Yemen: Somali pirates hijack Panamanian cargo ship
Yemen's coast guard says Somali pirates have hijacked a Panamanian cargo ship in the treacherous Gulf of Aden between the Arabian peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

WHO investigating Norway swine flu mutations
The World Health Organization says it is investigating samples of mutated swine flu found in two Norwegians who died of the virus and one person who suffered severe illness.

Russia's Gorbachev considers political comeback
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev criticized Kremlin policies Friday and toyed with the ambitious idea of attempting a political comeback.

UN committee targets Iran's rights violations
A United Nations committee has approved a resolution urging Iran to stop harassing political opponents in the wake of disputed presidential elections.

Palestinian president agrees to delay elections
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to postpone parliamentary and presidential elections that had been set for January.

Iran to launch satellite on its own by late 2011
Iran plans to launch a communications satellite by late 2011 with no outside help, a top Iranian official said Friday, after Italy and Russia declined to put it into orbit.

Italian prosecutors wrap up in Knox murder trial
Italian prosecutors have begun their closing arguments in the trial of an American student accused of killing her British roommate.

Pakistan says suspected US strike kills eight militants
CIA director Leon Panetta is in Pakistan meeting with the country's prime minister today, as intelligence officials describe another suspected U.S. missile strike against insurgent targets in the country's northwest.

Suicide bomber kills 16 in western Afghanistan
Sixteen people are dead after a suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a busy city square in western Afghanistan.

SKorea: Gunman opens fire on Saipan; five dead
A South Korean official says a gunman has opened fire on the island of Saipan, killing four people before fatally shooting himself.

200 in UK tourist region rescued from floodwaters
Britain's air force and emergency workers rescued about 200 people Friday as rising floodwaters caused widespread havoc in northern England's picturesque Lake District.

Six world powers meet about Iran nuclear issue
Six world powers are meeting in Brussels to discuss possible measures against Tehran for its refusal to halt nuclear enrichment activities.

Gates says Iraq withdrawal on schedule
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says warnings that politics could push back Iraqi elections scheduled for January aren't affecting his plans for a troop withdrawal now.

U.N. committee criticizes North Korea rights violations
A key United Nations committee is expressing very serious concern at widespread reports of torture and other grave human rights violations in North Korea.

Diplomats say EU chooses Belgian as new president
Diplomats say EU leaders have opted for little-known compromise candidate Belgian Premier Herman Van Rompuy to become the bloc's first full-time president.

Honduras interim president to step down temporarily
Honduras' interim president says he will step down temporarily to allow voters to concentrate on the upcoming presidential elections.

Clinton: U.S. will hold Karzai to promises of reform
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lauded the newly sworn-in Afghan president for outlining a plan to crack down on corruption in his inaugural speech Thursday, but warned that Washington and the international community would hold him to his promises.

U.N. climate chief holds out hope for global pact
The U.N. climate chief has a message for naysayers about the Copenhagen climate conference next month: It will succeed.

Iraq struggles over election law dispute
Iraqi lawmakers will vote Saturday on how to break a deadlock over a key election law after a vice president vetoed the legislation, causing a crisis that could delay a national vote scheduled for January and affect the timetable for an American troop withdrawal.

Gang killed people for their fat
Police say a gang in the remote Peruvian jungle has been killing people for their fat, draining it from their corpses and offering it on the black market for use in cosmetics.

Experts say radical measures won't stop swine flu
Health experts say extraordinary measures against swine flu, most notably quarantines imposed by China, where entire planeloads of passengers were isolated if one traveler had symptoms, have failed to contain the disease.

Courthouse bombing kills 19 in Pakistan
Officials in northwestern Pakistan say a man arrived outside a courthouse in a taxi. As he was being searched by police, he set off explosives on his body, killing 19 people.

SAfrican ministry says Semenya to keep gold medal
The South African sports ministry says 800-meter world champion Caster Semenya will keep her gold medal, and that the results of her gender tests will be kept confidential.

Obama says talks under way on Iran sanctions
President Barack Obama says the United States has begun talking with allies about fresh punishment against Iran for defying efforts to halt its nuclear weapons pursuits.

French court acquits all in blast that killed 31
A court has acquitted a subsidiary of French oil giant Total and a former factory chief in a 2001 explosion at a chemical plant that killed 31 people.

Obama meets with U.S. troops in South Korea
President Barack Obama told U.S. troops stationed in South Korea that their service has ensured peace in Asia and around the world.

U.S. soldier in Okinawa questioned about hit-and-run
A U.S. soldier suspected of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Japan's southern island of Okinawa has refused further questioning by Japanese police, a U.S. Army officer and Japanese police said Thursday.

Afghan president sworn in to second 5-year term
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says his country's security forces should take the lead in tackling the insurgency there, and that the forces should be able to take control of security in the next five years.

1.5M per day getting swine flu vaccine in China
China's health minister said Wednesday his country is vaccinating 1.5 million people a day against swine flu, part of a mammoth effort to reach nearly 7 percent of inhabitants of the world's most populous country by year's end.

Moldovan soldiers given onions to fight swine flu
Moldova's army is feeding its soldiers onions and garlic to help them ward off swine flu.

Russian ship freeing itself from ice in Antarctic
A Russian shipping company says that its icebreaker carrying over 100 tourists, scientists and journalists on an Antarctic cruise has been successfully moving through ice and is just about 100 meters (yards) away from clear water.

Dalai Lama expresses concern about Tibetan cause
The Dalai Lama says there will be a setback in the Tibetan cause when he dies but that he has faith in the next generation of his followers.

U.S. warns against paying ransom to pirates
The United States is calling for intensified efforts to combat piracy and warning against paying ransom.

Death of six civilians in Pakistan sparks protest
The deaths of six civilians is stirring anger in northwestern Pakistan.

Israel brushes off Obama criticism over Jerusalem
Israel is brushing off President Barack Obama's criticism that construction in a disputed part of the holy city undermines efforts to relaunch Mideast peace talks.

Mexico anti-abortion fight moves to federal level
Lawmakers in Veracruz made it Mexico's 17th state to pass legislation declaring life begins at conception, then adopted a proposal that requires Congress to consider amending the constitution to outlaw abortion.

Iran FM suggests uranium-fuel swap inside country
Iran's foreign minister has offered a simultaneous exchange of enriched uranium for nuclear fuel as a solution to the impasse over Iran's nuclear program.

Clinton arrives in Kabul for Karzai inauguration
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived in Afghanistan to attend Thursday's inauguration of President Hamid Karzai and meet with top U.S. commander Gen. Stanley McChystal.

British judge: Gitmo evidence can be kept secret
A judge says British spies have the right to keep evidence secret from a group of former Guantanamo prisoners suing the government for allegedly being complicit in their detention.

