Dotcom 'in tears' after Megaupload files deleted
Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom says he's "in tears" after a European company announced it had deleted all the data it was hosting from the shuttered file-sharing site.

Venezuela: Plane that disappeared in '08 found
Venezuelan authorities say the undersea wreckage of a small plane that disappeared five years ago with 14 people aboard has been found.

Bus falls into river in Peru, killing at least 30
Police in central Peru say a bus veered off a highway and fell into a river, leaving at least 30 people dead and nine missing.

Few options for Brazil leader in face of protests
With massive protests by middle-class Brazilians demanding wholesale government reforms, people all over this continent-sized country have reached a verdict on the streets and online

Russia could stand in way of Obama's nuclear plan
By saying he intends to bargain with Russia over reductions in nuclear weapons, rather than make cuts on his own, President Barack Obama is asking for cooperation from a former Cold War foe that's in no mood to agree.

US calls out China, Russia over human trafficking
The U.S. is criticizing China and Russia for failing to meet minimum standards in fighting human trafficking, ranking them on a par with North Korea and Syria.

Intel chief presses Pentagon to be more humane
The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee opposes the force-feeding of terror suspects at the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -- and is pressing the Pentagon to establish a more humane treatment.

Syria infiltrators clash at border with Jordanian military
Jordan's military said Wednesday that infiltrators from Syria have clashed with soldiers near the border -- leaving one person dead and two others wounded.

Secret hearings debated in Guantanamo 9/11 case
Prosecutors in the Sept. 11 war crimes case at the Guantanamo Naval prison in Cuba are asking a judge to allow secret pretrial hearings that would exclude even the defendants.

Chile presidential candidate attacked with raw eggs
Chilean protesters on Wednesday tossed raw eggs at a conservative presidential candidate after he performed a Zumba dance.

Militants kill six Pakistani soldiers in attack on convoy
A senior police official said Wednesday that militants attacked a military convoy with rocket-propelled grenades and other heavy weapons in northwest Pakistan, killing six soldiers.

Militants attack UN compound in Somalia, 13 killed
More than a dozen people are dead after an attack on the U.N. compound in Somalia on Wednesday by seven militants with links to al-Qaida, officials said.

Defense says US man never joined al-Qaida group
Defense lawyers said Wednesday that a U.S. Army veteran was confused and mistaken when he told authorities he fought with an al-Qaida group seeking to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Obama relishes weather, crowds in trip to Berlin
President Barack Obama should have felt right at home in his visit to Germany on Wednesday, with summer weather that felt more like Washington than Berlin -- and a large crowd waiting to hear him speak.

Top ally of ex-Liberian president found in Sierra Leone
A notorious arms supplier and top associate of former Liberian President Charles Taylor has been living freely in Sierra Leone's capital city, according to United Nations experts.

US and Cuba to resume migration talks
A State Department official said the United States and Cuba have agreed to resume bilateral talks on migration issues next month, in the latest evidence of a thaw in chilly relations.

Tunisia arrests Muslim cleric for hardline sermon
Tunisian police arrested an imam after he delivered a sermon described as "insubordinate" -- in the first high-profile arrest since the government began taking a harder line toward religious conservatives.

Italy's first black minister greeted with death threats
Italy's first black Cabinet minister is facing Internet death threats before a visit to a region known for its anti-immigrant political base.

Swiss lawmakers reject deal on banking secrecy
Switzerland lawmakers have for the second time rejected a proposal to relax Swiss banking secrecy laws -- a move that would help the country's banks avoid facing U.S. criminal charges for shielding tax cheats.

Obama issues global call to tackle climate change
In a speech Wednesday in Berlin, President Obama issued a call to tackle global warming -- an issue he has promised to make a priority since his 2008 presidential campaign.

Ex-Pope John Paul II one step closer to sainthood
Former Pope John Paul II has moved one step closer to sainthood -- as a commission of theologians approved a miracle attributed to his intercession, which clears a key hurdle.

Iran's electoral watchdog approves election result
Iran's state TV is reporting the country's election overseer, the Guardian Council, has approved Friday's presidential election result, affirming a first-round victory by a relative moderate.

Russia unsure what to make of Obama's nuclear proposal
The Russian government has reacted skeptically to President Barack Obama's renewed call on Wednesday for a reduction in U.S. and Russian nuclear weapon stockpiles.

Ex-Hungarian prime minister, Cold War figure dies
Gyula Horn, a former Hungarian prime minister who played a key role in opening the Iron Curtain, has died at the age of 80.

British supreme court overturns sanctions on Iran bank
Britain's Supreme Court has eliminated sanctions against an Iranian bank, which was penalized over its alleged links to the nation's nuclear weapons program.

Obama calls for reduction of US, Russian nukes
In a wide-ranging speech in Germany, President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for the reduction of U.S. and Russian nuclear stockpiles -- and to confront the "global threat" of climate change.

Jamaica eyes expatriates as source of investment
In a bid to kick start Jamaica's chronically stagnant economy, the Caribbean country is wooing its citizens living abroad to invest in the island of their birth

Brazil lawmakers OK bill for treatment of gays
A Brazilian congressional human rights committee on Thursday approved legislation that would allow psychologists to treat homosexuality as a disorder or pathology

US senators urge Kerry to review Honduras' aid
U.S. senators are urging Secretary of State John Kerry to order a review of aid for Honduras' police and military amid allegations of abuse and human rights violations

US Senators say arming Syrian rebels not enough
A bipartisan trio of key senators is demanding that President Barack Obama take more decisive action to stem the military advance by Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces.

Argentine Supreme Court rejects judicial reform
Argentina's Supreme Court has struck down key elements of a judicial reform the government hoped would rapidly make the courts more responsive to majority rule.

Ammunition fire rages at Russian military base
Exploding shells set off a fire that was triggering explosions at a military depot in southern Russia, injuring about 30 people and causing the evacuation of more than 6,000 from a nearby village, investigators said.

US war games sends clear signal to Syrian president
Under the watchful eye of stern-faced American advisers, hundreds of U.S.-trained Jordanian commandos fanned across a dusty desert plain, holding war games that could eventually form the basis of an assault in Syria.

UN likely to expand Golan peacekeeping force
The Security Council president says the U.N. is likely to expand its peacekeeping force in the disputed Golan Heights with more troops and heavy weapons.

Cuban family says repression forced them to flee to US
The daughter of a prominent Cuban dissident, who died in a car crash, said her family decided to seek refuge in the U.S. after facing continued repression in their home country.

Judge urges new approach for Gitmo detainee cases
A federal appeals court judge said it's time for President Obama and Congress to consider a different approach to the handling of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay Naval prison.

Italy's highest court says Amanda Knox acquittal was flawed
Italy's highest court on Tuesday explained why it reversed the acquittal of American student Amanda Knox -- saying the decision acquitting her of murder was full of contradictions.

Star-studded party for Israeli president's 90th birthday
Israeli and global leaders, local celebrities and Hollywood superstars celebrated under one roof to honor Israeli President Shimon Peres for his upcoming 90th birthday.

Piracy in West Africa outstrips Somalia, report says
A new report said Tuesday that piracy affected more ships and sailors off the coast of West Africa than off Somalia's coast last year -- and totaled nearly $1 billion.

Syrian currency takes hit amid US plans to arm rebels
Many exchange shops closed in Damascus on Tuesday, fearing more chaos a day after the Syrian currency plunged to a new record low -- reflecting fears in the capital following a U.S. decision to arm rebel groups.

Suicide bombing at funeral kills nearly 30 in Pakistan
An eyewitness on Tuesday said that as many as 800 people were attending a funeral when a suicide bomber struck -- and killed nearly 30 people.

Fears of violence as Egypt nears June 30 protests
Massive protests that Egypt's opposition plans for June 30 are taking on a dangerous edge -- as opponents of President Mohammed Morsi feel that this may be the best and perhaps the last opportunity to drive him from power.

G-8 summit ends with semi-agreement on Syria's future
The host of the now-concluded G-8 summit, Britain's David Cameron, said Tuesday that it is "unthinkable" that Bashar Assad might play a role in Syria's future government.

Obama begins 24-hour trip to Germany
President Barack Obama on Tuesday opened a 24-hour visit to Germany, the culmination of which will be a speech on Wednesday at Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Son, daughter of ex-Libyan leader likely violated sanctions
The committee monitoring U.N. sanctions against Libya said a son and daughter of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi violated a U.N. travel ban when they moved from Algeria to Oman.

Israeli leader says pressure on Iran must continue
Israel's prime minister said Tuesday that the international community must keep applying pressure on Iran, particularly because of the new election of a reformist president.

Obama says new Taliban office is important first step
President Barack Obama said the opening of a Taliban political office in Qatar is an important first step toward reconciliation between the group and Afghanistan's government. But he says the process won't be quick or easy.

