Iran security forces fire tear gas to break up demonstrations by opposition supporters in the capital Tehran.

The US grants the first new permit for deepwater oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico since last year's spill at a BP-owned oil well there.

A lawyer says the California couple accused of kidnapping a California girl and holding her prisoner for 18 years have confessed to detectives.

New Zealand holds a two-minute silence exactly a week after the Christchurch earthquake, as officials say the death toll could be as high as 240.

Pollution and the scramble for resources could choke China's economic growth, its environment minister warns.

Actress Jane Russell, a Hollywood sex symbol who starred in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with Marilyn Monroe, dies at the age of 89.

Brazilian police question a motorist accused of driving his car at high speed through a crowd of cyclists promoting the use of bikes in Porto Alegre.

Two ministers quit Tunisia's interim government a day after Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi announced he was resigning from his post, following demands from protesters.