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Hardline Iran editor calls for Mousavi to face trial

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A newspaper editor seen as close to Iran's top authority said on Saturday defeated election candidate Mirhossein Mousavi and a former pro-reform president had committed "terrible crimes" which should be tried in court.

North Korea defies U.S. with new missile launches

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles on Saturday, South Korea's defence ministry said, in an act of defiance towards the United States that further stoked regional tensions already high due to its nuclear test in May.

Demonstrators gather for G8 protest in Italy

VICENZA, Italy (Reuters) - Anti-G8 demonstrators gathered on Saturday in an Italian city which is home to a contested U.S. military base in the first big protest ahead of next week's summit of the world's richest nations.

Many Iranians unconvinced about poll result - cleric

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A senior pro-reform cleric said many Iranians remained unconvinced about President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election because of voting "ambiguities" and the government could face problems, an Internet statement said.

Heavy rain in southern China forces 150,000 to flee

BEIJING (Reuters) - Torrential rain battering southern China has forced more than 150,000 people from their homes, toppled hundreds of houses and punched a dangerous hole in the spillway of a dam, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

WITNESS - Overnight in Myanmar's ghost town capital

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar (Reuters) - A green and yellow sign greeted us in English and Burmese with the words: "Welcome to Naypyitaw". Someone in our bus quipped that it should have read: "Welcome to the Dictators' Disneyland."

Iraqi army arrest suspect in Kirkuk vehicle bombs

KIRKUK, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi army forces arrested a man on Saturday suspected of being behind two vehicle bombs in the northern city of Kirkuk that killed more than 100 people, an Iraqi army official said.

U.N.'s Ban denied Suu Kyi meeting

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday he was "deeply disappointed" that military-ruled Myanmar's top general had rejected his request to meet with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

AU ruling means Bashir can travel in Africa -Sudan

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan said on Saturday its president was free to travel across Africa after heads of state of the African Union voted not to cooperate with the International Criminal Court's indictment of him.

Massive demand for Jackson memorial tickets

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - More than half a million fans from around the world applied for 17,500 free tickets to Michael Jackson's public memorial service next week, organizers said on Friday as a massive security operation got underway.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

S.Korea says N.Korea fires 7 missiles off east coast (Updated)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP): North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, a violation of U.N. resolutions and an apparent message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day.

Myanmar denies UN chief's request to see Suu Kyi

YANGON, Myanmar (AP): U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is "deeply disappointed" after the Myanmar junta rejected his second and final request to meet jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Copa Libertadores final on despite swine flu

BUENOS AIRES: Next week's first-leg match of the Copa Libertadores final will go ahead as planned in La Plata, Argentina, despite a swine flu outbreak that is blamed in the deaths of at least 44 people in the country.

Peru official warns of punishment for boycott

LIMA, Peru: Peruvian football players threatening to boycott the national team in upcoming World Cup qualifiers will face punishment, a top Peruvian sports official said Friday.

Canada beats Jamaica in Gold Cup

CARSON, California: Ali Gerba scored in the 75th minute to give Canada a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the opening game of the Gold Cup on Friday.

Powerful sedative found in Michael Jackson's home

LOS ANGELES (AP): The powerful sedative Diprivan was found in Michael Jackson's home, a law enforcement official said Friday.

Top diplomat visits Honduras to deliver ultimatum

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP): The Americas' top international diplomat flew to Honduras on Friday to give the coup-backed government a firm ultimatum: Restore the president within 24 hours or face crippling sanctions.

Palin resigning as Alaska governor

WASILLA, Alaska (AP): Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Republican vice presidential candidate, said Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month, raising speculation that she would focus on a run for the White House in the 2012 race.

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