Report: North Korea fires two more missiles (1st Lead) Jul 4, 2009, 2:00 GMT Seoul - North Korea fired two more missiles off its east coast, a day after it fired four short-range missiles, according to South Korean media reports early Saturday. ....more

Report: Russia to allow US military passage through airspace Jul 4, 2009, 1:32 GMT Washington - Russia has agreed to allow American troops and weapons to fly over its airspace on the way to Afghanistan, the New York Times reported Saturday. ....more

Drug trafficking big issue in Mexico's midterm election (News Feature) Jul 4, 2009, 1:16 GMT Mexico City - Drug trafficking is a major player in Sunday's midterm legislative election in Mexico, with drug cartels directly supporting some candidates and other candidates exploiting the bloody fight against the drug cartels to make political gains. ....more

Report: North Korea fires two more missiles (Urgent) Jul 4, 2009, 1:06 GMT Seoul - North Korea fired two more missiles off its east coast, according to South Korean media reports early Saturday. ....more

Two aid workers in Dafur kidnapped Jul 4, 2009, 0:12 GMT Dublin/Hamburg - Two aid workers for the Irish organization Goal have been kidnapped from the Darfur crisis region of Sudan, the group's spokesperson told Irish radio RTE Friday evening. ....more

Jackson memorial tickets draw 500 million requests (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 23:47 GMT Los Angeles - Los Angeles officials Friday braced for massive crowds after announcing details of Michael Jackson's memorial service and pleading with fans without tickets to stay away. ....more

Chinese man of many names charged in New Zealand Jul 3, 2009, 23:31 GMT Wellington - A Chinese businessman said to be friendly with a number of New Zealand members of parliament has been arrested and charged with immigration and passport offences, a newspaper reported on Saturday. ....more

ANALYSIS: Jackson's memorial - a defining moment starts at 1700 GMT Tuesday Jul 3, 2009, 23:13 GMT Los Angeles - At 10 am Pacific Time on Tuesday, the world as we know it will come to a stop. ....more

‘View-Master’ coming to the big screen Jul 3, 2009, 22:33 GMT Screenwriter Brad Caleb Kane is set to write a film based on the Fisher Price toy View-Master for producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. ....more

Wenders halts production on Bausch movie Jul 3, 2009, 22:30 GMT Director Wim Wenders has stopped production on the planned 3D dance film "Pina" following the death of the film's subject; the legendary choreographer Pina Bausch. ....more

Antal to jump in the jungle with 'Predators' Jul 3, 2009, 22:25 GMT Fox has hired Nimrod Antal ("Vacancy") to direct "Predators" for producer Robert Rodriguez through his Troublemaker Studios. ....more

Six die in fire in London tower block (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 22:18 GMT London - Six people, including three children, have died in a fire in a block of flats in London, the fire brigade said late Friday. ....more

Six dead in high-rise fire in south London Jul 3, 2009, 22:08 GMT London - Six people died Friday in a blaze that struck a 12- storey apartment house in south London. ....more

German bank IKB obtains billions more in state aid Jul 3, 2009, 21:52 GMT    Frankfurt - IKB, a bank which was the first German casualty of the structured-finance debacle, said Friday it had obtained fresh German government guarantees worth 7 billion euros (10 billion dollars) to keep it liquid. ....more

China expects swine flu vaccine ready in September (Feature) Jul 3, 2009, 21:48 GMT Cancun, Mexico - China wants to be 'self-sufficient' in the production of vaccines against the new A(H1N1) influenza virus, and plans to have a vaccine available by September, Chinese Health Minister Zhu Chen said Friday. ....more

German-made axle broke in Italy disaster, magazine says Jul 3, 2009, 21:30 GMT Munich - The axle of a railway tanker car which broke and set off a lethal fireball this week in an Italian coastal town was German-made, a news magazine said Friday in Munich. ....more

Health minister: 100,000 swine flu cases in Argentina (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 21:28 GMT Buenos Aires - The number of swine flu cases in Argentina rose drastically on Friday, with the new government health minister reporting an estimated 100,000 cases of of the A(H1N1) virus. ....more

OAS chief arrives in Honduras Jul 3, 2009, 20:58 GMT Tegucigalpa, Honduras - Jose Miguel Insulza, the secretary- general of the Organization of American States (OAS), arrived in Tegucigalpa Friday to work toward a solution to the political crisis after democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya was ousted Sunday. ....more

Attention editors Jul 3, 2009, 20:44 GMT The US stock markets are closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday. Trading will resume Monday. dpa aw ....more

Palin to step down as Alaska governor (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 20:40 GMT Washington - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who was catapulted to national prominence as the Republican vice presidential candidate last year, will resign later this month, she said Friday. ....more

Richards, Isinbayeva among six left in jackpot race (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 20:32 GMT    Oslo - Sanya Richards of the United States lowered her 2009 world best over 400 metres on Friday at the Bislett Games as she remained in the hunt for the Golden League 1-million dollar jackpot. ....more

Cancun summit on swine flu ends though uncertainty persists Jul 3, 2009, 20:16 GMT Cancun, Mexico - A global gathering about the influenza virus A(H1N1) in the Mexican resort city of Cancun ended Friday after two days of talks on the ongoing pandemic. ....more

Michael Owen seals Manchester United switch Jul 3, 2009, 20:12 GMT London - Striker Michael Owen completed his free-transfer move to English football champions Manchester United on Friday. ....more

Palin to step down as Alaska governor (1st Lead) Jul 3, 2009, 20:05 GMT Washington - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who was catapulted to national prominence as the Republican vice presidential candidate last year, will resign later this month, she said Friday. ....more

Roddick's new wife talked him back to tennis Jul 3, 2009, 19:48 GMT London - Swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker talked then boyfriend Andy Roddick back into tennis a year ago as the one-time number one suffered through a crisis of confidence after a second-round shutdown at Wimbledon. ....more

