UN forecasts 'stable' Afghan opium crop
VIENNA (AP) -- After a major drop over the past two years, Afghanistan's opium cultivation is unlikely to rise or fall dramatically in 2010, a U.N. report said Wednesday....

Italian Catholic scandal draws in Pope Benedict
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- A scandal in Italy's Catholic Church has morphed into a tale of Vatican intrigue complete with forged documents, reports of dueling cardinals and a papal admonishment Tuesday to put the matter to rest....

Irish abuse victims ask pope to replace bishops
DUBLIN (AP) -- Prominent Irish victims of Catholic sexual abuse have written to Pope Benedict XVI asking him to take responsibility for the church's concealment of child molestation by forcing out bishops implicated in the decades of cover-up....

Russian military calls US missile defense a threat
MOSCOW (AP) -- U.S. missile defense plans are a threat to Russian national security and have slowed down progress on a new arms control treaty with Washington, Russia's top military officer said Tuesday....

It's a wrap! Hospitals test new, more modest gown
LONDON (AP) -- The British government is getting behind a plan to replace drafty open-backed hospital gowns with versions that preserve patients' modesty....

Gates wants Iran sanctions in 'weeks, not months'
PARIS (AP) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to see the United Nations slap sanctions on Iran in "weeks, not months."...