Briefly

UNITED KINGDOM

Immigration remarks spark BBC mutiny

The BBC faced a mounting crisis as a row over criticism by the soccer presenter Gary Lineker of government migration policy led to a presenter mutiny, drew a comment from the prime minister and left the broadcaster's boss defending his position. The BBC was forced to axe much of its sports coverage on Saturday as presenters refused to work in a show of solidarity with Lineker, after the BBC sought to defend its impartiality by taking him off the air due to his comments on social media. Lineker, a former England soccer captain, the BBC's highestpaid presenter and the anchor of the soccer highlights program Match of the Day, was suspended from his role following his criticism of Britain's migration policy.

UNITED STATES

Powerful storm leaves 2 dead, breaks levee

Another powerful storm pummeled California overnight on Saturday, forcing thousands to evacuate and resulting in at least two deaths, while causing a levee to give way in coastal Monterey County. On Friday, state emergency services director Nancy Ward announced that the storm had claimed at least two lives. Images posted on Twitter by the state's National Guard account showed guardsmen rescuing residents trapped in their cars by high water. At least one road was washed away in Santa Cruz County, just north of Monterey. Residents in several towns, mostly in the north, were ordered to evacuate.

Agencies via Xinhua