AFP - Scots are almost twice as likely to kill or commit suicide as people in England and Wales, researchers said Monday, blaming the higher death rates on alcohol and drug abuse.

AP - Israel's persistent building of Jewish homes on disputed land undermines the U.S.-backed attempt to write an Israeli-Palestinian peace draft this year and invites questions about Israel's motives, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday.

AP - Followers of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr will run candidates on other party tickets in upcoming Iraqi provincial elections, a top aide said Sunday, in an apparent bid to sidestep what they believe is a government campaign against their movement.

AP - Massive flooding across a broad stretch of southern China killed almost 60 people and forced 1.3 million others from their homes, state media reported Monday.

AP - Hundreds of Afghans gathered in eastern Afghanistan Monday in support of President Hamid Karzai's threat to send troops after Taliban militants inside Pakistan, officials said.

AFP - Everton defender Joseph Yobo grabbed the winner as Nigeria triumphed 1-0 in Equatorial Guinea Sunday to maintain a perfect record in the 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup qualifiers.

AP - A cousin and top deputy of Saddam Hussein on Sunday denied opening fire on Iraqi civilians during a Shiite uprising in 1991 but acknowledged executing an Iranian national accused of sabotage.

AP - Andrew Makoni wants change in Zimbabwe, his homeland. But he won't be there to vote for it. Instead, the human rights lawyer will be in neighboring South Africa, hiding from government-hired killers he says have targeted him.

AP - President Bush is a straight-talking guy, so what's he doing talking about the EU-3?

AP - Afghan President Hamid Karzai threatened Sunday to send Afghan troops after notorious Taliban leaders inside Pakistan in an angry warning to his eastern neighbor that he will no longer tolerate cross-border attacks.

AP - Tea at Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth II, bike rides in a Paris park and the lush German countryside, a stunning view from a Renaissance villa outside Rome, a rare stroll with the pope in the Vatican's private gardens?

AP - Israel's persistent building of Jewish homes on disputed land undermines the U.S.-backed attempt to write an Israeli-Palestinian peace draft this year and invites questions about Israel's motives, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday.

AP - A photograph hinting at shoddy school construction was pulled from an exhibition about last month's devastating earthquake, an apparent indication of rising government sensitivity over an issue that has already prompted angry protests from parents of children killed.