returned to the site, considered sacred to both Jews and Muslims and where clashes regularly occur. A number of injuries were reported by Palestinian media, though the Red Crescent had not provided any figures.
	Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said police intervened to allow visits to the site to continue without further incident after "having obtained information on masked youths" taking up positions in the mosque overnight and blocking its doors.
	Islamic officials say Israeli authorities are allowing non-Muslim visitors into the compound in breach of a tradition which allows only ...

Second day of clashes at Jerusalem flashpoint holy site

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today it was understandable that Britain needs time before triggering its exit from the European Union, but warned against dragging out the process.
	"We cannot afford to have a long period of uncertainty. I think that would not be good for either the EU's 27 member states or Britain. But I also understand that Britain needs a certain period of time to analyse the situation," she said.
	But while Britain considers its options, the leader of Europe's biggest economy also insisted that no back-room deals would be done before the UK triggers Article 50 to leave the bloc.
	"There cannot be any informal talks before Britain gives its notice. That to me, is clear," she said.
	British finance minister George Osborne said today that his country should only activate Article 50 to leave the EU when it has a "clear view" of how its future in the bloc would look.
	Britain's notification will set the clock ticking on a two-year period of negotiations within ...

Merkel says understands Britain needs time on Brexit

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has apologised to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over Ankara's downing of a Russian military jet last year that shattered ties, the Kremlin said today.
	"The head of the Turkish state in his message expressed his sympathy and deepest condolences to the family of the dead Russian pilot and said sorry," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
	He added that Erdogan said he wanted to do "everything possible for the restoration of the traditionally friendly relations between Turkey and Russia.

Erdogan apologises to Putin over downed jet: Kremlin

Two would-be suicide bombers were killed in Nigeria's Maiduguri today after apparently trying to target an overnight Ramadan vigil, a civilian vigilante and a local resident said.
	"There were two explosions outside the mosque on the Damboa Road this morning but luckily no deaths were recorded apart from the two bombers," militia member Babagana Kolo told AFP.
	Kolo and a local resident both said the bombers were disguised as worshippers wanting to attend the "Tahajjud" or night prayer at the mosque but were stopped by security.
	"The civilian joint task force (vigilante) didn't let them enter because he wasn't comfortable with them - and he was right," said the resident, who asked not to be identified.
	"While they were arguing, one of them perhaps lost his patience and set off his explosives. Shortly afterwards, the second bomber also went off."
	Both men said only the vigilante was injured. Prayers were abandoned at the mosque but continued elsewhere in the Borno state capital, ...

Would-be suicide bombers target mosque in Nigeria

Activists today requested Britain to hand over details of the multi-million-dollar sale to Thailand of fake bomb detectors that led to the detention of scores of innocent people.
	British fraudsters Gary Bolton and James McCormick were jailed in 2013 for making millions selling the GT200 and similar devices billed as "magic wands" able to detect tiny particles of explosives or drugs from hundreds of metres away.
	The GT200 was in fact a useless home-made plastic box with a radio antenna - made for a few dollars but sold for between USD 3,300-USD 13,000 per unit to governments including Thailand, Mexico and Iraq.
	Today, Jatuporn Prompan, the leader of Thailand's pro-democracy 'Red Shirt' street movement, handed a letter to the British embassy in Bangkok urging it to share details of contracts for the device.
	British authorities should reveal "particularly the contracts of broker companies which sold them (GT200) to the Thai government and how much they cost", he said in a YouTube ...

Pressure mounts on Thai junta over fake bomb detectors

A breakthrough Israel-Turkey deal following six years of acrimony will see Israel pay USD 20 million (18.14 million euros) in compensation for a deadly 2010 commando raid, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said today.
	The deal will also see the two countries exchange ambassadors "as soon as possible," Yildirim told a press conference in Ankara.
	Both sides have been seeking a deal for months in negotiations held in third countries.
	Israel has agreed to comply with two key Turkish conditions for a restoration in ties -- an apology for the commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which killed 10 Turkish activists, and compensation.
	The deal will allow Turkey to deliver aid to Palestinians living in the Hamas-run territory, Yildirim said.
	"To this end, our first ship loaded with over 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid will leave for Israel's Ashdod port on Friday," he said.
	After the deal is signed on Tuesday, the approval process will start on both countries and the Turkish .

Turkey PM says Israel to pay $20 mn compensation for 2010 raid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today his country's maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip would remain in place following a deal with Turkey to normalise relations.
	Netanyahu made the comments in Rome, broadcast live in Israel, after Israel and Turkey agreed on a highly anticipated deal to end years of acrimony and restore ties.
	Relations soured after a deadly 2010 Israeli raid on an aid flotilla seeking to run the blockade on Gaza.
	"The second thing the agreement gives is continuation of the maritime security blockade off the Gaza Strip coast," Netanyahu said.
	"This is a supreme security interest for us. I was not prepared to compromise on it."
	Israel has fought three wars with Palestinian militants in Gaza since 2008, including a devastating 50-day conflict in the summer of 2014.
	Israel says the blockade is necessary to keep out material that could be used for military purposes in the strip run by Islamist movement Hamas.
	At the same time, UN and aid officials ...

