German budget surplus jumps in first half of year
Official figures show Germany's budget surplus rose to 0.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first half of the year, boosted by higher tax income.
The government pulled in 321.4bn euros in taxes, 3.8% more than a year ago thanks to its steady employment rate.
The German Federal Statistical Office, Destatis, said the surplus was 8.5bn euros (£7.3bn; $11.3bn) in the period between January and June.
The figure was higher than the surplus for the same period a year ago.
For the whole of last year, Germany's budget surplus was 0.2% of GDP.
Budget surpluses are rare among European countries. Many have deficits of more than 3% of GDP, despite an European Union limit of that level.
In a statement, Destatis said: "The budgets of central government, state governments, local government and social security funds benefited from a generally good employment situation and a stable economic development in the first half of 2013 compared with other European countries."
The agency also confirmed a preliminary estimate of German GDP of 0.7% growth in the second quarter, giving an annual growth rate of 0.9%.
It said this was partly thanks to "weather-related catch-up effects following the unusually long and cold winter".
Johannes Gareis, an economist at Natixis, said he was expecting more modest expansion in the second half of 2013.
"For the rest of this year, we expect the German economy to continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate," he said.
But others were more optimistic.
Holger Sandte, an economist at Nordea, said: "The composition of the growth is very good. It is being driven more strongly from within, which is good for Germany and the eurozone.
"It is also positive that firms are investing more in equipment and are not so hesitant anymore."
German News Report says US Spied on United Nations
A leading German news magazine says the U.S. National Security Agency, NSA, has eavesdropped on the United Nations, penetrating the world body's internal video conference system to decode data.
Der Spiegel, in a report Sunday, linked its latest U.S. spy claim to secret files released by fugitive former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden. The report did not say when the magazine acquired the information, or whether it came directly from Snowden. It alleges the spying took place in mid-2012.
The report quotes an NSA document in which the writer boasts of having gained access to the U.N.'s internal video teleconferencing. Der Spiegel says that within the next three weeks, the number of decoded U.N. documents rose from 12 to 458.
The magazine also quotes NSA documents saying the presence of eavesdropping devices in embassies and consulates should be kept secret "at all costs" to avoid "causing serious damage" with the affected countries.
There was no immediate U.S. comment on the Der Spiegel report.
Der Spiegel also says the documents show the NSA at one point discovered Chinese intelligence services spying on the United Nations.
In late June, the magazine touched off controversy when it reported the NSA had placed listening devices inside European Union offices in Washington, Brussels and the United Nations.
That report said the NSA also infiltrated EU computers to monitor telephone conversations, e-mails and other documents.
The revelations prompted telephone talks between President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and an emergency meeting of high-level U.S. and German security officials. French President Francois Hollande and EU Parliament President Martin Schulz also were critical.
Former NSA contractor Snowden fled the United States in June, and then provided troves of classified material about NSA surveillance practices to U.S. and foreign media, including Der Spiegel. He currently resides in Russia, which early this month granted him temporary asylum.
He faces U.S. federal charges of espionage, and the theft and conversion of government property.
Closing Arguments to Begin in China's Bo Xilai Trial
Closing arguments are expected Monday in the sensational corruption trial of disgraced Chinese politician and former Politburo Bo Xilai.
Bo is accused of taking bribes from a wealthy businessman, embezzlement, and abuse of power.
In his final day of testimony Sunday, Bo called his former top aide, ex-Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun, a liar. Wang had told the court that Bo tried to cover up his wife's involvement in the 2011 murder of a British businessman.
Bo said his wife is "insane" and her testimony "laughable." He admitted making mistakes, but denied any criminal activities.
Chinese Communist leaders removed Bo as party secretary of Chongqing last year and threw him out of the Politburo when Wang accused him of involvement in the murder. Bo is also charged with stealing $800,000 in government money set aside for a construction project.
Prosecutors say British businessman Briton Neil Heywood was killed over a financial dispute with Bo's wife, who was convicted of the murder last year and given a suspended death sentence. She will likely spend the rest of her life in prison.
The trial in the eastern city of Jinan is unusual for China. It is closed to Western media, but courtroom transcripts are being posted on social media. Chinese observers say China's top political leaders have already decided that Bo is guilty and he will get a long prison term.
Car Bombings, Shootings Kill 46 in Iraq
Sectarian violence struck Iraq Sunday with car bombings and shootings leaving at least 46 people dead and more than 100 wounded.
The city of Baqouba was one of the hardest-hit areas. Car bombs blew up in a residential neighborhood and at a wedding.
