17 children killed in Pakistan gas cylinder blast

ISLAMABAD — At least 17 children were burned to death in eastern Pakistan on Saturday when a faulty gas cylinder exploded on the bus taking them to school, police said.

Police officer Mohammed Rasheed said seven children were also injured in the explosion on the outskirts of the city of Gujrat.

7 Filipino marines, 4 Sayyafs killed in clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Updated, 2:30 p.m.) – At least seven Filipino marines and four Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in a clash Saturday as the military launched an offensive against al-Qaeda-linked gunmen who have been blamed for recent kidnappings and of trying to sabotage a road project in the island province of Sulu, military officials said Saturday.

Healthy gorilla born to 1st time parents at US zoo

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A baby gorilla has been born to first-time parents at an Ohio zoo.

The healthy 5-pound (2.2-kilogram) male gorilla arrived Thursday at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, joining 16 other gorillas there.

2 former sex slaves demand Japan mayor quit

OSAKA, Japan — Two Korean former sex slaves demanded the resignation of an outspoken Japanese mayor and canceled a meeting with him Friday for justifying Japan's wartime practice of forcing tens of thousands of Asian women into prostitution for its military.

Afghan Taliban attack aid group, 2 guards killed

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A Taliban suicide car bomber and five heavily armed gunmen attacked an international aid group's guest house in the Afghan capital on Friday, killing two guards and setting off an hours-long battle with security forces in an upscale Kabul neighborhood, authorities said.

The International Organization for Migration said four of its workers were wounded, including an Italian woman badly burned by a grenade at its quarters for international workers. Police said at least five attackers also died.

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- The Boy Scouts of America is throwing open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay adult Scout leaders — a fiercely contested compromise that some warn could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections.

The Scouts on Thursday stressed that their organization of about 2.6 million boys and about 1 million adult leaders and volunteers would not condone sexual conduct by any Scout — gay or straight.

Obama's drone speech could improve Pakistan ties

ISLAMABAD -- President Barack Obama's decision to impose more restrictive rules governing U.S. drone strikes and his prediction that they will be used less could pave the way for better relations with the new government of key ally Pakistan, officials and analysts said Friday.

Obama fell short of Pakistani demands to announce an end to the attacks, but his landmark speech Thursday was seen as addressing some of Islamabad's main concerns over the covert CIA drone program targeting militants in the country's northwest tribal region along the Afghan border.

Madrid's Catholic Church says it needs exorcists

MADRID — The Catholic archdiocese in Madrid said it needs more exorcists to help some of its faithful cope with the devil.

An archdiocese spokeswoman said Friday that Madrid only has one exorcist priest and that it is considering a plan to train more. She spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with archdiocese policy.

BFP: Oil mill fire in Iligan under control

THE raging fire that burned the million dollar coconut oil mill of Granexport Manufacturing Corporation (Granex) in Barangay Kiwalan, Iligan city, on Monday is now under control.

Chief Inspector Richard Arbutante of the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) in Northern Mindanao, however, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that declaring a fire out is not yet possible at press time but it is under control.

Aquino asks for regular updates on 2 Palace guards accused of robbery

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III has sought for regular updates from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in the case of two of its member who reportedly figured in a robbery incident in Quezon City this week.

PSG Commander Brigadier General Ramon Mateo Dizon said in a press briefing that the PSG is cooperating with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) in its investigation, adding that the PSG leadership will not tolerate wrongdoing among its members.