Sea blockade on Gaza to remain after Turkey deal: Netanyahu

Two safes containing luxury watches worth three million euros (USD 3.3 million) have been stolen from a Paris warehouse, police sources said today.
	The theft took place in the chic 8th district of the French capital, at a storage facility for luxury watchmaker Richard Mille.
	One of the police sources said the safes had not been attached to anything.
	Local residents alerted police after noticing strange comings and goings in the area on Sunday night.
	The wealthier districts of Paris are home to some of the world's top brands, making them a prime target for robbers and thieves.
	In May robbers with pump-action shotguns raided a Chanel boutique, a month after criminals rammed the storefront of another Chanel store with a 4x4 car, making off with several expensive handbags.

Paris thieves steal 3 mn euros in luxury watches

Britain battled to stop worldwide Brexit alarm today as sterling crumbled to a three-decade low against the dollar, while bank, airline and property shares plummeted.
	Other world markets steadied a little after Britain's June 23 vote to abandon the European Union wiped USD 2.1 trillion off international equity values Friday.
	Analysts warned of a volatile period ahead as global investors grappled with the financial consequences of the Brexit referendum.
	"Today I want to reassure the British people, and the global community, that Britain is ready to confront what the future holds for us from a position of strength," Britain's finance minister, George Osborne, declared before European financial markets opened.
	Britain's economy is "as strong as could be", the minister said.
	The pound skidded to USD 1.3222 in morning London trade, its lowest level against the dollar since September 1985.
	London's FTSE 100 index, which boasts many international companies, fell 1.5 percent in morning .

Sterling slides as Brexit alarm spreads

The pound tumbled today to the lowest level in almost 31 years on economic and political uncertainty after Britain voted last week to leave the European Union.
	At about 0955 GMT, sterling slumped to USD 1.3222 -- the lowest level since September 1985 -- having rebounded slightly after a similar trough was struck on Friday.

Pound slumps to more than 30 year low against dollar

One fifth of British business leaders are considering moving operations abroad after the country's shock decision to leave the EU, according to a survey from a leading business lobby group.
	The Institute of Directors (IoD), which polled more than a thousand of its members between Friday and Sunday, added one in four planned to freeze recruitment following the surprise referendum result.
	Almost two thirds or 64 per cent of IoD members think the result is negative for their business, while 23 per cent think it is positive. Nine percent say it makes no difference.
	"Businesses will be busy working out how they are going to adapt and succeed after the referendum result," said Simon Walker, IoD director general.
	"But we can't sugar-coat this, many of our members are feeling anxious.
	"A majority of business leaders think the vote for Brexit is bad for them, and as a result plans for investment and hiring are being put on hold or scaled back."
	More than a third of IoD members said the ..

'One fifth of British businesses may move operations abroad'

Pound slumps to new 30-year low against US dollar. (AFP)

London stocks sank more than 0.8 per cent in opening deals today, despite attempts by finance minister George Osborne to calm jitters after last week's shock Brexit vote.
	The British capital's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top blue-chip companies fell 0.84 per cent to 6,086.66 points at the open.

London stocks drop 0.8% at open

At least five people were killed in multiple suicide bombings today in eastern Lebanon near the border with Syria, officials said.
	At least four suicide blasts hit the predominantly Christian village of Al-Qaa, a military source told AFP.
	"The first attacker knocked on one of the homes in the village, but after the resident became suspicious, he blew himself up," the source said.
	"People began gathering at the site of the explosion and the three other suicide attackers blew themselves up," he added.
	A security source had said earlier that a bomb had exploded and then "more than one suicide bomber blew themselves (up)".
	George Kettaneh, the general secretary of the Lebanese Red Cross, told AFP the blast had left "at least eight killed including three suicide bombers."
	He said 15 other people were wounded, including some in critical condition.
	Lebanon's national news agency said the blasts struck at 10 minute intervals and also wounded three Lebanese soldiers stationed in the ...

Multiple suicide bombings kill 5 in eastern Lebanon: officials

Lionel Messi sensationally announced his retirement from international football here after Argentina crashed to defeat against Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.
    	A crestfallen Messi confirmed his decision to quit after yet another agonizing near-miss with Argentina, who have now lost three major tournament finals in a row since 2014.
    	"It's a hard moment for me and the team, and it's difficult to say, but its over with the Argentina team," said Messi, who was also on the losing side in the final of the 2007 Copa America.
    	"I've done all I can, I've been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion," the 29-year-old five-time world footballer of the year added.
     Messi had earlier been left distraught after missing Argentina's opening penalty in the shoot-out at MetLife Stadium after the two teams had finished extra-time deadlocked at 0-0.
	Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero had got the shoot-out off to a dream start by saving Chile's opening spot-kick but .

