News

Honduran court defiant on Zelaya Honduras' high court rejects a demand by the Organization of American States to reinstate ousted President Manuel Zelaya. US soldiers killed in Afghanistan The US military in Afghanistan says two of its soldiers have been killed in an explosion in eastern Paktika province. Jackson tickets via internet draw Tickets for a memorial service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles will be made available via the internet, organisers reveal. Alaska Governor Palin to resign Republican ex-vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin is to quit as Alaska governor amid speculation about a possible presidential bid. Dreaming of a Tour de France windfall Residents of Tonnerre hope tourism will grow in the days and months that follow the arrival of the Tour de France for the first time in the sleepy French town, says the BBC's Sean Fanning. Russia 'agrees US troop transit' An Obama administration official says Russia has agreed to let US troops bound for Afghanistan fly through its airspace. Putin urges Obama to scrap shield Russian PM Vladimir Putin urges the US to shelve its missile defence shield, as Barack Obama prepares to visit Moscow. WHO warns swine flu 'unstoppable' The UN's top health official tells a swine flu forum in Mexico that the spread of the virus worldwide is now unstoppable. Regulators eye Google book deal US anti-trust regulators are to examine Google's $125m deal with book publishers to settle copyright issues, reports say. Researcher turns his baby into CCTV star in the name of science A newborn baby has been filmed for three years to understand how he learns to talk. Pakistan and Michael Jackson Matt Frei on Pakistan and Michael Jackson Obama's Iran challenge Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, reflects on how the Iranian diaspora in the US is reacting to events in Iran. Venus and Serena through to final Serena Williams will face sister Venus in Saturday's Wimbledon final after prevailing in a marathon tussle with Russian Elena Dementieva. Flu risk for indigenous peoples Indigenous peoples, such as Aborigines and Native Americans, have a higher risk from swine flu, experts warn. Air France jet 'broke on impact' French investigators believe the Air France plane that crashed in the Atlantic broke up on contact with water, not in mid-air. MySpace 'suicide bully cleared' A woman accused of "cyber-bullying" a 13-year-old girl who later committed suicide sees her conviction provisionally thrown out. Afghan rebels capture US soldier A US soldier is captured by militants in eastern Afghanistan, as the US launches a major anti-Taliban offensive in the south. Madoff's luxury penthouse seized US marshalls seize the $7m Manhattan penthouse of imprisoned fraudster Bernard Madoff, forcing his wife to move. GM awaits US ruling on sale plans A new General Motors could emerge from bankruptcy protection soon if a US judge approves its plans to sell assets. US job losses worse than expected The number of jobs lost in the US last month came in at 467,000, which is much more than had been expected. Hitachi to sell batteries to GM Hitachi says it will supply lithium-ion batteries to General Motors to power the company's hybrid cars from next year. US musicians demand radio royalties The BBC's Philippa Thomas reports on US musicians' attempts to claim royalties when their performances are played on the radio. US gay uprisings, 40 years on The riot that changed America's sexual politics African Americans' roots DNA testing helps African Americans find their origins Mexico's green gamble Can Mexico have a green energy policy and feed its poor? Welcome again Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to visitors Custody battle Legal wrangles may lie ahead over Jackson's children Wetland threat Brazil's challenge to protect its unique Pantanal Kidnapping curse Mexicans battle back against drug-gang abductions Q&A: Budget woe The consequences of California' budget crisis Space ambitions US moonwalker Buzz Aldrin looks to new frontiers