In Kurdistan, Wishes and Laughter - This is the place women come to make wishes. It is a holy shrine in Irbil province, in the mountains of Kurdistan. Muslims call it Sheik Wsu Rahman, while Christians know it as Raban Buya. Once a hiding place for people fleeing religious persecution, it now has a picnic area at the bottom and a...

Olmert Steps Down As Premier Of Israel - JERUSALEM, Sept. 21 -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned Sunday, brought low by a string of corruption probes, while Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni struggled to assemble a coalition that would allow her to succeed him without facing new elections.

21 Foreigners Among Dead in Islamabad Suicide Bomb Blast - ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 21 -- Pakistani officials said Sunday that 21 foreigners, including two Americans stationed at the U.S. Embassy, were among the victims of a massive suicide truck bombing Saturday night that destroyed a luxury Marriott hotel in the capital.

South African President Announces Resignation in TV Address - JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 21 -- South African President Thabo Mbeki announced Sunday that he had formally resigned and would vacate the office he has held for nine years as soon as the nation's Parliament selects a successor.

Ruling Party Picks Aso to Be Japan PM - TOKYO, Sept. 22 -- Taro Aso, a former foreign minister who delivers snappy speeches, reads Japanese "manga" comics and talks tough about China, was selected Monday to be Japan's next prime minister.

China's food safety chief quits over tainted milk - BEIJING -- The head of the Chinese agency that monitors food and product safety has resigned, state media announced Monday, pushed out by a scandal over tainted baby formula that killed four babies and sickened nearly 53,000.

For Japan, Economic Hope in Wall Street Bailout - TOKYO, Sept. 22 -- Washington's bailout of Wall Street may also help bail out Japan, a nation hobbled by aimless leadership, punishing public debt, a dwindling workforce and growing weakness in the exports that power the world's second-largest economy.