US, France try to find common ground on Syria
President Obama and French President Francois Hollande believe they have strong evidence of chemical weapon use by the Syrian government, and are discussing potential next steps to calm the violence in that nation's ongoing civil war.

'Sun' foreign correspondent charged in bribery probe
British police said Tuesday that the chief foreign correspondent for The Sun has been charged with making corrupt payments to public officials -- in the latest of a series of bribery-related charges filed against members of the tabloid.

Romanian pop star says manager beat her over money
Prosecutors are investigating a Romanian pop singer's claim that she was beaten up by her manager-boyfriend after a dispute over money -- igniting a debate about domestic violence in the conservative European nation.

Murder of US banker in Puerto Rico unsolved, lawsuit filed
The widow of a banking executive who was murdered in Puerto Rico has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his employer's CEO and other high-ranking officials.

Egypt, Ethiopia agree to talks about Nile dam
The foreign ministers of Egypt and Ethiopia say their countries have agreed to start consultations aimed at resolving their conflict over Ethiopia's huge dam.

World's 3 biggest shipping operators unite
Danish shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk says the world's three biggest shipping container operators have entered an alliance to reduce fuel consumption.

Officials: Bomb kills 12 in northwest Pakistan
A Pakistani spokesman says a bomb blast at a funeral in northwestern Pakistan has killed 12 people.

Bus plunges off road in China, 11 dead
State media say a bus carrying 35 people has plunged into a valley in western China, killing at least 11 people.

Russia to ban adoption by same-sex couples
Russia is prohibiting all adoption by same-sex couples and also banning the adoption of Russian children by single people or unmarried couples.

Chevron secures Iraqi Kurdish oil deal
U.S. oil giant Chevron says it has signed a deal with Iraq's Kurdish regional government to expand its oil exploration territory in the northern self-rule region.

Mayor of Montreal arrested
A spokeswoman for Quebec's anti-corruption unit says Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum has been arrested.

Danish mothers hold public breastfeeding protest
Hundreds of Danish mothers have held a breastfeeding protest outside Copenhagen's City Hall after customers at a cafe told a woman suckling her baby in public that it was disgusting

Outgoing ambassador calls Keystone very important
U.S. Ambassador to Canada says the Obama administration knows how important the controversial Keystone XL pipeline is to Canada

Canada to provide $98.4 million in aid to Jordan
Canada has pledged an additional $98.4 million to Jordan to help the Arab country cope with the costly fallout from the worsening crisis next door in Syria

Israel picks team to build high-speed web network
An Israeli committee has chosen a consortium led by Swedish company ViaEuropa to build a nationwide high-speed broadband network, which is expected to provide connections up to one gigabyte.

US-North Korea talks must include nuke issues, UN says
A U.N. spokesman on Monday said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon believes any dialogue between the United States and North Korea should focus on the goal of de-nuclearizing the Korean peninsula.

Venezuelan president seeks canonization for doctor
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has asked Pope Francis to canonize a doctor, who tended to the poor in Caracas and is considered a saint already by many Venezuelans.

US intelligence helped foil terror plot, German leader says
Germany's chancellor said Monday that U.S. intelligence was crucial in foiling a large-scale terror plot, and acknowledged that her country is "dependent" on cooperating with American spy services.

Allies of Iran's outgoing president suffer clear rejection
Allies of outgoing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have suffered a resounding defeat in local council elections, a clear rejection at the end of his term.

Independent-minded Kurds fight for place in Syria civil war
Taking advantage of the chaos of the civil war, Syria's Kurdish minority has carved out a degree of independence in their areas -- creating their own police, their own license plates, and boldly going public with their culture.

Syria president says Europe 'will pay' if it arms rebels
Syria's president on Monday warned that Europe "will pay a price" if it delivers weapons to rebels fighting to topple him -- something the U.S. has already pledged to do.

Trial of Libyan Gadhafi's son scheduled for August
A Libyan official said on Monday the trial of ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi's son -- along with his spy chief and last prime minister -- will take place in August.

Yemen protesters demand Gitmo detainees release
Yemeni and American rights protesters staged a demonstration on Monday in front of U.S. Embassy in the capital city of Sanaa, demanding release of Yemeni Guantanamo detainees.

Obama, Putin discuss their differences on Syria
President Barack Obama and Russia's Vladimir Putin have what Obama called a "different perspective" on Syria -- which was the topic of discussion Monday at the G-8 summit in Northern Ireland.

G-8 summit begins with focus on trade, Syria
As the G-8 summit gets underway in Northern Ireland, leaders of eight of the world's wealthiest nations are looking for progress on lowering trans-Atlantic trade barriers.

Hamas urges former ally Hezbollah to leave Syria
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has urged Lebanon's Hezbollah, a former ally, to withdraw its fighters from Syria, signaling growing sectarian tensions over the war there.

Airport to Mount Everest presents a risky flight
At an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet, the small airstrip has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Miss the runway by a few feet and the plane would hit a mountain.

Anger in southern Egypt over Islamist governor
Egyptians in the ancient city of Luxor are voicing anger after a man linked to a former Islamic militant group, that killed nearly 60 tourists in the 1990s, was appointed governor of their province.

Kenya police kill two men labeled as terror suspects
An official in Kenya said Monday that police shot and killed two men labeled by authorities as terror suspects -- one of whom was an expert in explosives.

Chinese supercomputer named as world's fastest
China has built the world's fastest computer for a second time, beating the U.S.'s Titan machine.

3 deadly bombing attacks in Iraq
Three bombing attacks in Iraq have killed at least 12 people today.

US First Lady urges youth to shape Nor. Ireland future
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has urged the young people of Northern Ireland to take a fresh perspective to help solve the country's historic problems.

9/11 accused due back in court at Guantanamo
Five Guantanamo Bay prisoners accused of helping orchestrate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are due back in court.

In Israel, Streisand slams treatment of women
Entertainment star Barbra Streisand is attacking Jewish religious practices in Israel that treat women differently from men.

Egypt seen to give nod toward jihadis on Syria
Under Hosni Mubarak's rule, Egypt's authorities took a tough line on Egyptians coming home

Israeli and Palestinian finance ministers meet
Israeli and Palestinian finance ministers have agreed on a series of economic cooperation projects.

Small protest in front of Rio's Maracana stadium
Brazilian police have dispersed a small protest against a public transport fare hike that broke out in front of Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium

Czech prime minister says he will resign
Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas says he will resign because a top aide of his has been charged with abuse of power.

Report: UK spies hacked foreign diplomats
The Guardian newspaper says that the British eavesdropping agency GCHQ hacked into the emails and phones of foreign diplomats

G-8 leaders to mull Syria, tax evasion, free trade
Police are expected to outnumber protesters this week at the G-8 summit in Northern Ireland

Hardline Egypt cleric sentenced for burning Bible
Egypt's official news agency says a hardline Muslim cleric has received an 11-year suspended sentence for tearing up and burning a Bible.

G8 faces uncertain recoveries, turbulent markets
Europe is mired in debt and recession. Financial markets have hit violent ups and downs on fears that U.S. stimulus efforts may soon be scaled back

NKorea proposes talks with Washington
North Korea's top government body is proposing high-level nuclear and security talks with the United States days after a planned meeting with rival South Korea collapsed.

Beyond NYC: Other places adapting to climate, too
From Bangkok to Miami, cities and coastal areas across the globe are already building or planning defenses to protect millions of people and key infrastructure from more powerful storm surges and other effects of global warming

Earthquake strikes south of Mexican capital
A strong earthquake has been felt in Mexico City, shaking buildings

Syria: Sunni extremists blow up Shiite mosque
Syrian activists say Sunni extremists have blown up a Shiite mosque in eastern Syria in yet another sign of the sectarian hatred growing in the country's civil war.

Pope blesses hundreds of Harley Davidsons
Biker culture has come to the Vatican

Mandela seeing sustained improvement in health
South Africa's president says that Nelson Mandela is seeing sustained improvement from the recurring lung infection that is forcing him to spend a ninth day in the hospital.

Iran reformists dance in streets for new moderate president
There are wild celebrations on the streets of Tehran after reformist-backed Hasan Rowhani (hah-SAHN' roh-HAH'-nee) capped a stunning surge to claim Iran's presidency on Saturday.

Riot police disperse protesters in Istanbul park
Riot police in Turkey have cleared protesters out of Istanbul's Taksim (tahk-SIHM') Square and neighboring Gezi (GEH'-zee) Park

Brazilians demonstrate against Confederations Cup
Police say about 1,000 people in the Brazilian capital have protested against the Confederations Cup

Egypt cuts relations with Syrian government
Egypt's Islamist president says he is cutting off diplomatic relations with Syria and has ordered that Damascus Embassy in Cairo to be closed.

Dutch couple kidnapped in Yemen's capital
Yemeni security officials say a Dutch couple is believed to have been kidnapped from the capital, Sanaa.