Germany to extend Afghanistan mission
A source close to Chancellor Angela Merkel's government says Germany will extend its mission to Afghanistan for another year. The decision requires parliamentary approval.

Rare crocs found hiding in plain sight in Cambodia
Conservationists searching for one of the world's most endangered crocodile species say they have found dozens of the reptiles lounging in plain sight, at a wildlife rescue center in Cambodia.

Somali woman stoned to death for adultery
A judge for an Islamic militant group in Somalia says a woman has been stoned to death and her boyfriend given 100 lashes for having an affair.

Schwarzenegger visits Austria
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has visited his native Austria.

Cruise ship breaks Antarctic ice, nears open water
Russian news reports say a cruise ship carrying over 100 tourists and scientists to see emperor penguins in Antarctica has begun moving through packed sea ice and will soon reach clear water.

Peres says Chavez and Ahmadinejad will fall
Israel President Shimon Peres predicts the people of Venezuela and Iran will make their leaders disappear before too long.

Obama's China trip shows power shifting
President Barack Obama's first visit to China underscored a shifting balance of power: two giants moving closer to being equals.

Honduran Congress will rule on Zelaya after vote
The leader of the Honduran Congress says lawmakers will not decide whether to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya until after Nov. 29th presidential elections.

Peru and Chile presidents trade barbs in spy spat
Peruvian officials said Tuesday that an air force officer has confessed to passing national security secrets to Chile, where President Michelle Bachelet denied the espionage allegations, calling them offensive.

Iran sentences five to death in post-election turmoil
Iranian state television reports five people have been sentenced to death over the unrest that followed the country's disputed June presidential election.

Slovakia to add troops to Afghan mission
Slovakia's prime minister says his country will double the number of troops serving with NATO in Afghanistan to about 500.

Rwandan priest acquitted of genocide charges
A United Nations court has acquitted a Catholic priest charged with genocide, murder and extermination in Rwanda's 1994 genocide after the judge said the prosecution had failed to prove its case.

Magnitude 6.6 quake off Canada's Pacific coast
Seismologists say a earthquake struck off Canada's Pacific coast province of British Columbia.

Iran says UN watchdog has cleared nuclear program
Iran's nuclear envoy denies that the U.N. inspectors tour of its recently revealed uranium enrichment site has turned up any evidence that the Islamic republic is seeking nuclear weapons.

Big Bang machine nears restart after repairs
The European Organization for Nuclear Research says it expects to restart the world's largest atom smasher by this weekend after more than a year of repairs.

Czechs celebrate fall of communism 20 years ago
Residents of the Czech Republic are commemorating the 20th anniversary of the end of communist rule.

Somali pirates hijack ship, 28 North Korean crew
Pirates off the coast of Somalia have attacked two vessels, and at least one of those has been captured.

Mugabe defends land reforms, attacks West
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has defended land reforms blamed for plunging his people into starvation and lashed out at the West for imposing "inhuman sanctions."

Serbia's president faces alcohol-related charges
Serbian President Boris Tadic faces a fine for allegedly drinking champagne at a stadium with his sports minister and the head of the soccer federation.

Cruise ship with 100 tourists stuck in Antarctica
A Russian shipping company says one of its cruise ships carrying over 100 tourists, scientists and journalists is stuck in the ice around Antarctica.

Obama, Hu show cooperation and differences
President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao are sounding a theme of cooperation on major issues.

Obama: Iran, NKorea have choices on nuke programs
President Barack Obama says there will be consequences if Tehran does not demonstrate Iran's nuclear program is "peaceful and transparent."

Bomb targeting police chief wounds six in Pakistan
Police say a bomb targeting a police chief's vehicle in southwestern Pakistan has killed one person and injured six others.

Schwarzenegger drops in on US troops in Iraq
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has dropped in on U.S. troops in Iraq, thanking them for the sacrifices they and their families are making.

Mistress' diary: Mussolini was fierce anti-Semite
Benito Mussolini was a fierce anti-Semite, who proudly said that his hatred for Jews preceded Adolf Hitler's and vowed to "destroy them all," according to previously unpublished diaries by the Fascist dictator's longtime mistress.

Buenos Aires grants first marriage license to gays
Two men were granted a marriage license in Argentina's capital on Monday, breaking ground in a country and region where laws ban gay marriage.

Families seek support for three hikers jailed in Iran
The families of three American hikers held in Iran say they are growing increasingly concerned about the mental health of the trio after 16 weeks in custody.

Briton arrested in serial rape investigation
In one of Britain's longest running hunts for a serial rapist, Scotland Yard detectives charged a 52-year-old man Monday with a string of nearly a dozen assaults and burglaries.

Rockets at Afghan market kill 12, wound 38
French forces say the death toll from rockets fired at a crowded market northeast of Kabul where the head of French forces in Afghanistan was holding a meeting with tribal elders has increased to 12.

13 bullet-riddled bodies found west of Baghdad
Gunmen wearing Iraqi army uniforms abducted and killed at least 13 people in a village west of Baghdad, in what some described as revenge against Sunnis who helped fight al-Qaida, Iraqi officials said Monday.

Palestinians seek EU support for independence
The Palestinians have asked the European Union to support their plan to ask the U.N. to recognize an independent Palestinian state without Israeli consent.

Japan mulls over relocation of US Marine base
A deal with Japan to relocate a major U.S. Marine base remains in flux with Japan's prime minister and foreign minister saying they're still looking for options about a location.

Myanmar's Suu Kyi seeks meeting with junta chief
Myanmar's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has sent a letter to the head of the country's ruling junta seeking a meeting to discuss how she can work for the national interest.

Spain: judge indicts two suspected Somali pirates
A Spanish judge has indicted two suspected Somali pirates captured in connection with the hijacking of a Spanish tuna trawler on Oct. 2 in the Indian Ocean.

Carter, wife helping build homes in Thailand
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter helped the housing charity that he champions, Habitat for Humanity, launch a campaign Monday to build homes for 50,000 families in the Mekong River region over the next five years.

In China, Obama pushes freedoms, open Internet
President Barack Obama used a town hall-style meeting in Shanghai to politely but firmly press for greater freedoms in China.

Apology for kids shipped from Britain to colonies
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a historic apology Monday to thousands of impoverished British children shipped to Australia with the promise of a better life, triggering calls for compensation for the abuse and neglect that many suffered.

NATO: Two rockets hit Kabul airport area; no injury
NATO says two rockets were fired at the military part of Kabul's international airport, but did not cause any injuries.

Death toll in El Salvador storms rises to 192
Salvadoran authorities say at least 192 people were killed by floods and landslides that swept through the country last week.

Reports: Iran ex-deputy minister jailed in Israel
Several Iranian news Web sites are reporting that a former deputy defense minister who has been missing for more than two years was abducted by Israeli agents.

