The pound today collapsed to a 31-year low and there was pandemonium on currency, equity and oil markets as Britain voted to leave the European Union, fuelling a wave of global uncertainty.
	Sterling crashed 10 per cent to USD 1.3229 at one point, its weakest level since 1985, while the greenback itself slumped below 100 yen for the first time in two-and-a-half years as traders fled to safety.
	In the weeks leading up to yesterday's historic vote, there had been widespread warnings that a 'Brexit' would cause a rout across global markets that would wipe trillions off valuations, just months after a painful China-fuelled sell-off.
	The doomsday scenario appeared to be playing out as markets suffered one of their worst days since the 2008 financial crisis after final results confirmed one of the EU's big three economies would leave the bloc after four decades.
	Fears are also growing that other EU members will push for referendums, posing the biggest threat to the future of grouping ...

Pound, Asia markets collapse as Britain quits EU

PTI Automatic

A group of South Korean human rights lawyers filed a police complaint today accusing the country's spy chief of illegally detaining a dozen North Korean restaurant workers who defected in April.
	All 12 were waitresses at a North Korea-themed restaurant in China who arrived in the South with their manager, making headlines as the largest group defection in years.
	While Seoul says they fled voluntarily, Pyongyang claims they were kidnapped by South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) and has waged a campaign through its state media for their immediate return.
	The liberal lawyers' group, called the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, has been seeking direct access to the defectors to determine their version of events.
	Having obtained power-of-attorney from the waitresses' families in the North, the group managed to force a court hearing on Tuesday at which the women had been requested to appear and answer questions.
	But the NIS said they were unwilling to testify and refused ..

S Korea lawyers file police complaint over North defectors

Cambodia deported 25 Taiwanese nationals wanted on fraud charges to China today, a police officer said, despite vehement opposition from Taipei which wanted the suspects returned to Taiwan.
	Taipei accuses Beijing of "abducting" its citizens from countries that do not recognise the island's government -- such as close China ally Cambodia.
	"The Chinese plane just took off from the Phnom Penh airport with the suspects," Cambodian immigration officer Uk Heisela told AFP.
	The 25 Taiwanese suspects were joined by 14 Chinese nationals, all of whom were recently arrested for allegedly running a telephone fraud targeting victims on the mainland.
	"Chinese police came with the plane. Each suspect was escorted by two Chinese police," said the officer, adding that a total of 90 Chinese officers arrived to oversee the hand-off.
	Taiwan insists citizens deported from third countries should be returned to the island and not to mainland China.
	Taiwan has been self-ruling since the end of a civil .

Cambodia deports 25 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China: police

A piece of aircraft debris found off the coast of Tanzania will be examined to see whether it could be from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, Australian officials said today.
	Australia's Transport Minister Darren Chester gave no description of the fragment found on Pemba Island, the latest in a string of pieces being examined for links to the aircraft lost more than two years ago with 239 people onboard.
	"The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is seeking further information on the debris to ascertain whether it was from the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, MH370," Chester said in a statement.
	The bureau said Malaysian officials were in contact with Tanzanian authorities to arrange for the piece to be examined.
	The final location of MH370, which was on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it vanished in March 2014, has never been found despite an extensive search.
	But pieces of debris thought almost certainly to have come from the plane have washed up on the ...

Tanzania debris to be checked for MH370 link: Australia

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said today he regretted Britain's decision to leave the EU, calling it a "sad day for Europe".
	"The early morning news from #GreatBritain are truly sobering. It looks like a sad day for #Europe +the #UnitedKingdom," Steinmeier wrote on Twitter.
	EU Parliament President Martin Schulz said he would speak with German Chancellor Angela Merkel "on how we can avoid a chain reaction" of other EU states following.
	"The chain reaction that is being celebrated everywhere now by euroskeptics won't happen," he said.
	The EU was the biggest single market in the world and "Great Britain has just cut its ties with that market," Schulz said.
	"That'll have consequences and I don't believe other countries will be encouraged to follow that dangerous path."
	"I am not shocked," he said of the results of the British referendum, adding: "We were prepared.

'Sad day for Europe, Britain,' says German foreign minister

A 167-year-old newspaper in Panama that existed even before the country became independent is faced with extinction because its main shareholder has been hit with US sanctions for allegedly laundering drug money.
	The daily, La Estrella de Panama, and a sister newspaper, El Siglo, are in "real danger of closing," the head of its publishing company, Eduardo Quiros, told foreign correspondents yesterday.
	Both titles are published by Gese, which is part of a business empire owned by Abdul Waked, a Panamanian who also holds Lebanese and Colombian nationalities.
	Waked, 66, and a relative, Nidal Ahmed Waked Hatum, 36, were on May 5 designated by the US as major money-launderers for big drug cartels. Waked Hatum was arrested in Colombia.
	Their interests, which also span duty free shops, a bank, real estate, and malls, were put on a US sanctions black list that freezes their American assets and locks them out of doing business with Americans.
	Though the US Treasury Department gave a ...

