Authorities in New York City captured a fugitive wanted for murder and found his estranged girlfriend and their four children in Brooklyn last evening, ending a frantic day that began with a stabbing in Lynn followed by a manhunt that stretched across the Northeast.

Rodlyn Petitbois, 25, of Lynn, disappeared, police said, after he stabbed and killed Greenland Etienne, 33, a mother of four who apparently had taken in his girlfriend and children. Petitbois was found about 6:15 p.m. in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood, while his family was discovered in a nearby park, police said. He was arrested as a fugitive and faces a charge of first-degree murder, authorities said.

Source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/07/31/killing_tense_hunt_quiet_end/

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White House hopeful Barack Obama has hit back over a TV ad which questions his readiness to lead the US.

Republican John McCain's campaign released the ad, which juxtaposes images of Mr Obama with those of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Titled "Celeb", the ad calls Mr Obama the "biggest celebrity in the world", but questions his economic policies.

The Democrat responded by accusing his rival of negative campaigning, and of only revealing what he was against.

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7534662.stm

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Chinese officials have announced an emergency plan to deal with Beijing's persistent pollution problem as athletes flock toward the country for the start of next week's Olympic Games.

The strategy, announced Thursday, calls for more factories to close, a complete halt to all construction projects and further reduction of the number of vehicles on the streets at any one time.

The measures would be implemented if forecasters predict stagnant weather conditions 48 hours in advance.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/31/oly.beijing.pollution/index.html