Roger Federer suffered a stunning Wimbledon exit as the defending champion blew a two-set lead and wasted a match point in a 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 6-4, 13-11 quarter-final defeat against South Africa's Kevin Anderson on Wednesday.
Federer's bid to win a ninth Wimbledon title came to an astonishing end as the Swiss star collapsed in a nail-biting four hour and 13 minute classic that ranks as one of the tournament's greatest upsets.
It was Federer's earliest departure from Wimbledon since his shock second round defeat against Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2013.
Eighth seed Anderson will play 2016 runner-up Milos Raonic or American ninth seed John Isner on Friday for a place in Sunday's final.
"Down two sets to love I tried my best to keep fighting. Beating Roger Federer here at Wimbledon will be one I remember, especially in such a close match," Anderson said.
"I kept telling myself to keep believing. I said today is going to be my day. You need that mindset against Roger.
"I'm ecstatic. That's ..

Federer suffers shock Wimbledon quarter-final loss to Anderson

PTI Automatic

US President Donald Trump traded barbs with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a tense NATO summit today after he accused Berlin of being "captive" to Russia and demanded it immediately step up defence spending.
The two-day meet in Brussels is shaping up as the alliance's most difficult in years, with Europe and the US engaged in a bitter trade spat and Trump demanding that NATO allies "reimburse" Washington for defending the continent.
Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany, shot back that she knew what it meant to be under Kremlin domination and Germany had the right to make its own policy choices.
European alliance members were braced for criticism from Trump on defence spending, but his blistering attack on Germany at a breakfast meeting with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg took the summit by surprise.
"Germany is a captive of Russia because it is getting so much of its energy from Russia," Trump said, taking particular aim at the proposed Nord Stream II gas pipeline, which he .

Trump and Merkel clash at fraught NATO summit

The Irish Senate gave its support today to legislation prohibiting the import or sale of goods and services produced in occupied territories around the world, including Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law.
The proposed law -- passed 25 to 20 -- to make it an offence to trade in such goods and services was introduced by an independent senator and drew support from all Ireland's major political parties except the governing Fine Gael party.

Irish Senate backs law banning trade with Israeli settlements

One person has died and another is missing after a Spanish fishing vessel sank off Argentina today, but 25 crew members have been rescued, the Argentine Navy said.
The crew of the Dorneda were found at dawn in two rafts and a small boat, 308 nautical miles off Argentina's Patagonian coast, the Navy said in a statement.  Most of the crew are Spanish but there are also Moroccans, Peruvians and Indonesians amongst them, spokesman Enrique Balbi said.
The 25 survivors and dead sailor are aboard an Argentine fishing boat heading back to dry land and expected to arrive in Patagonia in around two days, Balbi told AFP.
To reach there, the Argentine boat must negotiate 570 kilometers of open water through a South Atlantic storm in the middle of winter, said Balbi.
The Dorneda is believed to have capsized after being inundated by "a lot of water down the stern ramp where the fish nets are pulled up," according to Balbi.
"The water entered the engine room and caused a power cut," he said. "That ..

1 dead, one missing as Spanish fishing boat sinks near Argentina

The trade war between the world's top two economies landed at the World Trade Organization today, as the United States demanded a "reckoning" over China's membership in the body.
China's WTO "trade policy review" -- scheduled before Washington lit the fuse on a tariff battle with Beijing -- served as a new front in the widening economic confrontation between the two powers.
In a report submitted ahead of the three day review, China insisted it had "been a strong advocate for free trade" since joining the WTO in 2001 and "comprehensively fulfilled its commitments."
US ambassador Dennis Shea, who was among the first to speak at the closed-door review, argued that China had exploited its membership to take advantage of other nations and that if unchecked Beijing's misconduct would ruin the WTO.
"China's failure to fully embrace the open, market-oriented policies on which this institution is founded must be addressed, either within the WTO or outside the WTO," Shea said according to ...

