NAURU, the world's smallest republic, was on the verge of a default that would result in a major US financier seizing the once rich Pacific nation's last assets, diplomatic sources said yesterday.
A study of wild chimpanzees has provided evidence that girls have been faster learners than boys for six million years.
Ten Russian servicemen died in rebel attacks in Chechnya in the past day, officials said today.
Three Japanese hostages were released Thursday in Iraq, Japanese television and the pan-Arab network Al-Jazeera reported.
A man identifying himself as Osama bin Laden offered a "truce" to European countries that do not attack Muslims, saying it would begin when their soldiers leave Islamic nations, in a recording broadcast Thursday on Arab satellite networks.
Iraqi militants executed an Italian hostage, officials confirmed, in the first known killing among nearly two dozen foreigners being held in Iraq.
Two Japanese civilians have been kidnapped in Iraq in addition to three taken hostage last week, Japanese media said on Thursday, as the killing of an Italian captive looked set to raise tensions in Japan.
In a historic policy shift, President Bush on Wednesday endorsed Israel's plan to hold on to part of the West Bank in any final peace settlement with the Palestinians.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe launched a campaign Wednesday to persuade Congress to amend the constitution to allow him to run for a second term in 2006.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard faced demands for a judicial inquiry into allegations that Australia's spies undermined national security by tailoring their reports to suit government policy.