 French hero's welcome for Betancourt
 Associated Press
Ingrid Betancourt, center, holds her children Melanie Delloye, right, and Lorenzo Delloye, left, as her nephew Stanislas Betancourt, foreground, looks on, as they leave the Elysee Palace in Paris. Betancourt received a hero's welcome in France after six years being held by leftist rebels in the Colombian jungle.
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U.S. military says airstrikes hit two vehicles carrying insurgents in eastern Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan, 7:14 a.m. July 4 (AP)
The U.S. military said airstrikes by its attack helicopters hit two vehicles carrying insurgents Friday in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan officials said civilians were traveling in the vehicles.
1st Lt. Nathan Perry, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, said the airstrikes in Nuristan province hit militants who had earlier attacked a U.S. military base with mortars.
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MINSK, Belarus, 12:36 p.m. July 4 (AP)
Belarus bomb explosion wounds more than 50: A homemade bomb tore through a crowd that included the country's authoritarian president early Friday, wounding more than 50 people at an all-night holiday concert, health officials said.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, 12:10 p.m. July 4 (AP)
EU shrugs off biofuels complaints: The European Union will ignore critics who accuse it of helping to boost food prices by embracing a binding target for the use of biofuels, officials said Friday.
NEW DELHI, 8:04 a.m. July 4 (REUTERS)
India government looks set to avoid early election: Facing the likely withdrawal of leftist allies, India's government moved closer on Friday to clinching political support it needs to avoid an early election and force through a nuclear energy deal with the United States.
BRASILIA, 8:02 a.m. July 4 (REUTERS)
Brazil expects extradition of banker from Monacco: Brazil's most-wanted white collar criminal will be extradited from Monaco and face charges in one of the country's biggest bank frauds ever, the justice ministry said Friday.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, 7:54 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Former Congolese warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba makes first appearance at war crimes court: Former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba appeared Friday for the first time at the International Criminal Court, where he faces rape and torture charges linked to a brutal conflict in Central African Republic.
SEOUL, South Korea, 7:32 a.m. July 4 (AP)
North Korea accuses U.S., other nuclear negotiating partners of being slow on nuclear pact: North Korea said Friday it will not take further steps to dismantle its nuclear program until the U.S. and its other negotiating partners award fuel oil and political benefits promised under an aid-for-disarmament deal.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 7:18 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Sri Lankan military says it seized a key rebel base: Sri Lankan troops captured a key Tamil Tiger rebel base in the island's north Friday, a day after a wave of battles in the same region killed 32 rebels and two soldiers, the military said.
WASHINGTON, 3:09 p.m. July 3 (AP)
U.S.: Flew 3,600 flights looking for hostages: The U.S. military says it flew thousands of spy flights over Colombian jungles trying to find and free three Pentagon contractors since their kidnapping in 2003.
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, 7:12 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Police: 8 dead, 5 missing after canoes run over half-built dam in Slovenia: Divers pulled seven bodies out of the Sava River and fought strong currents Friday to search for five other people still missing after two canoes were crushed running over a dam in southeastern Slovenia.
TBILISI, Georgia, 6:22 a.m. July 4 (AP)
South Ossetian separatists say 2 killed, 11 wounded in Georgian shelling: Georgian forces shelled several towns in the breakaway province of South Ossetia, killing two people and wounding 11 others, separatist officials said Friday.
SRINAGAR, India, 5:28 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Army: 5 soldiers, rebel killed in continuing clashes in Indian Kashmir: Fierce fighting raged in India's portion of Kashmir Friday, killing five army soldiers and a suspected Muslim rebel near the de facto border with Pakistan.
KATMANDU, Nepal, 5:27 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Tibetans exiles protest in front of Chinese embassy visa office in Nepal: Hundreds of Tibetans protesting Chinese control of their homeland tried to storm the Chinese Embassy visa office in the Nepalese capital on Friday, police said.