Iran's first lady makes rare speech at Rome summit
Iran's first lady has made a rare public appearance and even more rare, a speech, at a Rome forum on the even of a U.N. summit to fight hunger.

Obama arrives in China for first-ever visit
President Barack Obama is in Shanghai, launching a three-day visit to an important global U.S. partner and his first travels ever in China.

Japan official urges resolution of US base debate
Japan's foreign minister pressed Sunday for a quick resolution of a dispute over the relocation of a key U.S. Marine base, but also said he would consider options previously rejected by Washington, which could draw out negotiations.

Iran condemns US mosque seizure
Iran's parliament speaker has denounced as "disgraceful" U.S. moves to seize four mosques and a New York City skyscraper owned by a Muslim nonprofit organization suspected of Iranian links.

Reports: NKorea briefly activates missile radar
North Korea briefly activated radar for its surface-to-ship missiles Sunday, forcing South Korean naval vessels to move away from a disputed western sea border where the two countries' navies clashed last week, news reports said.

SKorea investigates cause of shooting range fire
South Korean police and fire officials are investigating what sparked an indoor shooting range fire that killed 10 people yesterday, including eight Japanese tourists and their South Korean tour guide.

In Asia, Obama, Medvedev see nuke pact progress
President Barack Obama said Sunday the US and Russia would have a replacement treaty on reducing nuclear arms ready for approval by year's end.

US health agency to take 'fresh look' at Vieques
A U.S. agency has overturned its 2003 research that said no health hazards were caused by decades of military exercises on Vieques, a bombing range-turned-tourist destination off Puerto Rico's east coast.

15 people killed in one day in Mexican border city
Authorities say a 7-year-old boy, three women and a university professor are among 15 people who were killed in a single day in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez.

NATO says insurgents killed during search
NATO says several insurgents, including an armed woman, have been killed in a search operation in western Afghanistan.

Bill Clinton urges Mideast foes to end conflict
Former President Bill Clinton, whose energetic efforts to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal collapsed, urged both sides Saturday to end their decades-old conflict, saying they cannot escape their common future.

Mexico plans big Gulf tourism center near Texas
Mexico is planning a big new tourism center near the U.S. border along the Gulf of Mexico.

Two Japanese tourists among 10 dead in fire
Police say at least two Japanese tourists are among the 10 people killed in a fire at an indoor shooting range in South Korea.

Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan explosions
NATO says two U.S. service members and an American contractor have been killed in two separate explosions in Afghanistan.

Children among dead in suicide attack in northwest Pakistan
Ten are now reported dead after a suicide car bombing on the outskirts of the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.

Britain investigating fresh Iraq abuse claims
Some 33 allegations of abuse involving British soldiers who served in Iraq are being investigated, Britain's Ministry of Defense said Saturday.

Pakistan's army kills eight militants in Swat Valley
Pakistani troops killed eight insurgents Saturday in gunbattles in the Swat Valley, the military said, underscoring that the Taliban threat in the region persists more than three months after a government offensive to expel the militants.

NKorean cargo ship arrives in South after clash
A North Korean cargo ship entered South Korean waters Saturday — a sign that trade has been unaffected by a recent deadly naval clash off their western coasts, an official said.

Heavy snow storms in northern China kill 40
Unusually early snow storms in north-central China have claimed 40 lives, caused thousands of buildings to collapse and destroyed almost 500,000 acres (200,000 hectares) of winter crops, the Civil Affairs Ministry said Friday.

Obama boosts hopes for free trade in Asia-Pacific
Hopes of a free-trade zone for the Asia-Pacific region have gotten a boost from President Barack Obama today.

Chavez blames U.S. pact with Colombia for tensions
Venezuela's president is lashing out at an agreement for American troops to use more Colombian military bases accusing the U.S. of aiming to start a conflict and urging his military to be prepared.

Syrian president says Israel doesn't want peace
Syrian President Bashar Assad urged France on Friday to support Turkish mediation efforts to get momentum in the Middle East peace process.

WHO urges big event organizers to keep swine flu in mind
The World Health Organization is urging organizers of big events like the Olympics and Islam's annual hajj pilgrimage to take precautions to prevent the spread of swine flu.

Brazil's president waits for blackout investigation
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says that he's waiting on a federal investigation to say anything more about the cause of a massive blackout earlier this week that affected 60 million people.

U.N. chief to fast to spotlight one billion hungry
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is planning to join a 24-hour fast to spotlight the plight of the more than one billion people around the world who go to bed hungry every night.

Blasts rock Russian ammunition depot
Two firefighters are dead after a series of huge explosions and fires at a Russian ammunition depot.

Swine flu causes surge of garlic sales in Serbia
There's been a run on garlic in the markets of Serbia's capital, Belgrade.

Clint Eastwood made Legion of Honor commander
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made American actor and director Clint Eastwood a commander in the prestigious French Legion of Honor.

French navy captures 12 pirates off Somalia
The French navy has seized three boats off Somalia's coast and detained 12 suspected pirates.

Army says morale down among troops in Afghanistan
The army says morale has fallen among its forces in Afghanistan, where troops are seeing record violence in the eight-year-old war.

Report: Somali terror suspect had US residency
Dutch media is reporting that a Somali man suspected of recruiting young people in the United States for terrorism in Somalia has a U.S. green card.

Obama meets with new Japanese PM
President Barack Obama has met with Japan's new leader, as he seeks to shore up relations with Tokyo.

At least six wounded in attack; Taliban claims responsibility
The Taliban is claiming responsibility for a suicide attack near a U.S. base in Afghanistan.

Clinton: No binding climate deal at Denmark talks
Next month's climate change summit in Copenhagen is not likely to produce a legally binding treaty to cut the greenhouse gas emissions that are widely blamed for global warming, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday.

UK's Brown: NATO troop increase for Afghanistan
Britain's prime minister says NATO nations may contribute 5,000 more troops to Afghanistan — offering key backing as the U.S. decides whether to increase troop levels.

NKorea vows to defend itself after sea clash
North Korea warned Friday that it will aggressively defend itself in disputed waters where a bloody naval clash with rival South Korea took place this week.

Tony Blair to give public evidence on Iraq war
ormer Prime Minister will be publicly questioned about the Iraq war during Britain's long-awaited inquiry into mistakes made before and during the conflict.

Rio pledges 'power island' immune from blackouts
Organizers of the 2016 Olympics are pitching host city Rio de Janeiro as a potential "power island" immune from blackouts like the one that left 60 million Brazilians in the dark.

Hour may be at hand for Russia's time zones
Russia has 11 time zones across its vast territory and its leaders believe that's just too many hours in the day.

