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Sep 9 2010 6:01 am International, Asia Pacific

Dynasty Speculation on North Korea's Founding Day

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea celebrated its 62nd anniversary Thursday with odes to supreme leader Kim Jong Il and pilgrimages to his late father's statue amid hints that a political meeting believed aimed at promoting his son as successor is imminent.

6:01 am Asia Pacific, International

Chinese Blind Activist Lawyer Released From Prison

DONGSHIGU VILLAGE, China (AP) -- A blind, self-taught activist lawyer who documented forced abortions and other abuses was released from a Chinese prison Thursday and promptly confined in his rural village with limited access to communication, a relative said.

6:01 am International

Florida Pastor Not Backing Down on Koran - Burning

GAINESVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - An obscure U.S. Christian pastor whose plan to burn copies of the Koran on September 11 has sparked an international outcry said on Wednesday he would go ahead with the event despite warnings it would endanger American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

5:59 am International

Abracadabra! Romania Witches Win Tax Fight for Now

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) -- ''Abracadabra, we'll turn all of you into toads!''

5:59 am Arts

APNewsBreak: Spears' Ex Disputes Abuse Claims

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An attorney for Britney Spears' ex-husband called child abuse claims leveled at the singer by a former bodyguard baseless and motivated by money.

5:57 am Other Sports, Sports

Federer Fights Off Wind to Reach US Open Semis

NEW YORK (AP) -- On a wind-swept day at the U.S. Open that had everyone complaining about the conditions, Roger Federer simply embraced them.


5:54 am Washington, Home Page, Europe, International

Blair Memoir a Hit, Despite a Few Hard Knocks

Some people may dislike the former prime minister, but that is not stopping record sales of his book.

5:50 am World Business

Regulator Blocks NAB's $12 Billion Bid For AXA Unit

SYDNEY (Reuters) - National Australia Bank's (NAB) $12 billion bid for AXA Asia Pacific has been blocked for a second time, dashing its efforts to cement its lead in the world's fourth-largest wealth management market.

5:50 am International, Europe

Blast at Russian Market Kills 5

Officials say a car exploded near the central market of a major city in Russia’s restive North Caucasus region, killing at least five people and wounding 20.

5:50 am World Business

Regulator Blocks NAB's $12 Billion Bid For AXA Unit

SYDNEY (Reuters) - National Australia Bank's (NAB) $12 billion (7.8 billion pounds) bid for AXA Asia Pacific has been blocked for a second time, dashing its efforts to cement its lead in the world's fourth-largest wealth management market.

5:50 am Soccer, Sports, Other Sports

FIFA May Abolish Extra Time At World Cup

BERNE (Reuters) - FIFA may abolish extra time at the World Cup with drawn knockout matches going straight to penalties, the federation's president Sepp Blatter said Thursday.


5:49 am Europe, International

British PM Cameron Pays Tribute to Dead Father

LONDON (AP) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to his late father Thursday, saying he and his family would ''treasure all the joy he brought us.''

5:49 am World Business

Stocks Set to Continue Rally Ahead of Jobs Report

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock prices were set to continue their rally Thursday as investors prepare for a new report that is expected to show unemployment claims fell for the third straight week.

5:49 am Other Sports, Soccer, Sports

FIFA May Abolish Extra Time At World Cup

BERNE (Reuters) - FIFA may abolish extra time at the World Cup with drawn knockout matches going straight to penalties, the federation's president Sepp Blatter said Thursday.


5:47 am Sports, Other Sports

Report: Top Recruit O'Leary Suspended 2 Games

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) -- The Palm Beach Post is reporting that one of the nation's top recruits has been suspended for two games for making an obscene gesture after a contest in Ohio this week.


5:46 am International, Education, Africa

New Schools in South Africa Serve the Underserved

As many public schools have failed a post-apartheid generation of children, a budding movement is increasingly searching for alternatives.

5:40 am International, Asia Pacific

Philippines Leader Faults Police Over Hostage Crisis

The president of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III on Thursday blamed police for mishandling an August siege that left eight tourists from Hong Kong dead.

5:40 am Asia Pacific, International

Police May Have Shot Some Philippines Bus Hostages

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines acknowledged for the first time Thursday that some of the hostages killed during a botched bus hijack rescue operation in Manila last month may have been shot by police.

5:40 am Europe, International

Car Bomber Attacks Russian Market

At least 12 people died after a car loaded with explosives blew up in a market in southern Russia on Thursday.

5:31 am Asia Pacific, International

4th Missile Strike in Pakistan in 24 Hrs Kills 5

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) -- A suspected American missile strike killed five alleged militants in northwestern Pakistan early Thursday, an intelligence official said, the fourth such attack on suspected insurgent targets there in 24 hours.