PARIS, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Governments and media groups on Thursday stepped up criticism of China and the International Olympic Committee over Internet censorship for foreign reporters during the Beijing Games.

GENEVA, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - The United States is 'very concerned' about the direction taken by certain countries at negotiations here on a global trade deal, warning that it could 'jeopardise' the outcome of the talks.

GENEVA, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - The United States is 'very concerned' about the direction taken by certain countries at negotiations here on a global trade deal, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said Monday.

BRUSSELS, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - The NATO military alliance and leaders in the West and the Middle East Monday condemned the two bombings in Istanbul that killed 17 people as a heinous terrorist attack and pledged support for Turkey.

'I condemn in the strongest terms the bombings that occurred in Istanbul,' NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said.

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - The United States beat Serbia by three sets to one here Sunday to win the World men's volleyball League final in a crucial pre-Olympic boost.

The US won 26-24, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22 to lift the title.

On Saturday, they had defeated Olympic and world champions Brazil 3-0 while the Serbs had moved past Russia, likewise in three sets.

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - America beat Olympic and world champions Brazil 3-0 on Saturday to reach the World men's volleyball League final here.

The United States won 25-23, 25-22, 27-25 and will now face Serbia, who saw off Russia 25-19, 25-19, 25-23, in Sunday's final.

NEW YORK, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - US and European stocks took a nosedive Thursday as troubling economic data on both sides of the Atlantic raised fresh concerns about sluggish growth and recovery.

Major European indexes tumbled, with the London FTSE down 1.61 percent, after weak data dented the economic outlook for the 15-nation eurozone, sparking fears of recession.

LONDON, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Moscow is the world's most expensive city for expats, while Tokyo has pipped London to move into second place, according to a global cost of living survey published Thursday.

THE HAGUE, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - World leaders united in hailing Serbia Tuesday for the arrest of indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic, with only Russia sounding a contrary note over whether he would receive a fair trial.

THE HAGUE, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - World leaders united in hailing Serbia Tuesday for the arrest of indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic, with only Russia sounding a contrary note over whether he would receive a fair trial.