BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Preliminary results of Iraq's parliamentary election, a vote seen as a litmus test of its young democracy, are likely to be released by Thursday, a United Nations official said Wednesday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praises the resolve of Nicklas Bendtner, who put recent media criticism behind him by scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win over Porto.

Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky wins libel damages over claims he conspired to avoid extradition and get political asylum in Britain.

South Africa's ANC asks Winnie Mandela to clarify a media report in which she apparently fiercely criticised ex-husband Nelson.

Church authority at risk as scandals spread in Europe

The Dalai Lama accuses China of trying to "annihilate Buddhism", as Tibet marks 51 years since a failed revolt against Beijing.

Egypt's top Muslim cleric has died suddenly in Saudi Arabia at the age of 81.

Cathay Pacific reports a return to full-year profit as cost cutting and bets on the price of fuel pay off.

US Vice-President Joe Biden meets Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, with discussions dominated by Israeli plans for 1,600 more homes in East Jerusalem.

REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Iceland's opposition turned up the heat on the center-left government on Wednesday to hold out for a tough new "Icesave" debt accord with Britain and the Netherlands, after a referendum rejection of its previous deal.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Lady Ashton, tells MEPs Europe has a "once in a generation opportunity" to build a powerful diplomatic service.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will on Wednesday propose to force banks to reveal how many of their staff earn top wages, in steps that go further than previous proposals, financial services minister Paul Myners said.

The earthquake in Chile may cost the global insurance industry as much as $7bn (£4.7bn), Swiss Re estimates.

A Pakistan Cricket Board committee has issued indefinite bans from the national team to former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan.

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul for talks with President Hamid Karzai.

China's exports surged 46% in February, figures show, raising hopes of a strong recovery in global trade.

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sees risks to the economic recovery and says it is not the moment to change course as he prepares for an election by June.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The leader of the House of Representatives -- a persuasive arm-twister and deal maker -- faces her toughest challenge yet in the coming weeks: getting 216 votes to pass final legislation revamping the U.S. healthcare system.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. economists raised their forecast for economic growth in 2010 in March, the third straight monthly rise, while trimming their growth forecast for 2011, according to a survey released on Wednesday.