Bomb hits Pakistan's spy agency in northwest
A suicide car bomb devastated Pakistan's main spy agency building in the northwest Friday, killing at least seven people and striking at the heart of the institution overseeing much of the country's anti-terror campaign.

Brazil says deforestation sees biggest drop in 20 years
The government says deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon dropped nearly 46 percent from August 2008 to July 2009.

China signal it may let currency rise could aid U.S.
The dollar edged up in trading against other currencies Thursday as the Chinese government appeared to signal that it may be willing to let the value of its currency rise.

Lake Titicaca at dangerously low levels
Bolivian authorities say evaporation blamed on global warming has reduced one of the world's highest navigable lakes to its lowest level since 1949.

U.N. food summit to back new strategy against hunger
A draft declaration for next week's U.N. food summit would commit world leaders to a new hunger-fighting strategy by pledging to increase agricultural development aid to help the world's one billion hungry people feed themselves.

Tallest man unveils largest cookie in Norway
The world's tallest living man has unveiled the world's largest gingerbread man at an Ikea outlet in Norway's capital, Oslo.

Diplomats say Iran began nuke plant seven years ago
Diplomats say Iran built its recently revealed uranium enrichment facility in fits and starts, with construction beginning seven years ago.

Italy: 17 Algerians arrested in terrorism probe
Italy's top security official said Thursday that authorities have smashed an international terror cell with the arrest in Italy and elsewhere in Europe of 17 Algerians who were raising money to finance terrorism.

Mexico border city groups call for UN peacekeepers
Business groups in a Mexican border city are making an usual request: they're asking the United Nations to send peacekeepers to stop the drug-related violence in their area.

Sarkozy: No place for burqas in France
French President Nicolas Sarkozy says there is no place for full face and body veils such as the burqa, or for the debasement of women, in France.

Italian legislation could help Berlusconi
Italy's parliament is considering a controversial bill that would limit the length of trials, with some legislators saying it was drafted to help Premier Silvio Berlusconi with his legal problems.

Jewish-American charged with killing Palestinians
A Jewish-American extremist has been charged with shooting to death two Palestinians and trying to kill others with explosive devices and poison.

MIA dog found in Afghanistan after 14 months
A bomb-sniffing dog that disappeared during a fierce battle in Afghanistan between Australian troops and militant fighters has been found and returned to its unit after more than a year.

Afghan presidential inauguration to be Nov. 19
Afghan President Hamid Karzai's inauguration to a second five-year term will be held Nov. 19 at the heavily guarded palace compound in the capital Kabul.

Clinton shows solidarity, pledges more aid
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is promising U.S. support for the Philippines in its fight against al-Qaida-linked militants.

Tanzanian landslide kills 11 children, nine adults
A Tanzanian government official says a landslide has killed 11 children and nine adults near Mt. Kilimanjaro.

North Korea says South Korea faces consequences over clash
North Korea is warning South Korea that it could face consequences over a naval clash that occurred between the rival countries off their west coast earlier this week.

Japan's emperor marks 20th anniversary on throne
Japan's Emperor Akihito, marking the 20th anniversary of his coronation, says he is concerned young people are forgetting their history.

U.S. diplomat leaves Honduras in political limbo
A senior U.S. diplomat expressed hope that ousted President Manuel Zelaya and interim leader Roberto Micheletti would resolve the crisis before upcoming elections.

Iran condemns Oxford for honoring slain protester
The country is protesting a scholarship that's been set up at a British college.

Palestinian hopes dim five years after Arafat death
The tens of thousands of Palestinians who thronged Yasser Arafat's grave Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of his death had a lot more to mourn than just their late leader.

Mexican city fires 25 percent of traffic police
Mexico's third-largest city has fired almost a quarter of its traffic police for failing tests designed to detect corruption and ineptitude.

Hezbollah leader lashes out at Obama
Hezbollah's leader is accusing President Barack Obama of absolute bias in favor of Israel and disregard for the dignity of Arabs and Muslims.

Azerbaijan opposition bloggers sentenced to jail
A court in Azerbaijan sentenced two bloggers to prison for a fight in a restaurant but the defendants say the charges were a pretext to punish them for political dissent.

Ivory Coast election delayed
An Ivory Coast election official says this month's presidential vote will not occur as planned.

WHO says country measures on swine flu can vary
A World Health Organization spokesman says countries can chose from stronger measures like school closures that may slow the spread of swine flu in the beginning but the disease will continue to spread anyway.

U.S. troops in Afghanistan observe Veterans Day
American troops in Afghanistan have been commemorating Veterans Day with ceremonies for those killed in conflict.

Official says blackout in Brazil caused by bad weather
Brazil's energy minister says a blackout that left 60 million people in the dark was caused by bad weather.

UK to hold DNA of innocents for six years
Britain said Wednesday it plans to keep DNA profiles of innocent people for at least six years instead of indefinitely despite a European Court ruling branding the retention as a violation of human rights.

Militants kill 11 in separate attacks in Pakistan
At least 11 Pakistani soldiers have been killed today in two separate incidents in an area close to the Afghan border.

Iraq PM warns of threat in run-up to January vote
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is warning that insurgents may threaten the country's fledgling democracy in the run-up to January's national elections.

Israel shows documents it says link Iran to arms
The Israeli military has released documents and photos that it says proves Iran was behind the massive shipment of weapons intercepted last week.

Netanyahu in Paris with peace efforts in peril
Growing frustration with Jewish settlements and anxiety about the Palestinian Authority's future set the stage for talks Wednesday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

EU: Somali pirates seize cargo ship with 22 crew
The European Union Naval Force says Somali pirates have seized a cargo ship in the Indian Ocean with 22 crew members on board.

Pope urges Europe to defend religious heritage
Pope Benedict XVI has urged Europeans to defend their continent's religious and cultural heritage.

Taiwan: No quid pro quo for lifting U.S. beef ban
Taiwan's president says the island has not received anything in exchange for lifting a long-standing ban on the imports of certain U.S. beef cuts.

Clinton: U.S. still to send envoy to North Korea
A naval skirmish this week between the two Koreas will not affect Washington's decision to send a senior diplomat to communist North Korea, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday.

Missing U.S. soldier's body found in Afghanistan
Military divers have found the body of one of two U.S. soldiers who went missing last week as they tried to recover airdropped supplies that fell into a river in western Afghanistan, NATO said Wednesday.

Helicopter gunships kill 10 militants in Pakistan
Ten suspected militants are dead after helicopter gunships shelled militant hide-outs in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region.

Lights back on in Brazil's two largest cities
Parts of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and elsewhere were blacked out for hours after a hydroelectric dam went offline.

Gunmen attack AA meeting in Mexico, killing one
Gunmen burst into an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and opened fire in a violence-plagued Mexican border state, killing one person and wounding four, authorities said Tuesday.

