Sri Lanka to release 136,000 Tamil war refugees

By ERANGA JAYAWARDENA

Sri Lanka will release next month the remaining 136,000 Tamil refugees still in the squalid and overrun government camps where they've been detained since the country's civil war ended six months ago, a top official said Saturday.

New Nov 21, 2009 | 11:35 am

Azerbaijan threatens force over Nagorno-Karabakh

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan said Saturday his nation may resort to military force if talks with Armenia on resolving a long-standing territorial dispute produce no result.

New Nov 21, 2009 | 11:20 am

Saudi: 4 pilgrims die of swine flu before hajj

Saudi health officials announced the first deaths from swine flu of this year's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, as four pilgrims succumbed to the disease soon after arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Nov 21, 2009 | 10:55 am

Life requested for US suspect in Italy murder case

By MARTA FALCONI

Prosecutors on Saturday requested life in prison for an American student and her ex-boyfriend accused in the fatal stabbing of her British roommate during a drug-fueled sex game _ charges the U.S. woman dismissed as "pure fantasy."

Nov 21, 2009 | 10:45 am

Pope and Anglican leader agree on closer relations

By VICTOR L. SIMPSON

After offering a home in his church to disaffected Anglicans, Pope Benedict XVI assured the archbishop of Canterbury on Saturday that he is still committed to seeking closer relations between Catholics and Anglicans.

Nov 21, 2009 | 10:40 am

Iran to hold war games to protect nuclear sites

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI

Iran will begin large-scale air defense war games Sunday aimed at protecting its nuclear facilities from possible attack, a senior military commander said Saturday, reflecting the country's concern that Israel could make good on threats to strike militarily.

Nov 21, 2009 | 10:40 am

Coal mine blast kills 42 in China, 66 trapped

By CARA ANNA

Rescuers working in frigid cold and darkness tried to reach 66 people believed trapped a third of a mile (half a kilometer) underground after a huge gas explosion Saturday ripped through a coal mine in northern China, killing at least 42 people.

Nov 21, 2009 | 10:40 am

McCain says he enjoyed reading Sarah Palin book

By ROB GILLIES

U.S. Sen. John McCain said Saturday that he enjoyed reading running mate Sarah Palin's new memoir and downplayed any tension between their campaign aides as "no big deal."

Nov 21, 2009 | 10:30 am

Rocket hits outside luxury hotel in Afghan capital

By ELENA BECATOROS and AMIR SHAH

A rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Afghanistan's capital late Saturday, wounding two people, the Interior Ministry said.

Nov 21, 2009 | 10:10 am

Mubarak vows not to tolerate attacks on Egyptians

By OMAR SINAN

President Hosni Mubarak entered Egypt's bitter soccer row with Algeria on Saturday, vowing in a televised speech that attacks on Egyptians abroad will not be tolerated.

Nov 21, 2009 | 9:50 am

Iraqi parliament seeks to end election crisis

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA

Iraqi lawmakers on Saturday sought a compromise in a dispute over an election law that was vetoed by a vice president, throwing national polls slated for January into question.

Nov 21, 2009 | 9:05 am

Afghan road builder's dream thwarted by violence

By TODD PITMAN

Khalid Khan stares through the dusty window pane, down across the rooftops of the capital, and wonders if they really know where he lives.

Nov 21, 2009 | 9:00 am

Iraq working for release of Americans held in Iran

An Iraqi official says Baghdad has contacted Tehran in a bid to secure the release of three Americans detained in Iran, but has received no reply.

Nov 21, 2009 | 8:05 am

Germany to send trial observer to NY

A German government official says the nation will send an observer to the upcoming trial in New York of the professed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and four accused henchmen.

Nov 21, 2009 | 8:05 am

Prosecutors request life in jail for US student on trial for killing British roommate in Italy.

Nov 21, 2009 | 7:55 am

Police report an explosion near the luxury Serena Hotel in Afghanistan's capital.

Nov 21, 2009 | 7:50 am

Buddhists from 2 Koreas hold joint ceremony

By KWANG-TAE KIM

Buddhist monks from South and North Korea held a joint ceremony at a temple in the communist country Saturday in a continuation of civic exchanges between the nations despite a bloody naval skirmish earlier this month.

Nov 21, 2009 | 7:20 am

Italian police arrest 2 linked to Mumbai attacks

By ARIEL DAVID

Italian police on Saturday arrested a Pakistani father and son accused of helping fund and providing logistical support for last year's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, authorities said.

Nov 21, 2009 | 6:45 am

3 men blow themselves up in Pakistani Kashmir

By RIAZ KHAN

Three suspected militants blew themselves up as police gave chase Saturday in the Pakistani part of disputed Kashmir, authorities said.

Nov 21, 2009 | 6:40 am