Report: Palin to step down as Alaska governor Jul 3, 2009, 19:40 GMT Washington - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who was catapulted to national prominence as the Republican vice presidential candidate last year, will resign later this month, she said Friday. ....more

Richards remains in jackpot race with world best - Ohuruogu beaten Jul 3, 2009, 19:20 GMT    Oslo - Sanya Richards of the United States lowered her 2009 world best over 400 metres on Friday at the Bislett Games as she remained in the hunt for the Golden League 1-million dollar jackpot. ....more

Metal prices from London Commodities Exchange Jul 3, 2009, 19:20 GMT    London - Final prices in dollars per ton - cash and forward. Also given are the previous trading day's quotations. ....more

London Stock Exchange quotations Jul 3, 2009, 19:16 GMT London - Closing prices in pence on the London Stock Exchange. In brackets, movement and percentage change against the previous quotation. ....more

Details of Michael Jackson memorial released (1st Lead) Jul 3, 2009, 18:56 GMT Los Angeles - Michael Jackson's memorial will take place on Tuesday at the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles - the scene of his final rehearsal the day before he died last week, organizers confirmed Friday. ....more

Murray upbeat for summer hardcourts despite Wimbledon disappointment Jul 3, 2009, 18:49 GMT London - Andy Murray expects to move on quickly from his Wimbledon semi-final loss to Andy Roddick, ready to get to training work in the United States prior to his next event in August. ....more

Four killed in attempt to free hostage in Mexico (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 18:49 GMT Mexico City - Four people were killed during an attempt to free a hostage in Mexico City on Friday, the city's public prosecutor said. ....more

Mexican authorities arrest eight for kidnapping 51 migrants Jul 3, 2009, 18:33 GMT Mexico City - Mexican authorities arrested eight people for kidnapping 51 illegal Central American migrants, the state government said Friday in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas. ....more

Olympic champion Pechstein banned for blood doping (2nd Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 18:33 GMT    Hamburg - Five-time Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein of Germany has been banned for two years by the ruling body ISU for blood doping. ....more

Roddick rolls Murray to face Federer again at Wimbledon (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 18:28 GMT London - The dream died at Wimbledon for Andy Murray as the home hero fell to a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) semi-final defeat at the hands of Andy Roddick Friday. ....more

Frankfurt Stock Exchange quotations Jul 3, 2009, 18:20 GMT    Frankfurt - Frankfurt Stock Exchange closing prices in euros. In brackets the point movement of index/price movement of stocks against previous quotation: ....more

Chelsea sign striker Sturridge Jul 3, 2009, 18:12 GMT London - Chelsea confirmed on Friday that they have signed striker Dean Sturridge on a free transfer from Premier League rivals Manchester City. ....more

Details released on Michael Jackson memorial Jul 3, 2009, 18:04 GMT Los Angeles - Organizers on Friday released the first details of Michael Jackson's public memorial service, confirming that it will take place at the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. ....more

Roddick deflates Murraymania to reach final against Federer (Extra) Jul 3, 2009, 17:57 GMT London - Andy Roddick deflated Britain's Murraymania with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) defeat of the Scot on Friday to set up his third Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. ....more

Neil Patrick Harris confirmed as 61st Emmy host Jul 3, 2009, 17:55 GMT Star of the "Harold and Kumar" franchise, and "Dr. Horrible" web videos, television series, "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris is adding host of the Emmys to his resume. ....more

RESULTS 1ST ADD: Wimbledon Championships Jul 3, 2009, 17:48 GMT London - Results on Friday at the 20.5-million-dollar Wimbledon Championships (x indicates new result). ....more

Olympic champion Pechstein banned for blood doping (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 17:46 GMT    Hamburg - Five-time Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein of Germany has been banned for two years by the ruling body ISU for blood doping. ....more

How to get tickets: Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service Jul 3, 2009, 17:46 GMT The Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles, California and simulcast inside to Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE across the street. ....more

SYTYCD features Rowland and House DJ David Guetta on July 9 show Jul 3, 2009, 17:36 GMT "So You Think You Can Dance" will see R&B Singer Kelly Rowland and House DJ David Guetta perform on the results show, Thursday, July 9. ....more

For 5 days, Berlin is international hub of fashion (Feature) Jul 3, 2009, 17:20 GMT    Berlin - At the show of fashion legend Boss, the usual glitz and glamour were replaced by barbecued sausages against an industrial backdrop, while style icon Rene Lezard hosted a 'home-made' breakfast in a Berlin neighbourhood on Friday. ....more

Saturday order of play Jul 3, 2009, 17:20 GMT London - Order of play on showcourts Saturday at the 20.5-million-dollar Wimbledon Championships. ....more

MTV.com features All Time Low; “Weightless,” will debut on July 6th on MTV Jul 3, 2009, 17:15 GMT Hopeless Records announced that on June 30th, MTV.com was the first place fans were able to stream All Time Low’s new album, the anticipated Nothing Personal, in its entirety. ....more

Thunderstorms lash Germany after a day of heat Jul 3, 2009, 17:05 GMT Berlin - Thunderstorms lashed western and southern Germany Friday after a day of summer heat, with torrential rain flooding highways and lightning strikes causing non-fatal injuries. ....more

Olympic champion Pechstein banned for blood doping (1st Lead) Jul 3, 2009, 17:05 GMT    Hamburg - Five-time Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein of Germany has been banned for two years by the ruling body ISU for blood doping. ....more

Rise Records launches new website Jul 3, 2009, 17:04 GMT Oregon based record label Rise Records has relaunched their website. ....more

Turkish manufacturer bids for Germany's Rosenthal Jul 3, 2009, 16:56 GMT    Munich - A Turkish china manufacturer has bid for Rosenthal, a premium German manufacturer of table porcelain, an insolvency administrator said in Munich Friday. ....more

Brad Pitt's women top earners: Angie and Jen rake it in Jul 3, 2009, 16:53 GMT Actor Brad Pitt's women are big earners in Hollywood. ....more

