French leader looks for rebound in prime-time TV interview
President Nicolas Sarkozy turned to one of the most traditional presidential tools of France's Fifth Republic to defend his record: the 90-minute television interview, live from the Élysée Palace.

Trichet says U.S. needs to support dollar 'more than ever'
The comments from the ECB chief came on the same day that surveys showed that German and French business morale fell sharply in April, depressed by high oil prices, a strong euro and market turmoil.

The test for Democrats: Who can 'close the deal' in crucial states?
Hillary Rodham Clinton says her popularity among blue-collar workers, women and Hispanics makes her the candidate to beat Senator John McCain. But polls and independent analysts offer evidence that Barack Obama could do just as well.
- For U.S. Democrats, questions over race and electability
- Fresh off Pennsylvania victory, Clinton raises millions, mostly online
- North Carolina Republicans to run ad using Obama's ex-pastor
- McCain says government isn't poverty's sole solution
- For Indiana voters, talk of change may fall flat
- For Clinton and Obama, grueling schedules foster fatigue — and mistakes

Poland calls for stronger EU military
In a major shift in policy, Poland, long considered a close ally of the United States, wants the European Union to strengthen its military role.

Serbian heroine who fell 10,000 meters steps into politics
Vesna Vulovic fears the ascent of the Radical Party, an ultra-right party that is leading in the polls and has tapped into anger over Western backing of Kosovo's independence.

Strike closes British schools as teachers protest over pay and economy
A national strike left thousands of schools closed in Britain as teachers combined Thursday with other middle class workers to vent their anger at pay deals.

Pakistani militant halts attacks as talks begin
A Qaeda-linked militant commander has ordered his followers to stop attacks in Pakistan after the new government began peace talks, an official said.

Sunni bloc to return to Iraq cabinet
The largest Sunni bloc in Iraq has agreed to return to the cabinet of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki after a nine-month boycott.
- Groups with Iran's backing blamed for Baghdad attacks
- Probation, and remorse, for figure in oil-for-food case

Spike Lee and Nokia team up for film
Lee will direct a short film comprising YouTube-style videos created by teenagers and adults using mobile phones.

Tests confirm Tyrannosaurus rex kinship with birds
A analysis of proteins extracted from fossils had yielded the first molecular data confirming the hypothesis of a close dinosaur-bird ancestry, scientists say.

In surprise, Ford swings to profit
It was an unexpected improvement amid a slump in the U.S. market that has cut sales of the carmaker's most lucrative vehicles.

2 setbacks for Deutsche Telekom
The telecommunications company lost a legal bid to block competitors from gaining low-cost access to its fiber optic network, and faced a separate antitrust inquiry.

Hotelier's passion for Persia given free rein on Iranian island
On Kish, a Gulf island accessible to foreigners without visas, Hossein Sabet has modeled a lavish establishment on the ancient capital of Persepolis. And then there's the dolphin show.

U.S. Jews get a new voice in Washington
J Street, a pro-Israel lobby, says that it will present an alternative to traditional organizations that it asserts have often been impediments to progress in the Middle East because of their generally reflexive support of Israel.

The need for unanimity in China exacts a hidden price
The pre-Olympic crisis in Tibet has revealed China and the West to each other in disturbing new ways.

Russia embraces its church, distancing western faiths
The Kremlin has turned the Russian Orthodox Church into a de facto official religion, warding off other Christian denominations.

Disney cartoons, and the possible rise of the environmental movement
In "The Idea of Nature in Disney Animation," David Whitley, a lecturer at Cambridge University, argues that the finely wrought imagery and emotional power of Disney movies like "Bambi" and "Finding Nemo" helped inspire generations of environmentalists.