U.S. imam wanted in Yemen over al-Qaida suspicions
A radical American imam who communicated with the Fort Hood shooting suspect and called him a hero was once arrested in Yemen on suspicion of giving religious approval to militants to conduct kidnappings.

U.S. accuses Iran of violating UN arms embargo
The United States accused Iran Tuesday of violating a U.N. arms embargo by secretly sending weapons to Syria in a cargo ship seized by Israel, a U.S. official said.

UK Police: Suspect drunk pilot stopped at Heathrow
British police say that a pilot has been arrested at London's Heathrow Airport on suspicion of being drunk.

Dutch arrest Somali terror suspect wanted by U.S.
Dutch prosecutors say they have arrested a 43-year-old Somali man wanted by U.S. authorities for allegedly financing Islamic extremist terrorists.

UN: 10,000 Salvadoran flood victims need food
At least 10,000 Salvadorans are in urgent need of food aid after devastating floods and mudslides that damaged crops, destroyed homes and killed 130 people, the U.N. World Food Program said Tuesday.

Police: Bomb kills 24 in northwest Pakistan market
At least 24 people have been killed in an explosion in Pakistan.

North demands apology after Koreas naval skirmish
North Korea is demanding an apology after an exchange of naval fire between the regime and South Korea. It's the first such clash in seven years.

King Tut's tomb set for five year renovation project
Egypt and the California-based Getty Conservation Institute announced Tuesday a five year project to restore the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the boy king whose golden mask and artifacts have long awed the world.

Somali pirates demand for $3M ship with 18 crew
A Somali businessman says pirates have hijacked a Panamanian-flagged ship with 18 crew.

Taylor claims U.S. sought to oust him from power
Charles Taylor claims he was indicted for war crimes as part of a U.S. "regime change" plan to gain control of West African oil reserves.

China opposes Dalai Lama's visit to border area
China's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it opposed and was dissatisfied with India's allowing a visit to a disputed border region by Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama.

Landslide kills 42 in southern India
Officials say at least 42 people are dead following a rain-triggered landslide in southern India.

Berlusconi's allies move to shield him from trials
Lawmakers allied with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will introduce a bill within days that could cut short his pending trials on tax fraud and corruption charges, one of the premier's most powerful backers in parliament said Tuesday.

Report: Navies of two Koreas exchange fire
Yonhap news agency says that navies of the two Koreas have exchanged fire off the west coast.

US to send envoy to NKorea for nuclear talks
The Obama administration is planning to send a special envoy to North Korea for talks on nuclear matters.

Mexico declares flood emergency in two south cities
The Mexican government has declared parts of the Gulf coast state of Tabasco disaster zones due to flooding from days of heavy rains, freeing up federal relief funds for the area.

Mexican police says they freed US kidnap victim
Prosecutors in the Mexico state of Baja California say they freed a U.S. citizen who was kidnapped last week near the border.

Iran accuses three detained Americans of espionage
Iran accused three detained Americans of spying Monday, signaling Tehran intends to put them on trial. It drew a sharp U.S. response that the charges are baseless because the hikers strayed across the border from Iraq.

Merkel thanks Gorbachev on Berlin Wall anniversary
Germans have flocked to the site of the former Berlin Wall to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the night it was opened.

Honduran Congress awaits court opinion on Zelaya
The head of Honduras' Congress said Monday there is no guarantee lawmakers will vote on whether to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya before the Nov. 29 election that will choose his successor.

Israeli prime minister calls for peace talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called for an immediate resumption of peace talks with Palestinians and pledged more steps to improve economic conditions in Palestinian areas.

Fighting in Afghan north kills 130 insurgents
NATO says Afghan and foreign troops have killed more than 130 insurgents, including eight Taliban commanders, in six days of fierce fighting during a major offensive in northern Afghanistan.

With 124 dead, rescuers seek Salvador survivors
Dozens are missing in El Salvador, where floods and landslides have left at least 124 people dead.

China executes nine Uighurs over July ethnic riots
Chinese state media says an initial group of nine Uighurs have been executed for taking part in July's deadly ethnic rioting in the country's far west.

11 Afghans die of swine flu, troops suffering
Swine flu has left 11 people dead in Afghanistan, where hundreds of Afghan and international troops are battling the disease and facing a rising militant insurgency.

Myanmar diplomat: Junta may free Suu Kyi for poll
Myanmar's military-ruled government may release pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi soon, so she can play a role in next year's general elections, according to a senior Myanmar diplomat.

Iran still wants nuke talks with world powers
Iran still wants talks with world powers over fuel supplies to a Tehran nuclear reactor, despite the country's apparent rejection of a U.N. plan to curb Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.

US military: Two American pilots die in Iraq
The U.S. military says two American pilots have died in a helicopter crash in Iraq.

Police: Suicide bomber kills three in Pakistan
Police say a suicide bomber has killed three people including a police constable in Pakistan's main northwest city of Peshawar.

Taliban prisoners on hunger strike in Kandahar
About 350 Taliban prisoners are on a hunger strike at a prison in Kandahar and a delegation from the Ministry of Justice is going to the lockup in southern Afghanistan to investigate their complaints.

Two killed by strong earthquake
Officials say at least two people are dead after a strong undersea quake struck an island in central Indonesia.

Saudis take mountain from Yemen rebels
Saudi Arabian forces seized a strategic mountain straddling the border with Yemen and cleared it of Shiite rebels after five days of fighting that have left three Saudi soldiers dead, a Saudi defense official said Sunday.

Chavez to troops: Prepare for war with Colombia
President Hugo Chavez ordered Venezuela's military on Sunday to prepare for a possible armed conflict with Colombia, saying the country's soldiers should be ready if the United States attempts to provoke a war between the South American neighbors.

Iraqi lawmakers pass long-delayed election law
Iraq's parliament has passed an election law, paving the way for national elections in January.

Government: 40 dead in El Salvador flooding
El Salvador's interior minister says that 40 people have died throughout the country following three days of heavy rains.

Afghan president: No corrupt officials in new govt
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, under fire from his international partners to clean up his administration, insisted Sunday there's no place for corrupt officials within his government.

Japanese FM says no base deal during Obama visit
Japan's foreign minister is telling people on Okinawa not to expect a deal on relocating troops there when President Barack Obama visits this week.

Queen leads Britain's Remembrance day ceremony
Queen Elizabeth II has led Britain's annual ceremony for the country's war dead, joining thousands of troops, veterans and civilians in a traditional two-minute silence.

Germany celebrates memory of Berlin Wall falling
Twenty years ago Monday, they danced atop the Berlin Wall, feet thudding on the cold concrete, arms raised in victory, hands clasped in friendship and giddy hope.

Ida could go stronger as it heads for Gulf of Mexico
Hurricane Ida could grow into a Category 2 storm later today on its path into the Gulf of Mexico.

