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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Developers of a 1,680-foot (512 meters) skyscraper still under construction in oil-rich Dubai has claimed that it has become the world's tallest building, surpassing Taiwan's Taipei 101 which has dominated the global skyline at 1,667 feet (508 meters) since 2004.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A severe flu pandemic "would almost certainly lead to a major economic recession," according to a new report from a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. The report, titled "Pandemic Flu and the Potential for U.S. Economic Recession," projected that a pandemic would kill 2.25 million people and force 87.75 million people to miss work for three weeks That could cause the U.S. gross domestic product to drop more than 5.5 percent, resulting in an economic loss of $683 billion.

Police say a 73-year-old man wasn't doing anything wrong last night in his Coon Rapids home when something wrong came to him. "While he was in bed he heard someone breaking into the house," Anoka County Sheriff Captain Bob Aldrich said. A burglar, police say broke in, and when he got to the second floor the 73-year-old man was waiting. "He keeps a rifle in his room for protection and in this instance he felt the need to use it and in this case he shot the intruder," Aldrich said. The intruder died and the shooter, investigators say, will probably...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than half of U.S. commercial airports don't have a 1,000-foot margin at the end of a runway, an overrun area the federal government says is needed as a safety zone, according to a new report. Some of the busiest airports in the country -- including Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport -- have more than one runway that doesn't meet safety standards, according to statistics supplied by the Federal Aviation Administration. "Our runways are out of shape, and the Bush administration has failed to move to correct the problem,"...

Two years ago Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than 2 percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines _ or even prison terms. The result? Today hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and the U.S. state of New York, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food....

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nonlethal weapons such as high-power microwave devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before being used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday. The object is basically public relations. Domestic use would make it easier to avoid questions from others about possible safety considerations, said Secretary Michael Wynne. "If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation," said Wynne. "(Because) if I hit somebody with a nonlethal weapon and they claim that it injured them in...

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A couple found a man raping a young woman in their driveway and tried to flee with her but were shot to death by the attacker, police said. The teenager was also shot and was expected to recover, police said. A suspect was arrested. The couple came upon the attack when returning to their home in the Fern Rock neighborhood from a night out late Wednesday, police said.

Profiling on planes

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Snow fell on South Africa's biggest city Johannesburg for the first time in 25 years as icy temperatures gripped vast swathes of the country, the weather office said. "It (the snow) is by no means freakish but I would certainly classify it as rare," said Kevin Rae, assistant manager of forecasting at the South African Weather Service in Pretoria. Forecasters said snow was reported in the southern Johannesburg township of Soweto and the posh northern suburb of Sandton, as well as the nearby towns of Carletonville and Westonaria. Johannesburg last had snow on September 11, 1981. "Sleet...

Tropical Storm Chris loses steamHurricane watch discontinued in BahamasSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Tropical Storm Chris weakened slightly as it swept through the eastern Caribbean early Thursday, dumping rain on the Virgin Islands and prompting tourists to flee Puerto Rico's east coast.

Marriott to make all US, Canada hotels non-smoking Wednesday July 19, 6:34 am ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR - News) on Wednesday said it will make all of its hotels in the United States and Canada entirely non-smoking, beginning in September. The company said the policy change, which it called the largest in its industry, covers more than 2,300 hotels and corporate apartments with nearly 400,000 rooms. Marriott, based in Bethesda, Maryland, said more than 90 percent of its guest rooms are already non-smoking. It said more customers have been demanding non-smoking rooms. The change covers...

Savage 111 rifle vs Remington 710 rifle

The Associated Press reports Palestinian negotiators say rival Fatah and Hamas factions have agreed on a plan calling for implicit recognition of Israel. CNN working to confirm.

Aviano mourns airman, wife who died in car crash AVIANO, Italy — Air Force Tech Sgt. Michael Knight and his pregnant wife, Laura, were remembered Thursday as solid members of the Aviano community whose lives were taken too soon in a car accident June 16. Their 3-year-old son, Alex, who suffered a broken arm, is on his way back to the States to live with relatives, Brig. Gen. Robert Yates, 31st Fighter Wing commander, told the hundreds of mourners assembled Thursday at Aviano Air Base. Throughout emotional eulogies, friends and co-workers remembered a consummate Air Force professional and his selfless...

Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell is sentenced to 30 months in prison for tax evasion and racketeering.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Those heaping portions at restaurants -- and doggie bags for the leftovers -- may be a thing of the past, if health officials get their way. The government is trying to enlist the help of the nation's eateries in fighting obesity. One of the first things on their list: cutting portion sizes.

Ketchup Maker Heinz Sees 4Q Profit Fall, Plans 2,700 Job Cuts PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Food producer H.J. Heinz Co. on Thursday said fiscal fourth-quarter profit dropped 19 percent, and said it plans to cut 2,700 jobs, or 8 percent of its work force, and exit 15 plants this year as part of a plan to cut costs and resume earnings growth. Heinz is facing pressure from billionaire investor Nelson Peltz to improve shareholder return. Earlier in the month Peltz and his Trian Group outlined a plan, which was rejected by Heinz, to improve profit by cutting costs and reducing incentives...

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TOPEKA — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed a bill today that would allow Kansans to carry concealed weapons, setting up a face-off with lawmakers already vowing to attempt to overrule her. It’s uncertain whether the majority of lawmakers who support the bill can meet the two-thirds votes required to override a gubernatorial veto, which was widely expected. An attempt in the Senate is expected as early as today. Sebelius, who vetoed a similar proposal in 2004, wrote in her veto message that she “cannot support allowing hidden weapons into businesses, restaurants, malls and any number of other public places.” Overriding the...