US-bound Egypt plane diverted after threat
A plane from Cairo bound for New York's John F. Kennedy airport has been forced to make an emergency landing

Strong earthquake reported off Nicaragua coast
The U.S. Geological Service says a strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake has been registered off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua.

Scarlett Johansson sues over French book
Actress Scarlett Johansson is suing a French publishing house over a novel that uses her name and image and explores the challenges of being beautiful.

Europe TV chief: Turn Greek channel on
The head of Europe's public broadcasters has arrived in Greece to show support for 2,600 fired state TV and radio staff

Europe seeks ways to ease youth unemployment
Economic and labor ministers from France, Germany, Italy and Spain are meeting in Rome to find a way to reduce record youth unemployment.

AP IMPACT: Commander of Nazi-led unit lives in US
BERLIN (AP) A top commander of a Nazi SS-led unit accused of burning villages filled with women and children has been living in Minnesota

Ex-Mexican governor embezzled millions, police say
Authorities have detained a former Mexican governor who is being investigated for allegedly embezzling millions of dollars from state coffers in a case rife with reports of extravagant personal spending.

Riddick Bowe proves big flop in Thai kickboxing
The former world heavyweight boxing champion had hoped to prove his critics wrong and show that he could comeback from retirement into an entirely new sport and revive some of his past glory.

Venezuela OKs conditional freedom for judge
Venezuelan authorities have granted conditional freedom to a judge who has been detained since 2009 and whose cause has been taken up by opposition leaders and international human rights groups.

Black rugby player awaits moment with African team
A black player is set to make his debut with a South African rugby team on Saturday after rising from a poor township in the home province of former president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

US to decide which weapons, how many to send to Syria
Now that President Obama has decided to send arms to Syrian rebels, decisions still have to be made regarding exactly what type of weapons -- and how many -- to send, and how to make sure they stay out of the wrong hands.

Iraqi election candidate killed by gunmen in drive-by shooting
Iraqi officials said Friday that gunmen have killed a provincial election candidate in a drive-by-shooting, as the man was walking home in the town of Mosul.

Syrian rebels hope to receive U.S. weapons soon
The commander of the main Western-backed rebel group fighting in Syria said on Friday he hopes U.S. weapons will be in the hands of rebels in the near future.

Syrian gov't used sarin gas twice, US ambassador says
A U.S. ambassador revealed details on Friday of two alleged incidents in which the Syrian government used the nerve agent sarin on its own people in March and April.

Bulgaria media mogul elected security chief
The Bulgarian parliament's quick appointment of a legislator and media mogul to head the country's security service sparked massive protests Friday and prompted the president to demand the decision be immediately reversed.

Ecuador's legislature passes restrictive media law
Ecuador's congress on Friday approved a communications bill that creates official media overseers, imposes sanctions for smearing "people's good name" and redistributes radio and TV frequencies.

Brazil protesters promise more demonstrations soon
Protesters on Friday promised more organized action across Brazil in the days to come, following clashes in which police faced thousands of young demonstrators angered by hikes in bus and subway fares.

Guantanamo court held in secret without accused
Prosecutors and defense attorneys have held a session of the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal so shrouded in secrecy that even the defendant wasn't permitted to attend.

Guatemalan police ambushed, eight officers killed
Officials said Friday that a heavily armed group ambushed and killed eight Guatemalan police officers in a township about 120 miles west of the capital, Guatemala City.

Prince Philip 'much better,' says Prince Charles
Britain's Prince Charles has visited his his father Prince Philip in the hospital and reported that he is doing much better following his abdominal surgery.

Syrian military officers, families cross border to Turkey
Turkey's state-run news agency said Friday that nearly 75 Syrian military officers — including generals and colonels — have crossed the border with their families "seeking refuge" in Turkey.

UN climate talks marred by decision-making spat
U.N. climate talks have hit a stumbling block that some delegates say poses a serious challenge to their already slow-moving effort to institute a global response to climate change.

Long lines as Iranians vote in presidential election
Iranian voters went to the polls on Friday to chose from among five hard-line presidential candidates, and one moderate -- around whom reformers have rallied.

UN chief opposes US decision to arm Syrian rebels
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is against the U.S. decision to send arms to the Syrian rebels, adding that there can be no certainty of chemical weapons use in Syria without an on-the-ground investigation.

Britain urges airlines not to let NSA leaker on flights to UK
The British government on Friday issued an alert to airlines around the world, urging them not to allow former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden to board flights to the United Kingdom.

Obama steps up military aid to Syrian rebels
President Barack Obama's decision to authorize lethal aid to Syrian rebels marks a deepening of U.S. involvement in the two-year civil war.

Pope wades diplomatically into gay marriage debate
Pope Francis waded diplomatically into the gay marriage debate Friday, telling the Archbishop of Canterbury he wants to work together to promote family values "based on marriage."

Pioneering Russian woman's spaceflight marked
On the 50th anniversary of becoming the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova has received a prestigious award from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Grenade hurled at Libyan TV station in Benghazi
Libya's first independent TV says a hand grenade was hurled at its building in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Ideas for keeping you data safe from spying
Phone call logs, credit card records, emails, Skype chats, Facebook message, and more: The precise nature of the NSA's surveillance has yet to be confirmed.

Conclusive evidence of chemical weapons in Syria
The White House says the United States has conclusive evidence Syrian government forces used chemical weapons against the opposition

Vietnam arrests well-known blogger for criticism
Vietnamese police have arrested one of the country's better known bloggers for posting criticism

Putin: IMF needs reform
Russian President Vladimir Putin, preparing for next week's G-8 summit, says reforming the International Monetary Fund should be a top issue among the world's economic powers.

China arrests US teacher for alleged child molests
China has arrested an American teacher on suspicion of molesting six children at a school in Shanghai.

Guantanamo court goes into secret session
The war crimes tribunal for the Guantanamo prisoner charged in the attack on the USS Cole is going into a closed session dealing with a subject so secret even the defendant can't hear it.

Nicaragua approving massive $40B canal project
A multi-billion dollar plan to plow a massive rival to the Panama Canal, across the middle of Nicaragua, was headed for approval by the nation's leftist-controlled National Assembly on Thursday.

US researchers explore deep Caribbean reefs
Scientists with the Smithsonian Institution have discovered at least one new fish species at a deep reef, where they are conducting a year-long project to monitor climate change effects in the Caribbean.

New YouTube video stirs controversy for Israeli army
A new video on YouTube -- showing a group of female soldiers dancing suggestively around a rifle in what appears to be a military barracks -- is causing the latest embarrassment for the Israeli military.

Former Argentine president gets 7-year prison sentence
Former Argentine President Carlos Menem was sentenced on Thursday to seven years in prison for smuggling weapons to Ecuador and Croatia -- in violation of international embargoes in the 1990s.

Police raid site linked to Mayor's alleged crack video
Canadian police conducted a series of early morning raids on Thursday, targeting a gang that operates at an apartment complex that is linked to a video purportedly showing the mayor of Toronto smoking crack cocaine.

Sunni governor escapes assassination in Iraq
Iraqi officials said Thursday that the governor of Iraq's northern Sunni-dominated province of Ninevah has escaped an assassination attempt that left two people dead and three others wounded.

UN asks Austria to delay pullout from Golan Heights
U.N. peacekeepers are asking Austrian officials to ensure that its withdrawal of peacekeepers from the Golan Heights area isn't completed until at least the end of July -- to ensure a smooth transition with incoming troops.

Tunisia rapper gets 2 years prison for police song
The lawyer of a Tunisian rapper said Thursday his client has been convicted of inciting violence against officials and insulting police, and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Seven dead after truck slams into Mexican teacher protest
A tanker truck carrying tar on Thursday slammed into a Mexican highway toll booth that had temporarily been taken over by protesting teachers -- killing at least seven people, authorities said.

Thousands protest Yemen security force 'excesses'
Yemeni security officials say thousands have protested in the capital against "excesses" by security forces, calling for the overthrow of the president and national security apparatus.

Hidden microphones pulled from rooms at Guantanamo
The officer in charge of the operations of the Guantanamo Bay prison said Thursday that hidden listening devices have been removed from rooms used by defense lawyers to meet with prisoners.

Egypt says citizens free to join fight in Syria
A senior official in Egypt's presidency said Thursday that Egyptians are free to join the fight in Syria if they wish -- adding that they will not be prosecuted upon return.

Gaza suffers drop in foreign aid over Syrian war
Many in the Gaza Strip say Iran, an ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and a former major financial backer of Hamas, has reduced monthly cash transfers because Hamas refuses to side with the Syrian regime.

Germany to draw up $10.6 billion flood damage fund
A German official said Thursday the country plans to create an 8 billion euro emergency fund to pay for damage caused by recent flooding.

World population to reach 8 billion by 2025, report says
A new U.N. report released Thursday is forecasting that the world's population will increase from 7.2 billion today to 8.1 billion in 2025 and 9.6 billion in 2050.