Police: Suicide attack in Pakistan kills eight
Police say a suicide bomber has attacked a goat market in northwest Pakistan, killing eight people.

Obama to meet Myanmar, other ASEAN leaders
President Barack Obama will meet leaders of Southeast Asian nations, including Myanmar, during his upcoming Asian tour.

Peres calls on Palestinian leader not to quit
Israel's president has called on Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to rescind his decision to stand down, invoking the memory of Yitzhak Rabin at a commemoration for the assassinated Israeli premier.

Air France crash memorial in Rio amid criticism
Scores of relatives of the 228 people killed in the June 1 Air France jet crash dedicated a memorial in an upscale beach neighborhood Saturday amid strong criticism that the airline has failed to provide them with the answers or compensation they were promised.

Guyana: US 'mastermind' behind arson attacks
Recent arson attacks and shootings in this violence-wracked South American nation are the work of a mastermind living in the United States, Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo alleged.

Britain urges steps to insure financial system
Britain called for consideration of a global tax on financial transactions to insure against another crisis, and urged world finance officials meeting Saturday in Scotland to agree on bearing the cost of fighting climate change.

Iran: 109 detained at opposition rally
Iranian police have detained 109 people for "disturbing public order" during an opposition rally this week, the official IRNA news agency reported Saturday.

Afghan gov't says UN representative out of line
Pushing back against international criticism, Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the top U.N. official in the country overstepped his authority by giving instructions on how to rid the government of corruption and warlords.

Medvedev: Arms control deal with US can be reached
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says that Moscow and Washington can sign a new nuclear arms control deal before year's end.

Tens of thousands of homes flooded in Mexico
Officials say a week of torrential rain has flooded the homes of more than 200,000 people along Mexico's Gulf coast.

Abbas' move reflects deep Palestinian despair
By saying he wants to step down as president, Mahmoud Abbas has highlighted a deep Palestinian despair rooted in decades of failed peace initiatives and fruitless violence.

Nominee for Haitian PM clears first hurdle
Haitian senators have taken a key first step toward replacing the prime minister they ousted a week ago.

Paraguay president explains military shake-up
Fernando Lugo says Paraguay needed a military shake-up to create opportunities for young officers with a proven commitment to democracy.

Security forces wounded in search for missing U.S. soldiers
More than two dozen members of NATO and Afghan security forces have been wounded while searching for two American soldiers.

Egypt stops opposition leader from traveling to U.S.
Egyptian authorities have prevented a leading political dissident from traveling to the U.S., saying that the conditions of his early release from prison do not permit him to travel abroad.

Canada plans Afghan withdrawal
Canada has begun preparations to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in 2011.

Cuba cuts back on rationed products
The country has cut two staple foods from the monthly ration books that most islanders depend on, edging closer to a risky full elimination of the decades-old subsidies.

Monaco palace says it's suing alleged spymaster
A French lawyer says Monaco's Prince Albert II is filing a lawsuit in the U.S. against an American who claims he once worked as the prince's personal spymaster and is owed back pay.

Orderly approach to swine flu shots in Europe
In Britain, there are no long lines of people seeking swine flu vaccine and doctor's offices aren't swamped with desperate calls.

U.S. urges Honduran unity government
The State Department is expressing disappointment that Honduras has failed to form a unity government.

Czech, US governments discuss military cooperation
Senior U.S. and Czech defense officials held talks Friday to discuss ways for the Czech Republic to participate in a reworked U.S. missile defense plan.

Ida drenches Central America, might approach US
Former Hurricane Ida drenched Central America as a tropical depression on Friday and forecasters said it had some chance of regaining force and heading toward the U.S.

UK's Brown stands firm on Afghanistan
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is warning Afghanistan to take action against corruption.

Berlin inaugurates repainted Wall section
The Berlin Wall's longest remaining stretch has been restored to its state of nearly two decades ago after artists repainted the colorful murals they created in the aftermath of the notorious barrier's opening.

Spain refuses demand to free Somali pirates
Spain said Friday it would not free two captured pirates as demanded by fellow brigands who are holding a Spanish trawler and 33 crew members off the coast of Somalia.

Israel rejects UN vote approving Gaza report
Israel has rejected a U.N. General Assembly decision to endorse a report accusing the Jewish state of war crimes in Gaza, saying it lacks the support of the world's "moral majority."

Bus plunges down gorge in north India, killing 32
A crowded bus plunged down a steep mountain gorge in northern India on Friday, killing 32 people, a local official said.

10 arrested in Mexican police chief's killing
Authorities arrested four police officers and six other suspects Thursday in the assassination of an army general who had been appointed police chief of this northern Mexican town over the weekend.

Delegates discuss way forward in UN climate talks
Countries most vulnerable to climate change said Friday they were incensed that rich nations were rethinking the timetable for concluding a global treaty that would hold them to legally binding targets for cutting emissions.

Venezuela sends 15,000 troops to Colombia border
President Hugo Chavez's government says the military buildup is needed to increase security, combat drug trafficking and root out paramilitary groups.

Tsvangirai ends boycott of unity Cabinet
Zimbabwe's prime minister says he has ended his boycott of his country's troubled unity Cabinet.

Student stuns Iran by criticizing supreme leader
An unassuming college math student has become an unlikely hero to many in Iran for daring to criticize the country's most powerful man to his face.

Abbas says he won't run in January election
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he doesn't want to run for re-election.

Honduras reaches deadline for new unity government
Efforts to create a unity government aimed at ending Honduras' political standoff appeared to be dragging past Thursday's deadline.

Union and UK Royal Mail reach interim agreement
The union representing Britain's postal workers says it will call off strikes planned for later this week and remain at work through the December holidays.

Norway seeks WTO help in disputed EU seal hunt ban
Norway has joined Canada in asking the World Trade Organization to settle its seal hunt dispute with the European Union.

South Africa cancels Airbus contract
The country's government says it has canceled a contract to buy eight Airbus military aircraft that had set off a debate about public spending.

Paraguayan president hit with third paternity suit
A third woman has filed a paternity claim against Paraguay's Roman Catholic bishop-turned- president, Fernando Lugo.

War crimes tribunal to appoint lawyer for Karadzic
The U.N. war crimes tribunal has decided that former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will be appointed a lawyer to represent him whenever he fails to appear in court.

Spanish hostages' wives: Three crew taken ashore
Pirates holding a Spanish trawler off Somalia took three crew members ashore Thursday to press Spanish authorities for the release of fellow pirates captured in connection with the month-old hostage drama, wives of two sailors said.

WHO: Swine flu virus is top strain worldwide
The World Health Organization's flu chief said the swine flu virus has now become the predominant flu strain worldwide.

Pakistani military claims nearly 30 militants killed in last 24 hours
The Pakistani military says 28 militants and five soldiers have been killed in 24 hours of fighting in South Waziristan.

