The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week while activity in the services sector hit a six-month high in March, underscoring the economy’s solid fundamentals despite a recent softening in growth.

The young American who was decapitated on a videotape posted by an al-Qaida-linked web site was never under US custody despite claims from his family, coalition spokesman Dan Senor said in Baghdad.

An American civilian who was beheaded in a grisly video posted on an al-Qaida-linked Web site had been warned to leave Iraq but refused, US officials said today.

A man was arrested at Miami International Airport today after officials found a razor blade and a hacksaw blade in his shoe.