HONG KONG, 5:25 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker barred from traveling to Sichuan earthquake zone: An outspoken pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong was barred Friday from traveling to southwest China to visit areas damaged in a massive earthquake.
LONDON, 4:48 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Senior British intelligence official in coma: Britain's senior intelligence official has been rushed to a London hospital after falling into a coma, officials said Friday, but foul play is not suspected in his sudden illness.
JERUSALEM, 3:54 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Israel closes Gaza crossings in response to rocket: Israel says it is keeping Gaza's border crossings closed in retaliation for a rocket attack.
PURI, India, 3:45 a.m. July 4 (REUTERS)
Six die in stampede at Indian chariot festival: At least six people were trampled to death and dozens injured in a stampede at an annual chariot festival in eastern India on Friday, police said.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 3:21 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Pakistani government says it's 'serious' in fighting militants in volitile northwest: A senior Pakistani official said Friday the government is serious about fighting Islamic militants, after authorities said they had rounded up 220 suspects as a military operation proceeded in a volatile tribal region.
SEOUL, South Korea, 3:06 a.m. July 4 (AP)
U.N. chief urges his South Korean compatriots to trust their government on beef safety: U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon told his fellow South Koreans on Friday to trust and support the country's leaders following weeks of protests against U.S. beef imports that have rocked the government.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, 2:56 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Czech foreign minister says missile defense deal with U.S. to be signed next week: Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg says that his government will sign a deal with the United States next week on installing a U.S. missile defense radar.
TEHRAN, Iran, 2:45 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Moderate quake jolts eastern Iran, no injuries: Iranian state TV is reporting that a moderate earthquake has jolted a small town in eastern Iran.
TEHRAN, Iran, 2:35 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Report: Iran will consider any military action against nuclear facilities as start of war: Iran would consider any military action against its nuclear facilities as the beginning of a war, the country's top Revolutionary Guards commander said in remarks published Friday.
NEW DELHI, 1:39 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Dalai Lama envoy: China talks difficult: An envoy for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said Friday that the latest round of talks with China were “one of the most difficult sessions” held so far, but that he will return for more discussions after the Beijing Olympics.
QUETTA, Pakistan, 11:02 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Bomb blast kills young girl, wounds 11 in Pakistan: A bomb exploded on a busy street in the southwestern Pakistan city of Quetta on Friday, killing a 4-year old girl and wounding 11 other people.
ROME, 8:22 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Italy's government warns of decay at Pompeii archaeological site: Italy's government began a process Friday to help combat decay at the Pompeii archaeological site, officials said.
VATICAN CITY, 8:19 a.m. July 4 (AP)
Pope to meet Sarkozy, Jewish leaders during September trip to France: Pope Benedict XVI will meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy and representatives of the country's Jewish community during a stop in Paris on his September pilgrimage to the Roman Catholic shrine of Lourdes, the Vatican said Friday.
YANGON, Myanmar, 9:58 p.m. July 3 (AP)Ferry sinking in river in Myanmar kills 38: A ferry sank in a river in Myanmar's cyclone-battered Irrawaddy delta, killing nearly 40 people, state-media reported Friday. QUEBEC CITY, 7:29 p.m. July 3 (AP)
UNESCO keeps Dresden as World Heritage Site: U.N. officials decided Thursday to retain the eastern German city of Dresden as a World Heritage Site for now despite earlier warnings that the construction of a bridge endangered its status. BANGKOK, Thailand, 7:38 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Thai Supreme Court rejects former Prime Minister Thaksin's request to leave country: Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces a slew of court cases, has been barred from leaving the country by order of the Supreme Court, a court official said Friday. ULAN BATOR, Mongolia, 7:57 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Mongolian police maintain calm after post-election violence: Police and soldiers in riot gear patrolled downtown sections of Mongolia's capital Friday, the final day of a four-day state of emergency declared following post-election riots that left five people dead and 220 hurt. WASHINGTON, 3:13 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Bush will attend opening ceremonies of Olympics: President Bush will attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing, the White House said Thursday. The announcement quashed any talk of a presidential boycott over China's violent crackdown after anti-government riots and protests in Tibet. WASHINGTON, 2:30 p.m. July 3 (AP)
U.S. has $20M to disable NKorean reactor: The Bush administration says it has $20 million available to pay for disabling North Korea's main nuclear facility. THE HAGUE, Netherlands, 12:47 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Dispute casts shadow over international court: Prosecutors and judges celebrated the 10th anniversary of the International Criminal Court's founding document Thursday, but behind the scenes there was turmoil. BEIRUT, Lebanon, 12:56 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Iran says 4 missing Iranians alive in Israel: An Iranian diplomat said Thursday that four Iranians who disappeared in Lebanon in 1982 are alive in Israel and called for their release.
