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LONDON (Reuters) - Leaders Chelsea were frustrated by relegation-threatened Birmingham City on Saturday, the below-par champions held to a 0-0 draw at St Andrews in a lunchtime kickoff. Jose Mourinho's side extended their advantage to 10 points over Manchester United, who make the short trip to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers later on Saturday. Mourinho was unhappy with another unconvincing display away from home and Chelsea have won just one from their last five on their travels.  ...

Figures within Iraq's majority Shia alliance have for the first time urged Ibrahim Jaafari to stand down as PM to help a national unity government form. Key alliance politician Qassim Daoud made the call, saying it would help break the political deadlock. Mr Jaafari, a Shia, is opposed by the minority Sunni and Kurdish blocks. Senior Shia figures said this week the US ambassador to Iraq had told them the US did not want Mr Jaafari to stay. Mr Jaafari warned the US not to interfere. A key aid ...

Turkey's prime minister has warned that the security forces will act against women and children who he said were being used as the "pawns of terrorism". Three children are among seven people to have died in several days of clashes between Kurds and Turkish riot police. PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan told parents they should not let their children become involved in street protests. Meanwhile, one person was killed and 13 hurt in a bomb attack in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, on Friday. The bombi ...

Relations between Indonesia and Australia have soured further after an Australian newspaper published a cartoon lampooning Indonesia's leader. Indonesia said the drawing, apparently depicting the president and a Papuan as fornicating dogs, was "not helpful". It followed the publication in an Indonesian newspaper of a cartoon depicting Australia's prime and foreign ministers as copulating dingoes. Tensions arose after Canberra decided to give visas to Papuan asylum seekers. The group of 42 Pa ...

By Tom Heneghan PARIS (Reuters) - French left-wing parties rejected President Jacques Chirac's call for dialogue on Saturday, reaffirming their plans to march next week against a youth job law they insist the government should withdraw. Opposition groups, reacting to Chirac's Friday speech saying he would sign the law but modify it, said they would join unions and students to stage more big protests that have gripped France and put Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin under pressure. "We have ...

Trade unions and students have condemned a decision by French President Jacques Chirac to sign into law a controversial youth labour bill. Union chiefs say they will press ahead with a general strike next week after Mr Chirac vowed to enact a modified version of the legislation. Protesters took to the streets in Paris after Mr Chirac spoke on TV, but there were no reports of serious violence. The law makes it easier for employers to hire and fire people under 26. President jeered In his add ...

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) - All 19 people aboard a Brazilian domestic flight were killed when it crashed in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro state, rescue services and the airline said on Saturday. Team airline said two crew members and 17 passengers died in the Friday night crash of the double propeller LET 410 near Saquarema city, about 60 miles (100 km) east of Rio de Janeiro. The plane ...

FORT WAYNE, Indiana (AP) -- An industrious teenager is hoping time is money. Eighteen-year-old Evan Kelso is offering to change every digital clock in a customer's home or car after all of Indiana goes to daylight saving time this weekend for the first time in more than 30 years. His fee: $10. Kelso, a senior at Bishop Luers High School, said he came up with the idea as Indiana lawmakers sniped  ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Leaders Chelsea were frustrated by relegation-threatened Birmingham City on Saturday, the below-par champions held to a 0-0 draw at St Andrews in a lunchtime kickoff. Jose Mourinho's side extended their advantage to 10 points over Manchester United, who make the short trip to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers later on Saturday. Chelsea almost stole the points at the death but Argentine Hernan Crespo wasted two good chances while defender Ricardo Carvalho headed ove ...

Birmingham picked up a point in their relegation fight as leaders Chelsea turned in a below-par performance. Emile Heskey missed three reasonable chances for Birmingham in the first half, while Oliver Tebily forced a fine save from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Chelsea finally shook off their torpor with Maik Taylor saving well from Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo. In the last minute the Argentine also missed a good opportunity, while Ricardo Carvalho headed badly wide. Chelsea were out of s ...