RI bishop asked Kennedy in 2007 to avoid Communion

Thousands back Mexico's shadow president

MEXICO CITY (AFP) - - Thousands of Mexicans rallied to show support for "shadow president" Manuel Lopez Obrador -- who believes his country's top job was stolen from him in 2006 -- at the mid-point of his would-be presidential term.

Thousands of strange creatures found deep in ocean

NEW ORLEANS - The creatures living in the depths of the ocean are as weird and outlandish as the creations in a Dr.

Somali pirates holding 12-year-old hostage: Spanish skipper

MADRID (AFP) - - A Spanish trawler captain released by Somali pirates said he is haunted by his failure to save a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl held captive for more than six months, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Venezuela to get 300 tanks, armored vehicles

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez is hailing the forthcoming arrival of 300 Russian-made tanks and armored vehicles, and urging civilians to join government-organized militias to be ready to defend Venezuela from a foreign invasion.

Iran releases ex-official on bail in mass trial

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran released a former vice president on a $700,000 bail Sunday after his lawyer said he had been sentenced to six years in prison in the mass trial of opposition figures accused of fomenting the post-election unrest.

Egypt's president warns Israel over Jerusalem

Rival Somali militia fighting kills 14: witnesses

MOGADISHU (AFP) - - At least 14 people were killed Sunday in fighting between rival Somali Islamist militia battling for control of the southern town of Afmadow, witnesses said.

Iran begins war games to protect nuclear sites

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran on Sunday began large-scale air defense war games aimed at protecting the country's nuclear facilities against any possible attack, state television reported.

Former Iran VP released on bail

TEHRAN (AFP) - - Iranian former vice president Mohammad Ali Abtahi, who has been sentenced to six years in prison in connection with protests over June's presidential election, has been released on bail, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.