All Latest News Wires
- American hostage, abducted in Pakistan, calls for help in Al Qaeda video
Warren Weinstein, abducted from his home in Lahore in August 2011, is shown begging for help from the US government in a video released Thursday by Al Qaeda. The White House has called for Weinstein's immediate release but has said it won't negotiate with Al Qaeda.
- Pope denounces violence against modern-day Christian martyrs
Pope Francis on Thursday drew parallels between the martyred St. Stephen and modern victims of religious persecution. He denounced discrimination and violence, especially in countries where religious freedom is guaranteed by law.
- Russia: Greenpeace activists can return home. Will this buy goodwill for Sochi?
Russia: Greenpeace activists are now free to leave Russia. Officials dropped criminal charges on Wednesday and began issuing visas Thursday. The charges stemmed from a September protest outside an Arctic oil rig.
- Queen Elizabeth posthumously pardons computer pioneer Alan Turing
Britain has pardoned Alan Turing, the code breaker key to winning WWII and laying the foundation for the computer age, for his conviction for "gross indecency" stemming from his relationship with another man in 1952.
- Kalashnikov dies: 'I sleep well,' said the designer of the AK-47
Kalashnikov died Monday. Mikhail "Misha" Kalashnikov designed the AK-47, the world's most popular firearm. An estimated 100 million Kalashnikov rifles are in use worldwide.
- More than 1,000 killed, thousands more trying to flee Bor, South Sudan
Some 3,000 foreigners are trapped in Bor, a South Sudan city in one of the most violent areas of a week-long conflict that has likely killed more than 1,000 people, a top UN official said Monday.
- Khodorkovsky: I will try to free other prisoners
The former Russian oil tycoon said he would not return to Russia, however.
- South Sudan rebellion spreads as UN evacuates
The state capital of South Sudan's oil-producing Unity State fell to rebels and the UN announced the evacuation of all non-essential staff from Juba, the national capital.
- Why Canada's high court lifted a ban on brothels
Canada's highest court struck down all three of Canada's prostitution-related laws: bans on keeping a brothel, making a living from prostitution, and street soliciting. The decision reopens the national debate on the legality of Canada's sex trade.
- US aircraft hit: Why is US military in South Sudan?
Rebel gunfire hit a US military aircraft trying to evacuate American citizens in South Sudan. Three US service members were injured, one seriously.
- London theatre partially collapses during performance, dozens injured
The roof or ceiling of the Apollo Theatre in London partially collapsed Thursday night, during a performance at the height of the Christmas holiday season.
- India says diplomat was victim of $10,000 bribe attempt by maid
India's foreign minister says Devyani Khobragade was the victim of a blackmail attempt by her maid. India wants the US to drop the case against India's deputy consul general in New York.
- Pussy Riot band members to be freed from Russian jail
Pussy Riot: Two members of a Russian punk band were serving a two-year jail sentence for performing a crude "punk prayer" against Putin and his ties to the Russian Orthodox church. Putin says Pussy Riot and 30 Greenpeace activists will be released. .
- South Sudan army: 'Not in control of Bor town'
An outburst of violence in recent days between the Dinka and the Nuer in Sudan could portend civil war in the country, officials warned Wednesday. President Salva Kiir accuses rival Riek Macharf of sparking the violence, but says he is willing to begin a dialogue.
- Egypt's Morsi to be tried on conspiracy charges
The former Egyptian president allegedly conspired with both Hamas and Hezbollah to cause violence in the Sinai Peninsula.
- India retaliates for diplomat who says she was strip searched
Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, was arrested Thursday on charges that she lied on a visa application. The New Delhi government has revoked privileges for US diplomats to protest the woman's treatment and withdrawn traffic barriers near the US embassy in Delhi.
- Stonehenge makeover: More English countryside, less tourist kitsch
Stonehenge has a new visitor center 1.5 miles away from the actual stones. No longer will 1 million tourists a year be able to drive past Stonehenge in their cars. Now visitors must take walking tours and a schedule shuttle bus.
- Amanda Knox joins her Italian trial via email
Amanda Knox sent an email to be read at her murder trial in Italy. "I am innocent. I did not kill, I did not rape, I did not steal, I did not plot or instigate. I did not kill Meredith," wrote Amanda Knox.
- Saudi Arabia: Women experience freedom on campus, but few changes outside
Women's universities and women's campuses of the nation's only coed university offer unprecedented educational access for Saudi Arabia's young women, but critics point out how little is changing outside school walls.
- Skyway accident Manila: 17 dead after bus plunges off elevated Filipino highway
Skyway accident Manila: Just two years ago, a handful of people were killed following a Skyway accident outside Manila.