Chechnya rising Islamic identity

"My family didn't allow me to wear it at first," the petite Chechen girl said as she wrapped a pastel-colored scarf around her head and neck, concealing every strand of her long, brown hair. "They said I was too young. My mom beat my sister and me every day, but I didn't care: I am a Muslim and it is my duty to wear it."

shootings in France contradict Islam

France’s top Muslim leader said Wednesday that a besieged suspected Islamist who claims to have carried out a string of shootings to avenge Palestinian children had acted against Islam. “These acts are in total contradiction with the foundations of this religion,” said the head of the French Muslim Council, Mohammed Moussaoui. “France’s Muslims are offended by this claim of belonging to this religion.”

Schoolbooks in Israel for hostility

Schoolbooks in Israel have been following an “anti-Palestinian,” aggressive approach since the 1990s, according to a new book set to be released this month. The author, Nurit Peled-Elhanan, a professor at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, said the approach is taught to schoolchildren in order for them to be hostile towards Palestinians once they serve in the army.

Sarkozy orders new genocide law

France’s top Muslim leader said Wednesday that a besieged suspected Islamist who claims to have carried out a string of shootings to avenge Palestinian children had acted against Islam. “These acts are in total contradiction with the foundations of this religion,” said the head of the French Muslim Council, Mohammed Moussaoui. “France’s Muslims are offended by this claim of belonging to this religion.”

Polish troops face Afghan retrial

Four Polish soldiers acquitted last year of killing eight civilians in Afghanistan are to face a second trial. The eight civilians, including women and children, died in the village of Nangar Khel when Polish troops opened fire on a wedding party in August 2007.

Ethiopia pursues controversial dam project

Ethiopia is pursuing a massive dam building project that it hopes will generate alternative sources of power, but critics have said the endeavour will be an environmental disaster. The government embarked on the project - expected to be the largest hydropower plant in Africa - to help solve a national energy crisis and to help turn Ethiopia's economy around.

Santorum primary wins

Rick Santorum has picked up victories in the southern states of Mississippi and Alabama to consolidate his status as the leading conservative candidate for the Republican US presidential nomination. The former Pennsylvania senator, who is challenging long-time frontrunner Mitt Romney for the right to take on Barack Obama in November's election, claimed 33 per cent of the votes in the Mississippi primary, with 96 per cent of ballots counted.

Britannica comes to end

Encyclopaedia Britannica, one of the world's weightiest and best-respected repositories of knowledge, has decided to stop publishing its famous 32-volume print edition for the first time in 244 years. The book-form of Encyclopaedia Britannica has been in print since it was first published in Edinburgh in 1768.

Israel and Gaza admit truce

A ceasefire is in place between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza after four days of deadly clashes. The Egyptian-mediated truce took effect at 01:00 local time (23:00 GMT Monday), and there have been no new attacks. The recent violence "appears to be behind us," said Israeli Cabinet Minister Matan Vilnai.

No rush for Afghan exit

US President Barack Obama has promised that international forces will not "rush for the exits" in Afghanistan, after an American soldier was accused of murdering 16 civilians. Mr Obama said foreign troops must be withdrawn in a responsible way. The killings in Kandahar province have strained relations between Afghans and foreign forces.

US concern for Afghan reprisals

US troops in Afghanistan have been placed on alert following the killings of 16 Afghan civilians by a US soldier. US officials warned of reprisals after the soldier went on a rampage in villages near a base in Kandahar. Nine children were among those killed. President Barack Obama phoned his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai to express condolences. But Mr Karzai has said the massacre is "unforgivable".

Israel air strikes on Gaza

Israeli air strikes have pounded Gaza for a second day, in the worst violence in the region for almost a year. Palestinian sources said at least 15 militants had been killed in the two days of fighting. Israeli says almost 100 rockets fired from Gaza have struck Israel since the exchange of fire began. The US condemned the rocket attacks, calling them "cowardly", while the Arab League called the Israeli air strikes "a massacre".

US clears up after tornado havoc

US authorities in several Midwestern states are searching for survivors and clearing damage after a string of powerful storms and tornadoes left at least 37 people dead. The states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia and Alabama were all hit by the intense winds which flattened homes, lifted rooftops and downed powerlines.

Russians vote for new president

Polling stations in across Russia have opened as the presidential election gets under way. Sunday's vote sees Vladimir Putin hoping to become president again after four years as prime minister. Mr Putin was Russia's president from 2000 to 2008, but was barred by the constitution from standing for a third consecutive term. He faces four challengers, three of whom he has defeated in previous elections.

US government to continue BP case

The US government says it will continue its case against BP over the Deepwater Horizon oil rig spill despite a deal the company reached on Friday with the largest group of private claimants. The $7.8bn (£4.9bn) deal does not address "significant damages" to the environment after the Gulf of Mexico spill, the Department of Justice said.

Train crash in Poland

Two trains have collided in southern Poland, leaving 15 people dead and 50 hurt, local officials say. The accident occurred on Saturday evening on the Warsaw-Krakow mainline at the small town of Szczekociny, according to Polish TV.

Protests against austerity across Europe

Thousands of demonstrators have turned out in European cities to protest against austerity measures. Spanish students held protests in Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid against cuts to education budgets, which in some instances turned violent. Unions staged demonstrations in Paris, Athens, Lisbon and Brussels.

Stricken ship docks in Seychelles

The stricken Italian cruise vessel Costa Allegra has docked in the Indian Ocean islands of the Seychelles. The ship was towed into the main port, Victoria, by a French fishing boat. The evacuation of more than 1,000 passengers on board the ship has begun. The process is expected to take several hours.

Republicans split Michigan spoils

US Republican presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have each won half of Michigan's 30 available primary delegates, officials say. Mr Romney won the Arizona primary and all of its 29 delegates, and also won the popular vote in Michigan. But the state's rules for awarding delegates mean Mr Santorum ended up level-pegging with the official winner.

US Midwest storm

At least 12 people have been killed by a storm system in the US Midwest that brought devastation to parts of Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. Three people died in Tennessee hours after reports of deaths in Illinois and in Missouri. More than 100 were hurt and buildings badly damaged across multiple states, with at least 16 tornado sightings. Rescue workers are searching for survivors trapped in wrecked homes, including a trailer park near Buffalo.