World News
Pastor cancels Quran-burning, then reconsiders
(AP)
AP - An anti-Islamic preacher backed off and then threatened to reconsider burning the Quran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, angrily accusing a Muslim leader of lying to him Thursday with a promise to move an Islamic center and mosque away from New York's ground zero. The imam planning the center denied there was ever such a deal.
Iran to free female American for holiday clemency
(AP)
AP - Iran said Thursday it will free Sarah Shourd, one of three Americans jailed for more than 13 months, as an act of clemency to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Asian shares rise as Europe worries ease
(AP)
AP - Asian stock markets gained in early trading Friday as sentiment improved after gains on Wall Street.
Activist: Beached whale in Brazil can't be saved
(AP)
AP - An animal-rights activist says an endangered right whale stranded on a beach in southern Brazil for two days is too weak to be rescued and returned safely to the sea.
Suicide car bombing in southern Russia kills 17
(AP)
AP - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin blamed extremists "without souls, without hearts" for a suicide car bombing that killed 17 people Thursday in the crowded central market of a city in the North Caucasus.
Iran spokesman: American woman to be released
A spokesman for Iran's mission to the U.N. says the American hiker who will be freed this weekend is the only woman among the three.
Obama: Mexico drug war not like Colombia
President Barack Obama denies that rising drug violence made Mexico look increasingly like Colombia at the height of its drug war, rebuffing comments by his secretary of state.
Interpol: Quran burning likely to trigger attacks
The international police agency Interpol warned governments worldwide on Thursday of an increased risk of terror attacks if the planned burning of the Quran by a Florida pastor goes ahead.
Pakistan reaction to Quran-burning plan muted, so far
Newsweek: WikiLeaks collaborating on release of Iraq files
A London-based journalism nonprofit is working with website WikiLeaks and TV and print media in several countries on programs and stories based on what is described as massive cache of classified U.S. military field reports related to the Iraq war.