Billy Idol plays fan’s birthday party in Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle man says that having Billy Idol play his 26th birthday party made for the greatest night of his life.

Michael Henrichsen spent two years persuading the British rock icon to play his party, and it paid off Friday at the packed Showbox SoDo club.

Idol guitarist Steve Stevens played him ‘Happy Birthday’ in the middle of a solo. Then Idol called Henrichsen onto the stage for a rendition of the song.

Henrichsen’s ’80s cover band opened for the show.

Idol says Henrichsen’s effort stood out from other fan requests because his campaign involved four “Billy Idol Aid” charity concerts that raised $ 13,000 for the Northwest Harvest food bank and the American Red Cross.

Idol says playing Henrichsen’s party in Seattle might help fans see another side of him.

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Lull in fighting between Israel, Gaza militants

JERUSALEM (AP) — A flare-up in fighting between Israel and militants from Gaza’s ruling Hamas movement has subsided.

Both sides say the government in Egypt helped to restore calm.

Israeli defense official Amos Gilad told Army Radio on Thursday that Egyptian security forces have “a very impressive ability” to convey to the militants that it is in their “supreme interest not to attack.”

Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha says Egypt conveyed Israel’s desire to contain the violence. He says Hamas told Egyptian that militants would cease fire if Israel would.

The Israeli military says militants haven’t attacked southern Israel since Wednesday night. It says the military hasn’t struck Gaza since Wednesday morning.

Militants fired some 80 rockets and mortars at Israel on Wednesday and Israeli aircraft struck four times.

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