Bombs also caused casualities in and around Baghdad, killing about 16 people.
Elsewhere, militants ambushed a carload of Iraqi soldiers, killing five.
No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday's attacks. But tension between Iraq's minority Sunnis and the ruling Shi'ites has been simmering since police cracked down on Sunni protesters in April.
The Sunnis accuse the government of marginalizing them politically and ignoring their demands.
United Nations officials say the violence has killed thousands and fear Iraq could be heading toward civil war.
Egyptian Courts Postpone Cases Against Mubarak, Brotherhood Figures
Egyptian courts have held hearings in separate cases against deposed former President Hosni Mubarak and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, his longtime political foe.
In both of Sunday's hearings, judges adjourned the cases citing procedural reasons.
Mr. Mubarak appeared in one Cairo court looking relaxed, three days after authorities released the 85-year-old from prison to house arrest at a military hospital near the capital.
The longtime former president, ousted in a 2011 popular uprising is on trial for complicity in the killings of hundreds of protesters in the uprising. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison last year, but a higher court ordered a retrial on appeal.
The judge postponed the proceedings to September 14.
In the day's other hearing, the judge quickly adjourned the case against six Muslim Brotherhood figures including top leader Mohamed Badie and two of his deputies, after none of them appeared in court. Authorities declined to transport Badie and his aides to the court citing security risks.
Mugabe Threatens Foreign-Owned Firms Over Sanctions
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has threatened to take retaliatory actions against foreign owned companies in response to Western sanctions against his rule.
During a speech at a funeral Sunday, Mr. Mugabe said the United States and Britain should not continue their harassment of his government.
The 89-year-old leader warned that although British and American companies have been treated well, their will come a time when Zimbabwe says "tit-for-tat, you hit me I hit you".
Mr. Mugabe has rejected allegations of irregularities over last month's general election that extended his 33-year rule.
He has vowed to continue with controversial plans to force foreign companies to cede control to black Zimbabweans.
Jamaica Tallawahs secure nail-biting victory over T&T Red Steel
Jamaica Tallawahs, set a victory target of 134, secured the win off the final delivery.
Captain Gayle hammered 51 from 25 balls to top score for Jamaica Tallawahs, while Chadwick Walton scored 28 from 35, and Danza Hyatt a run-a-ball 25 not out.
Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel’s skipper Dwayne Bravo and Kevon Cooper ended with two wickets apiece.
Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel sent in to bat scored 133 for eight off their allotted 20 overs.
Bravo top scored with 29 from 16 balls, while his brother Darren supported with 27 from 29 balls and Ross Taylor hit 20 from 21 deliveries.
Gayle had best figures for Jamaica Tallawahs.
He ended with two for 24 off his allotted four overs, while David Bernard, Andrew Richardson and Andrew Russell bagged a wicket each.
As a result of the victory, Jamaica Tallawahs finished the preliminary round in second place on 10 points and earned the right to meet third place Barbados Tridents in the second semi-final on Friday.
Guyana Amazon Warriors, who finished atop the points’ table courtesy of net run rate, and fourth place Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel will contest the first semi-final on Thursday.
Usain Bolt seals place in World Championship history
Usain Bolt guided Jamaica to victory in the sprint relay in Moscow to become the most successful athlete in the history of the World Championships.
The 26-year-old added 4x100m gold to his 100m and 200m triumphs and now has a total of eight golds and two silvers.
Carl Lewis and Allyson Felix also have 10 medals but have eight golds, one silver and a bronze respectively.
Jamaica won in 37.36 seconds with the United States second and Canada third after Great Britain were disqualified.
Britain finished third but lost their bronze after an appeal was lodged against their second changeover.
However, the women's relay team were later promoted to the bronze-medal position after France were disqualified for a similar infringement.
Bolt's latest triumph meant he joined Americans Michael Johnson, Felix and Lewis on a record-equalling eight world titles overall.
The 100m and 200m world record holder also secured a sprint triple in World Championships for the second time, matching the trebles he completed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
"It is just great," Bolt said of the comparison. "I'll continue dominating. I'll continue to work hard. For me, my aim is to continue into the greatness thing."
The United States team gave the Jamaicans a scare but Rakieem Salaam's handover to Justin Gatlin left the individual 100m runner-up off balance.
He clearly strayed into the Jamaicans' lane outside him but somehow escaped disqualification.
It made no difference to Bolt, who streaked clear to complete victory in the sixth-fastest time ever.
"I wasn't really worried about Justin. I knew if he got the baton in front of me, I could catch him," Bolt said. "So it was just going out there to run as fast as possible."
