BOSTON.COM WIRE SERVICE
Automatically updated at 03:37 AM

Gold Up
LONDON (AP) Gold bullion opened Friday at a bid price of $277.30 a troy ounce, up from $277.20 late Thursday.

Barak offers state to Palestinians in peace accord
JERUSALEM (AP) In Prime Minister Ehud Barak's clearest statement yet about Palestinian statehood, he offered the Palestinians an independent state if they formally end their conflict with Israel.

Sri Lanka's Parliament dissolved, elections set for Oct. 10
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) President Chandrika Kumaratunga dissolved the Sri Lankan Parliament on Friday, six days before the end of its six-year term, and scheduled general elections for October, an official spokesman said.

Muslim rebels demand another $1 million for release of Malaysians
JOLO, Philippines (AP) Muslim rebels holding 28 hostages on a remote Philippine island are demanding another $1 million for the release of three Malaysians, negotiators said Friday.

Dollar Up
TOKYO (AP) The dollar was trading at 108.84 yen on the Tokyo foreign exchange market at 3 p.m. (2 a.m. EDT) Friday, up 0.44 yen from late Thursday.

Stocks Up
TOKYO (AP) The Nikkei Stock Average of 225 issues closed at 16,280.49 points on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Friday, up 119.46 points, or 0.74 percent from Thursday.

After moment of triumph, Colombian army tries to explain children's deaths
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Only days ago, the Colombian army was basking in praise after soldiers rescued hostages held by guerrillas. Now, the army is trying to explain the deaths of six children allegedly gunned down by its troops.

Design controversy takes center stage in Beijing theater drama
BEIJING (AP) To admirers it's a pearl, to critics an expensive mistake. China's planned national theater has become a drama in itself, dogged by a controversy that threatens to bring the curtain down on the whole project.

Gadhafi tries for glory with bid to free hostages
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has been trying to grab the world's attention ever since international sanctions against his country were suspended last year.

'Don't go. Don't go': Korean families bid farewell after reunions
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Weeping and embracing each other at the end of temporary reunions, North and South Korean family members who met this week after 50 years of separation parted ways again Friday.