TEHRAN, Iran, 5:28 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Iranian Nobel laureate calls for peaceful resolution of nuclear standoff: Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi urged Iran and the United States on Thursday to find a peaceful resolution to the standoff over Tehran's nuclear program, warning that military action would harm both countries' people.
LONDON, 1:10 p.m. July 3 (AP)U.S.: Only 2 rendition flights landed on UK soil: The United States has told Britain it has found no further “extraordinary rendition” flights that passed through British territory following checks of hundreds of flights, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Thursday. WASHINGTON, 1:23 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Detainee asks judge to delay 1st Guantanamo trial: Lawyers for Osama bin Laden's former driver asked a civilian judge Thursday to delay his military trial. WARSAW, Poland, 1:34 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Cheney and Polish premier discuss missile defense: Poland's prime minister spoke with Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday to discuss negotiations over basing American missile defense interceptors in Poland, a government spokesman said. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, 2:10 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Puerto Rico police rescue 181 dogs, cats and birds, arrest their owners: Police say they rescued 181 dogs, cats and birds from a farm in southern Puerto Rico where they were found sick and undernourished in dirty cages. LONDON, 2:44 p.m. July 3 (AP)
Royal butler's collection of notes to go on sale: A royal butler's collection of letters, cards and photographs, including a thank you note from Princess Diana and requests for gin cocktails from Queen Mother Elizabeth, will be put up for auction Saturday. LONDON, 4:01 p.m. July 3 (AP)
UK defense computers behind schedule, over budget: A $14 billion program to give Britain's armed forces a new computer system is 18 months behind schedule and $360 million over budget, a government spending watchdog warned on Friday.
LJUBLJANA, 11:41 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
Slovenian police seize record amount of heroin agent: Slovenian police on Thursday said they had seized 98 tons of acetic anhydride, a chemical used in the production of heroin, making it the world's biggest criminal haul of the chemical compound.
BERLIN, 11:35 a.m. July 3 (AP)
For Trichet, a return to form, maybe: The warnings from politicians and the unions were dire: Raise interest rates and it will hurt the economy and jobs. European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet paid them no heed Thursday as the bank raised its benchmark rate a quarter percentage point.
JERUSALEM, 11:22 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Father of baby who survived Jerusalem attack found: A 5-month-old baby whose mother threw her out of a car window to save her from a Palestinian attacker has been reunited with her father.
LONDON, 11:15 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
Britain wants G8 push for more oil dialogue: Britain and Germany want the Group of Eight (G8) nations meeting next week to take action on oil prices, with London urging more dialogue between producers and consumers, and Berlin seeking a strong common stance.
HAVANA, 11:12 a.m. July 3 (AP)
American mission denies Cuban charge it instigating July 4 protests by opposition: A spokesman for the U.S. mission here on Thursday denied Cuba's charge that American diplomats were instigating opposition protests linked to American independence day.
LONDON, 11:12 a.m. July 3 (AP)
UK police ask for witnesses to help solve killings of French students in London: British police appealed Thursday for witnesses to help solve the deaths of two French students stabbed dozens of times in the head and neck before being set on fire in their southeast London apartment.