Council of Europe condemns Greek state TV shutdown
Europe's commissioner for human rights has strongly condemned the closure of Greece's state ERT broadcaster -- which was shut down Wednesday for the first time since World War II.

Turkey prime minister issues 'final warning' to protesters
Turkey's prime minister is issuing what he calls a "final warning" to protesters -- demanding that they end their occupation of a park next to a landmark square in Istanbul.

Cyprus court gives life sentence to ex-TV host
Cyprus' criminal court has sentenced a former television presenter, her brother and two other men to life in prison in the execution-style killing of the country's most prominent media baron.

Director of Brazilian newspaper shot 44 times
Brazilian police on Thursday said gunmen killed one the financial director of a newspaper known for its denunciations of corruption and organized crime groups.

EU presents post-Fukushima nuclear safety rules
The European Commission is proposing tougher nuclear safety rules, amid international debate about nuclear energy.

Death toll rises to 5 in violent Turkey protests
A lawyer said a protester injured during clashes with Turkish riot police has died, raising the death toll to five from the two-week standoff between police and activists that has challenged the Turkish government.

No joke: Jester wanted at Austrian hotel
Wanted: A jester. Wallflowers need not apply. An Austrian hotel is advertising for a modern-day court fool, who is communicative, extroverted, musical, creative and imaginative.

Thai talks aim to curb violence for fasting month
Thai government and Muslim separatist negotiators said Thursday they hope to curb violence during Muslim fasting month.

UN leprosy ambassador upset at pope's remarks
The U.N. goodwill ambassador for eliminating leprosy has written to Pope Francis complaining about his recent comment.

FL-based broker-dealer arrested in NY bribe case
The Miami branch manager of a New York broker-dealer has been arrested on charges related to an international bribery scam being prosecuted in New York.

Lawmaker accuses Google of dodging taxes
A key British lawmaker accused search giant Google of dodging its taxes.

Thousands of anti-Putin protesters march in Moscow
Thousands of Russian opposition activists are marching through Moscow decrying President Vladimir Putin's authoritarian rule

Mandela remains in hospital for a 5th day
Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains in the hospital for a fifth day.

Cheap translations, but not replacement for humans
An Israeli startup says it has come up with a way to overcome language barriers: an automated service that provides quick translations between English and seven other languages with nothing more than a telephone.

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts
After Cuban scientists studied the effects of climate change on this island's 3,500 miles (5,630 kilometers) of coastline, their discoveries were so alarming that officials didn't share the results with the public to avoid causing panic.

Brazil seeks to boost economy with $8.7B in loans
Brazil's government is offering $8.7 billion in low-interest loans for people enrolled in a low-income housing program to outfit their homes with furniture and appliances.

Video showing brutal mob killing sold in Mexico
Police in southern Mexico are investigating how vendors in local markets obtained a grisly video that shows a mob beating and burning to death three suspected rapists.

Obama's aides unsure whether to arm Syrian rebels
President Barack Obama's top aides are divided on whether to start sending weapons to Syria's armed opposition -- or consider even more drastic steps, like using U.S. airpower to keep Bashar Assad's troops out of the fight. 

Homicide ruled out in death of Paraguay presidential candidate
Investigators said Wednesday that the death of Paraguayan presidential candidate Lino Oviedo appears to be nothing more than a tragic accident.

US helping Syria by not sending weapons, rebels say
Increasingly desperate Syrian rebels are pressing the U.S. and its allies to send weapons to help them battle the president's regime, now that Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah guerrillas are fighting against them.

Mexico not 'middle class' yet, stats officials say
Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared last year that Mexico is becoming a middle-class country. But officials said Wednesday that idea has yet to become reality.

CEO of bailed-out Royal Bank of Scotland to leave
Bailed-out U.K. lender Royal Bank of Scotland said Wednesday that chief executive Stephen Hester will step down later this year — a move that creates some uncertainty as the bank prepares to return to the private sector.

Ceasefire between Syria and Israel in danger, UN chief says
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday recommended that the U.N. peacekeeping force in the Golan Heights be bolstered by nearly 400 additional troops, because of rising violence in the region.

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts
The Cuban government has decided to take action after scientists recently projected that rising sea levels will damage more than 120 Cuban towns -- or even wipe them off the map -- due to climate change.

Iran nuke policy 'unchangeable' no matter who wins
Just hours after Iran's presidential candidates bickered over nuclear policies during a televised debate, the country's foreign minister replied by saying that nothing will change on the issue -- regardless of who wins the election.

Rookie Israeli legislators blasted for unruly behavior
Israel's freshmen legislators are under fire for acting more like college freshmen than parliamentarians, leading the speaker to send a letter to lawmakers -- berating them for inappropriate behavior.

Tunisia imprisons three European topless activists
A Tunisian court on Wednesday convicted three European feminist activists, who staged a topless courthouse protest last month, and sentenced them to four months and a day in prison, a court official said.

TV shows Algerians first images of ailing leader
Algerian television on Wednesday showed the first images of the country's ailing president, who hasn't been seen in public since an April 27 stroke that sent him to France for treatment.

Mexican police arrest suspects in women's border deaths
Mexican prosecutors said Wednesday they have arrested 12 people in connection with the slayings of nearly a dozen young women -- whose skeletal remains were found near the border city of Ciudad Juarez last year.

Irish abortion activists send letters written in blood
Ireland's prime minister said anti-abortion activists in the predominantly Catholic country have inundated his office with threatening packages and letters branding him a murderer, some written in blood.

Greek media outlet off the air for first time since WWII
The Greek government has shut down radio and TV station ERT to prove it is serious about cutting the country's bloated public sector. For the first time since World War II, the TV and radio signals went dead early Wednesday.

NSA leaker Snowden says he's not avoiding justice
The former CIA employee who leaked top-secret information about U.S. surveillance programs has said that he is not attempting to hide from justice.

Quebec introduces legislation to legalize assisted suicide
Quebec's government has introduced right-to-die legislation, and if the bill passes the province would become Canada's first with a law permitting medically assisted death.

Cheaper solar panels fuel rise in renewable energy
A dramatic drop in the price of solar power technology last year helped the continued growth of renewable energy, a U.N.-backed report showed Wednesday.

Egypt Islamists call for counter-demonstrations
A gathering of Egyptian Islamist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood, from which the president hails, is calling for mass demonstrations to counter an opposition protest campaign scheduled for the end of the month.

Zimbabwe prime minister won't agree to July elections
Zimbabwe's prime minister said Wednesday that he won't agree to hold crucial elections on the date set by a court, for the end of July.

Reggae star stabbing death inquest opens in UK
A British coroner has opened an inquest into the 2011 death of reggae star Smiley Culture, who was fatally stabbed in the heart during a police raid on his home.

Australian swimmer sets off from Cuba for Florida
Australian endurance athlete Chloe McCardel is attempting to become the first person to swim from Havana to Florida without a protective shark cage.

Exhibit glorifies Palestinian suicide bombers
A state-funded museum in Paris is causing outrage among France's Jewish community for a photo exhibit that calls Palestinian suicide bombers "martyrs."

Iraq targets 4.5 million barrels a day in 2014
A senior Iraqi official says his country plans to ramp up oil production to 4.5 million barrels per day by the end of next year, from around 3.5 million barrels now.

UK to start regulating e-cigarettes as medicines
Britain will start regulating electronic cigarettes and other products containing nicotine as medicines, according to the country's top regulator.

In South Africa, talk of Mandela's mortality
Prayers are pouring in for Mandela, adding to a mood of urgency about his deteriorating health that has been compounded by a series of hospital stays in recent months

Official: Shooting breaks out near Niger base
Shooting erupted late Tuesday near a college for Niger's paramilitary police in a suburb of the capital

Pope confirms 'gay lobby' at work at Vatican
Pope Francis lamented that a "gay lobby" was at work at the Vatican and acknowledged he wasn't particularly adept at administration during a private audience with the leadership of a key Latin American church group.

Suicide blast at Afghan Supreme Court kills at least 17
At least 17 people were confirmed dead by Afghan authorities -- and dozens more were injured -- on Tuesday, after a suicide car bomb attack outside the nation's Supreme Court.

Several killed as suicide bombers strike Syrian capital
An attack on a police station -- in the form of suicide bombings -- in the center of the Syrian capital killed more than a dozen people on Tuesday, authorities said.

Iraq increasingly drawn into Syrian battlefield
Signs are growing that stretches of Iraq and Syria are morphing into a single battlefield for militants, exacerbating Iraq's slide into renewed deadly chaos a year and a half after U.S. troops pulled out.

Spanish nursing home worker murdered residents, police say
A Spanish jury on Tuesday convicted a former nursing home worker of killing nearly a dozen residents over a one-year period by forcing them to drink toxic liquids, like bleach.

