The United States Congress has given final approval for $87.5bn (€76.4bn) for military operations and aid in Iraq and Afghanistan, a day after Americans in Iraq endured their worst casualties since March.

A 12-year-old New York girl, who was among the first to be sued by the record industry for sharing music over the Internet, is off the hook after her mother agreed to pay $1,900 (€1,700) to settle the lawsuit.

Family and friends of the Rev Jesse Jackson are seeking prayers and privacy for the civil rights activist and CNN talk show host .