LOS ANGELES — Sean Penn pleaded no contest to vandalism on Wednesday, effectively ending a case in which the Oscar-winning actor was videotaped kicking a celebrity photographer.

SHILLONG - The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Wednesday claimed that it had no hand in the killing of a Khasi student activist, missing since 2007, in Bangladesh.

French court refuses to free Noriega ahead of money laundering trial

Judge rejects motion by suspect in Lohan, Hilton break-ins to get favorable plea deal

Lawyer for man on trial in NY over Iran Trade Embargo violations spills family secrets to jury

Pope recalls assassination attempt on John Paul while praying before Fatima shrine

FATIMA, Portugal — Pope Benedict XVI traveled to the Catholic shrine of Fatima on Wednesday, recalling the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II and other “sufferings” of the church, which he has said included the church sex abuse scandal.

3 wins in Philippine elections mark Marcos family’s highest rise since dictator ousted in 1986

Lawyer says ‘Jersey Shore’ cast member Sammi’s dustup with another woman was no big deal

Visas approved for mothers of 3 Americans jailed in Iran; departure date, stay length unknown

NYC man pleads not guilty to upgraded charge of murder in Harvard dorm shooting

VP Joe Biden remains in Philadelphia, where son, Beau, is hospitalized after mild stroke

Poke, punch, kick: Kenya’s grannies learn self-defense in slums where elderly women are raped

NH AG blames 3 agencies, including own, for not stopping mortage company’s suspected fraud

US envoy pays tribute to Pune blast victims

PUNE - Stressing that the US stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” with India in its war against terror, US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer Wednesday visited the German Bakery here and condemned the Feb 13 bombing that killed 17 people and injured 50 others.

2 Russian pilots arrested at Berlin airport after witness overhears suspicious conversation

Maoists are not terrorists, says Digvijay Singh

NEW DELHI - Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh says that Maoist activities are criminal and totally unacceptable but the Left guerrillas should not be called “terrorists”.

Spanish diocese says court probing alleged abuse of disabled at religious order home

Wash. man on trial for branding children; proud sons to testify in his defense

PORT ANGELES, Wash. — A man accused of branding his three children like cattle is on trial on assault charges in Washington state.

Maoist killed in Orissa gun battle

BHUBANESWAR - One Maoist was killed in a gun battle with security forces Wednesday in a forested area of Orissa’s Sundergarh district, officials said.

VP Joe Biden’s son is stable, alert after mild stroke, recovering in Philadelphia hospital

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Swedish Muhammad cartoonist wants to repeat lecture interrupted by crowd violence

Muhammad cartoonist defiant after attack

STOCKHOLM — A Swedish artist whose drawing of the Prophet Muhammad offended Muslims said Wednesday he hopes to get another chance to deliver a lecture on free speech that was interrupted by violent protests.

Shiite-led vetting committee says it’s finished with scrutinizing election candidates

Iraqi vetting commission to end election work

Access to Headley is not mere give and take: Roemer

PUNE - “Certain tactical points” need to be clarified before India is given direct access to David Headley, the terror suspect who has confessed to his role in the 26/11 carnage in Mumbai, American ambassador Timothy J. Roemer said here Wednesday.

Prosecutors reopen bribery case against Ukraine’s former prime minister

Bribery probe vs former Ukrainian leader reopened

Investigators ID triggerman in Wash. state slaying linked to Craigslist ad; 4 plead not guilty

Authorities ID triggerman in WA Craigslist slaying

China environmentalist released after prison term for what he says were trumped up charges

China environmentalist released after prison term

Police say 1 dead, 4 hurt after robbery attempt in Arizona leads to shootout

Police: 1 killed, 4 wounded in Ariz. shootout

US envoy pays tribute to German Bakery blast victims

7 Chinese children, 2 adults hacked to death at China kindergarten; attacker commits suicide

9 killed in latest attack at China school

HANZHONG, China — An attacker with a cleaver hacked to death seven children and two adults at a kindergarten in northwest China on Wednesday, the latest in a string of savage assaults on the country’s schools. Eleven other children were wounded.

Taliban shoot 2 in NW Pakistan accused of spying for the US, bodies dumped with notes attached

Taliban kill 2 alleged US spies in NW Pakistan

Malaysia opposition leader Anwar loses bid to get police documents that could derail sex trial

Malaysia’s Anwar loses new bid to derail sex trial

Thai army announces new measures to clear Bangkok protest area starting at midnight

Water, electricity cuts to Bankok protest zone

Somali pirates seize Greek ship off East Africa; 26 crew members onboard reported to be safe

Somali pirates seize Greek ship off East Africa

Lawyer witness who helped launch suits against Dole calls fraud claim ‘bunk’

Lawyer witness calls fraud claim ‘bunk’

LOS ANGELES — A Texas lawyer testifying against Dole Foods denies that he was one of a group that allegedly conspired with a Nicaraguan judge to commit fraud.

Chidambaram rules out using army against Maoists

NEW DELHI - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday reiterated that the government does not envisage using the army or the air force to tackle Maoists and urged business and industry captains to partner in the development of the country’s hinterland.

New Delhi’s talks with Muivah fail, Manipur blockade continues

VISWEMA - Talks between union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai and Thuingaleng Muivah to resolve the Manipur blockade failed Wednesday with the Naga separatist leader adamant on visiting his birthplace.

Muhammad cartoonist assaulted as protesters disrupt free-speech lecture in Sweden

Muhammad cartoonist assaulted during lecture