BAGHDAD – Parliament’s approval of a security pact with the U.S. has propelled Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki into a position of strength unsurpassed among Iraqi political leaders since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Furious dealmaking preceded the vote Thursday, compelling al-Maliki to make a wide range of concessions to Sunni …

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. Security Council unanimously agrees to impose new sanctions against Somalia aimed at stopping its booming pirate trade and lawlessness. The 15-nation council voted on the British plan for added sanctions Thursday morning. It calls for a panel of the Security Council, the U.N.’s most powerful …

**this article is part of iMag’s special series, “The Dating Game.” We see it happen on TV over and over again — women repeatedly falling for guys that diss them, dump them and totally bewilder them. And in real life, we have our own Mr. Big, McSteamy, Justin Bobby and …

NEW YORK – Actress Salma Hayek and her ex billionaire-fiancee Francois Henri Pinault may have rekindled their formerly fizzled romance, People magazine is reporting. The two were spotted this weekend at a soccer game in Rennes, France this weekend, People said. Click here to see photos of Hayek “They were …

WASHINGTON – Five years ago, retired Air Force intelligence officer Kirk von Ackermann became the first of 39 Americans to be kidnapped in Iraq. He’s still missing, his wife fearing she’ll never see him again. Besides the personal tragedy, his disappearance and those that have followed have taken on a …

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko abandoned attempts for a pro-Western government coalition Wednesday, dissolving Parliament and calling for an early election. “I hereby declare the activities of … Parliament to be suspended and call an early parliamentary election,” Yushchenko said in a television address. “The vote will take …

Two Missouri teenagers who disappeared during a football game nine days ago have been found safe in Iowa. Christina “Paige” Alley, 14, and Levi Carlson, 16, were found Sunday under a highway bridge in Council Bluffs, Iowa, MyFOXKC.com reports. “They were living on the streets in Omaha, Neb., and Council …

MUNDUKA, Spain – Kelly Slater is just one heat win away from claiming his ninth world surfing title after making a successful start to the Billabong Pro Mundaka in Spain. Slater progressed straight to round three after posting a 16.33-point ride to account for fellow American Taylor Knox (6.16) and …

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A judge handed down a 25-year prison sentence for the mother of a 3-year-old girl who was beheaded and for years was known only as “Precious Doe.” The sentence on Wednesday for Michelle Johnson was what Jackson County prosecutors had recommended. Click here for photos. The …

Health officials in China are investigating four anesthesia-related fatalities, including the death of a 3-year-old boy, at a hospital in the eastern province of Fujian. All four patients underwent operations for various conditions at the No. 2 Hospital of Sanming City between Sept. 3 and Oct. 11, Xinhua news agency …