♦ Teenage street stab victim named

A 17-year-old youth stabbed to death in a street fight in south London has been named by police. Nilanthan Murddi, from Croydon, was among six to eight people involved in the fight in Croydon early on Saturday.	1 vote

♦ Two arrested in Guatemala murder of U.S. tourist

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — A Guatemalan prosecutor says two brothers have been detained in the murder of an American tourist last weekend. Prosecutor Eliseo has told The Associated Press that investigators are comparing material from two men arrested Thursday to fingerprints and other evidence found at the scene of the crime.	1 vote

♦ Philippine rebels begin to leave occupied villages (AP)

Muslim guerrillas began withdrawing from several occupied southern Philippine villages Tuesday following fierce fighting with government troops that has displaced nearly 160,000 civilians during harvest time...	1 vote

♦ Old rivals vie to be new Nepal PM

Nepal is finally about to choose a new prime minister four months after the country held elections. It will be a contest between the leader of the former Maoist rebels and a man who served three times as premier. The Maoist leader, Prachanda, is likely to be the winner but the party of his rival says it is worried about what the former rebels will do to the country.	1 vote

♦ Tobacco Bill Ignores Goals

By Richard Burr In the name of improving the public's health, Congress is considering a bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) broad regulatory authority over tobacco. Unfortunately, if improved public health is the goal, this bill misses the mark.	1 vote

♦ Charity barred from south Niger

The government of Niger has ordered the French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) to halt operations in the south. MSF says no reasons were given for the order to stop work in Maradi region, but local media say it is suspected of having links with Tuareg rebels. The charity said it was continuing to offer a reduced level of help while talks continued with the government.	1 vote

♦ Hall Family Pledges an Additional $11 Million to Children's Mercy Hospital

By Alan Bavley, The Kansas City Star, Mo. Jul. 18--Members of the Hall family plan to donate $11 million over three years toward Children's Mercy Hospital's $800 million expansion plan...	1 vote

♦ U.S. regulator toughens subprime mortgage rules

Such practices have been identified as one cause of the U.S. mortgage meltdown that has led to forced sales, and financial and stock market turmoil among lenders and mortgage companies. Deceptive lending practices lured some U.S. buyers to purchase homes they now can't afford. As those homes come on the market, they are forcing down real-estate prices...	1 vote

♦ Maze row 'harming development'

Failure to agree a plan for the former Maze prison is jeopardising future development opportunities, NI Secretary Shaun Woodward has said. Sinn Fin will not support the plans for a national stadium unless the County Antrim site includes a conflict transformation centre. However, some unionists oppose the centre being built there.	1 vote

♦ Officials: 9 US troops killed in Afghanistan (AP)

A multi-pronged militant assault on a small, remote U.S. base killed nine American soldiers and wounded 15 Sunday in the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in Afghanistan in three years...	1 vote

♦ Experts identify genes for bird flu replication

Scientists have identified around 100 genes that the H5N1 bird flu virus needs in a host in order to replicate, and this finding may help in the hunt for ways to block its proliferation.	1 vote

♦ Army acts to restore Lebanon calm

The Lebanese army has been deployed to the northern city of Tripoli to try to restore calm after sectarian clashes left at least four dead and 50 injured. The clashes erupted on Tuesday in the neighbourhoods of Bab Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen. Sunni supporters of the Lebanese government fought Alawites aligned with the Hezbollah-led opposition.	1 vote

♦ England rugby four can leave NZ

Four England rugby players at the centre of allegations of sexual assault and/or rape have been told they are free to leave New Zealand, reports say. Police are investigating the allegations, but no formal complaint has been made so far. The players have so far declined to be interviewed by police over the claim. The assault was alleged to have taken place in a room at the Hilton Hotel, Auckland...	1 vote

♦ Extend foster care, say charities

A group of charities are calling on the government to extend the time foster children in England can remain in care from 18 years of age to 21. In an open letter to the Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, 12 charities say forcing children to "go it alone" too early can lead to a life of poverty. The letter, from The Fostering Network...	1 vote

♦ 'Garden' grows a volatile mix of storytelling

If Oprah Winfrey wants a talker for her next book club pick, she should tap Andre Dubus III for a second time. Oprah alert! The author of House of Sand and Fog (a 2000 Oprah pick) has written one of the most maddening, exhilarating, love-it-or-hate-it novels of the year. It's a book about strippers, bad mothers and the 9/11 terrorists — a volatile mix of sleazy sex...	1 vote

♦ Ten Cate sacked as Chelsea coach

Chelsea have terminated the contract of assistant first-team coach Henk ten Cate, the club has confirmed. The decision was reached following a meeting on Thursday morning. The news comes five days after manager Avram Grant was sacked despite the club reaching the Champions League final and finishing second in the Premier League. "As a result of the changes...	1 vote

♦ Berlin airlift remembered

The Berlin Airlift, when pilots flew two million tonnes of fuel and food to Berlin, is being remembered on its 60th anniversary. Steve Rosenberg reports from Berlin.	1 vote

♦ Early baby survival 'unchanged'

Babies born at 23 weeks or earlier are no more likely to survive than they were a decade ago, a study has found. The work by East Midlands doctors supports preliminary findings from national research published last month. However, both studies show significant improvements in survival rates for babies born at 24 and 25 weeks.	1 vote

♦ Israel marks 60th anniversary with pride, uncertainty

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel staged its 60th birthday bash with fireworks, air force flyovers and a great sense of pride Thursday, but also with uncertainty about its future and doubts about prospects for peace with the Palestinians. Across the country, Israelis held barbecues in backyards and public parks, and were entertained by naval parades and a Bible quiz.	1 vote