US economy posts largest job gains in eight months in June

WASHINGTON: U.S. job growth surged in June as manufacturers and other employers boosted hiring, confirming the economy has regained speed after a first-quarter lull, but tepid wages suggested the Federal Reserve will probably not raise interest rates soon. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 287,000 jobs last month, the largest gain since last October, the Labor Department said on Friday

'Bomb Robot' kills Dallas gunman, but opens ethical debate

WASHINGTON: Dallas police ended a standoff with a gunman Friday morning by remotely detonating a "bomb robot," an unprecedented tactic by officers that rekindles concerns about the militarization of local law enforcement in the United States. The bomb blast killed a black US Army reservist identified by authorities as Micah Xavier Johnson , who shot dead five police officers and wounded seven others in Dallas on Thursday night following a peaceful protest over police shootings

Among Dallas sniper victims: A newlywed, a navy veteran and parents

One slain officer was a newlywed. Another had survived multiple tours in Iraq, only to be killed back home in the US. A protester who doesn't normally march was shot trying to shield her sons. 

The stories of those killed or wounded in a sniper attack in Dallas during a protest over recent police shootings of black men emerged on Friday as their identities became known. Authorities say five officers were killed and seven others wounded in the deadliest day for US law enforcement since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Two civilians also were shot. 

Japan's service-sector sentiment weakens in June on post-Brexit yen gain

TOKYO: Sentiment in Japan's service sector hit a new low in June due to a stronger yen and weaker stock prices following Britain's surprise vote to leave the European Union, adding to headaches for policymakers already worried about sputtering economic growth. The survey of workers such as taxi drivers, hotel workers and restaurant staff - dubbed "economy watchers" for their proximity to consumer and retail trends - showed their confidence fell 1.8 points from the previous month to 41.2 in June. 

US Internal Revenue Service investigates Facebook's Ireland asset transfer

US Internal Revenue Service investigates Facebook's Ireland asset transfer The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said Facebook Inc may have understated the value of intellectual property it transferred to Ireland by "billions of dollars", unfairly cutting its tax bill in the process, according to court papers. The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco seeking to enforce IRS summonses served on Facebook and to force the world's largest social network to produce various documents as part of the probe. 

Ahead of NATO summit Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin discuss Syria, Ukraine

WASHINGTON: Ahead of the NATO summit, President Barack Obama spoke over the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the situation in Syria and Ukraine, in addition to IS, the White House said today.Obama and Putin, confirmed their commitment to defeating Islamic State and the Nusrah Front, al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, the White House said in a readout of the call."Obama also stressed the necessity for progress on a genuine political transition to end th ..

China's innovation economy a real estate bubble in disguise

SHACHENG: The Chinese government's call to the nation to build an innovation-driven economy from the top down has sparked a rush by local governments to construct new buildings in the name of supporting creativity.Innovation centres have been popping up around the country and are set to more than double to nearly 5,000 in the next five years, according to internet research firm iiMedia. The only problem for local governments; entrepreneurs are not moving in.

Samsung flags big jump in profit on strong S7 sales

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics on Thursday flagged its biggest operating profit in more than two years, boosted by cost-cutting efforts and solid sales of its latest flagship smartphone.The South Korean electronics giant -- also the world's top handset maker -- predicted an operating profit of 8.1 trillion won ($7 billion) in April-June, up 17 percent from a year ago.It is the company's biggest operating profit since the first quarter of 2014 and beat the average estimate ..

Hillary Clinton will face no charges over email probe: Attorney General

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch has said that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton would not face any charges over allegations that she violated rules by using a private email server while she was US Secretary of State.In a statement, much to the relief of the Clinton campaign, Lynch said on Wednesday she has accepted the recommendation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in this regard.
“Late this afternoon, I met with FBI Director James Comey and career prosecutors and agents who conducted the investigation of Secretary Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email system during her time as Secretary of State,” she said.
“I received and accepted their unanimous recommendation that the thorough, year-long investigation be closed and that no charges be brought against any individuals within the scope of the investigation,” Lynch said in a statement, which legally closes the case against the former Secretary of State.
 

Two killed in suspected militant attack at Eid gathering in Bangladesh

At least two people, including a policeman, were killed when a group of suspected radical Islamists hurled homemade bombs at security men guarding Eid prayers in Bangladesh on Thursday, officials said.The attack occurred when about 300,000 people gathered in Kishoreganj, about 90 km north of the capital of Dhaka, to offer prayers on Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan.Bangladesh information minister said the target of the attack was a police convoy patrolling the religious gathering. The blast killed one police officer and one other person, Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said.“Up to nine police constables have been injured in the attack,” Inu told Indian broadcaster CNN-News 18.

Three astronauts blast off for ISS in upgraded Soyuz craft

Three astronauts blasted off into the early morning sky in an upgraded Soyuz spacecraft from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome Thursday, heading towards the International Space Station.First-time astronauts Kathleen Rubins of Nasa and Takuya Onishi of the Japanese space agency set off for a four-month mission at the ISS with Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin at around 0136 GMT.“All is well on board!” said mission control in comments relayed by Nasa TV, which broadcast footage of the launch in Kazakhstan.
Footage also showed Ivanishin and Onishi giving each other fist bumps to celebrate the successful launch.
Features of the new Soyuz series include upgraded boosters, an improved navigation system, strengthened shielding from debris and more cells on the craft’s solar panels.

Will ‘tough’ Theresa May be a unifying post-Brexit PM

Britain’s tough-talking interior minister Theresa May has avoided the Conservative party in-fighting that dominated the EU referendum campaign, making her a strong contender to replace leader David Cameron as premier.May is now leading three candidates left in the race along with Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom, who will be whittled down to two by Conservative MPs on Thursday before the vote goes to party members.Although a long-standing eurosceptic and hardliner on immigration, May declared herself officially in favour of Britain staying in the European Union -- but kept a low profile during the divisive campaign.The 59-year-old trod a fine line between remaining loyal to Cameron and the “Remain” campaign, while appeasing Conservative Party members who wanted to quit the EU and clamp down on immigration.

Chile beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties to retain Copa America

Chile upset favourites Argentina with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to retain their title in the world’s oldest continental soccer competition.

Chile earned themselves bragging rights as South America’s dominant team as they beat heavyweights Argentina 4-2 on penalties for a second straight year.

Lionel Messi missed from the spot in the shootout, cutting a dejected figure after the result was sealed and Argentina’s trophy drought had been extended to 23 years.