BUSINESS

• French gov't OKs plan on labor strikes
  French Cabinet forwards bill to parliament calling for minimum service during labor walkouts
• Blackstone Group buying Hilton Hotels
  Blackstone Group firms up Wall Street status with Hilton purchase
• Album sales down, digital track sales up
  Album sales down, digital track sales up almost 50 percent over last year
• Oil prices edge up
  Oil prices edge up on Nigerian supply worries
• Mercedes Car Group sales down 1.3 pct.
  Mercedes Car Group sales down 1.3 percent in June, down 1.5 percent in Jan.-June
• Chrysler signs China manufacturing deal
  Chrysler, Chery sign deal to export Chinese cars to U.S.
• Pfizer asks Nigeria court to dismiss case
  Pfizer asks Nigeria court to dismiss state-level case over drug testing
• Japan lifts ban on California meatpacker
  Japan lifts an export ban on shipments from California meatpacker
• Chrysler, Chery sign vehicle export deal
  Chrysler, Chery join forces to manufacture small cars to export to U.S. and other markets
• KKR files for IPO to raise $1.25B
  KKR files for initial public offering to raise up to $1.25 billion, grow its business
• Japanese stocks rise; dollar down
  Japanese stocks inch higher, led by real estate shares; dollar down against yen
• Honda upgrades car navigation system
  Earthquake, weather information part of Honda's car navigation system upgrade
• Rain helps save parched Kentucky crops
  FARM SCENE: Kentucky farmers relieved after week of rain helps save parched crops
• GM, Ford, Chrysler sales drop in June
  GM, Ford, Chrysler sales drop in June while Japanese automakers show impressive gains
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ENTERTAINMENT

• Bologna entices gator from N.C. pond
  Rescue workers catch small alligator in North Carolina pond using piece of bologna
• Paris couturiers court Hollywood stars
  Paris couturiers court Hollywood stars, vie for 'best dressed' on red carpet
• 'Transformers' nabs $27.4M at box office
  'Transformers' conquers audiences and box office with $27.4 million debut
• No-bayashi _ hot dog champ loses
  Jaw dropper! American wins hot dog title over 6-time Japanese champ
• Hynde to open Ohio restaurant
  Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde to open vegetarian restaurant in Ohio hometown
• Stolen violin recovered, owner says
  Prized violin stolen from NYC subway is recovered, owner says
• Judge cancels Rio Live Earth concert
  Judge cancels Rio Live Earth concert because of security concerns
• Mexico honors painter Frida Kahlo
  Centennial celebration of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo's birth reshaping her image
• American wins hot-dog eating contest
  American Joey Chestnut wins hot-dog eating contest with 66 in 12 minutes
• Jackson scouts Maryland vacation homes
  Michael Jackson scouts out Maryland's Eastern Shore for vacation home, publicist says
• 5-year-old pins rabid fox during cookout
  5-year-old pins rabid fox during family cookout, protects brother
• Celebrity birthdays
  Celebrity birthdays for the week of July 8-14
• Entertainment highlights in history
  Entertainment highlights during the week of July 8-14
• Broadway ticket availability
  Broadway ticket availability and capsule reviews of shows as of July 2
• National anthem a daily ritual at diner
  National anthem a daily ritual for waitress, customers at diner in Charles Town, W.Va.
• Socks aid N.M woman's jail break attempt
  Woman uses baby powder, lotion and lots of socks in New Mexico jail break attempt
• Chinese villagers eat dinosaur bones
  Chinese villagers eat dinosaur bones believing they're from flying dragons
• 'Jackass' star files for divorce
  'Jackass' star Johnny Knoxville files for divorce, seeks joint custody of 11-year-old daughter
• Botswana gets the Hollywood treatment
  Botswana gets Hollywood treatment as a popular detective series is turned into a film
• Paris Hilton: Don't drink and drive
  Paris Hilton's MySpace page offers 4th of July message to fans: don't drink and drive
• Sax player Boots Randolph dead at 80
  Saxophone player Boots Randolph dead at 80 after suffering cerebral hemorrhage
• Wayne Brady's wife files for divorce
  Emmy Award-winning Comedian Wayne Brady's wife files for divorce; couple separated in 2006
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HEALTH

