Iraq US forces shot and wounded Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena and killed an Italian secret service agent who tried to protect her, darkening celebrations over the end of her one-month hostage ordeal. US-Lebanon-Syria President George W. Bush stepped up calls for a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, warning the Damascus government that there could be "no half-hearted measures." US Michael Jackson's lawyer savaged the credibility of his child abuse accuser's sister, forcing her to admit she lied and casting doubt on claims the family was kidnapped. NIreland Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, opened its annual conference in Dublin in the throes of a crisis triggered by a murder and a bank robbery. Lebanon-Syria Embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is poised to announce a major troop redeployment in neighbouring Lebanon, officials said, but it was unclear how far the pullback would go to meet UN demands for a complete withdrawal. China Premier Wen Jiabao admitted China faced "glaring" social problems and pledged more help for the poor to deal with simmering unrest as he forecast economic growth of eight percent this year. Mideast Buoyed by massive public support, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon looked more determined than ever to end Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip, defying furious opposition within his own Likud party. Vatican Pope John Paul II will perform his traditional Angelus blessing from his hospital window this weekend, the Vatican said, even though doctors have yet to decide on a date for his discharge.