Russia: Two suspects in lawyer, journalist killings
Russian investigators said Thursday they have detained two suspects in the killings of a human rights lawyer and a journalist who were shot in central Moscow in January.

EU leader: Cuba must make human rights gestures
The European Union's development commissioner wants Cuba to show signs it's serious about protecting fundamental human rights.

Hezbollah denies link to arms ship
Israeli officials tallied up hundreds of tons of weapons seized from a commandeered ship Thursday as Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas denied that the arms were meant for them.

Two American soldiers die in Iraq
The U.S. military says two American soldiers have died in Iraq, one in combat and one of noncombat-related injuries.

China guard at 'black' jail says he raped detainee
A guard at an unofficial jail in the Chinese capital has pleaded guilty to raping a young detainee, an activist said Thursday, in a case that has put the spotlight on the "black jails" where a growing number of people seeking justice from the government end up.

India restricts coverage of Dalai Lama's visit
The Indian government refused Thursday to allow foreign journalists to cover the Dalai Lama's visit to a northeastern state at the heart of a long-running border dispute with China.

Air Zimbabwe plane smashes into wild pigs
Zimbabwe's transport ministry says one of the national airline's planes collided with five wild pigs on the runway in the capital during takeoff.

Ousted Honduran leader asks U.S. to clarify stand on coup
Ousted President Manuel Zelaya is asking the Obama Administration to explain why, after pressing for his reinstatement, U.S. officials say they will recognize upcoming Honduran elections even if he isn't returned to power first.

President Lugo fires Paraguay's military chiefs
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo fired his military chiefs, a day after denying he had worries about a coup amid calls for his impeachment.

Tropical Storm Ida strengthens
Tropical storm Ida is gaining strength in the southwest Caribbean, prompting a hurricane watch for the eastern coast of Nicaragua and storm warnings for two Colombian islands.

British lawmakers face tighter new expense regime
Lawmakers face strict new allowance rules following a scandal over their outrageous expense claims.

Prosecutor won't appeal decision to try Chirac
The Paris prosecutor's office says it will not appeal a decision by an investigating magistrate to order former French President Jacques Chirac to stand trial on embezzlement charges dating back to his 1977-95 tenure as Paris mayor.

Swine flu hits Yanomami Indians in the Amazon
Swine flu has appeared among Venezuela's Yanomami Indians, one of the largest isolated indigenous groups in the Amazon, and a doctor says that the virus is suspected in seven deaths.

Iran police, protesters clash at U.S. Embassy rally
Iran is seeing its first major anti-government demonstration in nearly two months. It coincides with the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

Obama's half brother recalls their abusive father
President Barack Obama's half-brother has finally spoken out, discussing his new, semi-autobiographical novel.

Resolution seeks Gaza war crimes investigations
The U.N. General Assembly is expected to approve a resolution that urges Israel and the Palestinians to carry out independent investigations of alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict last winter.

Karzai opponent says Afghanistan has wasted allies' help
Afghan President Hamid Karzai's challenger in the recent presidential election accuses the current government of wasting the lives and the resources of its Western allies.

Malaysia rejects call to release 10,000 Bibles
The Malaysian government has refused to release 10,000 Bibles confiscated for using the word "Allah" to refer to God, a banned translation in Christian texts in this Muslim-majority country, an official said Wednesday.

Man appears alive at own funeral in Brazil
A Brazilian bricklayer reportedly killed in a car crash shocked his mourning family by showing up alive at his funeral.

U.S. officials meet Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has been visiting with detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Swiss freeze Libya deal as Gadhafi saga drags on
The Swiss government on Wednesday suspended a deal to repair its damaged relations with Libya until two Swiss citizens held in the Arab country are allowed to return home.

Clinton: U.S. wants Israel settlement halt 'forever'
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Washington does not accept the legitimacy of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and wants to see their construction halted "forever."

Military: Israel navy captures arms ship
The Israeli military says its navy has captured an arms vessel 100 miles off Israel's coast.

Verdict due in CIA extraordinary rendition trial
A judge is expected to begin deliberating the fate of 26 Americans and seven Italians accused of kidnapping an Egyptian terror suspect from a Milan street in 2003. It is the first trial in the world involving the CIA's extraordinary rendition program.

Earthquake injures 80 in southern Iran
A moderate earthquake has shaken southern Iran early Wednesday, injuring 80 people and cutting power and telephone lines.

Five British soldiers killed in south Afghanistan
Britain's defense ministry says five British soldiers have been killed in a gunfire attack in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. Afghan authorities say the attacker was a policeman.

U.S. officials to meet Aung San Suu Kyi
A U.S. State Department official is to hold high-profile talks with Myanmar's detained opposition leader as the Obama administration opens a new era of engaging the country's military rulers.

Floods force 44,000 people from homes in Mexico
Flooding after days of heavy rain along Mexico's Gulf Coast has forced more than 44,000 people from their homes.

Vietnam storm death toll rises
Officials say the death toll from Tropical Storm Mirinae has risen to 57 in central Vietnam as authorities step up rescue and relief operations.

North Korea claims to expand arsenal of atomic bombs
The country says that it has successfully weaponized more plutonium for atomic bombs, a day after warning Washington to agree quickly to direct talks or face the prospect of a growing North Korean nuclear arsenal.

Honduran Congress to seek opinions before vote
A Honduran lawmaker says congressional leaders will seek the opinions of several government entities before convoking the full legislature to vote on reinstating ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

South Korean tycoon dead of apparent suicide
The ousted chairman of South Korea's oldest conglomerate, the Doosan Group, was reportedly found dead in an apparent suicide.

Norway to offer swine flu drugs over the counter
Norway is allowing over-the-counter sales of flu medicines Tamiflu and Relenza in response to the rapid spread of swine flu.

Puerto Rico to delay nearly half of 15,000 layoffs
Almost half of the 15,000 government employees scheduled to be laid off this week because of a budget deficit will keep their jobs until next year.

Egypt-Israel frictions complicate peace efforts
A sharp deterioration in Egypt's relations with Israel is further complicating Washington's faltering efforts to move the Middle East peace process forward.

White House: No flu vaccine for Gitmo detainees
The White House says detainees at Guantanamo Bay are not receiving vaccinations against the swine flu vaccine.

Swiss court receives latest Polanski bail offer
The Swiss Criminal Court says director Roman Polanski has filed a new bail appeal to be released from prison.

Iran warns against U.S. pressure in talks
Iran's supreme leader on Tuesday warned against the U.S. imposing its will on negotiations with Tehran.

New video on missing British girl Madeleine McCann
There's a new video out imagining what a missing British toddler might look like two years after she disappeared.

