Authorities in Nepal said Saturday they have beefed up security near the Chinese Embassy to stop any possible anti-Chinese demonstrations in the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight from Tibet. "The area within 200 meters (218 yards) of the Chinese Embassy visa section has been declared a prohibited area from Friday," Nabaraj Silwal, the chief of the Kathmandu city police, said. "Rallies, sit-ins and sloganeering will not be allowed within the prohibited area." The decision comes ...

A small plane crashed in the woods of southeastern Louisiana early Saturday, local ambulance officials said. The Supreme Court was to hear arguments in April on a challenge by the suspect, Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, to the principle that the president has the authority to detain suspected terrorists indefinitely and without charges. The Justice Department on Friday asked the high court to dismiss that pending appeal. "Because the military detention challenged by the petitioner has ended, no live ...

India is trying to reclaim the famous metal-rimmed glasses and other artifacts once owned by freedom leader Mahatma Gandhi that are up for auction next week in New York, a top official said Saturday. "The government will be doing whatever is required to get them back," India's culture ministry secretary Jawhar Sircar told CNN. He said there were "several options" in place for India. When asked whether India planned any indirect participation in the bidding reportedly scheduled next ...

The Pakistani government recently announced a truce with the Taliban and allowed it to set up Islamic courts in the country's Swat Valley. Reports abound that girls will no longer be allowed to go to school, that brutal beatings are taking place for minor infractions, and the list goes on. NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Pakistani government recently announced a truce with the Taliban and allowed it to set up Islamic courts in the country's Swat Valley. Reports abound that ...

A children's show host who was born with one hand is facing criticism from parents over her disability. BBC spokeswoman Katya Mira said the corporation has received at least 25 "official" complaints recently about Cerrie Burnell, new host of two shows on the BBC-run CBeebies television network, which is aimed at children younger than six. The official complaints do not count the dozens of negative comments lodged in Internet chat rooms, Mira said. In one chat room, a father lamented ...

Baseball slugger Barry Bonds won't be headed to court Monday after all. Bonds' federal trial on perjury and obstruction charges was to begin with jury selection Monday. But on Friday, prosecutors in the case filed an appeal of a court ruling about evidence admissibility, and the proceedings were stayed until further notice, the court said. Bonds has been charged with lying to a federal grand jury investigating the use of steroids in professional sports when he told the jurors ...

First lady Michelle Obama has a fashion following, with blogs tracking her daily garment choices. She's on the March cover of Vogue in a sleeveless silk sheath. Then there was the purple sleeveless Narciso Rodriguez she wore to the president's joint session of Congress on Tuesday. And she's on the cover of the latest People magazine in a lacy pink number, also without sleeves. Those toned arms are becoming a trademark. And a source of inspiration for some women. Rylan ...

On a recent afternoon, Pamela Rinchich quietly recalled how her cancer doctor abruptly canceled an appointment. Rinchich owed $268 from a previous visit: She didn't have the money and the doctor refused to see her until she paid. "I offered to do whatever I could, even work in the office to cover it," said Rinchich, with tears in her eyes. Just a few months earlier, life was going great for Rinchich. She was planning a wedding with her fiancé, Jim, ...

Elie Wiesel, the Nazi concentration camp survivor who went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize, showed little inclination this week to make peace with accused swindler Bernie Madoff, whom he called "one of the greatest scoundrels, thieves, liars, criminals." "Could I forgive him No," the 80-year-old told a panel assembled Thursday by Conde Nast's Portfolio Magazine at New York's 21 Club to discuss Madoff, whose alleged victims included Wiesel and his foundation, The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. "To ...

— Conservative evangelical leader James Dobson has resigned as chairman of Focus on the Family but will continue to play a prominent role at the organization he founded more than three decades ago, The Associated Press has learned. Dobson notified the board of his decision Wednesday, and the 950 employees of the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based ministry were informed Friday morning at a monthly worship service, said Jim Daly, the group's president and chief executive officer. ...