Olympic champion Pechstein banned for doping (Urgent) Jul 3, 2009, 16:38 GMT Hamburg - Five-time Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein of Germany has been banned for two years by the ruling body ISU for blood doping. ....more

International stock market quotations Jul 3, 2009, 16:36 GMT    Frankfurt - The following index quotations were noted on the world's major stock markets: <#>                            July 3 July 4 Difference New York* Dow Jones 8,280.74 8,504.06 (- 223.32) New York* NASDAQ Comp. 1,796.52 1,796.52 (+ 0.00) Tokyo Nikkei 9,816.07 9,876.15 (- 60.08) Sydney All Ordinaries 3,826.60 3,875.20 (- 48.60) Hong Kong Hang Seng 18,203.40 18,178.05 (+ 25.35) London Fin.-Times 4,236.28 4,234.27 (+ 2.01) Paris CAC-40 3,119.51 3,116.41 (+ 3.10) Zurich SMI 5,338.51 5,355.23 (- 16.72) Frankfurt DAX-Index 4,708.21 4,718.49 (- 10.28) Frankfurt EuroStoxx 50 2,376.48 2,369.65 (+ 6.83) <#> dpa jbl ....more

Katie Holmes makes Nigel Lythgoe Dizzy with dance Jul 3, 2009, 16:36 GMT The milestone 100th episode of “So You Think You Can Dance,” airing Thursday, July 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, will feature a special performance by Dizzy Feet Foundation founding member Katie Holmes that will help introduce the foundation to the public. ....more

Demjanjuk pronounced fit for war-crimes trial (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 16:29 GMT    Munich - Doctors believe John Demjanjuk, 89, is physically and mentally able to stand trial for his alleged role in killing 29,000 Jews at a Nazi concentration camp, German prosecutors said Friday. ....more

Michael Bay's whiny 'Transformer' stars Fox and LaBeouf Jul 3, 2009, 16:21 GMT It used to be that great, glamorous stars, like Cary Grant, came out in films and were snapped going to premieres. They never granted many interviews to the press, as they were whisked into private parties, letting their publicists pick and choose where the sound bites landed. ....more

BA revises capacity estimates as passenger figures fall Jul 3, 2009, 16:08 GMT London - British Airways (BA) Friday announced amendments to flight schedules and a delay in the delivery of its fleet of new Airbus A380 superjumbos as a result of falling passenger figures. ....more

Four killed in attempt to free hostage in Mexico Jul 3, 2009, 16:04 GMT Mexico City - Four people were killed during an attempt to free a hostage in Mexico City on Friday, the city's public prosecutor said. ....more

In Pictures: 'Mariah Carey on the Set of Her New Music Video' Jul 3, 2009, 16:01 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Mariah Carey on the Set of Her New Music Video". ....more

In Pictures: '9th Annual Trevor New York Summer Gala' Jul 3, 2009, 15:59 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "9th Annual Trevor New York Summer Gala". ....more

In Pictures: 'Jeff Beck in Concert at Manchester Apollo' Jul 3, 2009, 15:52 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Jeff Beck in Concert at Manchester Apollo". ....more

Norwegian crown prince's family gets pet dog Jul 3, 2009, 15:48 GMT Oslo - Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, has added a pet dog to the royal household, local media reported Friday. ....more

Platini says Ukraine could be deprived of Euro championships Jul 3, 2009, 15:44 GMT Paris - UEFA president Michel Platini said that Ukraine could be deprived of playing co-host with Poland to the Euro-2012 football championships, the daily L'Equipe reported Friday. ....more

Veteran midfielder Edu released by Valencia Jul 3, 2009, 15:35 GMT Madrid - Spanish giants Valencia announced on Friday that the contract of veteran midfielder Edu had been rescinded 'by mutual agreement.' ....more

German bar-owner jailed over fatal drink duel with teen Jul 3, 2009, 15:33 GMT Berlin - A German bar-owner was sent to prison for 41 months Friday for a drinking duel with a teenaged boy which plunged the schoolboy into a fatal coma. ....more

Syrian security strongman removed from intelligence post Jul 3, 2009, 15:33 GMT Damascus/Cairo - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has removed his brother-in-law Asef Shawkat, suspected of involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri, from his post as a director of military intelligence, the Syrian website All4Syria.info reported Friday. ....more

EU summons Iranian diplomats in protest at British arrests (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 15:30 GMT Stockholm/Brussels - European Union foreign ministries summoned Iranian ambassadors in their respective capitals Friday in a concerted diplomatic protest over the detention of British embassy staff in Tehran. ....more

In Pictures: 'Asia Society Southern California's Annual Gala Dinner' Jul 3, 2009, 15:28 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Asia Society Southern California's Annual Gala Dinner". ....more

In Pictures: 'Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton Promoting' Jul 3, 2009, 15:24 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton Promoting". ....more

Pakistani army helicopter crashes, 26 soldiers killed (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 15:22 GMT Islamabad - At least 26 soldiers were killed on Friday when an army helicopter crashed in the country's lawless tribal region, security officials said. ....more

In Pictures: 'Robert Pattinson Filming Remember Me in Central Park' Jul 3, 2009, 15:21 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Robert Pattinson Filming Remember Me in Central Park". ....more

Health minister: 100,000 swine flu cases in Argentina Jul 3, 2009, 15:20 GMT Buenos Aires - The number of swine flu cases in Argentina rose drastically on Friday, with the new government health minister reporting an estimated 100,000 cases of of the A(H1N1) virus. ....more

In Pictures: 'Lady GaGa in Concert at Manchester Academy' Jul 3, 2009, 15:20 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Lady GaGa in Concert at Manchester Academy". ....more

In Pictures: '7th Annual Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards' Jul 3, 2009, 15:15 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "7th Annual Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards". ....more

In Pictures: 'The 1st Annunal Chicago Soul Music Festival' Jul 3, 2009, 15:14 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "The 1st Annunal Chicago Soul Music Festival". ....more