• 94 die in Panama from tainted medicine
  Panamanian prosecutor says 94 dead from taking contaminated medicine; more deaths probed
• Review finds nutrition education failing
  AP IMPACT: Federal spending on nutrition education programs does little, AP review says
• Some therapies may hurt pregnancy chance
  Study suggests alternative therapies could reduce women's chances of getting pregnant
• CDC defends TB patient's quarantine
  CDC defends quarantine of Atlanta lawyer with less severe form of TB than previously thought
• Egypt attempts to curb smoking in public
  Egypt's new laws banning tobacco ads, smoking in some public places receive skeptical response
• Screening may affect embryos' viability
  Screening embryos may reduce older women's chances of getting pregnant, doctors say
• Study: Chocolate lowers blood pressure
  Study suggests a small amount of dark chocolate seems to lower blood pressure
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POLITICS

• Candidates march in Iowa July 4th parade
  Presidential hopefuls appear in Fourth of July parade in Iowa
• Bush defends military buildup in Iraq
  Bush defends U.S. military buildup in Iraq saying victory will require more patience
• AP: Obama touts ability to bring change
  AP Interview: Obama touts ability to bring about change across the country
• Hometown senator boosts unneeded office
  Army Corps of Engineers spending priorities still subject to lawmakers' whims despite Katrina
• Many teachers dubious of merit pay
  Merit pay linked to student scores viewed skeptically by many teachers
• Analysis: Pardon shows worst in politics
  Analysis: Libby story underscores unpardonable nature of Washington politics
• Correction: Libby commutation
  
• Clinton slams Bush over Libby maneuver
  AP Interview: Clinton sees differences between Libby, husband's pardons
• Bush won't rule out full Libby pardon
  Bush refuses to rule out eventual pardon for Libby, defends decision to commute sentence
• Ratings for Bush, Congress sink lower
  In one poll after another, Bush and Congress get abysmal ratings from public
• U.S. hit with Turkish demands on Kurds
  U.S. struggling with Turkish demands to counter Kurdish guerrillas in Iraq
• Giuliani camp pulls in $15M; Romney $12M
  Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani raises $15M; Mitt Romney collects $12M in 2Q
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SCIENCE

• Dust storm affecting Mars rovers
  Martian dust storm affecting twin rovers; partially blocking solar panels
• Japan may have oldest whale fossil
  Japanese researchers say museum has 'world's oldest' right whale fossil
• Pollution leaves 200,000 without water
  Groundwater pollution leaves 200,000 without water supplies for 40 hours in eastern China
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TECHNOLOGY

• Cable companies to up set-top box rates
  Cable companies plan to charge more for set-top boxes to help pay for changes mandated by FCC
• RIM gets OK to sell BlackBerry in China
  Research in Motion receives clearance to sell BlackBerry devices in China
• Turtles to test wireless network
  Turtles go high-tech to test wireless network and help scientists understand their movements
• Google-DoubleClick deal draws criticism
  EU consumers' group says Google's DoubleClick takeover could hurt privacy rights
• Sanyo to make more laptop batteries
  Sanyo Electric plans to spend $245 million to raise output of lithium-ion laptop batteries
• Tech firms tap into the 'green' movement
  Technology companies' environment-friendly approach may not always lead to more cash
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U.S.

