North Korea said it rescinded its invitation for a U.S. envoy to visit the country to seek the freedom of an American detainee because Washington perpetrated a "grave provocation" by allegedly mobilizing nuclear-capable bombers during recent military drills with Seoul.

The moves signal that possible informal negotiations between the two countries over detainee Kenneth Bae were not going smoothly, with Pyongyang seeking some concessions from Washington in return for releasing the man, analysts said.

Stand by for one of the nastiest and, perhaps most economically dangerous U.S. political fights in recent memory.

As the languorous Washington summer draws to a close, Congress returns to the capital next month with stark battle lines drawn on spending issues that, if left unresolved, could shove the United States into defaulting on its debt for the first time or force the government to shut down for lack of funding. Conservative Republicans threaten one or both unless Democrats and the White House surrender to right wing demands to slash spending for President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she'll press for progress on financial regulation at next week's summit of global economic powers, which comes ahead of Sept. 22 elections in which she's seeking a third term.

Merkel said in her weekly video message Saturday: "Germany will, along with other countries, exert pressure so that we do not let up in the regulation of financial markets."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has launched a review of whether it should take North Pacific humpback whales off the endangered species list.

NOAA Fisheries is responding to a petition filed by a group of Hawaii fishermen saying the whale should no longer be classified as endangered because its population has steadily grown since the international community banned commercial whaling nearly 50 years ago.

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka wants to leave the Spanish club after seeing that his role as a bench player has not changed under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Kaka said late Thursday that he wanted to change clubs after scoring two goals in a friendly for Madrid.

Bayern Munich and France midfielder Franck Ribery won the UEFA Best Player in Europe award for the 2012-2013 season on Thursday, beating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by a big margin.

Ribery earned 36 votes in the poll of journalists from across Europe — 23 more than four-time reigning world player of the year Messi. Real Madrid forward Ronaldo won three votes.

Forward Alessandro Matri has transferred from Juventus to Serie A title rival AC Milan in an unpopular move among Rossoneri fans.

The move was announced on Milan's TV station late Thursday, with the transfer price reportedly 11 million euros ($14.6 million).

Barcelona will face seven-time winner AC Milan in the Champions League for the third straight season, while Bayern Munich begins the defense of its title in a group containing Manchester City.

Thursday's draw in Monaco put Barcelona in Group H with Milan, Ajax and Celtic — four teams who have been European champions 16 times between them.

Usain Bolt considered it his worst race of the season, yet he still won the 100 meters at the Weltklasse Diamond League meeting in 9.90 seconds.

The world and Olympic champion had the slowest reaction out of the starting blocks, and was led deep into the race Thursday by fellow Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade.

Britain advised its citizens on Friday against all but essential travel to Lebanon, citing a recent uptick in violence and wider tensions in the region.

The Foreign Office said in the advice that British nationals already in the country should consider leaving if it is not essential for them to be here.