US sanctions threaten 167-year-old Panama newspaper

A huge overhang in oil stocks lingering across the world will keep a cap on any further oil price rises, the IEA said today, even as supply and demand move towards balance by the end of the year.
	Global demand for oil is steadily rising thanks to solid economic growth, and supply has been curbed by unexpected production cuts due to wildfires in Canada and rebel attacks in Nigeria, as well as falling US shale production, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly oil market report.
	These factors recently pushed the oil price above the key level of USD 50 as supply came closer to matching demand, a process known as rebalancing which the IEA expects to be fully in place in the second quarter of this year.
	But while market forces play out to help the oil price to continue climbing from its low point of close to USD 25 at the start of the year, there are still large oil inventories waiting to feed into the market, causing a supply glut that is likely to keep a lid on gains for .

'Enormous' inventories to keep lid on oil price: IEA

Iraqi forces said jihadist fighters were attempting to flee Fallujah by blending in with civilians who have been escaping the besieged city in their thousands in recent days.
	The Pentagon said meanwhile that US Apache helicopters hit an Islamic State group target for the first time in Iraq, in the north of the country.
	More than 500 suspected IS members have been arrested trying to sneak out with civilians since forces ramped up efforts to retake Fallujah, one of the group's most emblematic bastions, two weeks ago.
	"We have arrested 546 suspected terrorists who had fled by taking advantage of the movements of displaced families over the past two weeks," Hadi Rzayej, the police chief for Anbar province in which Fallujah is located, said yesterday.
	"Many of them were using fake IDs," he said from the southern edge of Fallujah, where Iraqi forces are pressing a three-week-old offensive to retake the city from IS.
	When civilians reach government forces, teenage boys and adult men are 

IS suspects fleeing Iraq's Fallujah with civilians

The ex-companion of media mogul Sumner Redstone filed an appeal against a judge's decision to dismiss her bid to be re-installed as the 93-year-old billionaire's caretaker, likening her case to a Shakespearean tragedy.
	"The comparison of waning Sumner Redstone to demented King Lear is apt," Manuela Herzer said in her petition for a new trial filed in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday.
	Her attorney Pierce O'Donnell argued in the petition that the judge who had dismissed the case in May must reconsider his ruling as there was new evidence proving Redstone's daughter, Shari Redstone, had schemed over a two-year period to get rid of her father's caretaker.
	Among other things, the petition claims that Shari Redstone had seized control of her father's affairs, isolating him from his closest friends and colleagues as she sought to rule over his USD 40 billion media empire.
	"This highly probative evidence demonstrates that Manuela was right all along about Shari's greed and thirst for .

Sumner Redstone ex-companion invokes Shakespeare in appeal

Facebook has apologised for accidentally declaring the Philippines was in a state of war, in what was meant to be an innocuous flag tribute for Independence Day.
	The social media giant greeted Filipinos a "Happy Independence Day" on Sunday with a post showing a Philippine flag, but it was upside-down with red rather than blue at the top. In the Philippines this officially means the nation is at war.
	Facebook, which routinely comes out with greetings to mark holidays around the world, apologised for the blunder.
	"This was unintentional, and we're sorry. We care deeply about the community in the Philippines and in an attempt to connect people on Independence Day, we made a mistake," Facebook said in a statement sent to AFP on Tuesday.
	The blunder was greeted with a mix of anger and humour in the social media-obsessed country.
	"Dear @facebook: It's not a happy Independence Day if our flag is like this. Like seriously," said Twitter user @econcepcion.
	But activist Jonas Bagas ...

Facebook 'declares war' in Philippine flag gaffe

Police killed eight gunmen who attacked them on a road in northern Mexico and they seized six high-caliber rifles and a grenade launcher after the shootout, authorities said.
	The federal officers were on patrol on a road in the town of San Fernando, in the violence-plagued state of Tamaulipas, when armed civilians arrived in two pick-up trucks and opened fire, a regional security task force said in a statement.
	"While repelling the attack in self-defense, the federal police killed eight assailants," the Tamaulipas Coordination Group said in a statement, adding that the gunmen have yet to be identified.
	A police car was left with several bullet holes but none of the officers were hurt. The six rifles and grenade launchers were found in the two pickups along with cartridges of various calibers and a smaller gun.
	San Fernando is known as the municipality where 72 migrants, most from Central America, were slaughtered by the Zetas drug cartel in August 2010.
	Tamaulipas, which borders .

