Most Recent Posts

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning that was issued for parts of Alaska's Aleutian Islands after a magnitude-8.0 earthquake.

Monday's quake generated small tsunamis, with waves of less than 7 inches, prompting the National Tsunami Warning Center to downgrade the warning to an advisory.

Small waves are still expected along parts of the Aleutian Islands stretching from Unimak Pass to Attu, and officials advised people to stay off the beaches.

The earthquake recorded at 12:53 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time was centered about 13 miles southeast of Little Sitkin Island or 25 miles north Amchitka Island, an area prone to earthquakes located about 1,300 miles southwest of Anchorage.

There were several strong aftershocks, but no immediate reports of damage.

The largest city near the epicenter is Adak, which has about 300 residents.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop supporting pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine and the flow of arms across the border.

Obama and Putin spoke by telephone on Monday morning. White House spokesman Josh Earnest says Obama urged Putin to use his personal influence with those separatists to promote peace and stability in Ukraine. He says a diplomatic solution is still possible but Russia will face additional costs if it doesn't take concrete action.

Earnest says the United States is very supportive of new Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. He says Poroshenko is, quote, "willing to go the extra mile."

The calls comes as insurgents in eastern Ukraine are promising to honor a cease-fire declared by Poroshenko and engage in more talks to help resolve the deadly conflict.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Veteran back-up singer Merry Clayton is recovering after being seriously injured in an automobile accident.

Clayton's manager, Alan Abrahams, said in a statement Monday that the 65-year-old singer sustained severe injuries to her lower body, including major trauma to her lower extremities, following the June 16 accident.

Abrahams said Monday that Clayton has a long road to recovery.

Clayton was among the back-up singers featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary film "20 Feet From Stardom."

She began her career in the early 1960s and has recorded with Ray Charles, Carole King, Bobby Darin and the Rolling Stones.

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Neymar scored twice in the first half to lead Brazil to a 4-1 win over Cameroon on Monday, helping the hosts secure a spot in the second round of the World Cup.

Fred and Fernandinho added second-half goals for Brazil, which advanced from Group A.

Neymar opened the scoring off a low cross by midfielder Luiz Gustavo in the 17th minute, deftly side-footing the ball home from close range, then restored the lead with a low right-foot strike from the top of the penalty area in the 35th after a pass by left back Marcelo.

Midfielder Joel Matip had equalized for already eliminated Cameroon with a tap-in from inside the area in the 26th.

Fred found the net in the 49th and the substitute Fernandinho struck in the 84th.