Tehran Hardens Nuclear Stance

Iran's electoral watchdog approves presidential election result, moderate Rowhani's victory

John Paul II moves a step closer to sainthood; canonization possible in autumn

Italy's first black Cabinet minister is facing Internet death threats before a visit to a region known for its anti-immigrant political base. Cecile Kyenge, a Congolese-born doctor who has lived in Italy since 1983, has been the target of racist diatribes ever since she was named integration minister in April.

Israel is to export only 40 percent of the natural gas it extracts from newly discovered gas fields off its Mediterranean coast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday."The State of Israel will receive 60 percent of the gas produced which will allow it to meet its own needs for the next 25 years," he said in remarks relayed by the country's main radio stations.

Soldiers fighting to halt an insurgency by Islamic militants are banning the use of Thuraya satellite telephones by civilians in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, throttling communications already made difficult by cut cell phone service. Spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa says extremists used Thurayas to plan and coordinate attacks that killed 16 high school students in recent days.