Messi retires as Chile stun Argentina in Copa America

Lionel Messi sensationally announced his retirement from international football here Sunday after Argentina crashed to an upset defeat against Chile in the final of the Copa America.
	The heartbroken Barcelona superstar was distraught after missing a spot-kick as Chile snatched victory in a penalty shoot-out -- Messi's fourth straight defeat in a major final while representing Argentina.
	"For me the national team is over," the crestfallen 29-year-old told reporters.
	"I've done all I can, I've been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion.
	"It's a hard moment for me and the team, and it's difficult to say, but it's over with the Argentina team."
     Messi's dramatic announcement followed Argentina's third loss in a major final since 2014.
	They were beaten 1-0 by Germany in the final of the World Cup in 2014 and lost on penalties, also to Chile, in the final of the 2015 Copa America.
	Messi also tasted defeat with Argentina in the final of the 2007 Copa America.
	Despite a .

Messi retires from international football

IAAF president Seb Coe warned against casting aspersions on athletes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that testing on female athletes taking testosterone suppressants be suspended.
	   Coe attended the final day of the African Athletics Championships in Durban Sunday, where South African star Caster Semenya completed a gold medal treble.
	   Semenya won the 1500 metres title two days ago before racing to victory in the 800m and anchoring the 4x400m relay team to first place.
	   "The CAS over a year or so ago looked at this issue, but we have a year in order to represent our case to the CAS," Coe said.
	   "I don't like to see any athlete in any discipline under sensitive situations being demonised, we are talking about human beings here.
	   "As the president of this federation, that is how I want to conduct these discussions."
	   Some have recently related Semenya's stellar performances -- including the rare feat of winning the 400m, 800m and 1,500m at the ...

Coe warning over female testosterone tests

Chelsea star Eden Hazard said Belgium are hoping to keep the Euro 2016 party going with a win over Wales in Lille on Friday but said their 4-0 rout of Hungary will be hard to beat.
	   In an impressive man-of-the-match performance Hazard hit his maiden goal of the tournament as the Red Devils proved far too hot to handle for an outclassed Hungary side.
	   While they limp out of their first major finals in three decades with good memories of winning Group F and making the last 16, Belgium's hopes for their first final since 1980 are growing.
	   Hazard can't wait to play in Lille, a northern French city close to the Belgian border where he starred for four seasons before moving to England.
	   But he said: "Doing better than tonight would be difficult, I think. Everything was almost perfect. We scored goals, we created a lot of chances, we helped Thibaut (Courtois) keep a clean sheet.
	   "All in all it was a great night, but we made it easy for ourselves. We created a lot of chances .

Hazard can't wait for Wales in quarters

Eden Hazard scored his first goal of Euro 2016 as Belgium cruised into the quarter-finals with a 4-0 win that ended Hungary's fairytale campaign.
	   Belgium go into the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time since losing the 1980 final. They were dominant throughout at Stadium de Toulouse after Toby Alderweireld headed them into a 10th minute lead.
	   The Red Devils wasted a series of great chances to finish the game before Michy Batshuayi, with his first touch as a substitute, Hazard and Yannick Carrasco scored in the last 12 minutes.
	   Belgium now battle Wales in Lille, near the French-Belgian border, for a place in the semi-finals.
	   "It's great, we're into the quarter-finals after a deserved win," said Hazard.
	   "We could have scored more goals, and although their 'keeper pulled off some great stops we're not complaining.
	   "We're in the last eight, we're going to Lille and I hope there will be a lot of Belgians there to support us.
	   "We're still ...

Belgium hit four past Hungary at Euro 2016

Rain may have cut short Sunday's third one-day international between England and Sri Lanka but for Liam Plunkett there was the satisfaction of taking his 50th wicket at this level -- more than a decade after his first.
     England were left 1-0 up with two to play after rain ensured a no result in Bristol ahead of Wednesday's day/night clash at The Oval in south London.
     Earlier fast bowler Plunkett made early inroads on his way to three for 46 as Sri Lanka were held to a total of 248 for nine.
     Three Sri Lanka batsmen -- Dinesh Chandimal (62), captain Angelo Mathews (56) and Kusal Mendis (53) -- all made fifties but holed out.
     But it was opener Kusal Perera (nine) who became Plunkett's landmark success when he top-edged an intended big hit and wicket-keeper Jos Buttler held a skyer.
     It had taken the 31-year-old 37 ODIs to take 50 wickets, with his first being Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf when the Yorkshireman struck on debut in Karachi back in 2005.
     "It's only ..

AFP

AFP

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