Reports: Berlusconi seeks to postpone fraud trial
Italian news reports say Premier Silvio Berlusconi is seeking to postpone the resumption of his fraud trial in Milan.

African kings, queens, chiefs to honor Mandela
Dancers clad in animal skins opened a royal ceremony Tuesday, a nod to tradition for the forward-thinking kings, queens and chiefs who jetted in to Johannesburg from across Africa to launch an institute they hope will expand their roles on the continent.

Karadzic appears in UN court
Radovan Karadzic has appeared in the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal's courtroom for the first time since his trial began last week on charges of ordering Serb atrocities throughout the Bosnian war.

Clinton says Obama is committed to Mideast peace
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is telling officials of the greater Middle East that President Barack Obama is determined to attain an Israeli-Palestinian peace.

At least 10 killed in Pakistan train collision
A passenger train rammed into a cargo train outside of the southern city of Karachi on Tuesday after the driver apparently missed a signal to stop, killing 10 people including an infant, officials said.

Beijing says Dalai Lama shows anti-China bias
China said it expressed grave concern to India about a visit by the Dalai Lama to a state in the country's northeast at the heart of a long-running border dispute, saying it showed an anti-China bias.

Afghan president says opponents welcome in government
Afghanistan's president is welcoming his re-election by default. And he's reaching out to opponents.

Taliban: Canceled Afghan vote proves their success
The Taliban say the canceled runoff election in Afghanistan proves that their efforts to derail the vote with threats and attacks were successful.

Tropical storm kills 11 in Vietnam
Tropical Storm Mirinae unleashed severe flooding in parts of central Vietnam, killing 11 people, leaving two missing and forcing families onto rooftops, disaster officials said Tuesday.

Gunmen kill three at Chinese-owned mining camp in Peru
Up to 20 armed men attacked a Chinese-owned mining camp in northern Peru, killing the Peruvian administrator and two security guards and burning down the controversial facility, the company said Monday.

NKorea threatens to expand nuclear arsenal
North Korea issued a veiled threat to increase its nuclear arsenal if U.S. officials do not quickly agree to the one-on-one talks that the communist regime is demanding.

Senior US officials to visit Myanmar
Two senior U.S. officials headed Tuesday to Myanmar for the highest-level visit in more than a decade and talks billed as a key pivot in Washington's longtime stance of shunning the junta.

Mexico identifies four bodies left with warning
Officials in Mexico's capital said Monday they had identified four bound bodies found in a sport utility vehicle over the weekend with hand-lettered messages identifying the dead men as kidnappers.

Clinton says nuke offer to Iran won't be changed
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the offer to Iran to exchange its low-enriched uranium by having it shipped to Russia will not be altered, despite Iranian efforts to seek a modified deal.

Canada requests WTO consultations on seal hunt ban
Canada is taking its seal hunt dispute with the European Union to the World Trade Organization.

Former KGB spy shot dead in Moscow
A Russian businessman who had been convicted in Israel of being a KGB spy was shot dead in Moscow on Monday, police said.

Putin requests EU credits for Ukraine
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin urged the European Union on Monday to lend Ukraine at least $1 billion to help it pay for natural gas supplies from Russia and avoid another disruption of flows to Europe.

Somali men fail in attempt to hijack plane
A Somali airline official says two men have failed in an attempt to hijack an airplane.

Ukraine in panic over swine flu; WHO team visits
Ukraine is in a panic about swine flu, with officials closing schools, imposing travel restrictions and limiting public gatherings. Yet many suspect that politics, not health issues, are behind the uproar.

President Hamid Karzai declared election victor
The United States and its allies have congratulated President Hamid Karzai on winning a second term following a proclamation by the country's election commission.

Clinton lauds Israeli offer to restrict building
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is again praising Israel's offer to restrict its building of settlements in Palestinian areas, but says it falls well short of the U.S. desire for a full halt to building.

Polanski lawyer submits new bail offer to Swiss
A French lawyer for Roman Polanski says he has submitted a new bail offer to a Swiss court to try to free the filmmaker from jail.

Muslim ex-Gitmo detainees face challenges in Palau
Six former Guantanamo Bay detainees brought to Palau for resettlement have received a warm official welcome, but a plan to deport Bangladeshi workers could halve this Pacific Island nation's already-tiny Muslim community, making integration harder.

Karadzic to continue trial boycott
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will boycott his genocide trial again Monday but will attend a hearing Tuesday on how to get the case back on track, one of his legal advisers said.

Iran says UN-backed nuclear deal is not dead
Iran's foreign minister says Tehran has not rejected a U.N.-backed nuclear deal, despite statements by lawmakers and the country's president.

North Korea demands direct talks with U.S.
North Korea is warning the U.S. that if Washington doesn't accept its demand for direct talks, Pyongyang will go its "own way."

Police: Blast in Pakistan kills 35
There have been two suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan today.

Suspected Somali pirates clash with Norwegian navy
The European Union's anti-piracy force says a Norwegian warship has clashed with suspected Somali pirates.

Rescue under way after boat sinks off Australia
An official says 25 people are missing and 15 have been rescued after a boat sank in remote waters far off the Australian coast.

Mexico extradites 11 fugitives to US
Mexico has extradited 11 fugitives, accused of crimes including murder, sex offenses, drug trafficking and money laundering, to face trial in the United States, the Justice Department said Sunday.

Gitmo detainees set to receive swine flu vaccine
Terrorism suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay naval base will soon get swine flu vaccines, despite complaints that American civilians should have priority, a military spokesman said Sunday.

Israel nabs serial attacker of Arabs, leftist Jews
Israeli authorities have arrested a Jewish-American extremist suspected of carrying out a series of high-profile hate crimes, security officials said Sunday.

Abdullah's withdrawal effectively hands incumbent victory
President Hamid Karzai's challenger has withdrawn from next weekend's runoff election, effectively handing the incumbent a victory.

Clinton: US to support next Afghan president
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says it's up to Afghan officials to decide the way ahead after the top challenger to President Hamid Karzai pulled out of next weekend's runoff election.

Saudi police discover al-Qaida weapons cache
Saudi authorities have discovered large quantities of weapons in the capital Riyadh belonging to al-Qaida terror network, an Interior Ministry spokesman said Sunday.

Palestinians accuse Clinton of setting back peace process
The Palestinians are accusing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of undermining progress toward Mideast peace talks.

Last round of climate talks open before Copenhagen
Negotiators from nearly 180 countries hope to nail down the outline of a plan to provide tens of billions of dollars a year to fight climate change, in their final round of talks before a decisive conference in Copenhagen next month.

Fourth typhoon leaves 14 dead in Philippines
A tropical storm roared toward Vietnam on Sunday after battering the Philippine capital and surrounding provinces, leaving 14 people dead in a region still waterlogged from three previous, back-to-back storms.