Reuters - MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' national police chief took the blame for the botched bus hijacking rescue attempt last week that killed eight Hong Kong tourists at a Manila park, announcing his decision to retire early from the service.

Reuters - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - One or more suicide bombers on Sunday tried to storm an army base in Baghdad where dozens of Iraqi army recruits and soldiers were killed by another suicide bomber just over two weeks ago, security officials said.

Reuters - HOUSTON (Reuters) - BP Plc's ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well is secure with no threat of spewing crude again, the top U.S. official overseeing the spill response said

Reuters - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber on Sunday attacked an army base in Baghdad where dozens of army recruits and soldiers were killed by another suicide bomber just over two weeks ago, security officials said.

Reuters - WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Strong aftershocks and gale-force winds buffeted a clean-up of New Zealand's second biggest city on Sunday following the country's most damaging earthquake in 80 years.

Maria Sharapova knows the story all too well: An unknown American kid shows up at the U.S. Open, upsets a seeded player, gains some buzz and belief, then gets a shot at Sharapova in the third round.

Reuters - GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - At least 18 people were killed in Guatemala on Saturday, including a dozen on a bus that was buried in a landslide, as heavy rains lashed the Central American nation and southern Mexico.

Reuters - WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Strong aftershocks and gale-force winds buffeted New Zealand's second biggest city of Christchurch Sunday as a clean-up got underway after the country's worst earthquake in 80 years.

Tropical storm Earl caused less havoc than feared in New Brunswick, but disrupted plane and ferry schedules.

Reuters - HALIFAX, Canada (Reuters) - Hurricane Earl made landfall in Canada on Saturday and fizzled after a series of scares along the U.S. East Coast, flooding roads, felling trees and cutting power to tens of thousands in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia.

With the new school year around the corner, parents of asthmatic children are bracing for the "September spike."

Reuters - PARIS (Reuters) - Tens of thousands protested across France on Saturday against a clampdown on immigrants, launching a week of action over policies on which President Nicolas Sarkozy has staked his political reputation.

Reuters - BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium plunged back into political crisis on Saturday as the politician trying to broker formation of a government quit, almost three months after an election.

Nervous Afghans have pulled more deposits out of the nation's largest bank despite assurances from government leaders that their money is safe.

Reuters - HALIFAX, Canada (Reuters) - Hurricane Earl made landfall in Canada on Saturday and fizzled after a series of scares along the U.S. East Coast, flooding roads, felling trees and cutting power to tens of thousands in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia.

An Alberta man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his father, the RCMP said Saturday.

A moose on the highway led to a crash that killed one person, police say.

A teammate of three Pakistani cricketers suspended on corruption charges has reportedly claimed that players fixed "almost every match."

Canadian hip-hop star K'naan has tweeted an apology for a poor performance in Ireland and reveals he's worn out and unhappy about his lack of a lasting relationship.

Reuters - HOUSTON (Reuters) - BP Plc's ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well is secure with no threat of spewing crude again, the top U.S. official overseeing the spill response said