The founder of a leading independent weekly publication critical of authorities in the restive province of Dagestan in Russia's North Caucasus has been shot dead outside the newspaper's office, police said Friday.

Khadzhimurad Kamalov's paper Chernovik (Rough Draft) has reported extensively on police abuses in the fight against an Islamist insurgency that originated in neighboring Chechnya and has spread across Russia's Caucasus region. Kamalov founded the weekly in 2003, worked as its editor for several years and remained its publisher until his killing late Thursday.

Federal authorities blamed Lebanese financial institutions Thursday for wiring more than $300 million into the United States in a money-laundering scheme they said used the U.S. financial system to benefit Hizbullah.

The U.S. government said in the lawsuit filed in a Manhattan federal court that it seeks nearly a half-billion dollars in money-laundering penalties from some Lebanese financial entities, 30 U.S. car buyers and a U.S. shipping company. It also said it's entitled to claim their assets as forfeitable under U.S. money-laundering laws.

Three men who plotted a suicide attack against an Australian army base because they believed Islam was under threat from Western nations were sentenced Friday to more than 13 years in prison.

The men — Australian citizens originally from Somalia and Lebanon — were convicted last year of conspiring to plot a terrorist attack against Holsworthy Barracks, an army base on the outskirts of Sydney. Officials said the group planned to send a team of men with automatic rifles into the base in a bid to kill as many soldiers as possible.

The U.S. administration on Thursday placed Saleh al-Qarawi, a senior Saudi member of the Lebanon-based Abdullah Azzam Brigades, on its blacklist of global terrorists.

The move freezes any assets held by Qarawi in the United States and bans Americans from doing business with him.

Silent film is taking over Hollywood's awards scene. The silent-era tale "The Artist" heads the Golden Globes with six nominations, among them best comedy or musical, and acting honors for its French stars, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo.

Tied for second-place with five nominations Thursday are the 1960s racial tale "The Help" and George Clooney's Hawaiian family story "The Descendants." Both films are up for best drama, while Clooney was nominated for best dramatic actor and "The Help" earned acting slots for Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain.

Barcelona set up a Club World Cup showdown with South American champion Santos by brushing aside Qatari club al-Sadd 4-0 Thursday in the semifinals.

Adriano scored two first-half goals to lead Barcelona, which will be returning to the Club World Cup final for the first time since 2009 when the team beat Argentine club Estudiantes. Seydou Keita and Maxwell added the others for the Champions League champions.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has dismissed talk of his side's title chances as the Serie A's joint leader prepares to take on struggling Novara on Sunday.

Juventus, which was held to a 1-1 draw at Roma on Monday, is now level on 30 points with Udinese at the top of the standings.

Real Madrid is facing a tough test at fifth-place Sevilla on Saturday as it looks to rebound from another loss to Barcelona in the Spanish league.

A win at Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium would move Madrid three points ahead of Barcelona, which has already played its 16th round match so it can compete in the Club World Cup.

Albert Costa is stepping down as Spain's Davis Cup captain to become the coordinator of the Spanish federation's national teams.

After three years and two Davis Cup titles, Costa will now preside over the captains of Spain's Davis Cup, Fed Cup and Olympic teams.

The fastest man on legs is taking on the fastest on wheels for the top prize at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Usain Bolt, who won two gold medals at the 2011 world championships, and Sebastian Vettel, who became Formula One's youngest two-time champion in November, are among the nominees for the 2012 honors.