Kosovo independence will probably face delay
A senior U.S. diplomat suggested that the plans that would enable the province to claim independence might not be acted upon by Western governments and Russia until next year.

Sarkozy endorses prominent Socialist to lead IMF
The French president taps Dominique Strauss-Kahn of the opposition on the same day he also rules out mass amnesty for prisoners.

Marcos family returning to the limelight in the Philippines
The Marcoses, whose name has been synonymous with corruption, extravagance and brutality, are enjoying a popular revival.

Rumsfeld called off 2005 plan to capture top Qaeda figures
The secret military operation inside Pakistani tribal areas was aborted after the Bush administration decided it was too risky and could jeopardize relations with Pakistan.

Questions arise about origins of terror plot in Britain
Investigators in Britain say one of two "principal protagonists" behind the botched terrorist attacks this month returned to his native India late last year and remained in the country until May.

Israel pledges to free 250 jailed Palestinians
Israeli and Palestinian officials also said discussions were under way for a meeting between the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, possibly early next week.

Wildfires rage amid heat wave in western United States
Firefighters battled large blazes in several states as homes were evacuated and highways and wilderness areas closed.

Roger Cohen: Sweet cakes with a terrorist
On the principle that looking someone in the eye is the path to understanding, I accepted to meet the leader of Al Aksa.

A profile in cowardice
There was never any question that President Bush would grant amnesty to Scooter Libby. But who will pardon the president?

Using rape as a weapon
Cross-sectarian rape is a weapon of political conflict.

Universal Music's rebellion against Apple portends growing tension between the music industry and the iPod
The symbiosis between the industry and Steve Jobs is likely to continue, but the Universal Music move signals resentment over his rigidity in pricing and proprietary management software.

Faces of terror suspects: Breaking the rules?
According to the British police, the photos never should have appeared in London newspapers. But critics say the restrictions seem increasingly out of step with global news flows.

An old medium is dusted off - the book
A bank in Brazil has sent books to tens of thousands of employees, and to potential customers, putting books at the center of a customer-acquisition drive

Cellphones may take banking to the rural poor in the third world
Mobile devices allow banks in urban areas to provide services like microloans and savings accounts in rural areas, according to a report by Vodafone and Nokia.

The usability industry helps make new products work
Enter the usability professional, whose work has recently developed into a solid career track, driven mostly by advancements in technology.