NEW YORK — ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff returned to Iraq yesterday for the first time since he was nearly killed there by a roadside bomb more than three years ago.

Woodruff is on a reporting trip that left Washington with Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"I have wanted to 'get back on the horse again' since my recovery," Woodruff said in a blog post. "This will be a different horse, probably not as big, not as fast ... "

Woodruff suffered a serious brain injury from the Jan. 29, 2006, bomb that exploded while he was riding in an Iraqi army tank. He returned to ABC News after a 13-month recovery, and he's reported extensively on the plight of people severely injured in the war.

A sandstorm disrupted ABC's satellite capabilities and foiled his first report, scheduled to air on "World News" yesterday.

JACKSON TOUR MERCHANDISE TO HIT STORES

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's comeback concerts will never happen, but you can still get the T-shirt.

Merchandise from Jackson's "This Is It" tour, which was scheduled to begin yesterday in London, will be available online and at retailers across the United States.

Jackson helped design the concert T-shirts and other show souvenirs, said a spokesman for the merchandising company, Bravado.

Among the items for sale: commemorative T-shirts, belt buckles, caps, sunglasses and mugs. A varsity jacket modeled after the one Jackson wore in the "Thriller" video will also be available.

Jackson died June 25 in Los Angeles while preparing for the 50-date concert tour.

DEAL KEEPS SEACREST ON 'IDOL' THOUGH 2012

NEW YORK — Ryan Seacrest has signed a lucrative new deal that keeps him hosting "American Idol" through 2012 as well as participating in new projects.

The partnership, announced yesterday by 19 Entertainment, provides an opportunity for on-air-personality/producer Seacrest and his Ryan Seacrest Productions banner to work with "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller on new entertainment endeavors.

Fuller's 19 Entertainment has created and produced TV hits including "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance?"

Although the announcement specified no dollar figure, The Hollywood Reporter pegged the deal at $45 million.

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS SECURES EMMYS GIG

NEW YORK — Neil Patrick Harris, who won critical acclaim hosting last month's Tonys, will fill the same role for the prime-time Emmys.

He had been rumored for more than a week to have the job. CBS made it official yesterday.

Harris said he looks forward to "adding my own voice" to the ceremony, which airs Sept. 20 from Los Angeles.