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200 Republican votes needed for U.S. fast-track trade passage: Pelosi

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House of Representatives Republicans must provide at least 200 votes, of 218 needed, for passage of a controversial fast-track trade bill, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters about the lack of broad support for the trade bill among Democrats, Pelosi said: “200 is what he (House Speaker John Boehner) should come up with.” (Reporting By Richard Cowan; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Cleveland, Golden State to ignore pain in quest for NBA glory

Sore, tired and hurting players have enjoyed the longest-ever break before the NBA Finals, but it’s time to play through the pain again because there’s a championship at stake. The Cleveland Cavaliers, trying to end a 51-year title drought for their supremacy-starved city, face the Golden State Warriors, who have not won a crown in 40 years, in the best-of-seven series starting Thursday. Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving will play despite

Russia says Kiev provoking east Ukraine violence before EU talks

MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin accused Kiev on Thursday of provoking new fighting in east Ukraine to put pressure on the European Union, which is due to decide on whether to extend sanctions on Russia soon. “The Ukrainian side has taken steps to aggravate tensions many times in the past in the run up to some major international events. This used to happen and we are seriously concerned now over

LeBron cheers Rebel Wilson while Shumpert frets

Life gets crazy around LeBron James ahead of the NBA Finals, but the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar gave a shout out to Australian actress Rebel Wilson for helping him relax. James will compete in his fifth NBA Finals in a row, and sixth overall, starting Thursday when the Golden State Warriors host Cleveland in game one of the best-of-seven championship series. The 30-year-old playmaker seeks his third career crown but more

Aussie Aussie Aussie: Down Under trio key in NBA Finals

A trio of Australian-born players will play key roles in the NBA Finals, and at least one of them is going home with a title from their championship series debuts. Aussie big man Andrew Bogut helped the Golden State Warriors to the NBA’s best record this season at 67-15 while the Cleveland Cavaliers have been the hottest team in the playoffs at 12-2 thanks in part to Aussie-born guard Kyrie

Donckerwolke Takes a Walk, Bentley Design Chief Replaced By Audi’s Stefan Sielaff

  – – Bentley’s outspoken design chief Luc Donckerwolke has left the company. Taking his position is former Audi designer Stefan Sielaff. Donckerwolke left Bentley on amicable terms, and we fully expect him to surface in a leading design position elsewhere in the automotive or the technology world. – – Donckerwolke had a 23-year career at the Volkswagen Group, and some of his designs have made history. He was closely

Van On: Ford Transit, Transit Connect Given a Vanload of Upgrades for 2016

– Ford’s full-size Transit and mid-size Transit Connect vans were all-new for 2015 and 2014, respectively, but already the big boxes are being tweaked. For the 2016 model year, Ford is implementing a host of tiny changes to both vans, the most notable of which is the addition of the new Sync 3 infotainment system to the vans’ options list, as well as the inclusion of a backup camera on

Updated 2016 Audi Q3 Priced From $34,625

– The Audi Q3 only just got here a year ago, and already for 2016 the model is getting a refresh. Unfortunately, that refresh also brings a price increase of $1200. In fairness, though, that additional scratch does buy more standard kit—mainly front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera—along with the new front fascia, restyled taillamps, and redesigned wheels. – The 2016 Q3 base price is $34,625 with

Brit Sports-Car Maker TVR to Rise from the Dead, for Real This Time

– British sports-car makers come and go with the seasons, but we’re genuinely excited at the news that TVR will be resurrected—an effort that might actually take this time. – TVR was never one of the more successful Brit manufacturers, but for a while it was among the most exciting. Founded back in 1947, the company entered its golden era after being bought in 1981 by Peter Wheeler, a self-made

Chevrolet Teases Redesigned 2016 Cruze—But We Show You More

– So, remember how we’ve already seen the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze completely uncovered? Well, sit tight, because Chevrolet wants to show you something. It is a photo of the 2016 Cruze, only cleverly thrown in a little shadow. Yep, the company’s teaser game has begun ahead of the new Cruze’s scheduled June 24 reveal, and the only official information accompanying the teaser photo is the promise that the new sedan will be larger yet lighter