Quick restart of Big Bang machine stuns scientists
GENEVA (AP) -- Scientists moved Saturday to prepare the world's largest atom smasher for exploring the depths of matter after successfully restarting the $10 billion machine following more than a year of repairs....

China says 42 dead, 66 trapped in mine explosion
BEIJING (AP) -- A gas explosion tore through a state-run coal mine in northern China on Saturday, killing 42 people and leaving 66 others trapped underground as rescuers worked hastily to save them....

Italian police arrest 2 linked to Mumbai attacks
ROME (AP) -- Italian police on Saturday arrested a Pakistani father and son accused of helping fund and providing logistical support for last year's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, authorities said....

Sentence request for US woman in Italy murder case
PERUGIA, Italy (AP) -- Prosecutors on Saturday were expected to request life in prison for an American student and her former boyfriend accused of killing a young British woman in Italy....

Russia president criticizes ruling party over vote
ST.PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) -- Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday sharply criticized officials in the ruling Kremlin-backed party for using its clout and undermining democracy in recent regional votes, saying it must learn to win fairly....

Pope and Anglican leader agree on closer relations
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The archbishop of Canterbury held his first talks Saturday with Pope Benedict XVI since the Roman Catholic church's unprecedented invitation to disaffected Anglicans, with the Vatican saying the two sides still want to press ahead for closer relations....

Sri Lanka to release 136,000 Tamil war refugees
MANIK FARM, Sri Lanka (AP) -- Sri Lanka will release next month the remaining 136,000 Tamil refugees still in the squalid and overrun government camps where they've been detained since the country's civil war ended six months ago, a top official said Saturday....

Iran to hold war games to protect nuclear sites
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iranian state TV is reporting that the country will begin large-scale air defense war games Sunday aimed at protecting nuclear facilities against any possible attack....

3 men blow themselves up in Pakistani Kashmir
ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Three suspected militants blew themselves up as police gave chase Saturday in the Pakistani part of disputed Kashmir, authorities said....

Bangladeshi mom wants twins to stay in Australia
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) -- The mother who gave up conjoined Bangladeshi newborn twins for adoption said Saturday she is overjoyed the toddlers have been successfully separated and wants them to grow up in Australia....