Army: Chaplain is 1st killed in action since '70 - The first Army chaplain to be killed in action since Vietnam, died this week in Afghanistan, military officials said Thursday. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 22:21:39 GMT

Thieves steal 2 tons of explosives in Brazil - Authorities say armed men stole a truck with more than 2 tons of explosives from a chemical company in Brazil. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 20:28:24 GMT

Israel and Palestinians in direct talks - Israeli and Palestinian leaders opened direct peace talks under U.S. auspices on Thursday and agreed to meet every two weeks to try to forge a deal within a year. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 20:05:41 GMT

Newsweek: Why Mideast peace talks should be secret - By making a spectacle of negotiations, leaders have made Israelis and Palestinians less likely to agree. They should have conducted back-channel, off-the-record talks. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 19:59:59 GMT

Run on Afghan bank's deposits reported -

The Afghan president's brother — a major investor in the Kabul Bank — confirms to NBC News that funds were used to buy villas in Dubai but urges the U.S. to step in to prevent a financial panic.

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 19:07:33 GMT

Newsweek: How Obama could broker Mideast peace - The biggest sign that success could be coming is the real risk of violence flaring up should the talks fail. These kinds of negotiations tend to come in waves, and with each successive collapse, the distrust grows and several more years pass. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:57:22 GMT

Sick whale euthanized with explosives in Australia - A terminally sick humpback whale that became stranded on a beach in Western Australia two weeks ago was euthanized Thursday with an explosive charge. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 14:52:43 GMT

Scotland announces minimum price for alcohol -

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Scotland's government announced on Thursday that its planned minimum price for alcohol would be set at 45 pence per unit, meaning a bottle of wine would cost at least 4.23 pounds ($6.52) and a bottle of whisky 12.60 pounds.

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:56:17 GMT