Wearing head scarves, wielding rocks: Iranian women take center stage in country’s protests

EDITOR’S NOTE: Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices. This report is based on the accounts of witnesses reached in Iran and official statements carried on Iranian media.

In a first in Saudi, a group of women completes a course on how to sell underwear

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Using colorful bras donated by employees at Victoria’s Secret, a group of 26 mostly Saudi women completed the first course of its kind to be offered in the kingdom — how to fit, stock and sell underwear — a training organizers hope will help boost a campaign to lift the ban on women selling underwear in the kingdom.

Lost dog in Southern California has microchip that traces to US military in Saudi Arabia

CARLSBAD, Calif. — A “sweetheart” of a dog now in a California shelter may be really, really far from home. His microchip says the knee-high, light tan Saluki came from Saudi Arabia.

Gates tells Gulf military leaders they have fleeting chance to help turn Afghan war around

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged military leaders from the Persian Gulf region to help with security and development of Afghanistan, saying there is only a “fleeting opportunity” now to turn the stalemated war around.

Out of Africa and back: Senegal hoop star returns home after 14 years, tries to mentor youth

DAKAR, Senegal — He moves across the sand-specked basketball court swathed in the glossy dark blue jersey of his old Japanese pro team, a keepsake from a career that propelled him around the world.

Out of Africa and back: Senegal basketball star returns as mentor and businessman

DAKAR, Senegal — He moves across the sand-specked basketball court swathed in the glossy dark blue jersey of his old Japanese pro team, a keepsake from a career that propelled him around the world.

Senior Saudi prince voices strongest official endorsement of women’s sports

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Appealing to a powerful Saudi prince, an 8-year-old girl asked why she was not allowed to play sports in school like boys. She got an unexpected response: The prince said he hoped government schools for girls would allow playing fields.

Geithner will travel to Europe, Middle East next month to discuss global economic issues

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will travel to the Middle East and Europe next month for a series of meetings to discuss global economic issues.

Turmoil at home could distract Iran from expanding regional muscle

CAIRO — Iran has had an impressive run for the past decade — expanding its regional muscle through proxy militias, its expanding missile capabilities and its big brother role with Iraq’s Shiites after the toppling of arch-foe Saddam Hussein.

AP answers your questions on the news, from Clinton campaign debt to the color green in Islam

If you’re following coverage of postelection protests in Iran, you’re probably seeing green.

Iraq says it’s successfully filling security vacuum as US troops withdraw from cities

UNITED NATIONS — Iraqi forces are successfully filling the security vacuum as U.S. combat troops withdraw from Iraqi cities ahead of a June 30 deadline, Iraq’s U.N. envoy said Thursday.

Despite the high stakes, Arabs largely silent on Iranian election and unrest

CAIRO — Key Arab nations have kept silent about Iran’s political upheaval, possibly reluctant to antagonize the powerful nation that sponsors such militant groups as Hezbollah and Hamas.

Despite the high stakes, Arabs largely silent on Iranian elections and unrest

CAIRO — Key Arab nations have kept silent about Iran’s political upheaval, possibly reluctant to antagonize the powerful nation sponsoring such militant groups as Hezbollah and Hamas. But there are signs the young and reform-minded are inspired by mass protests over the disputed election.

3 foreign women slain in rugged northern Yemen in al-Qaida-style killing

SAN’A, Yemen — Shepherds found the mutilated bodies on Monday of two German nurses and a South Korean teacher who were kidnapped while picnicking in an area of Yemen known as a hideout for al-Qaida.

At least 3 kidnapped foreigners have been killed in Yemeni region with strong al-Qaida presence

SAN’A, Yemen — At least three kidnapped foreigners have been killed in a remote Yemeni province, and security officials in the capital on Monday reported another six were also dead. The slayings took place in a region where al-Qaida militants have a strong presence.