Violent clashes erupt in Turkish capitol amid political unrest
It's been a violent scene in Turkey's capital on Tuesday, where the government is giving another sign that it may have run out of patience with protesters following 12 days of unrest.

Iranian reformists rally around common candidate
Iran's presidential race lost one more candidate on Tuesday but gained a new script: reformist leaders uniting behind relative moderate Hasan Rowhani to boost his once-improbable shot at victory.

Argentina soccer player expelled for attacking dog during game
An Argentine soccer player has been expelled from a minor league game for mistreating a dog that wandered onto the field, officials said Tuesday.

Libya army chief vows end to militias this year
Libya's interim army chief of staff insists that militias will have to lay down their arms or join the military by the end of this year.

Efforts to end Honduras police corruption still lacking
A new report says nearly four of every 10 Honduran police officers failed in the nation's efforts to weed out corruption, with some hinting they tortured suspects, accepted bribes or took drugs.

Guatemala's ex-dictator leaves military hospital
The former dictator of Guatemala has left a military hospital, where he was taken last month shortly after being put in prison to begin an 80-year sentence for genocide and crimes against humanity.

Panel finds accused USS Cole bomber OK to stand trial
A U.S. military medical review board has found that the Guantanamo prisoner accused of setting up the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000 has "mental diseases," but is competent to stand trial.

Riot police deploy in London, six arrested
Demonstrations against next week's G-8 summit in Northern Ireland have already begun in London, with police reporting six arrests on Tuesday.

EU air traffic plan prompts strikes across Europe
The European Union's plans to speed up the consolidation of its airspace are prompting a continent-wide strike of air traffic controllers.

Iranian candidate quits to boost reformist chances
An Iranian pro-reform candidate has pulled out of this week's presidential election to give support to a centrist whose campaign has gained momentum in recent days.

Europe outrage over NSA tempered by necessity
European citizens' anger over revelations of U.S. electronic surveillance was tempered by an indisputable fact: Europe wants the information that America intelligence provides.

Man who leaked classified info fired by contractor
Government contractor Booz Allen Hamilton said Tuesday that it has fired Edward Snowden -- the employee who leaked details of two secret National Security Agency surveillance programs. 

Hitler's alpine retreat getting makeover
Adolf Hitler's mountain retreat in Bavaria is getting a makeover, with a $22.5 million renovation project that will enlarge the historical information center.

Spain police dog wins British award for bravery
Ajax has a nose for trouble.

Canadian, nicknamed 'Black Widow,' gets 3 ½ years
A 78-year-old Canadian woman dubbed the "Black Widow" has been given a sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison for drugging her newlywed husband.

At least 14 dead in Afghan suicide bomb attack
Kabul police say a suicide car bomber that struck outside the Supreme Court in the Afghan capital has killed at least 14 people and wounded 30.

Widow of poisoned agent threatens to quit inquest
The widow of a former Kremlin agent killed by radioactive poisoning plans to boycott an inquest unless the British government holds a public inquiry examining Russian involvement.

UN goal to halt spread of AIDS will be met by 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the overall U.N. goal of halting and reversing the spread of AIDS will be met by the target date of 2015.

6 jailed in UK for plot to attack far-right rally
Six British men who were inspired by Islamic extremist material have been sentenced to almost 20 years in prison each for plotting a bomb and gun attack on a far-right rally.

Austria's UN troops will soon leave Golan Heights region
An official said Monday that Austria will begin withdrawing its nearly 400 U.N. peacekeepers from the Golan Heights region -- a hotbed of military and rebel activity -- on Wednesday.

German WWII bomber raised from English Channel
A British museum has successfully recovered what could be the last intact model of a famous German World War II bomber from beneath the English Channel.

Iraqi Shiite fighters in Syria raises tensions
Iraqi Shiite fighters are playing an increasingly prominent role in neighboring Syria's civil war, fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's forces against rebels. And it is raising concerns among many watching the situation.

Canadian 'Black Widow' pleads guilty to drugging husband
A Canadian woman nicknamed the "Black Widow" for her ability to persuade grieving widowers to marry her has pleaded guilty to drugging a man she married days earlier.

Seven Taliban fighters killed in assault at Kabul airport
Officials said Monday the seven Taliban fighters who launched an assault on NATO's operational headquarters Monday at the military section of the airport in Afghanistan's capital were killed.

FBI says prison food worker sent drugs to inmate
Federal agents said Monday that a Puerto Rican man working for a company that provides meals to prisons has been arrested for allegedly delivering narcotics to an inmate.

Refuge in Hong Kong may not last for US data leaker
Edward Snowden, the contractor who says he leaked information on classified U.S. surveillance programs, is hoping to stay out of U.S. custody by taking refuge in Hong Kong. But his freedom might not last.

Brazil govt to perform crash tests after AP report
The Brazilian government said Monday that it's building its first auto crash test facility to try to improve the safety record of cars sold in the country, which follows an investigation reported by the Associated Press.

Bomb attacks leave nearly 50 dead in Iraq
Nearly 50 people were confirmed dead in a wave of car bombings in central and northern Iraq on Monday, which continue what has been the deadliest eruption of violence to hit the country in years.

Two guilty in Bolivia case targeting US businessman
Bolivian prosecutors said Monday that two members of an extortion ring that targeted an American businessman have pleaded guilty and are cooperating in hopes of serving less jail time.

UN condemns eviction of about 150 Haiti families
The United Nations is condemning the eviction of up to 150 Haitian families living in a makeshift settlement established after a devastating 2010 earthquake.

Iran's nuclear plant suffers malfunction, official says
An Iranian official said Monday that Tehran's Russian-built nuclear power plant has suffered an electric generator malfunction, as the result of recent earthquakes in the region.

Yemeni soldiers killed during raid on al-Qaida
Security officials said Monday that two Yemeni soldiers were shot dead during a raid on an al-Qaida hideout in the province of Hadramawt, where the army is carrying out an offensive.

Kuwaiti woman gets 11-year prison term for tweets
Kuwait opposition groups said Monday that a woman has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after convictions that include insulting the Gulf nation's ruler and encouraging his overthrow via Twitter.

Prosecutor wants harsher punishment for 'topless feminist'
A lawyer said Monday that a prosecutor has appealed a Tunisian court's sentence for the nation's infamous "topless feminist" as not harsh enough.

Man behind massive gov't surveillance leak evades US
Currently in Hong Kong, Edward Snowden wants to stay out of U.S. custody for as long as he can -- after admitted that he was behind the leaks that made public two U.S. government surveillance programs. 

Korea talks raise hopes; history may scuttle them
The two Koreas will hold their highest-level talks in years Wednesday in an effort to restore scrapped joint economic projects.

Merkel to raise NSA programs during Obama visit
The German government says Chancellor Merkel will raise the issue of  U.S. surveillance programs with President Obama

Victims of Saddam-era gas attack seek French probe
Victims of Saddam Hussein's chemical attack on Halabja are demanding an investigation of the companies that supplied the materials.

France warns of mass disruption in airport strikes
France's main airports are asking airlines to cut their flight timetables in half because ofstrikes by air traffic controllers

Iran may disqualify centrist candidate
Iranian media are reporting that a centrist presidential candidate may be disqualified from the June 14 election.

5 things to know about Iran's presidential vote
Iran's presidential election is June 14. Here are five things you should know:

Egypt villagers kill man in latest lynching
A security official says villagers abducted a man in northern Egypt and beat him to death on Sunday, the latest vigilante attack in the country.

Ex-official seized in Mexico corruption case
Officials say the former treasurer of the state of Tabasco has been arrested on the U.S. border in an embezzlement investigation after nearly $7 million dollars were found in his office.

2 Koreas to hold senior-level talks in Seoul
The rival Koreas have agreed to hold senior-level talks this week in Seoul, a breakthrough of sorts after Pyongyang's recent threats of nuclear war and Seoul's vows of counterstrikes.

Venezuela council's election audit backs outcome
Venezuela's Electoral Council has completed an audit of results from April's bitterly contested presidential election, and as expected it confirms Nicolas Maduro's 1.5 percentage-point victory.

Obama outlines cyber problems for Chinese leader
President Barack Obama's national security adviser says the president described for China's leader the types of problems the U.S. has faced from cyber intrusions and theft of intellectual property.

China's May inflation rises to 2.1 percent
China's inflation rate rose slightly in May amid concern about the strength of the country's economic recovery.

Israeli leader accuses Iran of cyber-attacks
Israel's prime minister says there has been a "significant rise" in cyber-attacks on Israel by Iran.

In business, Pakistan's government bleeds
With every flight, Pakistan's state-owned airline demonstrates the economic challenges facing the country's new government.

Man risks his life trying to enter Spain
Police have arrested a man who secretly clung onto a catamaran ferry in Morocco and traveled to Spain by holding onto the rear of one of its engines.

Israeli zoo uses acupuncture on sick tiger
Veterinarians are trying acupuncture to cure a Sumatran tiger at an Israeli zoo.

