American couple on Flight 447 loved life, relatives say

Anne and Michael Harris were an "extraordinary" couple with a zest for life, their niece said. “We truly hope that they are remembered for the way they lived their lives and not this tragic end,” Charlstie Laytin said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “We’re all just devastated and going to miss them both so much.” The Harrises were two of three Americans on board Air France Flight 447 when it crashed Monday

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Federer survives five-set ordeal in Paris

Roger Federer had to come from two sets down to avoid joining top seed Rafael Nadal on the French Open sidelines as he saw off Germany’s Tommy Haas 6-7 5-7 6-4 6-0 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals on Monday. With Nadal sensationally losing to Robin Soderling and with Novak Djokovic going out in the third round, the draw has opened up for second seed Federer as he bids to complete a set of grand slam titles. The French Open is the only slam to evade the Swiss star, with Nadal usually barring his path, but Haas came close to spoiling the party before Federer took command.

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Rwandan to face genocide charges in Finland

Finnish prosecutors will file genocide charges against a Rwandan man in the killings of 15 people during Rwanda’s ethnic cleansing bloodbath in 1994, authorities said Monday. GM will file a bankruptcy petition at 8 am ET (12 pm GMT), paving the way for a de facto government takeover, according to a source with direct knowledge of the bankruptcy proceedings

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GM poised for bankruptcy, agrees European selloff

The future of thousands of car industry jobs in Europe remained uncertain Monday as General Motors prepared to file for bankruptcy after reaching a deal to sell off its European operations, including German automaker Opel and UK-based Vauxhall. GM will file a bankruptcy petition at 8 am ET (12 pm GMT), paving the way for a de facto government takeover, according to a source with direct knowledge of the bankruptcy proceedings.

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Fiat pulls out of Opel takeover talks

The future of Opel remained uncertain Friday after Italian car giant Fiat withdrew from talks in Berlin due to concerns over emergency funding demanded by the German government for the ailing automaker. Fiat had been one of two potential bidders, along with Canadian-Austrian supplier Magna, still in the running to take over Opel, which is currently owned by General Motors. Fiat said in a statement Friday it remained interested in taking control of Opel but said the German government’s demand for the potential suitors to provide $417 million in short-term funding would expose Fiat to “unnecessary and unwarranted risks.” “Fiat remains open and committed to continue discussions with all parties involved with a view to find a stable and lasting solution for the industrial activities of Opel,” Fiat said

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Germany’s Battle Against Scientology

The interior ministers of Germany’s 16 states have launched an investigation into the activities of the Church of Scientology, hoping to assemble the evidence to support banning the U.S.-based organization from operating in Germany. But skeptics question whether such a move is politically and legally tenable — or wise

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China quarantines U.S. school group over flu concerns

A group of students and teachers from a Maryland private school have been quarantined in China because of swine flu concerns, a school spokeswoman said Thursday. The Chinese government has confined 21 students and three teachers to their hotel rooms in Kaili, China, because a passenger on their plane to China was suspected of having swine flu, or H1N1, said Vicky Temple, director of communications for the Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

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