Foreign hostages found dead in Yemen, al-Qaida suspected

SAN’A, Yemen — At least three kidnapped foreigners have been killed in a remote Yemeni province, and security officials in the capital on Monday reported another six were also dead. The slayings took place in a region where al-Qaida militants have a strong presence.

Palestinians seek world help against Netanyahu peace terms, but don’t rule out talks

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian officials sought U.S and European help to salvage foundering peacemaking on Monday after tough terms laid out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but they stopped short of refusing to resume negotiations.

Reclusive Turkmenistan launches $1.5 bln resort in bid to reduce dependence on energy exports

TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan — The president of this normally reclusive nation staged lavish ceremonies for foreign guests and media Monday to launch a new $1.5 billion resort on the desert shore of the Caspian Sea in a city named after his eccentric and autocratic predecessor.

EU welcomes Netanyahu’s backing of Palestinian state as “step in the right direction”

LUXEMBOURG — The European Union called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s backing for a Palestinian state a “step in the right direction” Monday, but questioned his stance on other disputed peace issues such as Jewish settlements and Jerusalem’s future status.

Saudi’s Kingdom Holding picks Dubai’s Emaar to oversee development of world’s tallest building

CAIRO — The Saudi investment firm run by a Saudi billionaire with a big Citigroup stake is pressing ahead with plans to build the world’s tallest building despite the global meltdown.

Yemen arrests Saudi suspected of providing money to al-Qaida in Yemen, Saudi Arabia

SAN’A, Yemen — Yemeni security forces have arrested a Saudi man suspected of financing Al-Qaida cells in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, an Interior Ministry official said Sunday.

Yemen denies reports that Yemeni Guantanamo detainees will be sent to Saudi Arabia

SAN’A, Yemen — Yemen on Sunday denied reports that it has agreed to a U.S. proposal to transfer almost 100 Yemeni inmates at Guantanamo Bay prison to terrorist rehabilitation centers in Saudi Arabia.

With nuclear dispute at stake, world reacts cautiously to Iranian hard-liner’s re-election

VIENNA — The U.S. and Canada challenged Iran’s claims that hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won re-election, but much of the rest of the world remained silent Saturday despite claims of fraud and scenes of clashes on the streets of Tehran.

Guantanamo prisoner on prolonged hunger strike released, returns to Saudi Arabia

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Guantanamo prisoner who had been on continual hunger strike for almost four years has been released.

3 Guantanamo detainees sent home to Saudi Arabia; 10 transfers in a week

WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say three Guantanamo Bay detainees have been sent home to Saudi Arabia.

White House won’t rule out freeing some Guantanamo detainees in US, speeds overseas relocation

WASHINGTON — Despite fierce opposition in Congress, the White House insisted Friday it has not ruled out releasing Guantanamo Bay detainees in the United States. But with narrowing options, the administration has begun shipping newly cleared inmates abroad to regain momentum in its effort to close the Cuba-based prison camp.

Libya’s Gadhafi gives contradictory lecture on women’s rights during visit to Italy

ROME — Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi gave Italians a contradictory take on women’s rights Friday, criticizing Islam’s treatment of women but then suggesting it should be up to male relatives to decide if a woman can drive.

BP says world’s proved oil reserves fell in 2008, first drop in a decade

LONDON — The world’s proved oil reserves fell in 2008, the first drop in a decade, oil company BP PLC said Wednesday.

Frequent flyers: Travel by Pentagon employees paid by foreign governments, businesses

WASHINGTON — Pentagon employees have received millions of dollars in free travel and lodging from foreign countries, trade groups and companies with an interest in shaping policies or doing business with the U.S. military.

Billionaire Hariri favored to be Lebanon’s next prime minister after defeat of Hezbollah

BEIRUT — Saad Hariri, the billionaire businessman and son of a slain former prime minister, is emerging as the favorite to lead Lebanon’s government after his pro-Western coalition fended off a serious challenge from Iranian-backed Hezbollah in weekend elections.