Chinese man given death penalty for fire
A Chinese court has sentenced a 25-year-old man to death for setting fire to a building that killed eight people as part of a revenge attack, state media reported.

Heavy monsoon rains, winds kill 24 in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's government says the death toll from strong winds and monsoon rains has risen to 24, and another 22 fishermen are missing.

40 Danes injured in bus crash in Munich
German police say a double decker bus carrying dozens of Danish students slammed into a small railway bridge in Munich and tore off part of the upper deck, injuring 40 people, one of them seriously.

Floods force thousands to evacuate in Germany
Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in a region of eastern Germany.

Death toll from Benghazi clashes in Libya up to 31
A health official in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi says the death toll from clashes between protesters and militias has risen to 31.

Sudan orders South Sudan oil pipeline closed
Sudan's official news agency says the country's president has ordered the closure of pipelines exporting South Sudanese oil.

Dominican official denies report of bird flu
A Dominican official says Haiti erroneously reported that his country was suffering an outbreak of avian flu when it imposed a ban this week on the import of Dominican meats, chicken, eggs and other goods.

Car bomb kills 7 people in central Syrian city as government troops press offensive north
A suicide bomber has detonated an explosives-laden car in Syria's central city of Homs.

South Africa government says Nelson Mandela is in 'serious but stable' condition at a hospital
Nelson Mandela is described as being in "serious but stable" condition.

Insider attack kills 3 Americans in Afghanistan
Officials in Afghanistan say a man in an Afghan army uniform turned his weapon on American trainers, killing three of them.

Number of Indians killed in Brazil on the rise
Brazilian indigenous rights activists say the number of Indians killed in Latin America's biggest country has been rising since 2002.

Army suspends general linked to sex-assault probe
The Army says it has suspended a two-star general from his duties in Japan for allegedly failing to report or properly investigate an allegation of sexual assault.

Xi says world benefits from US-China relations
Chinese President Xi Jinping says he's meeting with President Barack Obama to chart the future of China's relationship with the U.S.

Life sentence for Shining Path leader
A Peruvian court has convicted a top leader of the Shining Path rebel group and sentenced him to life in prison without parole.

Guardian making big splash in US with scoops
There's a new kid on the block when it comes to breaking big time stories about possible U.S. government abuses.

No drug policy change as OAS wraps up in Guatemala
The Organization of American states has ended its general assembly meeting without including the themes of decriminalizing or legalizing drugs in its final declaration.

Prosecutor: 2 charged in Bolivia highland lynching
Authorities have filed murder charges against two men suspected of leading a mob that buried alive a teenager.

Navy refused to let hostages reach Somalia, official says
The former commander of the USS Sterett said he received orders to prevent a band of Somali pirates from taking four American hostages with them, from their yacht to shore -- but wasn't allowed to use deadly force.

Russia media compassionate about Putin's divorce
Russian media have reacted with unusual compassion to Thursday's announcement by President Vladimir Putin that he is divorcing his wife of 30 years.

North Korea proposes weekend talks with South Korea
North Korea on Friday proposed holding low-level government talks with South Korea this weekend as the rivals look to mend ties that have plunged during recent years amid hardline stances by both countries.

Israeli police say gay killings are not hate crime
Israeli police said Friday the killing of two people at a gay youth center in Tel Aviv four years ago is no longer being treated as a hate crime.

France's Hollande urges missing reporters be freed
French President Francois Hollande called Friday for the release of two French journalists missing in Syria, saying their lives were at risk.

Senators, White House official visit Guantanamo
White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and two leading senators on national security are traveling to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

US waives condition on $1.3B in aid to Egypt
The Obama administration has waived the conditional human rights string attached to Egypt's $1.3 billion in U.S. military support for 2013.

Denying 1970s genocide now a crime in Cambodia
Cambodia's National Assembly has approved a bill making it a crime to deny that atrocities were committed by the genocidal 1970s communist Khmer Rouge regime.

Water stops rising in flood-hit Germany
Water levels in southern Germany have largely stabilized following massive flooding as the crest of swollen rivers has moved north, but many communities remain under water.

French ex-prime minister Pierre Mauroy dead at 84
Pierre Mauroy, who as France's prime minister in the early 1980s implemented radical social reforms that made life easier for French workers, has died at 84.

Francis gets personal: 'I didn't want to be pope'
Pope Francis has revealed that he never wanted to be pope and that he's living in the Vatican hotel for his "psychiatric" health.

Russia offers peacekeepers for Golan Heights
President Vladimir Putin has offered to send Russian troops to the Golan Heights to replace the Austrians who are withdrawing from the U.N. peacekeeping force that monitors the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces.

Global netizens see worrying trend in US spying
Reports that the U.S. government has been snooping on Internet users worldwide isn't shocking global netizens -- many of whom say they've already given up on expectations of online privacy.

Canada to deport US man accused of kidnapping son
A Colorado man accused of attacking his estranged wife and kidnapping his three-year-old son has been ordered deported from Canada.

Peru justice minister says Fujimori not pardoned
Peru's justice minister said Friday that President Ollanta Humala has decided not to grant a humanitarian pardon for jailed former leader Alberto Fujimori.

Hezbollah entry in Syria fans Shiite-Sunni fires
Speaking on a Gulf TV station, Sheik Mohammed el-Zoghbi called on "young men in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Kuwait, Jordan, Yemen," urging them to go to Syria to fight.

Cash stolen from father of Usain Bolt in Jamaica
Thieves broke into the pickup truck of 57-year-old Wellesley Bolt and stole more than $4,000 in cash while he was shopping in Falmouth on Jamaica's north coast.

Malian man deported to Africa after prison release
A man from the African country of Mali has been deported after completing a federal prison sentence for engaging in drug dealing in support of Colombian terrorists.

Russian whistleblower's death 'not suspicious', police say
British police said Friday the death of a Russian whistleblower, who was as a key witness against Russian officials accused of stealing $230 million in a money laundering scheme, is not being viewed as suspicious.

Eight skinheads questioned in deadly Paris brawl
Eight people linked to extreme-right groups are being questioned in the death this week of a young far-left militant after a fight with skinheads in Paris.

At least 20 dead after bus catches fire in China
State media said Friday that an express bus burst into flames in eastern China, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 30 others.

British gov't getting US spy agency's data, newspaper says
Britain's Guardian newspaper reported Friday that the British government has been secretly gathering communications data from Internet giants through the medium of the U.S. National Security Agency.

Putin's divorce breaks taboo in Russian politics
Vladimir Putin's divorce from his wife of nearly 30 years has broken a taboo for Russian officials, who almost never speak publicly about their personal life let alone their personal problems.

Libya appeals ICC ruling on Gadhafi son case
Libya has appealed the International Criminal Court's order that a son and one-time heir apparent of late dictator Moammar Gadhafi be tried in The Hague.

Amid safety fears, US Navy jets train on Iwo Jima
The U.S. Navy is conducting training on the island to prepare pilots for deployment to the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, but it is faced with a problem it has been trying to fix for nearly 25 years.

Bosnian lawmakers take early weekend after siege
Bosnian lawmakers stayed away from parliament this time and took an early weekend after anti-government protesters, including mothers with baby carriages, kept them trapped inside during a 12-hour siege.

EU tries to keep close eye on fighters in Syria
European Union nations pledged Friday to step up cooperation in an effort to keep the more than 600 EU citizens now fighting in Syria from veering toward terrorism upon their return home.

Iran presidential candidates disagree over nuclear issue
Eight candidates running in Iran's June 14 presidential election disagreed on how they would handle nuclear talks with world powers, during their third and final televised debate.

Mexico hopes Xi's visit sparks visits by Chinese
Mexico hopes that this week's visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping will spark a mass influx of tourists from China, the world's largest tourism spender.

Greek unemployment hits new high, at 26.8 percent
Unemployment in recession-mired Greece continued its record-setting rise in March, reaching 26.8 percent of the workforce compared to a revised 26.7 percent a month earlier.

Putins announce their divorce
Vladimir Putin pulled off one of his most audacious pieces of stagecraft: announcing his marriage is over. But how will it play to his audience of 143 million Russians?

Honduran police protest over suspension of 1,400
About a hundred police officers in Honduras are protesting over the suspension of 1,400 investigators this week while authorities conduct drug tests, polygraph questioning and other checks looking for organized crime ties.

Safety at deadly China plant 'totally chaotic'
A top Chinese official says safety standards and preparation at a poultry plant were "extremely chaotic" before a deadly fire that killed 120 workers.

Bolivian villagers bury suspected killer alive
An official says that villagers in Bolivia's southern highlands have buried a man alive in the grave of the woman he is suspected of having raped and murdered, an official said Thursday.

Syrian army now sets sights on heartland
With fresh momentum from the capture of a strategic town in western Syria, President Bashar Assad's forces have turned their sights to driving rebel fighters from the country's densely populated heartland.

