Madonna turning 50 with world tour on her mind

Madonna won't have much time to fret about turning 50. While many people passing the milestone may prefer to pause and reflect, the "queen of pop" is in the midst of final preparations for her world tour which kicks off in Cardiff, Wales, on August 23, a week after her birthday. If previous shows are anything to go by...

Obama defends foreign tour as visit closes

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama, wrapping up an overseas tour where he got a rock star reception, defended his decision to take the trip despite mixed signals about its impact on his popularity at home. "I am convinced that many of the issues we face at home are not going to be solved as effectively unless we have strong partners abroad...

Obama wraps up tour in London

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama, on a tour abroad where he has got a rock star reception, will wrap up his trip on Saturday with talks in London on the Middle East conflict, Iran and Afghanistan. On earlier legs of his trip, Obama drew a crowd of 200,000 people in Berlin and elicited effusive praise from French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Officer spoke of kit shortage before death

base just days before his death in a firefight, it was revealed last night. the Taliban at their makeshift base. Robert McKibben. his six-month tour was finished. were missing, but said: "I keep asking for things and I'm not getting them". of Defence for forcing troops to "make do". inquest. something," she added. weren't properly protected.

My magical mystery tour: Sir Paul McCartney's return to Israel

The Big Question : Should the Church be entering the controversy over the $700bn bailout? the hypersensitivities of a visit that might have gone badly wrong. great Palestinian nationalist and intellectual Edward Said. for the Muslim Ramadan fast. to meet on Thursday afternoon. was well attuned. peace. But it seemed mighty glad to hear it all the same.

Mormons under siege

Sister Sugiyanto's guided teatime tour of Temple Square, the world headquarters of the Mormon Church, was rudely interrupted by the sound of emergency sirens and police helicopters hovering over central Salt Lake City. towns of Layton and Ogden, had windows shot out, apparently with a BB gun. nowhere more so than here in Utah. railroad the ballot measure.

Holiday firm collapses

Thousands of British holidaymakers could be stranded abroad after a holiday tour operator went into administration yesterday. Seguro Travel Ltd said it was to cease trading with immediate effect. The company, which offers package deals to Gran Canaria and Costa Brava from Glasgow Prestwick airport, blamed the cash troubles of the Spanish airline which operated 80% of its flights.

Soldier killed in Afghanistan blast named

today as Lance Corporal Nicky Mason. Defence said. die in Afghanistan in 48 hours. Next of kin have been informed. Dam, to provide electricity for the rest of Helmand. within accurate range, so that the power station can continue to function. described as a "dearly-loved" brother, son and friend by his family. operational tour of Northern Ireland as well as two tours of Iraq.

Rice admits Middle East deal this year is unlikely

"We do not think it is likely it will happen," Dana Perino, a White House spokeswoman, said in Washington, while Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged as much at the beginning of a tour of the Middle East. Ms Perino said US officials began to doubt the deadline months ago, as a corruption scandal and political uncertainties occupied Israel's attention.

Chinese Leader in Cuba on Trade Tour

HAVANA President Hu Jintao of China toured Havana on Tuesday as his country expanded its already extensive economic relationship with Cuba. Mr. Hu laid a wreath at a monument to the Cuban independence hero Jos Mart a day after China agreed to buy Cuban nickel and sugar and to send food to Cuba in the wake of three devastating hurricanes.

Heavy metal band Slipknot is blamed for inspiring schoolboy to stab classmate to death

Slipknot, who play the Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend and are expected to announce a UK tour, are said to have inspired a teenager to stab a fellow pupil to death with a samurai sword. The unnamed boy walked into his school in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday morning and fatally knifed the 16-year-old in the neck. No comments have so far been submitted.

South Korea Joins Lucrative Practice of Inviting Medical Tourists to Its Hospitals

SEOUL, South Korea In this citys Apgujeong district, famous for its high-end boutiques and plastic surgeons, tourist buses unload Chinese and Japanese visitors looking for a nip and tuck as part of their packaged tour. Gregory Kellstrom, an American, recently visited the Wooridul Spine Hospital in South Korea. Baialinova Dariakul, 49, center, the wife of a Kyrgyzstan businessman...

McCain steps up criticism of Obama over Iraq

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain spoke as Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama toured Europe. DENVER (AP) Republican presidential candidate John McCain says that Democratic rival Barack Obama's policies would have led to defeat in both Iraq and Afghanistan and caused the entire Middle East to erupt into war. McCain spoke as Obama continued his tour of Europe. McCain said...

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