Israel’s foreign minister, whose anti-Arab statements have frayed diplomatic nerves, committed himself on Monday to Mideast peace, but did not endorse the idea of a Palestinian state as sought by the United States and the European Union. .

Director Ron Howard claimed Sunday that the Vatican interfered with efforts to get permits to shoot certain scenes of his “Angels & Demons” religious thriller in Rome _ a charge the Vatican said was purely a publicity stunt.

Director Ron Howard claimed Sunday that the Vatican interfered with efforts to get permits to shoot certain scenes of his “Angels & Demons” religious thriller in Rome _ a charge the Vatican said was purely a publicity stunt.

Fiat Group SpA is confirming it’s in talks to acquire General Motor’s European operations, to possibly create a new company that would also include newly acquired Chrysler.

Venus and Serena Williams are interested in playing the Fed Cup final against Italy in November despite skipping the United States’ victory over the Czech Republic last weekend.

Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s second wife, former actress Veronica Lario, is seeking a divorce after 19 years of marriage, citing his reported flirtations with younger women.

The U.N. and World Trade Organization said Saturday there is no justification for anti-pork trade measures as a result of the swine flu epidemic since there is no evidence the virus is spread by food.

The Italian Olympic Committee has suspended a ruling by the Italian soccer federation that had ordered Juventus to play its next Serie A home match in an empty stadium as punishment for fans’ racist insults.

Press freedom declined worldwide in 2008 as even once-unfettered nations such as Israel and Italy imposed new limits on media coverage, according to a report by media analysts.

One of the Palestinians who hijacked the Achille Lauro cruise ship and killed an American passenger in 1985 has been released after more than 23 years in jail, officials said Thursday.