Brazil teen killed mom over boyfriend jealousy, police say
Brazilian police have arrested a teenage girl on charges of killing her mother for trying to stop her from dating her boyfriend.

D-Day anniversary commemorations begin in France
Commemorations of the 69th annniversary of D-Day have begun with the stars-and-stripes being raised in a quiet ceremony at the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach.

Russia says Syria has not yet crossed 'Red line'
Russia's foreign minister said Thursday that reports about possible chemical weapons use by the Syrian regime should not be used as a pretext for a foreign invasion.

Six Georgian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, gov't says
Georgia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that at least six of its soldiers have been killed in an attack by insurgents in Afghanistan.

Man in neo-Nazi murder trial apologizes to victims' families
One of the five defendants in Germany's highest-profile neo-Nazi murder trial in decades has apologized to the victims' families.

'Coronation Street' actor faces new sex charges
A longtime star of British soap opera "Coronation Street" has been charged with five counts of indecent assault on young girls dating back to 1965.

Hugo Chavez given posthumous journalism prize
The late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been awarded the country's National Journalism Prize even though he was accused of persecuting the press during his 14 years in power.

Italy expresses concern about China wine probe
Italian Premier Enrico Letta said he will follow China's decision to launch a trade investigation into European wine "with maximum attention" given the importance of the sector for the country's economy.

Russian president Putin, wife are divorcing
Married just a few weeks short of 30 years, the Putins announced the decision on state television after attending a ballet performance in the Kremlin on Thursday evening.

Iran leader's election bid: Taming the presidency
At the height of Iran's internal political clashes in late 2011, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei became so exasperated that he warned the Islamic Republic could someday drop the office of an elected president.

Prince Philip enters hospital for exploration surgery
Buckingham Palace said Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II's husband has been admitted to a London hospital for an exploratory operation.

Investigation expanded for Greek ex-finance minister
Greece's Parliament has expanded an investigation of former Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou over his handling of data on Greeks with Swiss bank accounts.

Tax authorities seize Bolivian newspaper office
Bolivian tax authorities have seized the office and printing press of the country's oldest newspaper, El Diario, authorities said Thursday.

Mexican army rescues more than 150 migrants
Mexican soldiers have rescued more than 150 migrants kidnapped by a drug cartel and held for as long as three weeks in a one-story home alongside the U.S. border, officials said Thursday.

Idaho family says it received letter from Afghan POW
The family of an American prisoner of war, captured four years ago in Afghanistan, said Thursday it has received a letter it believes was written by the missing soldier.

Czech man punished for firing air pistol at president
A court in the Czech Republic has delivered a six-month suspended sentence to a man for shooting at the country's president with an air pistol that fires harmless plastic pellets.

Russian presence in Mediterranean not hostile, Putin says
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia will permanently keep a navy squadron in the Mediterranean Sea to protect its interests -- and that the move is not intended as a message of aggression.

US investigators again question Boston suspects' parents
The parents of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects said American investigators have once again come to their home in southern Russian to talk to them about their elder son, who was killed by U.S. authorities while on the lam.

Israeli soldiers to have restricted social media access
The Israeli military on Thursday said that it will soon issue new restrictions for soldiers regarding their use of Facebook and other social media sites.

Ethiopia demands that Egypt explain hostile remarks
Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is demanding an official explanation from Egypt after comments from politicians suggested that Egypt attack or sabotage a Nile River dam that Ethiopia is building on the river.

Over 150 Chinese miners arrested for illegal gold-digging
A spokesman for Ghana's immigration service said Thursday that more than 150 Chinese nationals, who were arrested for illegal gold mining this week, will now be deported to China.

Brazilian billionaire's son convicted in cyclist's death
The son of a Brazilian billionaire has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a cyclist, authorities said Thursday.

Abbas swears in political rookie as prime minister
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sworn in a new government headed by a politically inexperienced academic, in what is seen as an attempt by Abbas to consolidate power.

US writer A.M. Homes wins Women's Fiction Prize
American novelist A.M. Homes has won this year's Women's Prize for Fiction with her sixth novel "May We Be Forgiven."

Eurozone recovery proves elusive
Several economic figures for the 17 EU countries that use the euro all showed the same thing Wednesday — there's no sign of a recovery from recession.

Actor Stephen Fry reveals suicide attempt in 2012
British actor and writer Stephen Fry says he attempted suicide last year while filming abroad.

Israel leads global drone exports as demand grows
Israel — a pioneer of drone technology — has emerged as the world's leading exporter of the aircraft and its accessories, putting it in a strong position as the industry continues to grow.

UN condemns violence against children in Jamaica
The United Nations' child welfare agency said Wednesday that it is deeply concerned about what it describes as "unrelenting violence" against youngsters in Jamaica, including the recent beheading of a 4-year-old girl.

IMF admits 'notable failures' in Greek bailout
The International Monetary Fund is acknowledging it made "notable failures" in Greece's massive bailout and says the country suffered a much deeper recession than what was foreseen.

Pentagon report says CIA director violated security
Investigators said Wednesday that several weeks after the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, the CIA director violated security rules by revealing the name of the raid commander in the presence of a Hollywood screenwriter.

Swiss lawmakers stall bill to resolve US tax spat
Lawmakers in Switzerland have stalled the passage of a government-backed bill aimed at ending a long-running dispute with the United States over tax evasion.

Chinese president represents confidence in US visit
China's newfound self-assurance stems from an economic expansion that saw it pass Japan as the world's second-biggest economy and pass the United States as the biggest trader.

North Korea claims youths brainwashed by South
North Korea said on Wednesday that nine young North Koreans who were repatriated from China were not defectors, but had been kidnapped by South Korea.

US to send Patriot missiles, F-16s for defense from Syria
Jordanian officials said Wednesday the U.S. will deploy anti-missile batteries and F-16 jet fighters in the kingdom to bolster its defense capabilities in the face of a Syrian attack.

Reporters turn up first proof of chemcal weapons in Syria
A French newspaper on Wednesday said its reporters were able to persuade Syrian doctors to hand over samples of blood, urine and hair from sickened rebel fighters by promising to analyze them for toxin.

Topless Tunisian women charged with indecency
The trial for three European feminists charged with public indecency after demonstrating topless in front of Tunisia's Palace of Justice began Wednesday.

Mexico mothers choosing bottle over breast-feeding
Despite the well-known advantages to breast feeding for infants, and vigorous campaigns around the world championing the practice, Mexican mothers said they believe the bottle is actually better.

Israel police arrest 3 in connection to gay deaths
Israeli police said Wednesday that they arrested three suspects in connection to the killing of two people at a gay youth center in Tel Aviv four years ago.

French president gets UN-sponsored peace prize
French President Francois Hollande has been awarded a U.N.-sponsored peace prize, barely a year into his presidency and just months after sending thousands of troops to Mali to fight Islamic extremists.

Iran presidential candidates debate freedoms
Eight presidential candidates running in Iran's June 14 elections are taking radically different stands on personal freedoms, women's rights and censorship in the country's second round of televised debates.

Sweden's royal bride pulled over by police
Swedish police may have missed one royal privilege when they pulled over Princess Madeleine near the palace on Tuesday, four days ahead of her wedding to New York banker Christopher O'Neill.

Coroner asks for public inquiry into Russian spy's death
A coroner overseeing a British inquest into the poisoning death of a KGB officer said Wednesday that he is asking for a new public inquiry so that crucial evidence can be re-examined.

Gunmen ambush, kill 14 people at fake checkpoint
Iraqi intelligence officials said gunmen on Wednesday ambushed a group of travelers at a fake checkpoint in the western Anbar province, killing at least 14 people execution-style.

US, Germany, Italy eye key Afghan roles after 2014
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday the United States will take a key role in two restive regions in Afghanistan after NATO ends its combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014.

Labor strike at Egypt's Cairo airport disrupts flights
A senior aviation official said Wednesday that striking workers at the Cairo international airport's largest terminal are blocking airplanes on the tarmac and disrupting flights.

US mulling options to improve relations with Venezuela
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is gauging prospects for improving the badly-strained relationship between the United States and Venezuela.

Suspicious fire guts Islamic center in London
Counter-terrorism officers are investigating a suspicious fire at a Somali community center in London, where graffiti spelling out the name of a far-right group was left on the building.

US sends troops from Puerto Rico to Guantanamo
The U.S. Army Reserve said Wednesday that 125 soldiers from a military police company based in Puerto Rico will be heading to Guantanamo to work inside the detention center.

Susan Rice aggressively supported US policy at UN
Susan Rice aggressively spearheaded President Barack Obama's foreign policy as his top diplomat at the United Nations, promoting democracy in the Middle East and tougher sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

Monkey photos snapped up for $76,000 at auction
They're askew and out of focus, but a set of photos taken by a talented Russian chimpanzee have sold at auction for the equivalent of $76,680 U.S. dollars.