Mexican police kill eight gunmen in shootout

A man claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group killed a French policeman and his partner, investigators said today, in what authorities blasted as an "appalling terrorist act."
	President Francois Hollande held a top-level security meeting after the overnight attack, which took place as France was on high alert for the Euro 2016 football championships.
	Sources close to the investigation identified the suspect, who was killed in a dramatic police operation, as Larossi Abballa, 25.
	They told AFP he had been previously sentenced for a role in a jihadist group with links to Pakistan.
	He stabbed the policeman repeatedly outside his home in Magnanville, a northwestern suburb of Paris, before holing up inside with the policeman's partner and the couple's three- year-old son.
	Loud detonations were heard at the scene as elite RAID police moved in following failed negotiations with the attacker.
	Officers found the woman's body after they stormed the house, and her attacker was killed 

French policeman killed in fresh terror attack

Rampaging football fans have opened up a new sporting crisis for Russia as it battles doping scandals and doubts about the World Cup that it will host in two years.
     Sanctions that UEFA is considering against Russia over pitched fights, racist chants and fireworks hurled around the European Championship game against England have been a new blow to Russia's reputation.
     Images of fans preparing for battle with gumshields and batons, charging through Marseille's old town with chairs over their heads ready to throw have gone around the world.
     Women and children were among the England supporters who had to flee over barriers when Russian fans launched a charge inside the Stade Velodrome stadium at the end of the 1-1 draw.
     UEFA have threatened England and Russia with disqualification from Euro 2016 if there is a repeat of the unrest.
     Only Russia faces formal charges however. Europe's governing body is to announce a first punishment on Tuesday.
     Russia's Sports ...

Battle-hardened fans cause new crisis for Russian sport

England included the uncapped trio of batsman Dawid Malan and bowlers Tymal Mills and Liam Dawson in a 13-man squad for their upcoming Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka.
     Malan, born in London but brought up in South Africa, gets his chance after impressing for England's second-string Lions team.
     Fast bowler Mills now only plays limited overs cricket because of a back condition, while Hampshire left-arm spinner Dawson is also a useful batsman.
     England will be looking to build on the form that saw them finish runners-up to the West Indies in this year's World Twenty20 in India.
     None of the uncapped trio, however, were included in England's 14-man squad for the five one-days internationals against Sri Lanka that will take place before the lone Twenty20 international.
     But Jonny Bairstow, fresh from being named man-of-the-match in the drawn third Test against Sri Lanka, was back in the one-day squad.
     Bairstow, also England's man of the series in a 2-0 ..

England call-up uncapped trio for Sri Lanka T20

England captain Alastair Cook said he was looking forward to the challenge of facing Pakistan following his side's commanding Test series win over Sri Lanka.
     Rain meant only 12.2 overs were possible at Lord's on Monday as the third Test ended in a draw.
     But although denied a whitewash, England had already done enough to secure a 2-0 series win after dominant victories by an innings and 88 runs and nine wickets over the Lankans at Leeds and Chester-le-Street respectively.
     England now hold Test series trophies against every other major international side except Pakistan, who beat Cook's men 2-1 in a three-match series in the United Arab Emirates in November last year.
     However, they will have a chance to put that right when they face Pakistan in a four-Test series starting at Lord's on July 14.
     "They've got a very good (pace) attack, backed up with spinners," Cook said of Pakistan.
     "We're ready for them. We scored a lot of runs against Australia's attack ...

Cook 'ready' for Pakistan after Sri Lanka success

Marlon Samuels produced his best batting effort in One-Day International cricket against Australia to lead the West Indies to a six-wicket victory in the fifth match of the Tri-Nation series at Warner Park in St Kitts on Monday.
	   Set a challenging target after Usman Khawaja's 98 and supporting half-centuries from skipper Steve Smith (74) and George Bailey (55) lifted the visitors to 265 for seven batting first, the enigmatic Samuels stroked 92 to ensure that the target was reached with 20 deliveries to spare.
	   "It's all about delivering for the team and keeping us in contention in the competition," Man of the Match Samuels said.
	   With a previous best of 63 from 27 ODIs against the most dominant team in this form of the game, the Jamaican right-hander made an important deposit on a significant overdraft against the World Cup-holders, his innings spanning 87 deliveries and decorated with eight fours and four sixes --
 The last three of which came off consecutive balls from ...