EILAT, Israel, 11:06 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
Olmert says direct Israel-Syria talks needed soon: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday peace talks between Israel and Syria, now mediated by Turkey, will have to be conducted face-to-face 'very soon'.
ANKARA, Turkey, 10:53 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Turkey's ruling party defends itself in court against anti-secularism charges: The deputy prime minister defended Turkey's ruling party in court Thursday against charges that it is steering the country toward Islamic rule.
WARSAW, Poland, 10:49 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Lesson learned, Poles get tough over U.S. missiles: Not so long ago, the U.S. enjoyed something akin to a mythical status in Poland. Ronald Reagan was a hero, the dollar was king and Washington was a trusted guardian against Russia.
HARARE. July 3, 10:46 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
U.S. expects U.N. vote on Zimbabwe sanctions next week: The United States said on Thursday it expects the U.N. Security Council to vote next week on sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and top aides in response to last week's widely condemned election.
BEIJING, 10:32 a.m. July 3 (AP)
China: Dalai Lama must disavow Tibet independence: China insists the Dalai Lama prove he doesn't support Tibetan independence or disruption of the Beijing Olympics, telling two envoys for the spiritual leader that such “positive actions” are needed before further talks, a state news agency said Thursday.
RIYADH, 10:24 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
Saudi cleric warns Saudis to shun militants: Saudi Arabia's top religious official warned on Thursday Saudis and foreigners living in the kingdom to not hide information about militants in the world's largest oil exporter.
10:22 a.m. July 3 (AP)
A look at recent setbacks suffered by Colombia's largest rebel army, the FARC: A look at recent setbacks suffered by Colombia's largest rebel force, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC:
PARIS, 9:27 a.m. July 3 (AP)
French president kept in dark on hostage rescue: As it meticulously planned and executed its daring rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages, Colombia kept a very important person out of the loop: French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
SAN'A, Yemen, 8:00 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Yemen: U.S. delegation in Yemen to negotiate release of Guantanamo detainees: Yemen's government held talks Thursday with a visiting U.S. delegation in hopes of securing the release of about 100 Yemenis held at the Guantanamo Bay prison, a Yemeni official said.
ROME, 7:55 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Italy starts controversial plan to fingerprint thousands of Gypsies, including children: Italian authorities have started fingerprinting tens of thousands of Gypsies living in nomad camps across the country – adults and children alike – brushing aside accusations of racism by human rights advocates and international organizations.
SOFIA, Bulgaria, 7:43 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Blasts at Bulgarian army depots near Sofia damage hundreds of buildings, shut down airport: A series of powerful explosions erupted Thursday at two army ammunition depots near Sofia, shattering windows in hundreds of buildings, spewing smoke and debris into the sky and forcing Bulgaria's main airport to shut down.
JERUSALEM, 7:26 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Call to reroute Jerusalem barrier following attack: Israel should cut off outlying Arab neighborhoods from Jerusalem, Israel's vice premier proposed Thursday, the day after a Palestinian construction worker from one of these districts went on a deadly rampage in the city's center.
JERUSALEM, 7:23 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
U.S. envoy in Israel plays down talk of Iran attack: The U.S. ambassador to Israel played down speculation on Thursday that an attack by either country on Iranian nuclear sites was imminent, saying the allies agreed sanctions should run their course.
NEW DELHI, 7:12 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Key Indian party delays decision on government bid for support on U.S. civilian nuclear deal: The Indian government's bid to secure political support for a civilian nuclear deal with the United States stalled Thursday when a key regional party asked for more time to make a decision.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, 7:11 a.m. July 3 (AP)
U.N. appeals court overturns war crimes convictions of Bosnian Muslim who led Srebrenica defense: A U.N. appeals court on Thursday overturned the war crimes conviction of Naser Oric, a Bosnian Muslim considered a war hero by many in his country for fighting Serbs in the embattled Srebrenica enclave during Bosnia's 1992-95 war.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, 7:06 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Humanitarian, food policy officials call for a revision of EU, U.S. biofuel policies: Europe and the U.S. must reconsider their biofuel policies because of rising food prices around the world, aid officials and food policy experts said Thursday.
