North Korea test-fired three missiles on the eve of American Independence Day celebrations, South Korea's defence ministry said, further stoking tensions amid an international nuclear standoff. The firing of the missiles, reported to have a range of up to 500 kilometres (312 miles), follow a series of missile launches earlier this week by the isolated Stalinist state.

Fans heading to Los Angeles for Michael Jackson's memorial extravaganza were urged to stay away as organizers said tickets for the event would be allocated by an online lottery. Pop icon Jackson's sudden death on June 25 sparked a worldwide outpouring of grief and hundreds of thousands of devotees are expected to descend on Los Angeles for Tuesday's memorial at the Staples Center.

Venus and Serena Williams clash in a fourth all-sister Wimbledon final on Saturday determined to prove that their domination of the event is not a backward step for the sport's future welfare. Despite 128 players starting out in the first round last week, the two Americans are once again left to contest the final for the second successive year and for the eighth time in a Grand Slam final.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply disappointed" after the chief of Myanmar's military junta on Saturday refused to let him meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Ban announced the regime's decision after holding a second meeting with reclusive military supremo Than Shwe in the bunker-like capital Naypyidaw on the second and final day of his visit to the country.

Alex James' children think he is a conductor. The musician - who took part in UK TV show 'Maestro' last year, where celebrities had to learn how to conduct an orchestra - admits his four kids have no idea about his success as a bass player.