Boycott Over Mohammed Cartoons Hits Danish Company Hard

Europe's largest dairy company has shut down its plant in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as a result of an expanding Arab boycott of Danish products. The protest stems from a Danish newspaper's publication of caricatures portraying Islam's prophet, Mohammed. Read

Taiwan Leader Signals Further Shift Towards Independence

The State Department scrambled Monday to reiterate carefully crafted U.S. policy regarding the China-Taiwan dispute, after Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian announced important policy goals that are sure to anger China. Read

Security Council to Review Iran's Nuclear Program

In a long-awaited show of solidarity over Iran's controversial nuclear program, the five permanent U.N. Security Council members have agreed that Tehran should be reported to the council this week. Read

China's Stance on Taiwan Unmoved by Bird Flu Concerns

China will not relent in its decade-old policy of actively denying Taiwan participation at the world's top health gathering, despite growing concerns about the threat posed by bird flu in Asia and beyond. Read

Australian Churches Rally to Defeat Abortion Pill Move

Tens of thousands of churchgoers across Australia on Sunday protested a government move to loosen controls over importation of the RU486 abortion pill, days before lawmakers vote on the measure. Read

Hamas, Like Fatah, Wants All of 'Palestine'

A Hamas leader said late Thursday that the terrorist group's victory in the Palestinian legislative elections would "complete the liberation of other parts of Palestine." Read

India's Stance Back in the Spotlight Ahead of Iran Nuclear Vote

A political row has erupted in India over concerns that the country may lose out on a landmark nuclear cooperation deal with Washington unless it backs a U.S.-European Union effort next week to refer Iran's controversial nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council. Read

More Diplomacy, As Iran Works to Avoid Security Council Referral

A week before the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog considers whether Iran should be brought before the Security Council for its nuclear activities, diplomatic lobbying for and against the move are intensifying. Read

Net Firms Working in China Urged to Respect Free Expression

As another leading Internet company bows to pressure to accept Chinese government restrictions, media freedom campaigners have stepped up calls for Internet firms to respect freedom of expression when working in repressive countries. Read

South Korea Resists US Efforts to Pressure North Korea

South Korea is resisting a direct U.S. appeal to put pressure on the North Korean regime over the counterfeiting of U.S. dollars and other illicit activities, suggesting it is doing enough already. Read

Castro Irritated by 'Subversive' US Human Rights Messages

Irked by the public display of slogans promoting human rights and freedom at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana, Cuban dictator Fidel Castro told a massive protest march on Tuesday it was a "gross provocation" aimed at rupturing what limited links exist between the two countries. Read

Conservative Victory in Canada May Bring Warmer Ties with US

Twelve years of Liberal rule in Canada ended early Tuesday, as opposition leader Stephen Harper led his Conservative Party to victory and defeated Prime Minister Paul Martin announced he would step down as Liberal leader. Read

Pakistan Plays Down Tensions Over Air Strike

The U.S. has assured Pakistan that an incident such as the Jan. 13 air strike on a remote village near the country's border with Afghanistan would not happen again, the government in Islamabad said as Pakistan's prime minister prepared to meet with President Bush on Tuesday. Read

US Optimistic About Referring Iran to Security Council

Even if the U.S. and its European allies succeed next week in having Iran referred to the U.N. Security Council, that would not be the end of diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis over Tehran's suspect nuclear programs, top U.S. officials say. Read

Mohammed Cartoons Reprinted; Row Deepens

Muslims are turning up the heat and threatening boycotts over cartoons depicting Islam's prophet, Mohammed, following a decision by a second media outlet in Scandinavia to publish the caricatures. Read

Muslims Unhappy Over Playboy Plans for Indonesia

Plans to launch an Indonesian edition of Playboy magazine have set off a debate in the world's largest Muslim nation, prompting the local publisher to say the edition would be toned down and not contain nudity. Read

US Gov't Urged to Challenge Terrorist's Release

Germany's decision to free a Lebanese terrorist who murdered an American sailor during a 1985 hijacking is prompting calls for the U.S. government to get involved. Read

Rift With West Widens as Iran Plans to Resume Nuclear 'R&D'

Iran's decision to resume nuclear research, suspended under outside pressure two years ago, has brought relations between Tehran and the West to a new low. Read

US Urges North Korea to Return to Nuclear Talks --Without Conditions

The United States is ready to return to talks over North Korea's nuclear weapons program soon, and without attaching any new conditions; and the U.S. expects Pyongyang to do the same, a senior U.S. envoy said on Wednesday. Read

Critics Question Study Linking Abortion, Mental Health Problems

New research linking abortions in young women to mental health problems is causing a stir, as family planning advocates try to play down the results -- despite researchers' assertions that the study is the most comprehensive ever of its kind. Read

Growing Islamic Anger Over Mohammed Cartoons

For the government of one small European nation, the new year begins with a deepening crisis: growing anger in the Islamic world over a newspaper's decision to publish cartoon depictions of the prophet Mohammed. Read

Russia Under Fire Over Politically Charged Gas Dispute

Russia's bitter dispute with Ukraine over natural gas supplies has had a serious spillover effect in Europe and has drawn a reprimand from Washington, which warned against attempts to use energy supplies as a political weapon. Read