North Korea has test-fired four ballistic missiles, on the eve of US Independence Day celebrations, according to South Korean officials, further fuelling regional tensions amid its nuclear standoff. Seoul's foreign ministry said all four of the weapons launched into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) were ballistic missiles, which the North is banned from firing under UN Security Council resolutions.

Fans heading to Los Angeles for Michael Jackson's memorial extravaganza were urged to stay away as organizers said tickets for the event would be allocated by an online lottery. Pop icon Jackson's sudden death on June 25 sparked a worldwide outpouring of grief and hundreds of thousands of devotees are expected to descend on Los Angeles for Tuesday's memorial at the Staples Center.

North Korea has test-fired four ballistic missiles, on the eve of US Independence Day celebrations, according to South Korean officials, further fuelling regional tensions amid its nuclear standoff. Seoul's foreign ministry said all four of the weapons launched into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) were ballistic missiles, which the North is banned from firing under UN Security Council resolutions.

The website set up to process applications for tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service received more than half a billion hits in less than two hours, officials said Friday. A statement released by representatives for the Jackson family said an additional server had been added to the website -- www.staplescenter.com -- to cope with the volume of traffic.

Alex James' children think he is a conductor. The musician - who took part in UK TV show 'Maestro' last year, where celebrities had to learn how to conduct an orchestra - admits his four kids have no idea about his success as a bass player.