PARIS, 7:02 a.m. July 3 (AP)
France orders trial in deadly Concorde explosion: A French judge ordered Continental Airlines and five people to stand trial for manslaughter in connection with the 2000 crash of a Concorde jet that killed 113 people, a prosecutor said Thursday.
VIENNA, Austria, 7:00 a.m. July 3 (AP)
International legal experts unveil index to measure how well nations follow rule of law: Legal experts from 95 countries have devised a way of measuring how well leaders, officials and judges are meeting the basic principles of law and human rights.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 6:45 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Zimbabweans seek refuge at U.S. embassy in capital: The U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe says about 200 people are seeking refuge at the American embassy in the capital.
SEOUL, South Korea, 6:42 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Star architects bid to design new center for South Korean capital as 21st century model city: An all-star group of international architects bidding for the chance to design a new urban center for the South Korean capital said Tuesday the vast site offered a rare chance to create a model for 21st century cities.
BEIJING, 6:27 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
Beijing promises no algae blooms in Games waters: Beijing on Thursday pledged that an embarrassing outbreak of algae that has invaded Olympic co-host city Qingdao's sailing venue would not be repeated in any of the capital's bodies of water.
ULAN BATOR, 6:09 a.m. July 3 (REUTERS)
Mongolia's ruling MPRP wins majority – spokesman: The ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) has won parliamentary elections by a landslide, preliminary results showed on Thursday, after contested election results sparked violence killing five people.
ADELAIDE, Australia, 6:00 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Former foreign minister Alexander Downer, Australia's longest-serving, quits politics: Alexander Downer announced Thursday he is quitting Australian politics following a career as the country's longest-serving foreign minister and one of its highest-profile leaders of the past decade.
LONDON, 5:36 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Suspect with alleged links to Osama bin Laden set free on bail in Britain: A major terrorist suspect alleged to have strong ties to Osama bin Laden has been set free on bail after spending more than seven years in jail, British officials said Thursday.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 5:30 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Women activists freed after nearly 6 weeks in Zimbabwe jail: A Zimbabwean rights group says two women activists have been freed after nearly six weeks in prison.
SEOUL, South Korea, 5:09 a.m. July 3 (AP)
South Korea's president calls for end to U.S. beef dispute: South Korea's president called Thursday for an end to a long-running dispute over American beef imports, saying it was time for the nation to concentrate instead on overcoming its economic difficulties.
LE CREUSOT, France, 3:41 a.m. July 3 (AP)
France to build second new-generation nuclear reactor: French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France will build a second new-generation nuclear reactor.
MOSCOW, 3:11 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Report: Putin wants controversial Sochi Olympics 2014 facilities moved to other sites: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for controversial Olympic facilities planned for Sochi to be relocated, saying ecological concerns were more important than expense, Russian news agencies said.
BEIJING, 3:05 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Olympic medals turned over to Beijing organizers: The gold, silver and bronze medals that will hang around the necks of athletes at next month's Olympics were formally handed over Thursday to the organizers of the Beijing Games.
YANGON, Myanmar, 1:08 a.m. July 3 (AP)
80 victims of Myanmar cyclone rescued from human traffickers: More than 80 women and children who were victims of Myanmar's recent cyclone have been rescued from human traffickers scheming to smuggle them to neighboring countries, a media report said Thursday.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 1:05 a.m. July 3 (AP)
Pakistan's Sharif rebuffs U.S. official's comment: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday rebuffed a senior U.S. official for saying that Pakistan should focus on food prices and militancy rather than the fate of President Pervez Musharraf.
