AFP - Briton Jenson Button showed that he is ready to fight for his first Grand Prix win by setting the fastest time in the third and final free practice session for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

AP - A fleeting smile lit up the stern face of Sheik Abdul-Atheem al-Bahrani when asked if he worried that the sectarian tensions in Iraq would spread to the Gulf. "The good in Iraq overflows, but so do its evils," said the Bahraini Shiite cleric, quoting an old saying.

AP - For the first time in five years, Michael Schumacher will not have the No. 1 on his Ferrari as defending champion in Formula One. There are new champions — Fernando Alonso and Renault; new teams; new drivers and, once again, new rules and regulations to try to spice up the sport.

AP - For the people working at Bahrain's malls, the person covered head to toe in a black veil, gloves and glasses appeared to be a rich, doting Saudi mother, leaping from one aisle to the next to select children's shoes, clothes and toys.

AFP - British telecommunications company Cable and Wireless said it was looking to sell its 20-percent shareholding in Bahrain Telecom.