· Arab League calls for U.N. peacekeepers in Syria
The Arab League called Sunday for the U.N. to create a joint peacekeeping force for Syria and urged Arab states to sever contact with Assad.

· 2002 Bali bombings trial opens
Suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings is standing trial in Indonesia.

· Venezuela's opposition picks Chavez's challenger
Youthful state Gov. Henrique Capriles will try to end President Hugo Chavez's 13 years in power.

· Chinese leader's visit 'an investment in the future'
Obama administration officials say Xi Jinping's American tour marks a crucial moment in the U.S.-Chinese relationship.

· In complicating move, al-Qaeda backs Syrian revolt
Al-Qaeda's leader has called for the ouster of Syria's "pernicious, cancerous regime."

· Greece passes new austerity deal amid rioting
Greek lawmakers approved harsh new austerity measures demanded by bailout creditors to save the debt-crippled nation from bankruptcy.

· U.S. admiral says forces prepared to confront Iran
The top U.S. Navy official in the Persian Gulf says he takes Iran's military capabilities seriously but forces are prepared.

· Fuel removal under way at Costa Concordia site
Underwater pumping began Sunday to remove some of the 500,000 gallons of fuel aboard the Costa Concordia, which ran aground a month ago.

· White House calls Syrian government collapse inevitable
President Obama's chief of staff says it's only a matter of time before the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad collapses.

· Iraq opens new offshore oil export terminal in Persian Gulf
Iraq inaugurated a new offshore oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf on Sunday in a vital step to ease infrastructure constraints.

· Some staff at British tabloid arrested in bribe inquiry
Five employees from The Sun tabloid were arrested Saturday in inquiry into the alleged payment of bribes to police and other officials.

· Hacker says porn site users compromised
A hacker claims to have compromised users' personal info after breaking into a discussion forum maintained by pornography website Brazzers.

· Russia to halt U.S. adoptions amid domestic violence claims
Russia's Foreign Ministry to curtail U.S. adoptions of Russian children for alleged domestic violence by American adoptive parents.

· Gunmen assassinate Syrian army general in Damascus
The killing is the first of a high ranking military officer in the Syrian capital since the uprising against Assad's regime began in March.

· ACTA ignites concerns about threat to Internet freedom
Trade agreement that is designed to put in place international standards to protect property rights has sparked fierce opposition.