Voice of AmericaMixed emotions for Pope in BethlehemBBC NewsBy Tim Franks Jonny, who turned 70 three days ago, was given two invitations to go to see Pope Benedict XVI, but the prospect of the heat and the bright sunlight put him off.Video: Pope's Israel Trip Not Placating Everyone The Associated PressPope demands independent Palestinian state Times OnlineVoice of America - CNN International - AFP - Aljazeera.netall 829 news articles

BBC NewsChina Reports Student Toll for QuakeNew York TimesBy ANDREW JACOBS and EDWARD WONG BEIJING - After a year of obfuscation, the authorities on Thursday released the first official tally of student deaths from the earthquake last May, saying that 5335 children either were dead or remained missing.No blame in China school collapse BBC NewsLast Year's Devastating China Earthquake Leaves Behind City of Rubble Voice of AmericaAFP - Telegraph.co.uk - Reuters - The Australianall 899 news articles

ABC NewsAt least 15 die in second day of shelling at Sri Lankan hospitalguardian.co.ukAftermath of the hospital shelling in Sri Lanka's no-fire zone. Warning: contains footage of the dead and injured. Credit: War Without Witness The last hospital inside the so-called no-fire zone in north-eastern Sri Lanka was shelled today for the ...Video: Concerns rise over Sri Lanka civilian deaths - 12 May 09 Al JazeeraICRC worker killed in Sri Lanka BBC NewsNew York Times - Voice of America - AFP - PRESS TVall 4,672 news articles

ABC NewsSwat plea for rescue as Zardari and Brown discuss Pakistan aid crisisTimes OnlineTerrified civilians trapped in the Swat Valley begged to be rescued today as the Pakistan Army prepared for its biggest confrontation yet with the Taleban.Pakistan fighting kills 15; headless bodies found The Associated PressTaliban: All local leaders must quit CNN InternationalXinhua - Bloomberg - Telegraph.co.uk - Times of Indiaall 5,972 news articles

Boston GlobeUS, SKorea stand by six-party North Korean talks: USAFPWASHINGTON (AFP) - US envoy Stephen Bosworth and South Korean officials agreed that the six-party negotiating process "remains the heart" of the effort to ensure North Korea's nuclear disarmament, a US official said.North Korea Calls US Policy 'Unchanged' Under Obama New York TimesN. Korea to 'boost nuclear deterrent' PRESS TVGulfNews - The Press Association - Korea Herald - RTT Newsall 1,532 news articles

New Zealand HeraldCounseling Was Ordered for Soldier in Iraq ShootingNew York TimesBy JAMES DAO and LIZETTE ALVAREZ He was a career Army man who joined up because it was a steady job, but he had fallen into debt paying off a $1500-a-month mortgage, his father said.Video: Murder Charges Filed in Iraq Soldier Shooting The Associated PressUS soldier charged over killing of five comrades at Baghdad base guardian.co.ukPRESS TV - Telegraph.co.uk - BBC News - eTaiwan Newsall 3,834 news articles

BBC NewsAfghan Presidential hopeful promises Taliban talksReuters UKBy Sayed Salahuddin KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's insurgency can be brought to an end through "soft diplomacy" with the Taliban, if Western forces commit to a timetable to withdraw from the country, a veteran of past negotiations with the militants ...Taliban threatens wave of attacks against US surge The Associated PressTaliban Threatens More Violence in Afghanistan Voice of AmericaDaily Times - Sky News Australia - Christian Science Monitor - BBC Newsall 1,100 news articles

BBC NewsClimate change threatens millions who live off seaThe Associated PressMANADO, Indonesia (AP) - Around 100 million people risk losing their homes and livelihoods unless drastic steps are taken to protect Southeast Asia's coral reefs, which could be wiped out in coming decades because of climate change, a report said ...Day in pictures BBC NewsIndonesia seeking to host permanent CTI secretariat Jakarta PostABC Online - AFP - Reuters - Sydney Morning Heraldall 181 news articles

NZ Herald Dunedin MetroFiji suspended from regional forumAFPSUVA (AFP) - Fiji was suspended from the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum Saturday and told there was no place for a regime which displays "such a total disregard for basic human rights.Fiji suspended from Pacific forum BBC NewsFiji suspended from Pacific grouping Reuters UKXinhua - PRESS TV - Wall Street Journal - ABC Onlineall 524 news articles