Defence demands acquittal in Tuscany war-crimes case Jul 3, 2009, 15:06 GMT Munich - Defence lawyers demanded Friday an acquittal at the Munich trial of Josef Scheungraber, 90, a former German army lieutenant accused of an atrocity in the Tuscan village of Falzano di Cortona in 1944. ....more

In Pictures: 'Metalway Festival 2009' Jul 3, 2009, 15:06 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Metalway Festival 2009". ....more

Sarkozy reminds Swedes of French opposition to Turkey in EU Jul 3, 2009, 14:57 GMT Stockholm - France remains opposed to Turkey becoming a full member of the European Union, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday during a visit to Stockholm. ....more

Federer shows top form with walloping of Haas (1st Lead) Jul 3, 2009, 14:52 GMT London - Roger Federer put on a master class in just over two hours Friday to school Tommy Haas 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-3 for a place in a seventh straight final at Wimbledon. ....more

Plane door, sharks point to possible site of Comoros crash (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 14:36 GMT Johannesburg - Rescue workers searching for victims of this week's plane crash off the Comoros islands on Friday found what appeared to be a door of the plane as well as a school of sharks possibly indicating the presence of bodies, authorities said. ....more

Seoul to spend billions on thwarting North Korea threat (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 14:32 GMT    Seoul - South Korea Friday announced plans to spend billions on sophisticated technology to counter the perceived threat of a North Korean nuclear attack. ....more

Nigeria, Niger and Algeria sign accord on bringing gas to Europe Jul 3, 2009, 14:21 GMT Nairobi/Abuja - Nigeria, Niger and Algeria on Friday signed an agreement to build a pipeline that will bring Nigerian gas across the Sahara desert to the European markets. ....more

Federer reaches seventh straight Wimbledon final (Extra) Jul 3, 2009, 14:18 GMT London - Roger Federer controlled Tommy Haas in a 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-3 victory on Friday to reach his seventh consecutive Wimbledon final. ....more

UN secretary-general meets Myanmar junta chief (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 14:16 GMT Yangon - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Myanmar's military leader Friday on an official visit that aimed at pressing for the release of all political prisoners including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. ....more

EU summons Iranian diplomats, Sarkozy meets Swedish prime minister Jul 3, 2009, 14:00 GMT Stockholm/Brussels - European Union foreign ministries summoned Iranian ambassadors in their respective capitals Friday in a concerted diplomatic protest over the detention of British embassy staff in Tehran. ....more

Wolves completed Halford signing Jul 3, 2009, 13:56 GMT London - Wolverhampton Wanderers completed the signing of Greg Halford from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee on Friday. ....more

Biden in Iraq "optimistic" on reconciliation (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 13:53 GMT Baghdad - US Vice President Joe Biden said that he was 'optimistic' about Iraq's prospects for stability and security, as he met with US and Iraqi officials in Baghdad Friday. ....more

Fear as tremors hit Italy's G8 venue L'Aquila (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 13:50 GMT L'Aquila, Italy - Several tremors on Friday prompted frightened office workers to rush outdoors in the central Italian city L'Aquila, just days before it is scheduled to host a Group of Eight (G8) summit. ....more

"Disgrace" by Australia director wins prize at Taipei Film Festival Jul 3, 2009, 13:48 GMT    Taipei - The film Disgrace by Australian director Steve Jacobs on Friday won the grand prize in the New Talent Competition at the Taipei Film Festival. ....more

Germany allows banks to spin off toxic assets (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 13:44 GMT Berlin - Germany's parliament passed legislation Friday that will allow banks to clean up their balance sheets by spinning off toxic assets to so-called bad banks. ....more

Fewer extremist crimes in Russia, rights groups says Jul 3, 2009, 13:35 GMT Moscow - Racially motivated killings in Russia have declined this year compared to 2008, following a crackdown against right-wing extremists, the Moscow Human Rights Office said Friday. ....more

Germany to send more police officers to Afghanistan Jul 3, 2009, 13:33 GMT Berlin - Germany plans to send additional police officers to Afghanistan, a German government spokesman announced on Friday. ....more

Pakistan to challenge release of top militant Jul 3, 2009, 13:28 GMT    Islamabad - Pakistan's government plans Saturday to challenge last month's release of Hafiz Saeed, the head of an Islamic charity suspected of being a front for a group accused of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, a Pakistani official said. ....more

SV Hamburg welcome Ze Roberto, move for Tesche (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 13:28 GMT    Hamburg - Brazil's Ze Roberto has joined SV Hamburg on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, the club confirmed Friday. ....more

Arab bourses foggy pending second quarter results Jul 3, 2009, 13:22 GMT Amman - Uncertainty prevailed at most of Arab stock markets this week as investors awaited the release of second-quarter corporate results, which they believed would decide the course of regional markets in the coming stage, financial analysts said Friday. ....more

Number One Sastre is again riding against the current (Feature) Jul 3, 2009, 13:20 GMT Madrid - Contador, Armstrong - Armstrong, Contador. Everything in the Tour de France appeared to hinge on the two Astana team riders. ....more

Report: Hamas militants plotted to assassinate Abbas (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 13:18 GMT Ramallah - A group of Hamas militants tracked the movements of Mahmoud Abbas with the 'clear' intention of assassinating the Palestinian president, senior sources in Abbas' Fatah party told an Israeli newspaper Friday. ....more

France says Yemenia could be banned in Europe (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 13:17 GMT Paris - The Yemeni airline Yemenia could be placed on a black list and banned from flying in Europe if it did not improve the condition of its aircraft, French Junior Minister for Transport Dominique Bussereau said Friday. ....more

Nabucco deal to be signed in Ankara Jul 3, 2009, 13:14 GMT Brussels - Top officials from four European Union nations plus Turkey are to meet in Ankara on July 13 to sign an agreement on Nabucco, the pipeline intended to deliver natural gas from the Caspian Sea to the EU, officials in Brussels confirmed Friday. ....more

