International Headlines

Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:02:06 -0400
>TOP STORIES as of 0800 HKT -- 14 July, 2010

> FRANCE COMES CLOSER TO BURQA BAN AFTER PARLIAMENTARY VOTE
The lower house of the French Parliament has overwhelmingly
approved a ban on the burqa and the niqab, Islamic garments that
cover a woman's face.

> OFFICIAL: AID BOAT STILL GAZA BOUND
A Libyan-backed ship trying to break the Israeli blockade of
Gaza has agreed to change course and go to Egypt, says an
Israeli official with knowledge of communications between the
Israeli military and the vessel.

> 'BAREFOOT BANDIT' GUILTY PLEA IN BAHAMAS
The so-called "barefoot bandit," Colton Harris-Moore, pleaded
guilty in a Bahamian court Tuesday to a charge of illegally
landing a plane and was sentenced to three months in jail or a
$300 fine, police said.

> YANKEES OWNER STEINBRENNER DIES
New York Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner III died Tuesday
after he suffered a massive heart attack. He was 80.

> POLICE FIND EXPLOSIVES AT KAMPALA CLUB
Ugandan police recover explosives at a Kampala nightclub,
following weekend attacks which killed 74 people. Al
Qaeda-linked militants have claimed responsibility.

> FREED CUBAN DISSIDENTS ARRIVE IN SPAIN
The first group of political prisoners freed by the Cuban
government has arrived in Madrid, the capital of Spain, the
state-run EFE news agency reported Tuesday.

> BP TO TEST NEW CAP ON LEAKING OIL WELL
BP is to conduct tests to assess the success of a new cap
installed on its ruptured Gulf of Mexico well. Officials hope
the cap could contain the oil leak completely.

> AFGHAN SOLDIER KILLS 3 BRITISH TROOPS
An Afghan National Army soldier shot a rocket at British
soldiers in Helmand province, killing three and injuring four
others early Tuesday morning, an Afghan Defense Ministry
spokesman said.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~

> PORTUGAL'S CREDIT RATING CUT BY MOODY'S
Moody's, the rating agency, downgraded Portugal by two notches
on Tuesday, citing the country's deteriorating public finances.

> CHINA PROPERTY PRICE RISES EASE
Chinese property prices eased lower in June for the first time
in nearly 18 months, a sign that the government's campaign to
reduce real estate speculation and cool the economy is beginning
to bite.