Yemen's coast guard says Somali pirates have hijacked a Panamanian cargo ship in the treacherous Gulf of Aden between the Arabian peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

The World Health Organization says it is investigating samples of mutated swine flu found in two Norwegians who died of the virus and one person who suffered severe illness.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev criticized Kremlin policies Friday and toyed with the ambitious idea of attempting a political comeback.

A United Nations committee has approved a resolution urging Iran to stop harassing political opponents in the wake of disputed presidential elections.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to postpone parliamentary and presidential elections that had been set for January.