• Boat sinks in Tenn., killing 2 children
  Small boat sinks in Memphis, Tenn., killing 2 children; 7 others hospitalized
• Evacuation lifted in Utah wildfire
  Families return to small Utah communities close to wildfire; some find homes destroyed
• Nation celebrates 4th of July
  Nation celebrates independence with parades, music and fireworks as it welcomes new citizens
• N.J. mom vanishes, baby found in Del.
  Mystery of New Jersey mom's disappearance, baby found in Del., boyfriend flies to Italy
• Indian tribal leader trailing in vote
  Longtime Miss. Indian tribal chief trailing in election count
• Storms shift, some rivers crest in Okla.
  Rain-swollen rivers crest in Plains, but flooding may not ease up for days
• Van rolls into Conn. pond, killing 3
  2 children and 1 adult dead after van rolls into pond at Connecticut park
• Bomb threats force evacuation of airport
  Flint, Mich., airport evacuated after bomb threats reported
• Will 7-7-07 be your lucky day?
  Roll the dice, spin the wheel, say 'I do' _ Will 7-7-07 be your lucky day?
• National Mall evacuated ahead of weather
  Severe weather causes evacuation of National Mall before fireworks show
• Al Gore's son arrested on drug suspicion
  24-year-old son of Al Gore arrested in Orange County on suspicion of marijuana possession
• 3 accused of enslaving Chinese acrobats
  3 in Las Vegas face slavery charges involving Chinese acrobats
• LA firefighter wins $6.2M in lawsuit
  Jury awards $6.2M to L.A. firefighter in discrimination suit
• Snorkeler shooter sentenced to prison
  Man who shot snorkeler in head, mistaking him for rodent, sentenced to more than 2 years
• Polk's Tenn. home vandalized
  Vandals spray-paint graffiti on home of President Polk in Columbia, Tenn.
• FBI: suicide bombs a big concern
  AP Interview: FBI says suicide bombs a big concern, need vigorous vigilance
• Fed up with war, some won't pay taxes
  Some activists fed up with Iraq war refuse to pay taxes, interest is growing
• Benoit surfaced in federal drug probe
  AP Enterprise: Benoit had surfaced in steroids case, some question if deaths were preventable
• W.Va. man among last of WWI vets
  W.Va. veteran among last 3 known survivors of World War I
• Exact cause of Va. farm deaths unknown
  Methane gas fells 4 family members and farmhand on Virginia dairy farm; exact cause unknown
• London plots prompts LA club checks
  LA police review threat at nightclubs after failed bomb plot in London
• Search for Sept. 11 remains to continue
  Search for Sept. 11 remains to continue indefinitely, NYC official says
• Hatfill seeks reporters' anthrax sources
  Scientist once linked to 2001 anthrax case seeks journalists' sources in leak lawsuit
• Man charged in N.H. triple-slaying
  Maine man charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder in New Hampshire slayings
• Police: Shoppers stepped over victim
  Wichita, Kan., store video shows shoppers stepping over dying stabbing victim, police say
• Arrest made in Austin beating death
  Man arrested in beating death of passenger riding in car that hit toddler in Austin
• Obituaries in the news
  Obituaries in the news
• Plan to laud Declaration signers fizzles
  Plan to promote 5 Declaration of Independence buried in New Jersey fizzles in Legislature
• Rain helps save parched Ky. crops
  Kentucky farmers relieved after week of rain helps save parched crops
• Laws require flags to be born in USA
  States pass laws to make sure Old Glory is made in U.S.A.; Minn. passes foreign ban
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WORLD

