Thousands of children working in Malawi’s tobacco fields are exposed to dangerous levels of nicotine and tobacco dust, the equivalent of smoking 50 cigarettes a day, a children’s rights organization said Monday.

18-year-old Stefania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009 by outgoing titleholder Dayana Mendoza, also from Venezuela.

Senior North Korean envoys delivered a message from Kim Jong-il to South Korea’s president in a meeting on Sunday. The message was likely the first direct communication between the two leaders.

The country’s federal government has just legalized almost all types of drugs for personal use. Now, ‘hey men’ can possess and enjoy small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin—even LSD and methamphetamines.

At least 95 people were killed and almost 600 wounded as six large explosions rocked Baghdad Wednesday morning. The coordinated attacks marked the nation’s bloodiest day since the U.S. pulled its combat troops from cities and towns nearly two months ago and left security in the hands of Iraqi forces.

South Korea on Wednesday postponed the launch of its first space rocket 8 minutes before the scheduled liftoff because of technical problems.

A wild horse has been hurled nearly 30 feet into the air in a horrifying crash during a rally car race in South America. The jet black nag was badly injured and had to be put down after the crash.

Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung died Tuesday at Severance Hospital in Seoul after a prolonged battle with pneumonia. He was 83.

Hundreds of men suspected of homosexual conduct have been tortured and executed in Iraq in recent months, some by the country’s militia forces, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday.

At least seven people were killed and over 90 injured in a massive suicide bomb blast that shook Afghanistan early Saturday.

Deadly clashes between al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants and government troops have claimed the lives of at least 21 rebels and 23 soldiers in Basilan province, southern Philippines.