AFP - Red-dressed Thai demonstrators Tuesday collected their own blood, planning to spill it at the government's gates in a symbolic sacrifice as they stepped up protests demanding snap elections.

AFP - Fiji's government Tuesday declared a state of disaster in the cyclone-ravaged nation, amid reports of deaths after 17,000 people fled to evacuation centres.

AP - The Afghan government was holding secret talks with the Taliban's No. 2 when he was captured in Pakistan, and the arrest infuriated President Hamid Karzai, according to one of Karzai's advisers.

AP - Democratic congressional leaders showed signs of progress Monday in winning anti-abortion Democrats whose votes are pivotal to President Barack Obama's fiercely contested remake of the health care system.

AP - New HIV infections are increasing among homosexuals, drug users and prostitutes who don't seek help because of laws that criminalize these practices, the head of the U.N. AIDS agency said Monday.

AP - Aaron Brooks swished a jumper with 2.9 seconds left and scored 31 points to help the Houston Rockets rally for a 125-123 victory over Denver on Monday night, snapping the Nuggets' six-game winning streak.