Caracas shuns gold firm as state pushes forward with development
Venezuela has refused to renew a gold concession held by the US Gold Reserve corporation as the government boosts state control over its mineral wealth.
Irish abuse churches must pay, prime minister argues
Irish leaders declared on Wednesday that the secretive Catholic orders responsible for abusing children in workhouse-style schools must pay a greater share of compensation for victims.
Susan Boyle faces final hurdle in dreamlike rise
LONDON (AP) — It's always a bad hair day for Susan Boyle — until she starts to sing.
Shadow wars: Is civilian control of war slipping away?
Sudan: The two F-16s caught the trucks deep in the northern desert. Within minutes, the column of vehicles was a string of shattered wrecks burning fiercely in the January sun. No country took responsibility or claimed credit. There were no sharp exchanges of diplomatic notes before the attack, just sudden death and mayhem.
In Israel, democratic rights in peril
The Israeli government this week took a new step to suppress democratic rights in Israel. The government has approved a bill banning all commemoration of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948, under penalty of imprisonment.
Auto workers take wage cuts
Canadian Auto Workers members have voted to support a cost-cutting deal with General Motors as the US corporation bids to qualify for more government handouts.
N. Korea nuclear test draws universal condemnation
North Korea has drawn universal condemnation following its announcement yesterday that it had carried out an underground nuclear weapons test. It also apparently test-fired several short-range missiles.
VIDEO President Obama on Guantanamo and security
President Obama delivers a new direction on national security, torture, Guantanamo and civil liberties.
Islamists pull back from Swat fighting
Islamists fighting the Pakistani government have pledged to avoid combat in the Swat Valley city of Mingora in order to reduce civilian casualties.
Swine flu cases appear in Egypt, Kuwait, UAE
Confirmed cases of A(H1N1) influenza, commonly known as swine flu, have been reported in new countries in the Middle East. Hitherto only Israel had reported cases of the new influenza virus.
