World News

Argentine train slams into busy station, killing 49 and injuring 100s

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A packed train slammed into the end of the line in Buenos Aires’ busy Once station Wednesday, killing 49 people and injuring hundreds of morning commuters as passenger cars crumpled behind the engine. It was Argentina’s worst train accident in decades.

Federal Police Commissioner Nestor Rodriguez says the dead include 48 adults and one child. READ

Riots over Qur’an burning at U.S. base kill seven

Clashes between Afghan troops and protesters angry over the burning of Muslim holy books at a U.S. military base left at least seven people dead and dozens wounded Wednesday as anger spread despite U.S. apologies over what it said was a mistake. READ

Feds charge US mine boss with fraud, highest-ranking to face prosecution in deadly blast

The superintendent of the West Virginia coal mine where an explosion killed 29 men was charged Wednesday with conspiracy to defraud the federal government, becoming the highest-ranking employee to face criminal prosecution in an investigation that appeared to be moving steadily up the corporate ladder. READ

Syrian troops converge on rebel city

Syrian tanks and troops massed Monday outside the resistance stronghold of Homs for a possible ground assault that one activist warned could unleash a new round of fierce and bloody urban combat even as the Red Cross tried to broker a cease-fire to allow emergency aid in. READ

Vote hints at fracturing nation

Four months after the death of Moammar Gadhafi, the people of Misrata were frustrated by stalled reforms. They played a key role in overthrowing the Libyan dictator of 42 years, and were impatient to see the changes they shed blood for. READ

Italy’s central bank chief confirms 2012 will be 'year of recession'

ROME — Italy’s central bank chief on Saturday predicted that the eurozone’s third-largest economy will see a return to growth next year, but he confirmed forecasts that 2012 will be a “year of recession.” READ

Syrian forces open fire on mourners

BEIRUT — Syrian security forces fired live rounds and tear gas Saturday at thousands of people marching in a funeral procession that turned into one of the largest protests in Damascus since the 11-month uprising against President Bashar Assad began. READ

Terror suspect arrested near Capitol in FBI sting

WASHINGTON — A 29-year-old Moroccan man was arrested Friday near the U.S. Capitol as he was planning to detonate what he thought was a suicide vest, given to him by FBI undercover operatives, said police and government officials. READ

Hopes rise to avert Greek debt default

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Greece’s hopes to finally get its bailout and dodge default next month were boosted Friday, when key European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, sounded confident a deal could be agreed. READ

Burden of proof rests on Iran, says UN chief

VIENNA, Austria — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday that Iran must disprove allegations that it is secretly developing nuclear weapons, but that diplomacy is the only way to resolve international concern about its program. READ

FBI sting captures man in plot to carry bomb to U.S. Capitol

Prison fire exposes corruption, chaos

Six guards, 800-plus prisoners in 10 cellblocks, one set of keys. The numbers spelled disaster when fire tore through a prison and 355 people died, many yet to even be charged with a crime, much less convicted. READ

Hundreds die in prison fire

A fire started by an inmate tore through a severely overcrowded Honduran prison, burning and suffocating inmates in their locked cells and killing as many as 356 people in one of the world’s deadliest prison fires in a century, authorities said Wednesday. READ

Iran, Israel ratchet up tension

Israel accused Iran of waging a covert campaign of state terror that stretched this week from the Middle East to the heart of Asia after a bungled series of explosions led to the capture of two Iranian nationals in Bangkok. READ

Obama welcomes China’s heir apparent, talks peace

President Barack Obama assured China’s heir apparent leader that the United States welcomes Beijing’s rise in the world, saying Tuesday that strong co-operation between the two powers is good for the rest of the world. READ

Republicans shifting to Santorum: poll

Three new polls show Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, coming off a stunning sweep of three caucus states last week, has pulled even with Mitt Romney, the presumed front-runner in the race to challenge President Barack Obama in November. READ

Hearse escorted by police arrives at New Jersey funeral home handling Houston arrangements

A hearse under heavy police escort arrived late Monday at a funeral home officials said was handling the arrangements for late pop star Whitney Houston. READ

Chaos breaks out over austerity plan

Greek lawmakers on Monday approved harsh new austerity measures demanded by bailout creditors to save the debt-crippled nation from bankruptcy, after riots in Athens and other cities left stores looted and burned and more than 120 people hurt. READ

Arab League asks UN to create peacekeeping force for Syria

CAIRO, Egypt — The Arab League called Sunday for the U.N. Security Council to create a joint peacekeeping force for Syria and urged Arab states to sever all diplomatic contact with President Bashar Assad’s regime, the League’s latest effort to bring an end to the violence that has killed more than 5,000 people. READ