Two U.S. Marines killed in clash in western Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Two U.S. Marines were killed by insurgent gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades in western Iraq, U.S. military said Friday. The clash ended when Marine jets dropped high-tech bombs in insurgent positions. The Marine casualties brought to at least 10 the number of American military personnel who died in Iraq since Sunday night. Nine of the Americans died in hostile action. Their names were not released.

Hair found in Aruba not from missing teen

ORANJESTAD, Aruba -- Another intriguing lead in the two-month-old search for Natalee Holloway came to nothing, as the FBI concluded that strands of blond hair stuck to duct tape did not come from the missing Alabama teenager. The hair, which was found on July 17, was subjected to genetic testing at the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Va., and the results showed they were not from the 18-year-old, said spokeswoman Judy Orihuela. A sample of the hair also was tested at a crime lab in the Netherlands, but the results have not been released.

31 deaths in China due to pig-borne disease

BEIJING -- The death toll from a pig-borne disease in southwestern China rose to 31 on Friday as health officials stepped up preventative measures and tried to reassure the public that the government had the outbreak under control. The disease, blamed on the bacteria streptococcus suis, has swept through dozens of villages in Sichuan province since June, infecting farmers who handled or butchered sick pigs. So far, 152 confirmed and suspected cases have been found, with 27 people hospitalized in critical condition, according to the Ministry of Health. Seven patients have been released from the hospital. Symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, vomiting and bleeding under the skin.

Italian Senate OKs tougher anti-terror measures

ROME -- Italy's Senate overwhelmingly approved tougher anti-terror measures Friday, a day after the interior minister warned that the threat of terrorism had forced the nation into a state of alarm. The package, which still must be voted on by parliament's lower chamber, includes measures allowing authorities to hold terror suspects longer without charges and retain telephone records. It also makes it a crime to recruit and train people for terrorist activities. Internet threats have mentioned Italy as a possible terrorist target because of the government's support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq and deployment of troops there.

Forbes names Rice most powerful woman

SINGAPORE -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has beaten 99 female heads of state, chief executives and celebrities to top Forbes magazine's list of the world's most powerful women for the second year in a row. Daytime talk show giant Oprah Winfrey was ninth on the list and the magazine's choice for most powerful female celebrity. The magazine's gauge of a "composite of visibility, measured by press citations, and economic impact" had China's Vice-Premier Wu Yi in second followed by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymo-schenko in third. Scandal-tainted Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was fourth, Forbes said, but she "could soon be off" if she fails to survive impeachment proceedings brought against her by the opposition who alleged she cheated her way to victory last year.

U.N. expands sanctions against al-Qaida, Taliban

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a U.S.-sponsored resolution Friday that expands U.N. sanctions against al-Qaida terrorists and Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers to affiliates and splinter groups. Sanctions currently require all 191 U.N. member states to impose a travel ban and arms embargo against Osama bin Laden, the Taliban leaders and those "associated with" them, and to freeze their financial assets. The new resolution adopted by the council spells out for the first time who is included among those "associated with" al-Qaida and the Taliban.

-- From wire reports