In a sign of returning normalcy, the public swimming pool of the Iraqi capital's Zawra park reopened on Saturday with men and children plunging in the water as gun-toting US soldiers stood guard. Closed since before the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, the pool has been rebuilt at a cost of nearly 500,000 dollars and opened at a time when the mercury is soaring and electricity supplies remain erratic.
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The strange teenage cult of manga, the Japanese world of fantasy cartoons and their gaming and toy offshoots, came to Paris at the weekend, with tens of thousands of youngsters queuing up -- and dressing up -- for this year's Japan Expo. Looking the part, where devotees engage in the world of so-called "cosplay" (an amalgam of "costume" and "play" as in role-playing), is at least as important as turning up. 
France's bid, backed by famous chefs, to have its cuisine added to UNESCO's list of world cultural treasures is likely to flop, a representative from the UN body said Saturday. "There is no category at UNESCO for gastronomy," said Cherif Khaznadar, president of the UNESCO assembly of states that have signed the convention to safeguard intangible cultural heritage. 
Archaeologists have uncovered ancient wooden coffins in what appears to be a royal burial ground near the necropolis of Abydos in southern Egypt, the state-run MENA news agency reported on Saturday. The agency said that the discovery, made by a team from the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities, could be dated back to the Old Kingdom (3,000 B.C.) -- the golden age of pyramid building in ancient times. 
Hundreds of thousands of gays, lesbians and their supporters on Saturday took part in a colourful parade across Madrid, the capital of a country that has become a world leader in gay rights. Equality Minister Bibiano Aido led the parade of more than 30 floats, mostly related to gay bars and other businesses, but also one devoted to the Abba-themed musical "Mamma Mia", under a hot sun and to the beat of techno and Brazilian music. 
Forty-five people were taken into custody and 10 others were injured in clashes between police and homophobes during a gay rights march in the Hungarian capital Saturday, reports said. About 450 people took part in the march in central Budapest when extremists began throwing explosive devices, eggs, cobblestones and bottles at police and the marchers. AP
Used detergent labels and toothpaste tubes from Indonesia are going from landfills to fashion frills on bags and wallets sold in Singapore, Australia and the United States. The fad known as "trashion" has gained mainstream acceptance with chic, urban designers worldwide now posting big profits by using leftover, discarded and found materials to create jewelry, clothing and housewares. Used detergent labels and toothpaste tubes from Indonesia are going from landfills to fashion frills on bags and wallets sold in Singapore, Australia and the United States. The fad known as "trashion" has gained mainstream acceptance with chic, urban designers worldwide now posting big profits by using leftover, discarded and found materials to create jewelry, clothing and housewares. Men wore sparkling saris, women wore rainbow boas and hundreds of people chanted for gay rights in three Indian cities Sunday in the largest display of gay pride in the deeply conservative country where homosexual acts are illegal. Gay rights supporters took to the streets of Calcutta, Bangalore and New Delhi to call for an end to discrimination and push for acceptance in a society where intolerance is widespread. Hundreds of gay activists prepared to march in three Indian cities Sunday in the largest display of gay pride in the deeply conservative country where homosexuality is illegal, organizers said. Gay rights supporters planned to take to the streets of Calcutta, Bangalore and New Delhi with rainbow flags and banners calling for an end to discrimination and pushing for acceptance in a society where intolerance is widespread. The white short-haired mutt was found dragging his crushed hind legs through rubble-clogged streets after the massive earthquake devastated China's Sichuan province. The shy terrier mix was lucky to live through the May 12 quake that killed nearly 70,000 people. He was even more fortunate to survive the squads of police and soldiers who were gunning down homeless canines for fear they would spread disease in the disaster's aftermath. 
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Iran on Saturday offered to negotiate on its nuclear drive but without a freeze on uranium enrichment, in its first comments since responding to an international package aimed at ending the standoff. Its military chiefs, meanwhile, warned that the Islamic republic would close the Strait of Hormuz which is vital for oil exports and use "blitzkrieg tactics" in the Gulf waterway if it came under attack.
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Swedish pop group ABBA will never reform despite the success of "Mamma Mia!", the musical and film based on their hits, former member and songwriter Bjoern Ulvaeus said in an interview. Ulvaeus, who along with Benny Andersson wrote songs like "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo", told the Sunday Telegraph he wanted fans to remember the band as "young, exuberent, full of energy and ambition".
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Venus Williams outhit younger sister Serena to claim her fifth Wimbledon crown in exhilarating fashion here on Saturday. The defending champion recovered from a whirlwind start by her younger sister to land her seventh Grand Slam title courtesy of a 7-5, 6-4 win.
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Mongolia has lifted the state of emergency imposed after deadly election riots hit the capital Ulan Bator, with the president Sunday appealing for calm amid lingering fears of further violence. In a midnight (1600 GMT) televised address President Nambariin Enkhbayar called for unity after the unrest that left five people dead following allegations of vote rigging.
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A US judge has ordered Google to expose to Viacom the video-viewing habits of everyone who has ever used YouTube in a decision condemned by the Internet giant and privacy advocates. US District Court Judge Louis Stanton backed Viacom's request for data on which YouTube users watch which videos on the website in order to support its case in a billion-dollar copyright lawsuit against Google.
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- Malaysia's Anwar demands govt guarantee his safety
- Beijing registrar sees wave of couples eager to wed on auspicious Olympics kickoff date Aug. 8
- Malaysian man finally wins nod for fourth wife: report
- Anti-retroviral drug cocktails slash AIDS deaths: study
- Warm glow from magic mushrooms lasts and lasts: study
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