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Palestinians Hold to Plan for Indirect Talks With Israel

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah on Wednesday. Mr. Biden met Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

UN orders independent review of its climate body

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attends a joint press conference with Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Rajendra Pachauri (not pictured) at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, March 10, 2010. The United Nations announced on Wednesday that it would finance an independent review of the IPCC, which faces accusations of scientific misinformation and potential financial conflicts of interest.(Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Trumpeting the Catalan Language, by Law, in Small Type on the Big Screen

Filmgoers in Barcelona waited under a poster for “Precious,� which advertised that it was showing with “exclusive Catalan subtitles.�

Obama Pledges U.S. Aid to Haiti

WASHINGTON — As the United States military steadily reduces its presence in Haiti, President Obama pledged on Wednesday to remain committed to providing financial assistance and humanitarian relief to help Haitians rebuild and recover from their devastating earthquake two months ago.

Catch him if you can it's 'Rico Suave'

A smooth-talking charmer with dark hair, thick glasses and an immaculate wardrobe, Rico is a high-society swindler, able to talk himself into — and out of — just about any situation.

With New Homes, Town Makes Amends for Discrimination Decades Ago

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — Even though more than 50 years have passed since Sallie Sanders was a confused little girl wondering why her family was kicked out of their house for being on the wrong side of the color line here, the pain seems fresh.

Winnie Mandela?s Remarks Raise Stir

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress, said Wednesday that its leaders would talk to Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, when she returned from abroad about published remarks attributed to her in which she caustically described him as a figurehead who had made a bad deal with the country’s former white rulers.

Detained Herdsmen Tell of Roles in Nigeria Killings

Men detained by police, in the wake of religious violence in Jos, Nigeria, sat in a police waiting room on Wednesday.

Chile?s New President Enters a Changed Political Landscape

Mr. Piñera campaigned for Chile's presidency on a platform that stressed job creation and law and order.

Bali bomber led new terrorist gang

INDONESIAN authorities are in hot pursuit of Umar Patek, the last alumnus of the Bali bombing terrorist cell who remains at large after the death this week of his accomplice Dulmatin.

Abbas meets with U.S. VP Biden in West Bank city

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in the West Bank city of Ramallah March 10, 2010. (Xinhua/Pool/Debbie Hill)

US: Israel undermining peace effort

Palestinians agreed to indiret talks with Israel despite Israel continuing to build settlements [Reuters]

Renewed threat to crystal factory

There is a renewed threat to the Tyrone Crystal factory in Dungannon, County Tyrone, according to staff.

Israel backs E Jerusalem building

Israel has announced the building of 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem, in a move that threatens to overshadow US Vice-President Joe Biden's visit.

Justice vote carried in assembly

The devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland marks the end to decades of strife, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.

'Last Bali bomber' killed in Indonesia

DNA tests on the body of a man killed in Jakarta prove beyond doubt he is Dulmatin, the last main suspect of the Bali bombings, Indonesian police say.

Budget in two weeks, Brown says

The Tories say Labour cannot be trusted on the economy and the deficit must be cut immediately. The Lib Dems say the economy is too fragile to allow this.

US condemns Israeli expansion

The US vice-president has condemned Israel's move to build 1,600 new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem.

Rights Officials Call for Justice in Nigeria Massacre

DOGO NA HAWA, Nigeria — Nightmare images haunt this dusty sun-baked village, fresh memories of tall young men emerging from darkness to slash the unarmed with long knives in a frenzy of ethnic and religious hatred.

Israel backs East Jerusalem build

Israel has announced the building of 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem, in a move that threatens to overshadow US Vice-President Joe Biden's visit.

Joe Biden sees "moment of real opportunity" for Mideast peace

Visiting Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou attends a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (not pictured) in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, March 8, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun)

Quake exposes poor Turkish building

Hundreds of people in eastern Turkey have been sheltering in tents after a deadly earthquake left many homeless and exposed the region's poor construction standards.

As Biden Visits, Israel Unveils Plan for New Settlements

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his wife, Jill, dined with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.

Pyramid fraudster guilty of £34m scam

A professional gambler has been found guilty of running a £34m pyramid scam that targeted people on low incomes.

Vatican on Defense as Sex Scandals Build

ROME — Defending itself against a growing child sexual abuse scandal in Europe, one that has even come close to the brother of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican said Tuesday that local European churches had addressed the issue with “timely and decisive action.