China coal mine blast death toll jumps to 87
HEGANG, China (AP) -- 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....

Pope and Anglican leader agree on closer relations
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- After offering a home in his church to disaffected Anglicans, Pope Benedict XVI assured the archbishop of Canterbury on Saturday that he is still committed to seeking closer relations between Catholics and Anglicans....

Restored machine to explore mysteries of Big Bang
GENEVA (AP) -- Scientists are preparing the world's largest atom smasher to explore the depths of matter after successfully restarting the $10 billion machine following more than a year of repairs....

Afghan road builder's dream thwarted by violence
KABUL (AP) -- Khalid Khan stares through the dusty window pane, down across the rooftops of the capital, and wonders if they really know where he lives....

Italian police arrest 2 linked to Mumbai attacks
ROME (AP) -- Italian police on Saturday arrested a Pakistani father and son who allegedly spent just over $200 to set up a reliable and untraceable phone network that was used by the militants who carried out last year's terror attacks in Mumbai, India....

Hackers leak e-mails, stoke climate debate
LONDON (AP) -- Computer hackers have broken into a server at a well-respected climate change research center in Britain and posted hundreds of private e-mails and documents online - stoking debate over whether some scientists have overstated the case for man-made climate change....

Life requested for US suspect in Italy murder case
PERUGIA, Italy (AP) -- Prosecutors on Saturday requested life in prison for an American student and her ex-boyfriend accused in the fatal stabbing of her British roommate during a drug-fueled sex game - charges the U.S. woman dismissed as "pure fantasy."...

Hugo Chavez invites Fidel Castro to Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is inviting his mentor Fidel Castro to visit Venezuela during the coming months....

Rocket hits outside luxury hotel in Afghan capital
KABUL (AP) -- A rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Afghanistan's capital late Saturday, wounding two people, the Interior Ministry said....

Iran to hold war games to protect nuclear sites
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran will begin large-scale air defense war games Sunday aimed at protecting its nuclear facilities from possible attack, a senior military commander said Saturday, reflecting the country's concern that Israel could make good on threats to strike militarily....