President Donald Trump defended his firing of FBI Director James Comey, fighting a storm of criticism that the ouster was aimed at blunting an agency probe into his presidential campaign's possible collusion with Russia.

Powerful weekend storms roared through the southeastern United States, killing 18 people as violent weather left a trail of destruction, authorities said.

Two goals from Aleix Vidal and a third from Kevin Gameiro put holders Sevilla close to a second successive Europa League final with a 3-0 defeat of Fiorentina Thursday.

Brazilian media were unenthused yesterday by an eighth straight friendly success under new coach Dunga.