Scandal in Italy's Catholic Church leads to papal involvement, public denial of Vatican leaks
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 victims ask Pope Benedict to replace bishops implicated in church's child-abuse coverups
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....

Top Russian military officer says US missile defense plans aimed at Russia
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....

Backless is so last season! New British hospital gown aims to spare patients' blushes
LONDON (AP) -- The British government is getting behind a plan to replace drafty open-backed hospital gowns with versions that preserve patients' modesty....

Pentagon says defense secretary wants to see 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."...

Dusty dish on shelf serves up a surprise _ it's a 260-year-old royal antique worth $160,000
LONDON (AP) -- A British woman says she's shocked that a dusty dish on her shelf has been identified as a very valuable 260-year-old antique made for the King of Prussia....