Ex-world champ Boonen allowed to ride in Tour Jul 3, 2009, 13:04 GMT Paris - A French sports arbitration court has ruled in favour of former world road racing champion Tom Boonen's request to be allowed to ride in this year's Tour de France, the daily L'Equipe reported Friday. ....more

Obama hopes for nuclear arms breakthrough with Russia Jul 3, 2009, 13:00 GMT Moscow - US President Barack Obama plans to discuss concrete steps towards nuclear arms control during his visit to Moscow next week, he said in an interview released Friday ....more

Morning Light – Blu-ray Review - CLIPS ADDED! Jul 3, 2009, 12:53 GMT An all-together ho-hum experience considering the coolness of the subject matter, “Morning Light’ is Roy E. Disney’s attempt to document the open-sea race, Transpac, a harrowing 2,500 race from California to Hawaii. Expertly captured, the problem lies with its reality television-like approach. ....more

US drone, Pakistani troops kill 28 militants in Pakistan (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 12:48 GMT    Islamabad - At least 28 militants were killed in a suspected US drone attack and clashes with Pakistani troops in the country's north-west, officials said Friday. ....more

Czech Republic reports 14th death in floods Jul 3, 2009, 12:41 GMT Prague - The Czech Republic Friday reported the 14th victim of flash floods that have tormented Central Europe for over a week. ....more

24: Season Seven – Blu-ray Review Jul 3, 2009, 12:40 GMT Jack’s back! Fox offers up the seventh season of their perennial favorite ‘24’ on Blu-ray soon after the season ended its run in mid-May. Oddly, this is the first I’ve seen of ‘24’ so while I may be out of the loop on some context, I got the gist of the show pretty quick – entertaining, fast-paced fluff.  ....more

Remains of ten people found in junkyard in eastern Turkey Jul 3, 2009, 12:38 GMT Istanbul - The remains of some ten people, including skulls with apparent gunshot holes, have been found in a waste disposal site near the city of Van in eastern Turkey, local media reports said on Friday. ....more

Lonely are the Brave: Universal Backlot Collection – DVD Review Jul 3, 2009, 12:22 GMT A dept of gratitude should go to Steven Spielberg for giving the Universal studio president the bug to get this fine Kirk Douglas picture onto DVD.  I guess it helps to have friends in high places.   ....more

United move for Owen a gamble from the past (News Feature) Jul 3, 2009, 12:20 GMT London - Football, as we are always being told, is a squad game, and perhaps nothing exemplifies that so well as Manchester United's apparent desire to sign Michael Owen. ....more

African leaders agree on "African Authority" Jul 3, 2009, 12:16 GMT Sirte, Libya - African leaders agreed on Friday to establish a common executive 'authority' for the African Union (AU) which will coordinate key policies on the continent, the Libyan secretary in charge of African Union (AU) affairs Ali Triki said. ....more

Biden in Iraq "optimistic" on reconciliation Jul 3, 2009, 12:12 GMT Baghdad - US Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that he was 'optimistic' about Iraq's prospects for stability and security, as he met with US and Iraqi officials in Baghdad. ....more

Demjanjuk deemed able to stand trial Jul 3, 2009, 12:03 GMT Munich - John Demjanjuk, 89, is deemed physically and mentally able to stand trial for his alleged role in killing 29,000 Jews at a Nazi concentration camp in 1943, German prosecutors said Friday, quoting a medical report. ....more

Builder Strabag withdraws from deal to buy Cemex subsidiaries Jul 3, 2009, 12:01 GMT Vienna - Austrian construction group Strabag said Friday it had withdrawn from a deal buy parts of Mexican building materials giant Cemex, after Austria's cartel authority had taken too long to mull the case. ....more

"Blood diamonds" team wraps up second Zimbabwe inspection Jul 3, 2009, 12:01 GMT Windhoek - An team of inspectors from an anti-'blood diamonds' body was wrapping up a visit to Zimbabwe Friday, where they have been investigating allegations of gross rights abuses in diamond mining. ....more

Michael Jackson's 'bank loan aliases' Jul 3, 2009, 12:00 GMT Michael Jackson allegedly used 20 aliases to apply for bank loans. ....more

Tattoo artist Rihanna Jul 3, 2009, 12:00 GMT Rihanna has become a tattoo artist. ....more

Beyonce Knowles wants Sister role Jul 3, 2009, 12:00 GMT Beyonce Knowles wants to star in 'Sister Act'. ....more

Diana Ross indebted to Jackson Jul 3, 2009, 12:00 GMT Michael Jackson named Diana Ross as a possible guardian of his children because she owed him a "favor". ....more

American 'X-Factor' to feature Cheryl Cole? Jul 3, 2009, 12:00 GMT Cheryl Cole is to front a US version of 'X Factor'. ....more

PREVIEW: Richard Williams can't bear to watch sisters go at it again Jul 3, 2009, 11:54 GMT London - Richard Williams will be on a plane to LA with his new young wife while his daughters fight for the fourth time in a Wimbledon women's final Saturday. ....more

Problems mount at German mail-order group Quelle Jul 3, 2009, 11:52 GMT    Fuerth, Germany - The problems at Quelle, keystone in a European mail-order empire that operates in 28 nations, mounted Friday with two printing firms refusing to keep printing its coloured catalogue. ....more

Fourth person dies of swine flu in Britain - first London case Jul 3, 2009, 11:52 GMT London - A 19-year-old male from London has become the fourth person in Britain to die from swine flu, the authorities said Friday. ....more

NOTEBOOK: Sampras not sure a Wimbledon trip would be worth it Jul 3, 2009, 11:48 GMT London - Pete Sampras is apparently undecided about making a possible trip for a Roger Federer Wimbledon final after keeping his distance form the club where he once reigned as a seven-time champion. ....more

