Idol Gossip | The Butcher’s Sister | Irony for Luther Vandross Idol Gossip: Oprah Visits the Set Yesterday I had the unusual experience of spending the day backstage at American Idol. I’m sure it’s quite a scene on a regular day, but yesterday was off the scale because Oprah Winfrey …

LONDON – A British court says workers at foreign embassies can sue over alleged discrimination and low pay, ruling that state immunity doesn’t protect the missions from legal action. But the Court of Appeal also ruled that individual foreign diplomats are protected from litigation by diplomatic immunity. Three appeals judges …

MILAN – At least 29 migrants have died from hypothermia while traveling from North Africa to Italy aboard a smuggler’s life raft in heavy seas, the Italian Coast Guard said Monday. The victims were among more than 100 people packed aboard an inflatable life raft who were trying to cross …

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Danish scouts say they have bought an island off Copenhagen featuring a 19th century fortification with the help of two private funds . David Hansen, head of the Danish Guide and Scout Association, says they acquired the 70,000 square-meter (750,000 square-foot) artificial island for 16.4 million kroner …

BRUSSELS – A European Jewish organization is demanding round-the-clock protection at Jewish institutions following the shooting attacks at a synagogue and free speech event in Denmark this weekend that left two people dead. Rabbi Menachem Margolin, general director of the European Jewish Association, accused European Union leaders Sunday of not …

WASHINGTON – The Los Angeles City Council’s latest move to force companies seeking contracts with the city to disclose whether they ever earned profits fromslavery (search)has reparations opponents sounding off. On May 16, the city council unanimously voted to have the city attorney draft a new ordinance dictating full disclosure …

And now the most intriguing two minutes in television, the latest from the wartime grapevine: FOX Fans: Missed the Grapevine? Watch it in the Screening Room! Saddam’s Next Move? Exiled Iraqi military generals now returning to Iraq warn thatSaddam Hussein (search)from inside the country is plotting to regain control of …

ATHENS, Greece – Three seamen held hostage for about three weeks after pirates attacked their tanker off Nigeria have been freed and will be repatriated, the ship’s management company says. The men, two Greeks and a Pakistani, are currently undergoing medical examinations and receiving treatment in Nigeria, Aeolos Management said …

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has shut down Puerto Rico-based Doral Bank. Banco Popular will take over most of the operations of what once the U.S. territory’s fourth largest bank. Doral Bank had $5.9 billion in total assets and $4.1 billion in total deposits. It …

BEIJING – A human rights group says American geologist Xue Feng has been released after serving more than eight years in a Chinese prison on charges of procuring state secrets. The San Francisco-based Dui Hua foundation says Xue Feng returned to his family in Houston, Texas, on Friday. The 50-year-old …