By Rob Taylor CANBERRA (Reuters) - Canada has the world's soundest banking system, closely followed by Sweden, Luxembourg and Australia, a survey by the World Economic Forum has found as financial crisis and bank failures shake world markets. But...

The South went solidly red state in the ’90s, but that tide may be receding.

The Rev. John C. Hagee, whose endorsement John McCain greeted with fanfare, has issued a letter expressing regret for “any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”

The pope has calibrated his immigration stance with care, but his visit has stirred the crosscurrents of the debate.

Mr. Césaire was an anticolonialist poet and politician who was honored throughout the French-speaking world and who was an early proponent of black pride.

By 7 to 2, justices upheld Kentucky’s method of putting criminals to death by lethal injection, clearing the way for other states to resume executions as well.

Senator John McCain’s campaign hoped the Rev. John C. Hagee’s endorsement would shore up evangelical support, but it has faced a backlash.

Critics say the conviction is part of a government crackdown to silence dissidents ahead of the Olympics.

Advisers to President Robert G. Mugabe of Zimbabwe are in talks with the opposition leader amid signs that Mr. Mugabe may be preparing to resign, a diplomat and a political analyst said.

The Vatican rejected Osama bin Laden’s grievances, but security officials expressed concerns over the threat.