MANILA (Reuters) - Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, whose ouster of one of the 20th Century's most corrupt dictators made her a global icon of democracy, died on Saturday after a 16-month battle against colon cancer. She was 76.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Airlines pulled three Boeing 737 jets from service this week and is inspecting the rest of its fleet after a routine safety audit flagged unusual scratches found on some planes, a spokesman for a federal regulator said Friday.

AP - Filipinos mourned former President Corazon Aquino by displaying yellow ribbons and holding Masses as the nation prepared to bid farewell to the beloved democracy icon who swept away a dictator and fought off seven coup attempts.

AP - Cliff Lee spotted his fastball with precision, and his curveball, too. What a National League debut for the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.

Reuters - Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, whose ouster of one of the 20th Century's most corrupt dictators made her a global icon of democracy, died on Saturday after a 16-month battle against colon cancer. She was 76.

Reuters - American Airlines pulled three Boeing 737 jets from service this week and is inspecting the rest of its fleet after a routine safety audit flagged unusual scratches found on some planes, a spokesman for a federal regulator said Friday.

AFP - Former Philippines president Corazon Aquino, whose 'People Power' revolution toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy to the nation, died on Saturday after a battle with colon cancer.

AFP - The trial to prosecute a group of 'rioters' who opposed the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has begun in a revolutionary court in Tehran, the official IRNA news agency said on Saturday.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - The trials began on Saturday of prominent moderates arrested shortly after Iran's disputed June presidential election and charged with fomenting unrest, Iranian media reported.

AP - Opposition political activists and protesters stood trial in Tehran Saturday on charges of rioting and conspiring against the ruling system in the country's first trial following the disputed presidential election, Iran's state media reported.

AP - Iraq's recent efforts to avoid paying Kuwait some $25 billion in U.N.-mandated reparations for Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion have alarmed Kuwaitis and strained relations that have slowly improved since the fall of the Iraqi dictator.

AP - Scores of eager children headed back to school in northern Pakistan's battle-scarred Swat Valley on Saturday, many taking classes in buildings damaged during recent fighting between Taliban militants and security forces.

Reuters - The trials began on Saturday of prominent moderates arrested shortly after Iran's disputed June presidential election and charged with fomenting unrest, Iranian media reported.

AFP - Iran on Saturday put on trial around 100 people, including top reformists and aides of opposition leaders, on charges of rioting after the disputed re-election in June of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama warned on Saturday it would take 'many more months' for the United States to get out of recession even after GDP figures showed the economy shrank only modestly in the second quarter.

AP - President Barack Obama, citing fresh evidence the recession is winding down, says the country's future economic prosperity depends on building a new, stronger foundation and recapturing the 'spirit of innovation.'

AP - President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are looking ahead to a health care showdown on the House floor in September following a key committee's passage of sweeping overhaul legislation.

AP - Kurdish officials say Iran has confirmed to them it detained three Americans who possibly strayed into Iranian territory while on a hiking trip.

AP - Scores of eager children headed back to school in northern Pakistan's battle-scarred Swat Valley on Saturday, many taking classes in buildings damaged during recent fighting between Taliban militants and security forces.

Reuters - President Barack Obama warned on Saturday it would take 'many more months' for the United States to get out of recession even after GDP figures showed the economy shrank only modestly in the second quarter.

AFP - Iran on Saturday put on trial around 100 people, including top reformists and aides of opposition leaders, on charges of rioting after the disputed re-election in June of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president.

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - A senior Kurdish security official said on Saturday that three tourists, believed to be American, who disappeared close to northern Iraq's border with Iran, had entered Iranian territory and been arrested.

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduras' de facto leader vowed on Friday that no country will push the small Central American nation around and pledged to resist international pressure to reinstate toppled President Manuel Zelaya.

TBILISI (Reuters) - South Ossetia accused Georgian forces of firing mortars at the rebel territory on Saturday and Russia warned Tbilisi it reserved the right to use force to defend civilians a year after their five-day war.

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Three foreign nationals believed to be U.S. citizens disappeared close to northern Iraq's border with Iran, Iraqi security officials said Friday, but U.S. officials could not confirm the report.

AP - Iran has confirmed it detained three Americans who were in the area of the Iranian border while on a hiking trip, Kurdish officials said Saturday. The U.S. State Department has said it was looking into the situation.

AP - Authorities say a main terminal of LaGuardia Airport in New York City has been evacuated and a police bomb squad has arrested a man and is searching his bag.

AP - Military honor guards carried former President Corazon Aquino's flag-draped casket to a school gym Saturday for public viewing, as Filipinos mourned the beloved democracy icon who swept away a dictator and fought off seven coup attempts.

Reuters - A senior Kurdish security official said on Saturday that three tourists, believed to be American, who disappeared close to northern Iraq's border with Iran, had entered Iranian territory and been arrested.

Reuters - Authorities closed one of the terminals at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Saturday and took a man into custody after discovering a suspicious bag, a television station reported.