Bolt delighted the crowd with a celebratory Cossack dance before parading round the track with team-mates Nesta Carter, Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade.
Gatlin paid tribute to Bolt's success, saying: "To be able to rise to the occasion when an entire stadium full of people are either rooting for you or want to see you fail and you're able to hold it together, that takes talent.''
The British quartet also celebrated wildly after finishing third but James Ellington and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey failed to exchange the baton in time and the team were disqualified 30 minutes after the race.
Jamaica also won the women's 4x100m relay to give Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce her third gold medal of the competition.
Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart, Schillonie Calvert and Fraser-Pryce won in a championship record 41.29 seconds.
Britain were second at the final changeover but Hayley Jones was overhauled by France and the United States and finished in fourth place.
However, Britain's protest was upheld two hours later and the team of Dina Asher Smith, Ashleigh Nelson, Annabelle Lewis and Jones could finally celebrate a medal, with the United States promoted to silver.
It meant Britain finished the championships with six medals in total, with golds going to Mo Farah (two) and Christine Ohuruogu and bronzes to hurdler Tiffany Porter and both women's relay teams.
In other finals, Teddy Tamgho jumped 18.04m - becoming only the third man to clear 18 metres - to take gold in a high-quality triple jump competition which ended with Olympic champion Christian Taylor in fourth.
Kenya secured two golds with Asbel Kiprop retaining his 1500m crown and Eunice Sum surging through to deny Russia's Mariya Savinova back-to-back 800m titles, while Germany's Christina Obergfoll, a two-time silver medallist, finally won javelin gold.
Russia finished top of the medal table with seven golds while the United States won six, although the Americans secured 27 medals in total to the hosts' 17.
Jamaica also claimed six golds, Kenya five, Germany four and Ethiopia and Britain three.
Rafael Nadal beats John Isner to win Cincinnati Open
World number three Rafael Nadal overcame battling American John Isner to win his 26th Masters title.
The Spaniard won 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (7-3) to secure back-to-back titles following his success in Montreal last weekend.
Nadal, 27, saved two set points in a tight opening set and came through another tie-break to seal victory and clinch his 59th career title.
"It's very special for me to win here," said Nadal, who starts his bid to win a second US Open title in eight days.
"This one was the first one I felt I was actually playing well. Congratulations to John and I'm sorry for today, but I'm sure if you continue you will have a lot of chances to win tournaments like this."
Nadal's victory came one week after he beat Canada's Milos Raonic to win the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion set up the final with Isner after a straight-sets win over Tomas Berdych - who had knocked out Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. earlier in the tournament.
The American made the world number three work for his service games and missed a late chance in the first set when Nadal saved two set points with two forehand winners to level the match at 6-6.
The duo fought to 8-8 in the tie-break before Isner volleyed the ball into the net to give Nadal set point and the former world number one clinched it when the American's return fell short of the net.
"I can certainly hold my head high when I look back at this tournament. I just played against one of the best tennis players in the world," Isner said.
Nadal started to move Isner around the hot Ohio court with clinical cross-court forehands and volleys but again the match went with serve.
Two thunderous forehands put Nadal two match points away from victory in the 10th game but the hard-working Isner extinguished the Spaniard's chances with two inch-perfect backhands to level the match at 5-5.
The set went into a second tie-break but it was the two-time Wimbledon champion who held his nerve to take a 5-3 lead before clinching victory in the 10th point.
Oscar Pistorius due to reappear in South African court
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is due to reappear at Pretoria magistrates' court over the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
The prosecution is expected to serve the athlete with an indictment for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend. A trial date will also be set.
Mr Pistorius, 26, denies murdering Reeva Steenkamp, saying he shot her after mistaking her for an intruder.
He was granted bail in February and has since resumed some low-key training.
The double amputee won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics.
His arrest in February stunned many South Africans who saw him as a national sporting hero after his long legal battle to be able to take part in the Olympics.
Ballistic evidence
State prosecutors are arguing that the killing was premeditated, a charge which carries a sentence of life imprisonment. They say he killed Ms Steenkamp intentionally after a fight.
But Mr Pistorius denies committing murder, claiming he shot his girlfriend through the bathroom door of his upmarket house in Pretoria after mistaking her for a burglar.
The prosecution is expected to hand over details of its case against Mr Pistorius at Monday's hearing, including a witness list and forensic reports.
Much depends on ballistic evidence from the bathroom where Ms Steenkamp was shot, says the BBC's Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding.
Source-BBC