Samuels sparks West Indies over Australia

Fresh from holding England in Marseille in their Euro 2016 Group B opener, Russia face Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday knowing a win would all but secure progression to the last 16.
	   Russia's opening game on Saturday was overshadowed by the trouble that flared in the city of Marseille and in the stands at the Stade Velodrome at full time.
	   UEFA has since opened disciplinary proceedings against Russia for the crowd disturbances, as well as racist behaviour and the letting off of fireworks, and has threatened them with expulsion from the competition if violence flares again.
	   And with England and Wales playing each other in nearby Lens on Thursday, the threat of more incidents between rival supporters in Lille will be of serious concern to local authorities.
	   But on the pitch in Marseille there was a happy ending for Leonid Slutsky's side as captain Vasili Berezutski's stoppage-time equaliser saw them earn a 1-1 draw against the Group B favourites.
	   That also means a ...

Russia, Slovakia bid to put pressure on England

Switzerland and new Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka go in hunt of a second victory in Euro 2016 on Wednesday against a Romania side fighting for survival.
	   Romania came close to frustrating France in the tournament-opening match before Dimitri Payet's sublime winner gave the French a last-gasp 2-1 win.
	   The Swiss meanwhile had to fight before Fabien Schaer's forceful header secured a 1-0 win over 10-man Albania.
	   Schaer, the 1.86 metre (6ft 3in) Hoffenheim defender, makes a habit of scoring for the national side -- his decisive goal on Saturday was his sixth in 21 appearances.
	   Victory at Parc des Princes would almost certainly guarantee Switzerland a ticket for the round of 16 from Group A -- and they will not want to be facing France in Lille on Sunday after a defeat to the Romanians.
	   But Schaer said his teammates had taken note that coach Anghel Iordanescu's team were unlucky to lose to the French.
	   "We watched France against Romania, and Romania matched them for ...

Swiss eye Euro last 16 in Romania clash

Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle sparked wild celebrations by Italy after scoring the goals in a 2-0 win over world number two side Belgium in their opening Euro 2016 match.
	   Defending champions Spain, seeking an unprecedented third triumph, also started with a hard fought 1-0 win over Czech Republic. Zlatani Ibrahimovic's Sweden and Irish Republic drew 1-1.
	   Belgium's Red Devils were punished by a ruthless Italian performance despite dominating for long spells of the Group E clash in Lyon.
	   Italy's coach said the team's first round failure at the 2014 World Cup should inspire the Azzurri to success at the European Championship.
	   "That open wound from two years ago needs to burn in the players," Conte said.
	   Giaccherini's strike just after the half hour put future Chelsea manager Conte's men in front before Southampton striker Pelle sealed the win with a thumping finish from Antonio Candreva's cross.
	   Veteran goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon sprinted ...

Italy celebrate on road to redemption at Euro 2016

Italy's "Osteria Francescana" was crowned world's best restaurant of 2016 at an awards ceremony in New York, the first Italian establishment to win the annual accolade.
	Run by chef Massimo Bottura, "Osteria Francescana" pipped last year's winner, Spain's "El Celler de Can Roca," in the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards, after coming second in 2015.
	The Italian chef, whose world-famous restaurant in Modena came number three in 2013 and 2014, was emotional in accepting his award yesterday.
	"I want to thank everyone because it's been so hard, our job is all about art work," an ecstatic Bottura told the ceremony. "It's all about our work, in the kitchen everyday to work and succeed."
	With Spain's "El Celler de Can Roca" knocked down to second place, the third spot went to New York's "Eleven Madison Park."
	The top 10 was rounded out by restaurants in Peru, Denmark -- former four-time winner "Noma" -- France, Spain, Japan and Austria.
	Three French chefs won individual honours, with ..

Italy's 'Osteria Francescana' crowned world's best restaurant

The death toll from a shooting at a Mexican amateur baseball game has risen to three while authorities said the motive was linked to feuds between fuel thieves.
	The number of people wounded in Sunday's attack in the central state of Puebla also rose from six to 11 after officials received reports from hospitals, authorities said.
	Witnesses told investigators that armed men arrived in three vehicles, got out and opened fire on players and the crowd in the town of Acatzingo, 170 kilometres southeast of Mexico City.
	The first two fatalities were players. A 46-year-old man succumbed to his wound at a hospital yesterday, the prosecutor's office said.
	Two local teams - Reyes de Juarez and Felipe Angeles - were playing against each other in the finals of an amateur league.
	"There are reports that the origin of the incident was a dispute over control of thefts of oil or gas," the office said in a statement.
	One of the dead, Jose Luis Velez Robles, who died on the field, was apparently ..

AFP

AFP

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