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Pakistan troops 'repel US raid'

Pakistani troops have fired at two US helicopters forcing them back into Afghanistan, local Pakistani intelligence officials say.

The helicopters flew into the tribal North Waziristan region from Afghanistan's Khost province at around midnight, the reports say.

Last week Pakistani troops fired into the air to prevent US ground troops crossing the border further south.

Tensions have risen after an increase in US attacks targeting militants.

Pakistan's army has said it will defend the country's sovereignty and reserves the right to retaliate to any border violations.

'Firing in the air'

The latest confrontation between US and Pakistani forces took place in North Waziristan's sparsely populated Ghulam Khan district, west of the main town in the region, Miranshah, local officials say.

They told the BBC that troops at border posts in the mountainous region fired at two US helicopters which crossed into Pakistani territory.

The helicopters returned to Afghanistan without retaliating.

A senior security official based in Islamabad told the AFP news agency that the helicopters had been repelled by both army troops and soldiers from the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC).

"The helicopters were heading towards our border. We were alert and when they were right on the boundary line we started aerial firing. They hovered for a few minutes and went back," the official said.

"About 30 minutes later they made another attempt. We retaliated again, firing in the air and not in their direction, from both the army position and the FC position, and they went back."

Morgan Stanley in 20% stake sale

Japanese banking giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group has said it will buy a stake in troubled Wall Street rival Morgan Stanley.

The firm said the stake will account for 10% to 20% of Morgan Stanley's common shares.

A price has not yet been decided. Further details will be revealed after the group has completed due diligence.

Morgan Stanley has been humbled by the credit crisis tearing through the world's financial system.

It was widely reported last week that Morgan Stanley was looking for a tie-up to reassure investors worried about its financial health.

The sudden demise of US investment bank Lehman Brothers last week triggered a dramatic collapse in confidence in the world's financial institutions.

The ensuing turmoil in global markets has forced major changes in the financial landscape.

Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs - the two last major investment banks on Wall Street - have been forced to change their status to take deposits from investors to raise funds.

SOUND QUALITY AT MADONNA GIG ‘POOR‘
A spokesperson for Madonna has defended the singer‘s performance in London last night, which has come under attack by fans.

A large proportion of the pop stars fan base have criticised the sound quality of the concert at Wembley Stadium, while others have complained about Madonna's late arrival on stage.

Thursday night's concert, part of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour, received rave reviews. But hundreds of concert-goers inundated message boards saying they had been let down by poor sound quality at Wembley Stadium.

Prices ranged from £65 to £160 to see Madonna play at the venue, where Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson were in the audience.

One wrote: "The sound for those of us in the seated areas was very, very poor... During a number of the songs being performed, people around me were discussing the price of bread - really".

Victorious United States captain Paul Azinger said the passionate support of the home fans had been the key factor in his team regaining the Ryder Cup.

The Valhalla fans were vociferous throughout as the US ended Europe's recent domination with a 16½-11½ win.

"It was a great day - I'm proud of my players, they really ground it out," Azinger told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The crowd energised our players for the whole week - the 13th man really made the difference."

But Azinger's verdict on the home fans was not shared by Europe's Lee Westwood, who said the conduct of some of the galleries had been "shameful" and worse than at the infamous Brookline event in 1999.

Azinger sent out Anthony Kim first off to take on European talisman Sergio Garcia, and saw the debutant pull off a famous 5&4 victory to set the day off on the right note for the US.

"It is the best day of my golfing life," said the 23-year-old.

"I wanted to come out here and give the fans what they wanted to see. I got chills up my spine the whole day and I'm loving every minute of it. I wouldn't trade this for $10m."

Victories for Europe's Robert Karlsson and Justin Rose raised European hopes, but the US players in the middle of the order - Kenny Perry, Boo Weekley, JB Holmes and Jim Furyk - all won to get Azinger's team over the finishing line and spark huge celebrations, despite four matches still being contested out on the course.

Azinger's team, which included six debutants and four wildcards, took a two-point lead into the final day's singles, and the 48-year-old admitted he felt helpless watching the action unfold on the course.

"I felt so much pressure but I had no control," said Azinger.

"I watched these guys play with heart, instinct, and courage and I'm so happy.

Britain's crucial Davis Cup promotion tie against Austria begins amid unrestrained razzmatazz at a sun-drenched Wimbledon