Obama: Quran-burning plan is al Qaeda bonanza
A plan by a Florida church to burn Qurans on September 11, which has sparked worldwide protests, is a "recruitment bonanza for al Qaeda," President Obama says.

Interpol issues alert in Quran burning
Interpol issued a global alert to its 188 member countries Thursday, warning of a "strong likelihood" of violent attacks if plans for a Quran burning in Florida go ahead.

Imam: Mosque plan affects U.S. security
The religious leader behind plans to build an Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from New York's ground zero said Wednesday night that America's national security depends on how it handles the controversy.

Car blast kills 16 in Russian republic
A car bomb explodes near a market in the Russian republic of North Ossetia killing at least 15 people and injuring many more, Interfax news agency reports.

U.S. Marines oust pirates from ship
U.S. Marines boarded and seized control Thursday of a German-owned vessel that had been captured by pirates the day before off the coast of Somalia, the U.S. Fifth Fleet said.

Police 'may have' shot Manila hostages
Philippine authorities acknowledged for the first time Thursday that some of the tourists taken hostage in a bus standoff last month may have been shot by police in the bungled rescue.

Son seeks proof stoning case 'on hold'
The son of an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning said he wants proof that his mother's adultery and murder case has been put "on hold."

163 couples wed on Taiwan's lucky day
"Love 99, Happiness forever" was the theme as 163 couples married in Taiwan's capital on Thursday.

Book: Paris Hilton hid drugs in her body
A tell-all book by a former "Girls Gone Wild" photographer alleges that Paris Hilton once smuggled illegal drugs into Europe using a cigarette box hidden inside her body.