Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military rule banning openly gay people from serving in the armed forces violates constitutional rights to free speech and due process, a federal judge in southern California ruled Thursday.

A groundbreaking study on fallout of the 2006 shooting at Montreal's Dawson College reveals that nearly one-third of students and staff suffered from psychological trauma in the years after the event.

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military rule banning openly gay people from serving in the armed forces violates constitutional rights to free speech and due process, a federal judge in southern California ruled Thursday.

Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has a slight edge over powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa ahead of a party leadership vote next week, NHK public TV said on Friday, but with many party lawmakers undecided the outcome is too close to call.

The minister of a Florida church said he is now rethinking his earlier decision to call off plans to burn copies of the Qur'an on Sept. 11.

Donald Trump is offering to buy out one of the major investors in the real estate partnership that controls the site near Ground Zero where a Muslim group wants to build a 13-storey Islamic centre.

The B.C. government has ordered a public inquiry into the police investigation of serial killer Robert Pickton.

A freeze on employment insurance premiums that has been in effect for two years will end in the coming budget, which means premiums will soon rise, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says.

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twelve U.S. soldiers have been charged with gruesome crimes in Afghanistan ranging from murdering civilians to keeping body parts as war trophies -- revelations that the Pentagon said on Thursday damaged America's image around the world.

The son of an Iranian woman convicted of adultery believes his mother is still facing a stoning death sentence despite reports that it had been suspended.

Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday denied that rising drug violence made Mexico look increasingly like Colombia at the height of its drugs war, rebuffing comments made by his Secretary of State.

The Manitoba agency overseeing the conduct and discipline of provincial lawyers was made aware of Alex Chapman's harassment complaint against Winnipeg lawyer Jack King seven years ago, but no public disciplinary action was taken, its senior lawyer told CBC News Thursday.

Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday denied that rising drug violence made Mexico look increasingly like Colombia at the height of its drugs war, rebuffing comments made by his Secretary of State.

A chronic shortfall of generic drugs could compromise the health of patients, Quebec's Order of Pharmacists warns.

Reuters - GAINESVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - A Christian pastor on Thursday canceled a plan to burn copies of the Koran at his obscure Florida church, which had drawn international condemnation and a warning from President Barack Obama that it could provoke al Qaeda suicide bombings.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has flung the doors open to the possibility of federal funding for professional sports stadiums across the country, saying if his government sends money to Quebec City it will do the same for others.

Reuters - GAINESVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - A Christian pastor said on Thursday he was canceling a plan to burn the Koran, which had drawn international condemnation and a warning from President Barack Obama that it could provoke al Qaeda suicide bombings.

A senior Canadian military officer who helped manage the early days of Canada's combat mission in Kandahar has admitted torture likely occurred in Afghan prisons, but says reports of abuse were overblown.

Reuters - OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government is aware of concerns that have been raised about a possible takeover of Potash Corp, the world's biggest fertilizer producer, and will analyze them thoroughly if need be, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Thursday.

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An Iranian dissident group said Thursday it had evidence of a new secret underground atomic site in Iran, but U.S. officials said they have known about the facility for years and have no reason to believe it is nuclear.