Reuters - Honduras' de facto leader vowed on Friday that no country will push the small Central American nation around and pledged to resist international pressure to reinstate toppled President Manuel Zelaya.

Reuters - South Ossetia accused Georgian forces of firing mortars at the rebel territory on Saturday and Russia warned Tbilisi it reserved the right to use force to defend civilians a year after their five-day war.

Reuters - Three foreign nationals believed to be U.S. citizens disappeared close to northern Iraq's border with Iran, Iraqi security officials said Friday, but U.S. officials could not confirm the report.

AFP - A top Iranian reformist, accused of taking part in deadly riots after the June election, reportedly testified before a Tehran court on Saturday that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory came after a clean vote.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran said on Saturday it had arrested three American tourists near the border with Iraq, the country's al-Alam television station reported.

MANILA (Reuters) - Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, who ousted one of the 20th Century's most corrupt dictators to become a global icon of democracy, died on Saturday after a 16-month battle against colon cancer. She was 76.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqis said on Saturday they feared al Qaeda was trying to tip their country back into the sectarian strife that nearly tore it apart two years ago, after a spate of bombs outside five Shi'ite mosques killed 31 people.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India gave Pakistan on Saturday a new dossier of evidence to investigate the Mumbai attacks and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, the suspected mastermind of the three-day carnage that killed 166 people.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Authorities temporarily closed one of the terminals at New York's busy LaGuardia airport on Saturday morning and took a man into custody after discovering what turned out to be a fake bomb in his bag.

AP - Iran's state owned Arabic-language al-Alam TV station confirmed that three U.S. citizens were arrested after crossing the border from Iraq.

AP - Three U.S. troops were killed Saturday when roadside bombs ripped through their patrol in southern Afghanistan, while a French soldier died in a gunbattle north of the capital, officials said.

AP - President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are looking ahead to a health care showdown on the House floor in September following a key committee's passage of sweeping overhaul legislation.

AP - Days of rioting between Christians and Muslims in eastern Pakistan following allegations that a Quran was defiled escalated Saturday, leaving six Christians dead, including a child, authorities said.

Reuters - Iran said on Saturday it had arrested three American tourists near the border with Iraq, the country's al-Alam television station reported.

Reuters - Corazon Aquino of the Philippines, who ousted one of the 20th Century's most corrupt dictators to become a global icon of democracy, died on Saturday after a 16-month battle against colon cancer. She was 76.

Reuters - Pakistani police have arrested an activist from an al Qaeda-linked militant group on suspicion of involvement in a suicide attack on Islamabad's Marriott Hotel last year that killed 55 people, police said on Saturday.

Reuters - Iraqis said on Saturday they feared al Qaeda was trying to tip their country back into the sectarian strife that nearly tore it apart two years ago, after a spate of bombs outside five Shi'ite mosques killed 31 people.

Reuters - Authorities temporarily closed one of the terminals at New York's busy LaGuardia airport on Saturday morning and took a man into custody after discovering what turned out to be a fake bomb in his bag.

KABUL (Reuters) - A convoy of campaign workers for Afghan President Hamid Karzai was ambushed five times on Saturday, officials said, as Taliban insurgents step up efforts to disrupt the presidential election.

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani police have arrested an activist from an al Qaeda-linked militant group on suspicion of involvement in a suicide attack on Islamabad's Marriott Hotel last year that killed 55 people, police said on Saturday.

AP - Eight years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq. About 4,000 members of the U.S. military killed in action. More than 34,000 wounded. Just six considered worthy of America's highest military award for battlefield valor.

AP - Iranian state TV confirmed Saturday that Tehran has detained three Americans after they crossed the border from northern Iraq.

AP - It was — note the past tense — the worst housing recession anyone but survivors of the Great Depression can remember.

AP - Thousands of Filipinos lined up in monsoon rains Saturday to pay their last respects to former President Corazon 'Cory' Aquino, putting aside deep divisions to honor the icon who ousted a dictator and sustained democracy against great odds.

Reuters - A convoy of campaign workers for Afghan President Hamid Karzai was ambushed five times on Saturday, officials said, as Taliban insurgents step up efforts to disrupt the presidential election.

AFP - A top Iranian reformist who went on trial in a Tehran court with about 100 others on charges of rioting backed down on Saturday from claims of massive vote rigging in the June presidential vote.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday welcomed the latest vote by a House of Representatives committee on healthcare reform and urged lawmakers to keep up the momentum in the coming weeks.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - About 100 leading Iranian reformists went on trial on Saturday, accused of trying to topple the clerical establishment by orchestrating mass protests after the disputed presidential election, Iranian media reported.

ROME (Reuters) - Michael Phelps produced a stunning comeback to break the world record and retain his 100 meters butterfly world title Saturday.

AP - Carl Rupp and his neighbors follow the old rancher's creed: 'Keep your money in your pocket.'

AP - Banks and markets reopened in this northern Nigerian city after five days of fierce fighting between police and a radical Islamist sect.

AP - Al Franken has immersed himself in the health care debate. He's had a chance to question Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. He's signed on as a co-sponsor of a half dozen bills.