French minister warns Armstrong on doping Jul 3, 2009, 11:48 GMT Paris - French Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot Friday warned seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong that he will be given special attention in the matter of doping, the online edition of the weekly Le Point reported. ....more

"Big return" Serbian flights to Croatia get scrapped early Jul 3, 2009, 11:46 GMT Zagreb/Belgrade - Loudly billed as the big 'return after 18 years,' tourist charters from Belgrade to the Croatian resort of Dubrovnik have been scrapped after only two flights, authorities in Zagreb confirmed Friday. ....more

Zandra Rhodes unhurt after crash Jul 3, 2009, 11:45 GMT Zandra Rhodes was left "embarrassed" but unhurt after she was involved in a car crash. ....more

Gap intern Kanye West Jul 3, 2009, 11:45 GMT Kanye West is doing an internship at Gap. ....more

Peter Andre lands modeling contract Jul 3, 2009, 11:45 GMT Peter Andre is the new face of Ed Hardy. ....more

Czech politicians take election campaign to Croatian beaches Jul 3, 2009, 11:40 GMT Prague/Zagreb - Czech politicians are taking their election campaign to Croatian beaches as voters get set for early parliamentary polls just weeks after the summer holidays. ....more

Taliban claims downing of Pakistan Army helicopter (Extra) Jul 3, 2009, 11:40 GMT    Islamabad - Local Taliban on Friday claimed to have shot down a Pakistan Army helicopter in the country's lawless tribal region, media reports said. ....more

British embassy staffers confessed, Iran clergyman claims (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 11:40 GMT    Tehran - British embassy staffers detained in Tehran have admitted involvement in demonstrations against the outcome of recent elections, a senior member of Iran's clergy claimed Friday. ....more

Book Review: California Screamin’: Murder at Monterey Pop Jul 3, 2009, 11:34 GMT Summers and outdoor music are a natural combination.  Most likely this pairing was first practiced in celebration of plentiful food and weather that wouldn’t kill you, and later became an entertainment.  ....more

Death toll rises in Italy train explosion Jul 3, 2009, 11:32 GMT Rome - The death Friday of a Moroccan man brought to 21 the number of victims from this week's freight train crash in Italy - one of the country's worst. ....more

German police seek missing victims of Swiss schoolboy rampage Jul 3, 2009, 11:28 GMT    Munich - German police were hunting Friday for three people allegedly beaten up by a group of drunk and rampaging Swiss schoolboys on a visit to Munich. ....more

Chimney-turned-minaret project draws controversy in Poland Jul 3, 2009, 11:26 GMT Warsaw - An art project that would transform a tall chimney into a minaret drew controversy in western Poland as critics said it mocked Catholics, a Polish daily reported Friday. ....more

Britain relaxes travel restrictions for its citizens to Sri Lanka Jul 3, 2009, 11:22 GMT    Colombo - The British government has relaxed travel restrictions on its citizens visiting Sri Lanka nearly five weeks after Tamil separatist rebels were defeated to end a more then 30-year war in the South Asian country, the British High Commission in Colombo said Friday. ....more

Everwood: The Complete Second Season – DVD Review - CLIPS ADDED Jul 3, 2009, 11:22 GMT Everwood is the beautiful small town that speaks to everyone who has ever had to live in a small town and survived.  Much about it is good, but there is way too much going on that is known by far too many people to make it as idyllic as it seems.  ....more

Family of swine flu victim to sue Spanish hospitals Jul 3, 2009, 11:14 GMT Ceuta - The family of a young Moroccan woman who became the first H1N1 fatality on the European continent will sue two Madrid hospitals for negligence, representatives of her family said Friday in Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta. ....more

Arrested British embassy staffers confessed, Iran clergyman claims Jul 3, 2009, 11:09 GMT    Tehran - British embassy staffers arrested and detained in Tehran for alleged involvement in recent protests over alleged election fraud have confessed, a senior member of the Iranian clergy claimed Friday. ....more

Fear as tremor hits Italy's G8 venue L'Aquila Jul 3, 2009, 11:00 GMT L'Aquila, Italy - A 3.6 magnitude earthquake on Friday prompted frightened office workers to rush outdoors in the central Italian city L'Aquila, just days before it is scheduled to host a Group of Eight (G8) summit. ....more

Thriller at Buckingham Palace Jul 3, 2009, 11:00 GMT A world famous band has given a rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' outside Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Buckingham Palace. ....more

Earl pays for discrimination with heirlooms Jul 3, 2009, 11:00 GMT The Earl of Devon has been forced to sell his family heirlooms to make money after his marriage licence was withdrawn. ....more

Prince Harry: I want to make my mother proud Jul 3, 2009, 11:00 GMT Britain's Prince Harry will speak on global issues to make his mother proud. ....more

Politician chooses emails over Queen Elizabeth Jul 3, 2009, 11:00 GMT Britain's Queen Elizabeth was snubbed by 50 MSPs on her visit to Holyrood - with one opting to check her emails instead. ....more

King Abdullah names son heir Jul 3, 2009, 11:00 GMT Jordan's King Abdullah II has named his eldest son heir to the throne. ....more

UEFA to step up fight against match-rigging Jul 3, 2009, 10:52 GMT Munich - The European football union UEFA wants to step up its monitoring system in the fight against match-fixing, a German newspaper reports Friday quoting a UEFA expert. ....more

Bulgarians set to vote in first elections since joining the EU Jul 3, 2009, 10:48 GMT Sofia - Some 6.9 million Bulgarian voters are eligible to cast ballots Sunday in the country's first parliamentary poll since it joined the European Union in 2007. ....more

German Foreign Minister announces new Middle East trip Jul 3, 2009, 10:30 GMT Berlin - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to visit the Middle East next week, a government spokesman announced on Friday. ....more

Opposition acts like dissidents, says Iranian cleric Jul 3, 2009, 10:30 GMT    Tehran - A senior Iranian cleric said Friday that the country's opposition led by Mir-Hossein Moussavi was acting like dissidents because of its fraud accusations after the June 12 presidential election. ....more

