When Egypt's government banned Islamic veils and all-encompassing robes in the dorms of public universities, it cited reports of men wearing the garb to sneak into the women's quarters. ...more

December 6, 2009

On a sultry morning in Basra, Muna Saud, her face framed by a black shawl, slipped unnoticed past the thick knots of men at the provincial health ministry. She glided from office to office until she found Zahra Abdul-Zahra, a former student, and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. ...more

December 21, 2008

A suicide car bomber targeting a convoy of foreign troops exploded about 200 yards outside the U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Thursday, killing at least four Afghan bystanders as people entered the compound for a Thanksgiving Day race. ...more

November 28, 2008

China's latest product safety scandal - tainted milk formula blamed for killing two Chinese babies and sickening 1,200 - expanded to include more foods Tuesday, with state media reporting some formula produced by companies involved was exported. ...more

September 17, 2008

The day was going badly for Alberto Jimenez Ramirez. Very badly. The handyman had done his job. He had hammered and patched and scraped. ...more

June 27, 2008

Israel struck hard against targets in Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least 20 Palestinians in a day of heavy fighting that also saw three Israeli soldiers die in a brazen Hamas ambush. ...more

April 17, 2008

An anti-Taliban militia leader was the apparent target of a suicide bombing Sunday in southern Afghanistan that left at least 80 people dead and dozens injured, authorities said. ...more

February 18, 2008

About 10,000 volunteers have undergone laser beam zapping to measure their actual shape as part of a pioneering project for Spanish designers to make clothes that fit real women, officials said Thursday. ...more

February 8, 2008

From next week, one of France's most iconic institutions - the smoky cafe - will be but a hazy memory. ...more

December 29, 2007

Two weeks after Olga Reyes danced at her wedding, her bloated and disfigured body was laid to rest in an open coffin - the victim, her husband and some experts say, of Nicaragua's new no-exceptions ban on abortion. ...more

November 9, 2007