Voice of AmericaTaliban step up attacks as weather gets warm in AfghanistanXinhuaKABUL, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Taliban insurgents fighting Afghan and US-led forces based in Afghanistan have stepped up activities as they have carried out a series of suicide and roadside attacks since last weekend.Bomber kills 7 near US base CNN InternationalTaliban stages attack outside US base PRESS TVBBC News - Aljazeera.net - Reuters - The Associated Pressall 1,471 news articles

Special Broadcasting ServiceBoat blast was from 'deliberate' arsonSydney Morning HeraldThe explosion on board a boat filled with refugees occurred because of a deliberate attempt to set the vessel alight, The Australian newspaper reports.Important people smuggler arrested in Indonesia Radio AustraliaPeople-smuggling baron Ali Cobra seized in action The AustralianABC Online - The West Australian - The Australian - Sydney Morning Heraldall 36 news articles

FOXNewsA General Steps From the ShadowsNew York TimesBy ELISABETH BUMILLER and MARK MAZZETTI WASHINGTON - Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the ascetic who is set to become the new top American commander in Afghanistan, usually eats just one meal a day, in the evening, to avoid sluggishness.Video: US changes commander in Afghanistan RTWhat's the strategy in Afghanistan? ABC OnlineReuters - WA today - Sydney Morning Herald - The Associated Pressall 1,764 news articles

BBC NewsMaoists say will boycott new Nepal governmentAFPKATHMANDU (AFP) - The leader of Nepal's Maoists said Wednesday his party would not take part in any new government unless the president backed down in a row over the sacking of the army chief.Nepal's Maoist prime minister resigns after clash with president guardian.co.ukNepal deal on national government BBC NewsReuters - BBC News - guardian.co.uk - guardian.co.ukall 2,343 news articles

BBC NewsGermany agrees 'bad bank' schemeBBC NewsThe German cabinet has agreed a "bad bank" scheme, to enable the country's lenders to remove remaining toxic assets from their balance sheets.German government backs bad bank plan guardian.co.ukGermany clinches agreement on 'bad bank' scheme AFPWall Street Journal - Sydney Morning Herald - Forbes - Life Style Extraall 101 news articles

Los Angeles TimesArmy: 55 militants killed in Pakistan fightingThe Associated PressISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistani troops backed by attack helicopters stepped up an operation to push the Taliban farther away from the capital Friday, saying they killed at least 55 fighters.Pakistani troops battle Taliban militants for fourth day guardian.co.ukHeavy Fighting Continues As Pakistan Army Battles Taliban Voice of AmericaReuters - Aljazeera.net - Reuters India - GulfNewsall 3,663 news articles

guardian.co.ukThe Wrap: Money-go-round as MPs ordered to return expense cashguardian.co.ukDay Six of the MPs' expenses scandal is widely dubbed "PAYBACK TIME" by the papers, as though it was the latest instalment of a long-running blockbuster Hollywood saga - it's best said in the deep, gravelly tone of a trailer voiceover.UK lawmakers claim over $185m in expenses Sydney Morning HeraldUK politicians running for cover as scandal rages The Associated PressABC Online - Reuters - Voice of America - Telegraph.co.ukall 276 news articles

BBC NewsReport: Detained American visited Suu Kyi beforeThe Associated PressBANGKOK (AP) - An American accused of swimming across a lake to sneak into the home of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may have made another secret visit to her last year.Suu Kyi's health 'improving' Aljazeera.netUS demands Myanmar grant Aung San Suu Kyi access to doctor AFPBBC News - guardian.co.uk - The Associated Press - AFPall 1,385 news articles

Fars News AgencyUS-born reporter obtained secret Iran report-lawyerReutersBy Zahra Hosseinian TEHRAN, May 13 (Reuters) - Iran's case against US-born journalist Roxana Saberi was based on her acquiring a confidential government report on the US invasion of Iraq, one of her defence lawyers said on Wednesday.Iran split revealed by freeing The Australian“Saberi held secret report on Iraq war” E KantipurFars News Agency - Iran Press Watchall 67 news articles

Boston GlobeFirst witness in Mumbai terror trial to depose on MondayTimes of IndiaMUMBAI: The trial in the Mumbai terrorist attack will gain momentum on Monday when the first witness is expected to give evidence against Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab.Video: Mumbai Attack Suspect Pleads Not Guilty The Associated PressMumbai attack suspect admits he is adult CNNBBC News - Indlaw.com - GulfNews - Times of Indiaall 674 news articles