WRAL.com - AP World News

China coal mine blast death toll jumps to 87

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:34:21 -0500

Rescuers worked in frigid cold to reach 21 miners trapped underground Sunday as the death toll from a huge gas explosion in a northern Chinese mine jumped to 87 - the deadliest blast to hit the beleaguered industry in nearly two years.

Iran ex-official gets 6 years in jail for protests

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:07:38 -0500

An Iranian court sentenced a former vice president to six years in jail as part of a mass trial of opposition figures accused of fomenting the unrest after the disputed June presidential election, the defendant's lawyer said Sunday.

Israeli aircraft strike Gaza targets

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:37:47 -0500

Israeli aircraft attacked two suspected weapons-making factories and a smuggling tunnel in the Gaza Strip early Sunday in what the military said was retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire into southern Israel.

Iran begins war games to protect nuclear sites

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:37:13 -0500

Iran on Thursday began large-scale air defense war games aimed at protecting the country's nuclear facilities against any possible attack, state television reported.

Denmark: 65 world leaders for UN climate summit

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:15 -0500

A Danish official says 65 world leaders so far will attend the Copenhagen climate summit in December and several more have responded positively to invitations.

Indonesian ferry sinks; 25 dead, some 240 rescued

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:36:54 -0500

Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least 25 people have died, officials said. Search operations were called off after nightfall for the unknown number of passengers still missing.

5 Afghan border security guards killed in south

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:08:14 -0500

A roadside bomb killed five Afghan border security guards traveling on a heavily used road in southern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan on Sunday.

2 bomb blasts leave 7 dead, 52 wounded in India

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:52:03 -0500

Suspected militants set off two bombs outside a police station in India's restive northeast on Sunday, killing seven people and wounding more than 50, police said.

Rare Charles Darwin book found on toilet bookshelf

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:13:14 -0500

An auction house says it is selling a rare first edition of Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" found in a family's guest lavatory in southern England.

Canadian woman loses benefits over Facebook photo

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:24:05 -0500

A Canadian woman on long-term sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits because her insurance agent found photos of her on Facebook in which she appeared to be having fun.