Time for 'reckoning' over China's WTO membership: US

A Holocaust memorial was vandalised in Greece's second largest city Thessaloniki, officials said today, the third anti-Semitic incident since May.
Blue paint was spattered on the memorial remembering thousands of Jews deported by the Nazis during World War II, and a symbol spelling out "Christ the Victor" left on one of the monument's plaques.
A police source said this symbol is popular with Greek and Serb Orthodox nationalist hardliners.
The incident was reported yesterday.
The monument was erected in 2014 on the grounds of Aristotle University to highlight that the university was built on the city's Jewish cemetery after it was razed by the Nazis -- a fact largely forgotten by most Greeks today.
The cemetery had originally been created during the Roman era.
In June, unknown assailants had thrown red paint at Thessaloniki's main Holocaust memorial in the city centre, after a nationalist protest.
A month earlier, vandals had also smashed headstones in the Jewish section of a cemetery .

Holocaust memorial vandalised in Greece

Churning out everything from cars and computer chips to nuts and wine, California's mighty economy will suffer big time if the US-China trade war worsens.
Billions of dollars and many jobs are at risk in the richest and most populous US state -- a world-class economy and bastion of opposition to President Donald Trump.
"If there's one region in the US that will be most impacted by the trade war, it's going to be LA," said Stephen Cheung, former director of international trade at the Port of Los Angeles and now chairman of an NGO called World Trade Centre Los Angeles.
Last year in Los Angeles-area ports, two-way trade with China totalled more than USD 170 billion, Cheung said.
"China is our number one trading partner," he told AFP.
The world's two largest economies have squared off in a tit for tat trade war that threatens to disrupt international commerce.
"Our fear is that the cycle will keep growing to the point where it's going to depress the economy," said Cheung.
California ...

California stands to suffer if US-China trade war worsens

Three-time champion Novak Djokovic reached his eighth Wimbledon semi-final on Wednesday with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Japan's Kei Nishikori in a stormy Centre Court clash.
Djokovic, 31, will be playing in his 32nd Slam semi-final where he will face either world number one Rafael Nadal or fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro.
It will be Djokovic's first semi-final at a major since the 2016 French Open when he completed the career Grand Slam.
The 12-time major winner prevailed despite picking up two code violations and accusing umpire Carlos Ramos of "double standards".
"I think the first warning was unneccessary," said Djokovic, who was sanctioned in the second set for spearing his racquet into the court.
"It didn't harm the grass. Kei did the same in the fourth set but wasn't warned.
"The umpire said he didn't see. I don't think it's fair but it is what it is." Despite his anger, Djokovic still reeled off 10 of the last 12 games of the quarter-final.
"It feels great to be back in ..

Djokovic into Wimbledon semi-final, blasts 'unneccesary' warnings

US President Donald Trump insisted today he gets on well with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, despite marking the start of a NATO summit with a blistering attack on her country's trade and defence policies.
"We are having a great meeting, we are discussing military expenditure and we are talking about trade," he declared during a meeting with Merkel.
"We have a very, very good relationship," he said.

Trump insists he has 'very good' relations with Merkel

Uganda will review a tax on the use of social media, the prime minister said today after a protest against the controversial measure was broken up by police firing live rounds and teargas into the air.
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda told parliament that President Yoweri Museveni had "encouraged further discussion" on the fiercely-contested levy.
"Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public" and an amended bill will be debated on July 19, said Rugunda.
Since the start of July, access to media such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, as well as dating sites Tinder and Grindr, have been blocked unless users pay a 200-shilling (USD 0.05, 0.04 euro) daily tax.
Museveni last week had defended the move, saying many citizens did not pay their taxes as they ought to, and should not "donate money to foreign companies through chatting or even lying" on social media.
In its current form, tax requires mobile internet users to input a code on their ...

Uganda to 'review' social media tax after outcry: PM

The 12 boys rescued from a Thai cave were sedated and passed on stretchers along the twisting, narrow passageways of the Tham Luang complex, a rescuer said today as the first footage emerged of an astonishing mission that has captivated the world.
The video of the rescue, which ended yesterday when the final four boys and their 25-year-old coach emerged from the cave, was released by authorities who had until late today closely guarded the details of the seemingly unprecedented operation.
Other video footage shows several of the boys in hospital, in quarantine and wearing face masks but seemingly in good health as they nod, wave and flash peace signs to the camera.
The nerve-shredding three-day operation ended yesterday when the final members of the "Wild Boars" were freed from the cave which had held them captive since June 23.
The rescue sparked jubilation with Thais heaping praise on the rescue team of foreign and local divers as the triumphant tagline "Hooyah" pinballed across ...