• Cleric: Cryptic threat preceded attacks
  'Those who cure you are going to kill you' _ al-Qaida chief's warning before Britain attacks
• Thousands flee Spanish forest fire
  Forest fire forces thousands to evacuate in Spain; more than 600 acres have been burned
• Landslide buries at least 40 in Mexico
  Landslide buries at least 40 on central Mexican mountain road
• France asks life term for accused killer
  French prosecutors seek life term for man accused of 3 killings
• New disputes delay oil bill in Iraq
  New disputes among Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds delay Iraqi oil bill pushed by U.S. government
• Zimbabwe official criticizes U.S. envoy
  Diplomatic row marks U.S. July 4 celebrations in Zimbabwe
• Christians protest over Mideast
  Rome demonstration urges end to persecution of Christians in Middle East
• Russia vows missile-defense response
  Russian official vows response, new missiles if U.S. pushes ahead with missile defense plans
• Freed BBC reporter recounts long ordeal
  Freed British reporter recounts 4 harrowing months in captivity of shadowy Gaza gunmen
• U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,586
  U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,586 Wednesday, according to count by The Associated Press
• Power outage hits Georgia
  Blackout hits much of ex-Soviet Georgia; officials cite power-line accident
• Pakistani cleric captured under burqa
  Top cleric captured in a burqa as 1,000 surrender to authorities at besieged Pakistan mosque
• East Timor ruling party wins election
  East Timor governing party leads in parliamentary election, but will need coalition partners
• Old serpentine mound found in Britain
  Unique Bronze Age serpentine mound found in western England
• New al-Qaida calls for jihad
  New al-Qaida video calls on Muslims to unite in jihad
• EU wants wine industry overhaul
  Bureaucrats and vintners face off over European wine reform
• Glance at UK terror suspects
  Suspects held in connection with London and Glasgow car bombings
• Taiwan VP launches Latin American tour
  Taiwan vice president launches Latin American tour to counter Chinese diplomacy
• UN official: Cuba solved energy crisis
  UN official: Cuba has solved its energy crisis without sacrificing its environment
• China working on dental product rules
  China to strengthen controls on dental products amid international toothpaste scare
• Olmert completes Cabinet reshuffle
  Olmert completes Cabinet reshuffle amid series of scandals, parliament votes approval
• Workers seized in Nigerian oil attack
  Gunmen attack oil plant in restive southern Nigerian region, 5 foreign workers reported seized
• U.S. troops re-enlist, become citizens
  Hundreds re-enlist, others take citizenship oath in July 4 event in Iraq
• Iran: 80 fuel riot suspects arrested
  Iran confirms arrests of some 80 suspects after fuel rationing riots last week
• FARC video shows kidnapped soldiers
  Colombia's FARC releases video of kidnapped soldiers who shared camp with Betancourt
• 6 Canadian troops killed in Afghanistan
  Roadside bomb kills 6 Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan amid heavy fighting in the south
• Warplanes keep watch on Iraqi insurgents
  Iraqi insurgent tactics push U.S. fighter pilots to learn new tactics
• Hamas: BBC release signals law and order
  Hamas says release of kidnapped BBC reporter shows law and order is coming to Gaza Strip
• German aristocrat Bismarck dead at 44
  Count Gottfried von Bismarck, high-living descendant of German 'Iron Chancellor,' dead at 44
• Notorious Pinochet security agent dies
  Pinochet security agent dies in prison; Osvaldo Romo was symbol of torture, repression
• Vietnamese grandma battles corruption
  Tiny and feisty, 75-year-old grandmother is scourge of corrupt officials in Vietnam
• US ambassador to Venezuela ends term
  US ambassador to Venezuela ends term regretting lack of dialogue with Chavez government
• Alleged teen surgeon surrenders
  Alleged teen surgeon surrenders to court in southern India
• Yemen employs new terror approach
  Yemen signs pacts with al-Qaida militants to swear off attacks, but they still love bin Laden
• Moroccan, Israeli foreign ministers meet
  Foreign ministers of Morocco, Israel hold rare public meeting in Paris, discuss Palestinians
• British government reduces threat level
  British government reduces terrorist threat level from 'critical' to 'severe'
• Tempers flare in German mosque dispute
  Construction of mosque in German city fuels objections from Catholics, right-wingers
• Dutch herring reviewers threatened
  Paper staff receives threats over herring reviews, ultimate authority on famous Dutch treat
• Spain says Basques planned fatal attack
  Spain's interior minister says Basque group ETA planned fatal attack this week
• Bodies of Spanish bomb victims returned
  Spanish survivors of tourist attack in Yemen return home, along with bodies of 7 killed
• Palestinians receive gov't salaries
  Palestinians government employees receive first salaries in more than a year
• Mahathir wins legal fight against Anwar
  Malaysian court strikes down Anwar's defamation suit against Mahathir
• Rights group chides Ethiopia on rebels
  Rights group says Ethiopian crackdown on Ogaden rebels is punishing civilians
• German believed kidnapped in Afghanistan
  German Foreign Ministry says a German man is believed to have been kidnapped in Afghanistan
• Japan's new defense chief takes office
  Japan's new defense chief vows to restore trust after A-bomb furor
• U.S. to push for APEC trade deal
  AP Interview: U.S. to push for Pacific trade deal at APEC meeting, U.S. trade chief says
• Suicide attack kills 10 in Pakistan
  Suicide attack kills 5 soldiers, 5 civilians in northwest Pakistan, officials say
• Glance at BBC reporter's captivity
  British reporter endured nearly 4 months in captivity
• Tornado kills 14, hurts 146 in China
  Tornado rips through 2 provinces in eastern China, killing 14 and injuring 146
• SKorea to start oil shipments next week
  S.Korea to start oil shipments next week; N.Korean leader pushes for progress on nuclear deal
• Napoleon love letter sells for $557,000
  Letters written by Napoleon, Pushkin, Newton sold at London auction
• 8 Galapagos tortoises found killed
  Galapagos park suspects poachers in killing of endangered giant tortoises
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BASEBALL