Israeli judge quits after saying girls 'enjoy rape'
An Israeli judge has resigned from the bench following a public outrage over recent remarks he made in court, in which he said that some girls "enjoy being raped."

British soldier suspect delivers bizarre court rant
One of the men accused of brutally killing a British serviceman in broad daylight has called himself a soldier during a rambling court appearance on Wednesday.

US says Russia rejected chemical weapons evidence
American officials say Russia has rejected intelligence the U.S. has provided suggesting Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime has used chemical weapons on its own people.

Oil falls below $93 a barrel
The price of oil fell below $93 a barrel Tuesday as traders scaled back their optimism about the U.S. economy following a report that showed shrinking factory activity.

UK service marks 60 years since queen's coronation
Britain's royal family is gathering at Westminster Abbey to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

IMF: France needs more economic reforms to keep up
The International Monetary Fund has lowered its growth projections for France and says the country needs more reforms to improve the economy's competitiveness.

Russian official: FBI careless with Boston intel
A senior Russian official says the Boston Marathon bombings could have been prevented if American officials had followed through with Russian intelligence.

Moscow set for early mayoral elections in the fall
Moscow will hold mayoral elections two years early after Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said he supported holding a snap poll in the fall.

Flooded rivers threaten German cities
Floodwaters in Passau are receding from the highest level seen in more than five centuries but cities downstream are bracing themselves as swollen rivers sweep through southeastern Germany.

UN: More evidence needed on Syria chemical weapons
A U.N. report on Syria said Tuesday there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that limited quantities of toxic chemicals have been used as weapons in at least four attacks in Syria's civil war, but said more evidence is needed to determine the precise chemical agents used or who used them.

Colombia minister rules out NATO membership
Comments by Colombian President Juan Carlos Pinzon appear to back away from a statement by President Juan Manuel Santos, that had alarmed some other South American leaders.

Endangered elephants being killed in Indonesia, experts say
An environmental group said 129 endangered elephants have been killed on Indonesia's Sumatra island in less than a decade, highlighting the country's weak enforcement of laws against poaching.

Food rationing scheduled to begin in Venezuela
Food rationing will begin in Venezuela's second most populous state next week for 20 products subject to price controls, officials said.

Turkish media slammed for poor riot coverage
As Istanbul was convulsed by some of the most severe anti-government protests Turkey has seen in decades, the country's broadcast media seemingly looked away.

Christians come under attack in Egypt, hold protest
Egyptian officials said Tuesday that hundreds of Christians visiting a monastery have protested after coming under attack by unidentified assailants who stole their money and personal belongings, and assaulted them.

Cubans try out new public Internet centers
Cuba has begun offering Internet access at more than 100 publicly-run computer centers around the Caribbean island nation, officials said.

Amnesty group says Mexico disappearances a 'crisis'
Amnesty International said Tuesday that the number of unsolved disappearances in Mexico constitutes "a national scandal and a human rights crisis."

House of Lords backs British gay marriage bill
Britain's House of Lords on Tuesday voted by a majority to defeat a motion that blocks a same-sex marriage bill, moving the initiative a step closer to becoming law.

Brazil scraps 'happy hooker' anti-AIDS promo
Brazil's health ministry has removed a web page advertisement proclaiming "I am happy being a prostitute" -- which was intended to discredit the AIDS-related stigma that comes with prostitution.

Syrian army chases rebels from Damascus suburb
Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad have been making gains on two fronts Tuesday.

US woman gang raped in Indian town, police say
Indian police said Tuesday that a 30-year-old American woman was gang-raped in the northern Indian resort town of Manali, after she was picked up while hitchhiking.

Russian official says US could have prevented Boston attack
A senior Russian official said Tuesday that the Boston Marathon bombings could have been prevented if American officials had followed through with Russian intelligence.

Russia's S-300 missile causes hype, controversy
The question of whether Russia has supplied air defense missile systems to Syria has drawn a flow of vague statements by senior officials in Russia, but President Vladimir Putin finally offered a firm answer Tuesday.

Swiss diplomat arrested after running DUI checkpoint
French authorities said Tuesday that a Swiss diplomat has been arrested after he tried to elude police as they attempted to stop him at a sobriety check in central Paris.

Salvadoran baby involved in week-long abortion saga dies
The baby born to a Salvadoran woman who had been denied an abortion has died, authorities said Tuesday -- ending a week-long saga that made headlines around the world.

Ecuador oil spill polluted drinking water, officials say
Ecuador's state oil company said Tuesday it has resumed operations four days after it was damaged by a landslide -- but that an oil spill polluted drinking water for a city of about 80,000 people.

Palestinians will go after Israel at UN if US efforts fail
A senior Palestinian official said Tuesday that the West Bank government will try to bring Israel up on charges through the United Nations -- if U.S. attempts to restart peace talks fail.

Brazil police dismantle major cocaine trafficking ring
Brazilian police said Tuesday they have dismantled an international drug trafficking ring that, for almost two years, sent cocaine to Europe hidden in crates containing frozen fish.

NATO to discuss post-2014 Afghan war details
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said it will likely be autumn before he makes his recommendation regarding how many troops the U.S. and its allies should keep in Afghanistan after combat troops leave in 2014.

Iran's reactor believed damaged by earthquakes
Diplomats said Tuesday that nations monitoring Iran's nuclear program have received information that the country's only power-producing nuclear reactor was damaged by one or more recent earthquakes.

Brazil's trade deficit hits record levels
Brazil has registered its highest-ever trade deficit, which reached more than $5.39 billion in the first five months of the year.

Jordan: 304 national news websites blocked
Jordan says it has blocked unlicensed news websites in a step toward regulating online media widely criticized by the government and readers for sensational reporting.

Quebec soccer leaders cite safety on turban bans
The Quebec Soccer Federation insists that its ban on turbans is tied to player safety, although it has produced no evidence to support the claim.

Experts say known assassin could not have killed poet
U.S. experts on human rights violations said an investigation into the death of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda risks going off track by looking at the wrong man -- an American who later worked as a spy for the South American nation.

South Korea's president plans to visit the Queen
Buckingham Palace says South Korean President Park Geun-hye will make a state visit to the U.K. later this year.

Politicians suggest attacking Ethiopia over Nile dam
Politicians meeting with Egypt's president have proposed hostile acts against Ethiopia, including backing rebels and carrying out sabotage, to stop it from building a massive dam over the Nile River.

Prince Philip unwell, misses palace reception
Royal officials said Monday that Britain's Prince Philip missed a gala reception at the last minute because he was not feeling well.

A brief glimpse of Pistorius will emerge at hearing
The world will likely only be given a 10-minute snapshot of Oscar Pistorius at a hearing Tuesday ahead of his murder trial. 

Afghan official: Taliban didn't down cargo plane
A joint U.S.-Afghan investigation into the crash of a civilian cargo jet in Afghanistan has ruled out insurgent involvement.

Haiti hosts 1st conference on mining efforts
Haiti is bringing in mining experts from around the world in hopes of developing precious metals in one of the world's poorest countries.

Soccer, politics at play in Iran-Qatar qualifier
In a match with political overtones, Iran plays Qatar in a World Cup qualifier Tuesday that both nations need to win to maintain hope of reaching next year's tournament in Brazil.

Israel: Syria has not received advanced missiles
Israel's defense minister says advanced anti-aircraft missiles have not reached Syria.

Fire rips through Palestinian lands in West Bank
Palestinians said Monday a fire has ripped through their lands in the northern West Bank, scorching several acres of olive and almond groves.

Conjoined twins with shared heart can't be split
Conjoined Palestinian twins with a shared heart and other vital organs returned home to the West Bank Monday after Israeli doctors determined they could not successfully separate them.

NATO to discuss Libya training, Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and other NATO defense ministers plan to take up the issue of training Libyan security forces as that country battles insurgents flowing into the south from Mali.

Five killed in tribal clashes in southern Libya
A Libyan security official said clashes between tribes of African and Arab origins have killed five people in a southern Libyan town, the latest sign of chaos in the country.

Bomb blast kills nine Afghan children, international workers
Nine Afghan schoolchildren and two international service members are among more than a dozen people killed by a suicide bomber in eastern Afghanistan on Monday.

UN nuclear chief urges Iran to cooperate
The International Atomic Energy Agency says negotiations with Iran have been going around in circles -- and is addressing the issue with a sense of urgency.

Report says Finance Ministry key to Hitler's agenda
Germany's Finance Ministry has released the first part of an independent commission's investigation into its Nazi past, showing civil servants played an important role in Hitler's anti-Semitic agenda.

$100M customs facility at U.S.-Mexico border in limbo
Nearly two years after groundbreaking, no work has been completed on a $100 million customs facility on the U.S.-Mexico border -- because Mexican officials have not put up any money for its share of the work, officials said.