Thai boys were sedated and stretchered from cave in dramatic rescue

- One person has died and another is missing after a Spanish fishing vessel sank off Argentina today, but 25 crew members have been rescued, the Argentine Navy said.
The crew of the Dornera were found at dawn in two rafts and a small boat, 308 nautical miles off Argentina's Patagonian coast, the Navy said in a statement.
Most of the crew are Spanish but there are also Moroccans, Peruvians and Indonesians amongst them, spokesman Enrique Balbi said.
While the reason for the sinking is so far unknown, Balbi noted: "At this time of year, adverse conditions created by low pressure generate a lot of wind and big waves. This can happen to any boat when there are big waves." Spain picked up a distress beacon and alerted the Argentine Navy, which sent out two fishing vessels to locate the sailors.
Balbi said the boat, owned by Spanish seafood company Freiremar, was fishing in international waters but that "it's still our search and rescue area." Two aircraft have been sent to Patagonia to help 

One dead, one missing as Spanish fishing boat sinks near Argentina

Football came to the rescue of tense NATO leaders at a summit today, providing them with a welcome diversion from the tensions roiling the transatlantic military alliance.
The group is facing one its most difficult meetings in years due to US President Donald Trump's criticism of the organisation and his targeting of German leader Angela Merkel.
But with the World Cup semi-finals in NATO's traditional adversary Russia made up exclusively of members of the western military alliance, the heads of state and government in Brussels were able to turn to football to lighten the atmosphere.
British Prime Minister Theresa May exchanged a team jersey with her Croatian counterpart ahead of today's night's England-Croatia semi final clash.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel tweeted a pictured of May smiling with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, saying that everything was "still all ok" between the on-pitch rivals.
The Croatian president also gave May a shirt -- and one to Trump ..

"Beautiful game' offers NATO respite from ugly divisions

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini today called for "guarantees" before allowing an Italian coastguard ship with more than 60 migrants on board to dock.
Some of the 67 migrants on the "Diciotti" (Eighteen) vessel are believed to have revolted on a previous boat over fears they could be returned to Libya.
The sailors on that ship had locked themselves in the control room and called for help at the Rome-based rescue centre, according to Italian media reports.
"For the moment, no port" for Diciotti, Salvini told journalists, adding that any "perpetrators of threats or aggression will not end up in the hotel but in prison".
According to press reports, the coastguard vessel could nevertheless dock at the Sicilian port of Trapani today afternoon.
Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister and leader of the far-right League party, has banned NGO rescue boats which pick up migrants in the Mediterranean from docking in Italy. He accuses the NGO ships of aiding human traffickers to bring .

Italy's Salvini wants 'guarantees' before rescued migrants land

Israel intercepted a drone launched from Syria with a Patriot missile today, setting off sirens in the occupied Golan Heights, the army said.
No further details were immediately provided following the interception.
"UAV from Syria intercepted by Patriot missile, causing sirens in Golan and Emek HaYarden Regional Councils. More details to follow," an army statement said.
The Emek HaYarden region is located southwest of the Golan, near Syria.
Israel has been on alert in recent weeks over fighting in the south of neighbouring Syria, warning that ceasefire lines between Syria and Israel must be respected.
Spillover fire from Syria's civil war has occasionally landed in the Israeli-controlled Golan.  Israel is especially concerned about Iran's military presence in Syria.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned his country will not allow Iran, its main enemy, to entrench itself militarily next door.
In February, Israel intercepted what it said was an armed drone sent 

Israel Patriot missile intercepts drone from Syria: army

Video footage emerged today of several of the Thai boys rescued from a flooded cave recuperating in hospital, as the stunning images of the youngsters being freed from their ordeal on stretchers was also released for the first time.
The video shows several of the "Wild Boars" football team in hospital, after being rescued from the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand in a three-day operation which ended successfully yesterday.
Doctors have said they are in good physical and mental health -- a view backed up by the footage made available by the Thai government showing them behind quarantine glass in bed wearing smocks and facemasks, flashing peace signs and doing the traditional "wai" greeting.
They do not look shell-shocked or stunned despite a potentially harrowing 18 days inside a dank, dark cave followed by a risky rescue operation that was dubbed "Mission Impossible".
A former Thai Navy SEAL died while helping install oxygen tanks in preparation for the extraction. Later Thai Navy 