• Mariners' new manager picks up first win
  Mariners' new manager picks up first win with 4-0 victory over Royals
• ChiSox home field disadvantage continues
  White Sox home field disadvantage continues with 9-6 loss to Orioles
• Tigers cool off Indians with 6-4 victory
  Brandon Inge drives in a pair of runs as Tigers cool off Indians with 6-4 victory
• Cardinals rally to clip Diamondbacks 5-4
  Cardinals rally on consecutive RBI doubles in eighth inning to clip Diamondbacks 5-4
• Stairs leads Blue Jays past Athletics
  Matt Stairs homers, drives in 4 runs to lead Blue Jays to 10-3 win over Athletics
• Fourth of July no holiday for Brewers
  Fourth of July no holiday for Brewers as they lose 5-3 to Pirates
• Red Sox dial up trouble for Devil Rays
  Boston Red Sox dial up trouble for Tampa Bay Devil Rays with 7-5 victory
• Bonds takes day off as Giants rout Reds
  Bonds takes day off after night game as San Francisco Giants rout Cincinnati Reds 9-5
• Hamels gets 10th win as Phils top Astros
  Cole Hamels picks up 10th win of season as Philllies defeat Astros 8-3
• Aching A-Rod may miss All-Star game
  Aching A-Rod may miss All-Star game after straining left hamstring
• Santana shines in Twins' win over Yanks
  Johan Santana pitches 7 crisp innings as Twins defeat Yankees 6-2
• Young's slam leads Nats over Cubs 6-0
  Dmitri Young hits grand slam and Matt Chico pitches 7 shutout innings as Nats top Cubs 6-0
• Red Sox form alliance with Japanese team
  Red Sox form alliance with Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League
• Barry Bonds sits today to rest sore legs
  Barry Bonds is held out of Giants' starting lineup Wednesday to rest his sore legs
• Bonds now 4 shy of Aaron's HR record
  Barry Bonds now 4 shy of Aaron's HR record; Pete Mackanin wins in managerial debut
• Wilkerson lifts Rangers past Angels
  Brad Wilkerson makes career high 3 homers, 6 RBIs as Rangers thump Angels 8-3
• Column: Mrs. A-Rod's fashion statement
  Column: Mrs. A-Rod's curious fashion statement makes front pages of local newspapers
• Betemit, Kemp helps Dodgers beat Braves
  Wilson Betemit and Matt Kemp gives Dodgers 7-6 victory over Braves
• Marlins rally for 6-4 win over Padres
  Hanley Ramirez's pinch-hit 2-run homer helps Marlins rally for 6-4 win over Padres
• Wilkerson, Rangers thump Angels 8-3
  Brad Wilkerson makes career high 3 homers, 6 RBIs as Rangers thump Angels 8-3
• Rockies slam Mets 11-3 with 18 hits
  Slumping Rockies slam New York 11-3 with 18 hits, including 5 from former Met Kaz Matsui
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BASKETBALL

• Isiah Thomas trial slated for September
  Judge rules harassment case against Knicks coach Isiah Thomas will go before jury this year
• Jackson helps Storm defeat Sparks 90-71
  All-Star starter Lauren Jackson scores 23 points, helps Storm pull away from Sparks 90-71
• Report: Sonics poised to name new coach
  Report: Seattle SuperSonics poised to name P.J. Carlesimo as its new head coach
• Pistons to re-sign Billups in $60M deal
  Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons reportedly agree to 5-year, $60 million contract
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COLLEGE SPORTS

• Abbott among College Hall inductees
  Abbott, Brayton among inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame
• Female coaches leaving collegiate ranks
  Female coaches are leaving collegiate ranks for a variety of reasons
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GOLF

• Doyle aiming for Senior Open threepeat
  Allen Doyle taking (slap) shot at Senior Open threepeat
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MORE SPORTS

• Funny Cide returns to winner's circle
  Funny Cide returns to winner's circle after snapping 6-race losing streak
• Only in America: U.S. fetes eating champ
  Only in America: Nation celebrates a new eating champion
• Kenya's Irungu wins Peachtree race
  Martin Irungu of Kenya wins Peachtree Road Race on 10-kilometer course in Atlanta
• Swiss win America's Cup by 1 second
  Swiss team beats Emirates Team New Zealand 5-2, successfully defends coveted America's Cup
• Disabled Iraq vets still trying for U.S.
  Disabled Iraq vets with catastrophic injuries use sports to help rebuild sense of worth
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PERSONAL FINANCE

• Business watercooler stories
  Column: Experts everywhere, a generation's expectations, and cell phone devotion
• Few are investing in alternative energy
  Many investors see room for investing in alternative energy, but fewer do
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SOCCER

• FC Dallas drops Chivas USA 2-0
  Sala earns his third straight shutout as FC Dallas drops Chivas USA 2-0
• D.C. United defeats Wizards 1-0
  Luciano Emilio scores in fifth straight game as D.C. United defeats Wizards 1-0
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TENNIS

• Venus wins, Serena loses at Wimbledon
  Venus Williams advances at Wimbledon while sister Serena falls in quarterfinals
• Nadal speaks harshly after Wimbledon win
  Nadal finally wins, then directs verbal shots at foe, tournament
• Woods played Open with wife in hospital
  Tiger Woods reveals that he played U.S. Open while his wife was in the hospital
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