AVIATION FANS

US economic growth showed "widespread signs of deceleration" in August, says the Federal Reserve's Beige Book.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defends the Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, whose drawings of the Prophet Muhammad caused outrage in 2006.

At least 700 prisoners have escaped during an attack on a jail in northern Nigeria, including members of a militant Islamist sect.

Former Liverpool and Lyon boss Gerard Houllier is named the new manager of Aston Villa.

Controversial punishment for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani put on hold amid "review" following international outcry.

In an speech in Ohio, the US president opposes an extension of upper class tax cuts in favour of more stimulus spending.

Residents of a small street called Lustful Court in the US state of Georgia are told to raise a petition if they want a less provocative street name.

Peacekeeping official admits UN response to rape attacks on 242 women was 'not adequate' and led to 'brutalisation'.

The debt-laden Greek economy shrank by a surprise 1.8% in the second quarter as households slashed spending.

Amendment abolishes two-term presidential limit and gives Rajapaksa greater control over independent institutions.

UN peacekeepers "failed" the victims of mass rape in eastern DR Congo, a senior UN official has said.

Taliban in Afghanistan vows to launch more attacks in hopes of disrupting upcoming elections.

Gunmen in Iraq have killed an Iraqi TV journalist - the second in as many days - while four other people were killed in two attacks in the capital Baghdad.

A small US church says it will defy international condemnation and go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran on the 9/11 anniversary.

Seven Koranic teachers in Senegal are given suspended jail sentences for forcing their students to beg.

Ferrari have avoided further punishment for using banned team orders, a Formula 1 disciplinary hearing in Paris has ruled.

John Higgins is cleared of all match-fixing allegations but admits bringing snooker into disrepute, resulting in a £75,000 fine and a ban until November.

India's top woman boxer dreams of Olympic glory

The imam of an Islamic centre planned near New York's Ground Zero vows to name its financial backers amid accusations it is funded by extremists.

Roger Federer takes on Robin Soderling in the US Open quarter-finals after earlier wins for Caroline Wozniacki and Novak Djokovic.