Japan's first Tamiflu-resistance case reported Jul 3, 2009, 10:25 GMT    Tokyo - The Japanese government has found the nation's first case of Tamiflu-resistance in a patient infected with the new strain of influenza A virus, media reports said Friday. ....more

Germany toughens up rules on tax havens Jul 3, 2009, 10:16 GMT    Berlin - Germany's parliament passed legislation Friday that increases taxation scrutiny of companies and private individuals who have business ties to tax havens. ....more

Hertha Berlin sign striker Wichniarek Jul 3, 2009, 10:12 GMT Berlin - Hertha Berlin have signed Polish striker Artur Wichniarek from relegated Arminia Bielefeld, the Bundesliga club said on Friday. ....more

Taiwan to hold 2nd bidding round for 5 million doses of flu vaccine Jul 3, 2009, 10:09 GMT    Taipei - Taiwan will hold the second bidding round for the purchase of 5 million doses of flu vaccine after the first round failed because there were not enough bidders, an official said Friday. ....more

US pushes ahead with Afghan offensive, reports first casualties Jul 3, 2009, 10:02 GMT    Kabul - The US military said Friday that it was pushing further into a Taliban bastion in southern Afghanistan after it had reported its first casualties in the offensive, the first under the US government's new strategy in the Central Asian country. ....more

London oil broker suspends rogue trader after "unauthorized" deals Jul 3, 2009, 10:00 GMT London - A rogue trader at a London oil broker caused his employer to lose 6 million pounds (10 million dollars) after making unauthorized trades, the company concerned said in a statement Friday. ....more

HSBC in Geneva alerted clients on waiving banking secrecy: report Jul 3, 2009, 9:56 GMT Geneva - HSBC Private Bank in Geneva last year reportedly sent out a note informing managers that they should request permission from clients investing in regulated markets, and alert them to having to waive Switzerland's banking secrecy provisions. ....more

Taiwan's foreign exchange reserves hit record high in June Jul 3, 2009, 9:52 GMT       Taipei - Taiwan's foreign exchange reserves rose to a record high in June on exchange rate and other gains, the Central Bank said Friday. ....more

Rebels charge that Yemen's hunt for abductors is sham Jul 3, 2009, 9:48 GMT Cairo - A rebel group in Yemen which denies any role in recent abductions there has charged via a statement on their website that government efforts to save the hostages are a sham. ....more

Three new dinosaur species found in Australia Jul 3, 2009, 9:41 GMT    Sydney - The bones of three new species of dinosaur have been found in the Australian Outback, officials said Friday. ....more

Indonesian central bank cuts key rate for eighth straight month Jul 3, 2009, 9:30 GMT    Jakarta - Indonesia's central bank cut its benchmark rate for the eighth straight month Friday in a bid to cut borrowing costs. ....more

Daniel Day-Lewis moving to US? Jul 3, 2009, 9:30 GMT Daniel Day-Lewis is set to move back to America. ....more

Amy Winehouse's drunk swim ban Jul 3, 2009, 9:28 GMT Amy Winehouse has been banned from swimming amid fears she will drown. ....more

'90210' to cast Rumer Willis as a lesbian Jul 3, 2009, 9:27 GMT Rumer Willis is set to play a "punky lesbian" on '90210'. ....more

Victoria Beckham's eco anniversary Jul 3, 2009, 9:26 GMT David and Victoria Beckham have splashed out £50,000 on a luxury eco-spa break for their tenth wedding anniversary. ....more

Monsoon floods displace 200,000 in north-east India Jul 3, 2009, 9:25 GMT    New Delhi - Floods triggered by monsoon rains have inundated hundreds of villages and displaced an estimated 200,000 people in India's north-eastern state of Assam, a news report said Friday. ....more

Michael Bay slams 'ridiculous' Megan Fox Jul 3, 2009, 9:24 GMT Megan Fox needs to grow up, says her 'Transformers' director. ....more

Jackson's bodyguard blames doctors Jul 3, 2009, 9:20 GMT Michael Jackson's former bodyguard says his doctors "have blood on their hands". ....more

Michael Jackson's house a warehouse of powerful painkillers and sedatives Jul 3, 2009, 9:18 GMT Methadone was reportedly found in Michael Jackson's home. ....more

Quincy Jones claims Michael Jackson 'didn't want to be black' Jul 3, 2009, 9:15 GMT Quincy Jones claims Michael Jackson "didn't want to be black". ....more

Gunman who targeted Hong Kong democracy leader is jailed Jul 3, 2009, 9:14 GMT Hong Kong - A Chinese would-be hit man arrested in Hong Kong with a gun and bullets in a suspected plot to shoot pro-democracy champion Martin Lee was Friday jailed for 16 years. ....more

Predicted: Debbie Rowe will not stand down Jul 3, 2009, 9:14 GMT Debbie Rowe is reportedly planning to fight for custody of Michael Jackson's children. ....more

Armstrong to leave Astana if Vinokourov returns - report Jul 3, 2009, 9:12 GMT Paris - The imminent return of Kazakh cyclist Alexandre Vinokourov to his former team Astana could mean that seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and team director Johan Bruyneel will be fired, the daily L'Equipe reported Friday. ....more

Comoros announces 30 days mourning for crash victims Jul 3, 2009, 9:10 GMT Johannesburg - The government of the Comoros islands has announced 30 days of national mourning for the victims, mostly Comorans, of Tuesday's plane crash off its coast. ....more

Michael Jackson's star-studded memorial Jul 3, 2009, 9:10 GMT Michael Jackson's memorial will be held at Los Angeles' Staples Center arena on Tuesday (07.07.09). ....more

Reports say United line up Owen move Jul 3, 2009, 9:08 GMT London - Manchester United could be poised to sign striker Michael Owen on a free transfer, according to media reports on Friday. ....more