AP - Michael Phelps beat Milorad Cavic again, and this time there was no doubt about it.

Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday welcomed the latest vote by a House of Representatives committee on healthcare reform and urged lawmakers to keep up the momentum in the coming weeks.

Reuters - About 100 leading Iranian reformists went on trial on Saturday, accused of trying to topple the clerical establishment by orchestrating mass protests after the disputed presidential election, Iranian media reported.

Reuters - Michael Phelps produced a stunning comeback to break the world record and retain his 100 meters butterfly world title Saturday.

AFP - A top Iranian reformist who went on trial in a Tehran court with about 100 others on charges of rioting backed down on Saturday from claims of massive vote rigging in the June presidential vote.

ROME (Reuters) - Michael Phelps used his powerful shoulders to perfection to overhaul big rival Milorad Cavic and steal back his 100 meters butterfly world record in an enthralling final at the world championships on Saturday.

AP - Michael Phelps beat Milorad Cavic again. No doubt about it. With a defiant performance in a supposedly inferior suit, Phelps stayed close over the outward lap and rallied on the return to become the first swimmer to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly, beating the Serbian with a time of 49.82.

AP - Harold Lucas was raised with the stories about his grandparents, who rode segregated railroad cars from Missouri to Chicago in the 1930s and worked tirelessly to raise their family into the middle class.

AP - LIMONADE, Haiti — When Alix Charles slipped out of his tin-roofed shack at night, he didn't say where he was going, only that he would be back soon.

AP - A Nigerian military official said Saturday that about 700 people were killed in the northern city of Maiduguri during recent fighting between police and a radical Islamist sect. The toll was previously thought to be around 300.

Reuters - Michael Phelps used his powerful shoulders to perfection to overhaul big rival Milorad Cavic and steal back his 100 meters butterfly world record in an enthralling final at the world championships on Saturday.

AFP - Reformists backed down from their allegations of massive fraud in the June presidential election at the start of a trial on Saturday of about 100 Iranians accused of rioting, news agencies said.

AFP - Gunmen opened fire Saturday on a campaign manager for Afghan President Hamid Karzai's re-election bid, killing a guard, while one French and three US soldiers died in other insurgent attacks, officials said.

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - A gunman sprayed automatic fire at an Israeli club for gay teenagers on Saturday, killing two people and wounding at least eight, police and witnesses said.

AP - The National Rifle Association's threat to punish senators who vote for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has been met with a shrug by Democrats from conservative-leaning states and some Republicans who are breaking with their party to support her.

Reuters - A gunman sprayed automatic fire at an Israeli club for gay teenagers on Saturday, killing two people and wounding at least eight, police and witnesses said.

AP - At times, it seems like Barack Obama has time-traveled back to last summer when he was simply a Democrat running for the White House.

AP - Iran began its first trial of the postelection crisis on Saturday, a mass court case against more than 100 activists and protesters accused of plotting a 'velvet revolution' to topple clerical rule.

AP - Israeli police say a gunman entered a youth club for gay teens in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night and sprayed the interior with automatic rifle fire, killing three people and injuring 11.

HAVANA (Reuters) - President Raul Castro said on Saturday he would not change Cuba's communist system to make peace with the United States, but repeated his willingness to discuss all issues with the island's longtime enemy.

AP - The success of President Barack Obama's ambitious agenda — from health care and climate change to education — could depend on how quickly he recovers from the sharp drop in support among white voters after criticizing a white policeman's arrest of a black Harvard scholar.

AP - The National Rifle Association's threat to punish senators who vote for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has been met with a shrug by Democrats from conservative-leaning states and some Republicans who are breaking with their party to support her.

AP - In a solemn ceremony punctuated by talk of courage, service and sacrifice, the mother of a Marine corporal on Saturday christened a warship honoring her son, who died after covering an exploding grenade to protect his comrades in Iraq.

AP - A Honduran educator who was shot in the head while protesting the coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya died Saturday after being in a coma for two days, a teachers union leader said.

Reuters - President Raul Castro said on Saturday he would not change Cuba's communist system to make peace with the United States, but repeated his willingness to discuss all issues with the island's longtime enemy.

AFP - The international military mission in Afghanistan has delivered 'much less than it promised' due to the lack of a realistic strategy, an influential committee of British lawmakers said Sunday.

AP - One person was killed and at least 15 were injured Saturday after a storm whipped through an outdoor country music festival, causing a stage to collapse.

AP - Nearly eight years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq have left 4,000 soldiers killed in action, more than 34,000 wounded — and only six considered worthy of the nation's highest military award for battlefield valor.

AP - Just weeks into his Senate term, Al Franken's portfolio compares favorably to any of the Senate's freshman members. He loves policy. He has signed on as co-sponsor to a half dozen bills, asked thoughtful questions of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, and immersed himself in a thorny debate over health care reform.

AP - Raul Castro announced Saturday that Cuba will cut spending on education and health care, potentially weakening the building blocks of its communist system in a bid to revive a foundering economy.