Australia's Julia Gillard barely squeaked into power. But her slim majority means that passing any legislation will be tricky.

The Dove World Outreach Center's plans to burn Korans has prompted protests in Kabul and elsewhere around the globe.

The popularity of US fast food chains in China has prompted the Chinese to launch some of their own chains, serving everything from dumplings to American burgers.

While Iraq combat operations are over, the 50,000 remaining US soldiers in Iraq are looking to cement their achievements by sending out small groups of advisers to help improve Iraqi Army performance.

Before Mideast peace talks Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned the two sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that they have nothing to gain by waiting to tackle thorny issues.

In South Africa, 1.3 million striking public service workers refuse government offers, further disrupting schools and hospitals and posing long term economic problems.

Only 1 in 3 Palestinians are in favor of the Israeli-Palestinian talks that open today in Washington, but hardly anyone showed up to a Ramallah protest - signaling apathy.

Hundreds of young Russians protested Tuesday in support of their constitutional right of free assembly, despite Prime Minister Putin's warning against unsanctioned political rallies.

Controversial cases in Egypt have spotlighted a legal system that leaves regulation of marriage and divorce to religious institutions, limiting individuals’ freedom to make personal decisions.

German banker and Bundesbank member Thilo Sarrazin caused a stir yesterday with remarks widely perceived as anti-Semitic. This comes on the heels of his disparaging comments about Muslim immigrants.

Major new energy issues are about to transform still further the strategic balance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, with foreseeable consequences for the global energy market over the coming decade.

Although the Iranian government insists that countries like China and Russia can make up lost Western investment in the petroleum sector, rising gas prices and stalled energy projects are signs that the regime is beginning to buckle under international sanctions.

Up and down the capital of Santiago, drivers honked their horns as news emerged that the 33 trapped Chile miners remain alive. Helping the miners persevere mentally may now be the greatest task, as rescue efforts could stretch to Christmas.

Kurdish forces are receiving instruction at the Iraqi Army's training center in what officials call a breakthrough aimed at easing tensions and securing Iraq's vulnerable border with Iran.

Hong Kong officials were critical of the handling of a deadly Manila hostage crisis that ended with the deaths of eight Chinese tourists in the Philippines. Hong Kong issues a black alert, its strongest warning, for Chinese tourists.