China reportedly to present renewed Opel offer Jul 3, 2009, 8:59 GMT Frankfurt - China's Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company (BAIC) is to submit a revised offer on Friday for Opel, the European subsidiary of General Motors, according to German newspaper reports. ....more

Chinese swine flu patient electrocuted in shower (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 8:59 GMT    Beijing - An electric shock killed a swine flu patient while she was taking a shower at a hospital in eastern China's Hangzhou city, state media reported on Friday. ....more

OPEC oil price hit by bad economic news from US, EU Jul 3, 2009, 8:28 GMT Vienna - The oil price of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) plunged by 2.22 dollars Thursday, the group said Friday, as the United States and the European Union reported rising jobless rates. ....more

"I'd be happy to finish in top 5" in Tour, Armstrong says Jul 3, 2009, 8:26 GMT Paris - Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said his first priority in this year's race is to work for his Astana team and that he would be happy just to finish among the first five in the final standings. ....more

German parliament criticizes Russian judiciary Jul 3, 2009, 8:12 GMT Berlin - The German parliament called for constitutional reform in Russia, in a bill passed late Thursday night by the lower house, or Bundestag. ....more

Australia's Rudd sets agenda for Asia/Europe trip Jul 3, 2009, 8:02 GMT    Sydney - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Friday that the crucial Copenhagen talks on climate change in December would feature heavily in a trip to Malaysia and Europe. ....more

After protests, Yemenia suspends flight in and out of Marseille Jul 3, 2009, 7:44 GMT Paris - The Yemeni airline Yemenia has suspended flights in and out of the French city of Marseille after several hundred protesters disrupted the registration of passengers on their way to Sana'a, French media reported Friday. ....more

Ze Roberto joins SV Hamburg on free move Jul 3, 2009, 7:44 GMT    Hamburg - Brazil's Ze Roberto has joined SV Hamburg on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, the club confirmed on its website Friday. ....more

Seven dead, more feared drowned as bus falls into Pakistan canal Jul 3, 2009, 7:40 GMT    Islamabad - Seven people were killed and a score more were feared drowned Friday when a bus fell into a canal in eastern Pakistan, police said. ....more

Hong Kong teenager faces jail for making bomb that blew off hand Jul 3, 2009, 7:38 GMT    Hong Kong - A Hong Kong teenager pleaded guilty Friday to making a homemade bomb that blew off his left hand when it exploded in his family's high-rise apartment. ....more

Swine flu reaches Australian prisons Jul 3, 2009, 7:32 GMT    Sydney - Most of the 70 inmates at a far-north Queensland prison initially thought to be infected with swine flu were cleared Friday of having the virus, an official said Friday. ....more

Hong Kong's main English newspaper appoints third editor since 2007 Jul 3, 2009, 7:25 GMT    Hong Kong - Hong Kong's biggest English-language daily newspaper, the South China Morning Post, said Friday that it was changing editors for the third time in three years. ....more

Australians entranced by rejected baby koala Jul 3, 2009, 7:18 GMT    Sydney - A koala rejected by her mother because twins are unusual in Australia's most famous marsupial is flourishing at a Melbourne wildlife sanctuary, news reports said Friday. ....more

Kylie Minogue's weighty love Jul 3, 2009, 7:15 GMT Kylie Minogue hates being too thin. ....more

Christian Audigier's show hints Jul 3, 2009, 7:15 GMT Christian Audigier has promised a "big celebrity" will appear at his upcoming Paris show. ....more

Chelsea reject second City bid for captain Terry Jul 3, 2009, 7:04 GMT London - Chelsea confirmed on Friday that they have rejected an offer from Manchester City to sign central defender John Terry. ....more

Tokyo stocks down on US, European jobless rates (Roundup) Jul 3, 2009, 6:44 GMT    Tokyo - Stocks fell in Tokyo Friday after US and European unemployment rates provoked concerns over the global economic recovery. ....more

Philippine navy to deploy additional troops to troubled south Jul 3, 2009, 6:40 GMT    Manila - The Philippine navy will deploy additional troops to the conflict-wracked southern region of Mindanao to augment forces battling threat groups, especially al-Qaeda-linked Muslim militants, officials said Friday. ....more

Jack and Mia beat Bekam and Bodelle in boring Australia Jul 3, 2009, 6:36 GMT    Sydney - Hands shoot up in Australian classrooms when you call out Jack, Josh, William and Lachlan - or Mia, Chloe, Isabella and Charlotte. ....more

US drone attack kills 15 in Pakistan Jul 3, 2009, 6:36 GMT    Islamabad - A suspected US drone aircraft fired three missiles at a militant hideout in Pakistan's restive tribal district of South Waziristan on the Afghan border on Friday, killing at least 15 people, an intelligence official said. ....more

German man stabbed to death in central Philippines Jul 3, 2009, 6:20 GMT    Manila - A 68-year-old German man was stabbed to death by an unidentified attacker at his residence in the central Philippines, a police report said Friday. ....more

Hamas cell arrested in West Bank plotted to kill Abbas: report Jul 3, 2009, 6:04 GMT    Ramallah - Members of a Hamas cell arrested in the West Bank last month had been tracking the movements of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with the 'clear' intention to assassinate him, senior officials in Abbas' Fatah party were quoted Friday as saying. ....more

South Korea criticizes North Korea's rocket tests Jul 3, 2009, 5:40 GMT    Seoul - North Korea may have wanted to directly provoke South Korea with its latest rocket tests, the Defence Ministry in Seoul said Friday. ....more

Vietnam sentences poachers for killing rare ape Jul 3, 2009, 5:32 GMT    Hanoi - A court in southern Vietnam has sentenced two men to prison for killing two endangered black-shanked douc apes, a local official said Friday. ....more

UN secretary-general arrives in Myanmar to press junta (1st Lead) Jul 3, 2009, 5:28 GMT    Yangon - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Myanmar Friday for a two-day official visit during which he will press for the release of all political prisoners including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. ....more