Top News

• Jackson memorial tickets available through lottery
  Fans must register online for a lottery to win tickets to Tuesday's Michael Jackson memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, organizers said. People who don't have one of the 17,500 free tickets to be handed out should stay away and watch on TV, officials said.
  
• Marines targeting Taliban in Afghan push
  U.S. Marines on Friday continued to lead a major push against militants in southern Afghanistan in an attempt to rout the Taliban from their stronghold in Helmand province, Marine Capt. William Pelletier said.
  
• High-ranking British soldier dies in Afghanistan
  The commander of a British regiment has become the country's highest ranking soldier to be killed in action since 1982's Falklands War after a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan.
  
• Toxic air sickened flight attendant, suit says
  The last time Terry Williams can remember being headache-free was in December. A chronic migraine has plagued her ever since. So have balance and vision problems, a tremor in her left arm, a prickly sensation in her feet and a loss of childhood memories.
  
• Zakaria: Iran is a 'naked dictatorship'
  Three leading Iranian reformists who have rejected the results of last month's election questioned the legitimacy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government Wednesday.
  
• Navarrette: Doubting the loyalty of an American
  Fourth of July weekend is as good a time as any to think about what it means to be an American -- even if there are those who insist you're not qualified for the job.
  
• Celebrating the Fourth without a bang
  What's July Fourth without fireworks? Many cities across the U.S. will find out Saturday. Expensive pyrotechnics displays are becoming victims of the recession. "I think there's going to be a lot of people complaining about it," said Terry Mertins, whose city, Tuscon, Arizona, is forgoing fireworks.
  
• 4th of July -- not just for America anymore
  Hot dogs? Check. Fireworks? Check. Big Ben? Wait a minute...
  
• Gen Y reflects on being American
  
  
• Star Cuban pitcher reportedly defects
  A highly regarded Cuban pitching prospect has defected from the national team while playing in a tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands. His next stop could be in the major leagues, possibly with the New York Yankees.