First video shows Thai boys in hospital after cave rescue

Serena Williams may be on the verge of making history at Wimbledon, but the stress-free former champion insists she doesn't feel under any pressure Williams reached her 35th Grand Slam semi-final with a gritty 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 quarter-final win over Camila Giorgi.
The American star faces German 13th seed Julia Goerges on Thursday hoping to book a 10th final appearance at the All England Club.
Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon winner, was outwardly full of fire as she shrieked her way to victory against the unseeded Italian.
But beneath the surface, the 36-year-old insisted she is feeling unusually calm as she enters the business end of the tournament.
"It's weird. Sometimes I feel, 'Man, I'm in trouble'. Sometimes I feel I can fight. For whatever reason, I was so calm," Williams said of her emotions as she battled back against Giorgi.
"It was just the way I felt. I never felt it was out of my hands. It's weird. I can't describe it.
"I just felt calm. I'm hoping I can channel that all the .

Keep calm and carry on: Williams serene at Wimbledon

The Slovak government today it had approved the purchase of 14 cutting-edge US-made F-16 Block 70/72 jet fighters, amid US criticism that NATO members in Europe do not spend enough on defence.
Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said the contract was worth nearly 1.6 billion euros (USD 1.9 billion) and included training, ammunition and logistics.
The F-16s are to replace obsolete Russian Mig-29s.
"These are top-quality, modern planes, unrivalled in terms of price, quality and compliance, and in terms of what we can afford as a country," Defence Minister Peter Gajdos said in a statement on his ministry's website.
The cabinet preferred the F-16s over Swedish-made JAS-39 Gripens.  Gajdos said the deal with the US government was ready for signature, while Sweden wanted to discuss the details only after the government had made the decision.
US President Donald Trump has slammed European allies for not increasing their military budgets, raising tensions at a NATO summit under way in Brussels ...

Slovakia to buy 14 US-made F-16 jet fighters

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis Wednesday backed "dangerous" paceman Dale Steyn and the rest of his bowlers to wreak havoc in Sri Lanka on the eve of the first Test.
Steyn "gets one wicket and he is up there with the most dangerous bowlers in the world because he is so skilful. I am hoping to see Dale bowl really quick again," du Plessis told reporters.
"In our bowling attack that we have, we have the ability to get 20 wickets on whatever the surfaces. I think this series will be won where the batters need to stand up for both teams," he said.
Steyn, who is returning from an injury and last played a Test in January, is expected to be a part of South Africa's potent pace attack in the first of two Tests starting in Galle on Thursday.
The 35-year-old speedster needs three wickets to add to his 419 scalps and surpass retired quick Shaun Pollock (421) to become South Africa's leading wicket-taker in the five-day format.
Du Plessis said he was also banking on Kagiso Rabada to swing it .

Du Plessis backs Steyn to roar back in Sri Lanka Tests

A comedian and journalist in Tajikistan was handed a 12-year prison sentence on embezzlement charges today, a court official said, in a case that has drawn criticism from international rights groups.
A spokesman for a court in the northern city of Khujand told AFP that Khayrullo Mirsaidov, 40, received a 12-year jail term on charges that included embezzlement and providing false testimony.
Mirsaidov was accused of embezzling state funds worth around USD 13,500 (11,500 euros) while acting as head of a local comedy troupe that represented the ex-Soviet country in Russian comedy tournaments and was partly financed by the state.
He has maintained his innocence. Rights groups including Human Rights Watch and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee have raised concerns that he is being punished for challenging local authorities over corruption related to the distribution of funds for the troupe.
His lawyer Dilafruz Samadova said that he would appeal the sentence as well as the court's demand to ...

Tajik comedy troupe leader gets 12 years for embezzlement

Footage of the remarkable Thailand rescue today showed members of the group trapped in a cave being stretchered to freedom whilst seemingly heavily sedated and wearing wetsuits and diving gear.
The footage, released on the Thai Navy SEALs Facebook page, shows a complex operation with numerous divers -- both foreign and Thai -- using pulleys, ropes and rubber piping to haul members of the football team to safety.

AFP

AFP

Page 923 - Afp