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Jamaica issues alert as Gustav changes path Jamaica's government issued a hurricane warning Thursday after strengthening Tropical Storm Gustav unexpectedly jogged to the south. Marine eyes Iraq to Afghanistan shift The top U.S. Marine officer said he could reduce his 25,000-strong force in the former al-Qaida stronghold in Iraq to reinforce military operations against a growing Taliban threat in Afghanistan. Japanese women shy from dual mommy role As Japan's birthrate keeps dropping, experts worry about women's growing willingness to do without children - or childish husbands. China lights Paralympics torch Four days after closing the 2008 Beijing Games in triumph, China lit the 2008 Paralympics torch amid pomp and ceremony at Beijing's ancient Temple of Heaven, marking the start of a domestic relay for the September 6 Games. Audit: China mismanaged $6.7 billion China's central government misused or mismanaged more than $6.73 billion last year, including using disaster relief money to build government offices , the National Audit Office said . Pope angry over crucified frog sculpture A modern art sculpture portraying a crucified green frog holding a beer mug and an egg that Pope Benedict has condemned as blasphemous may have its days numbered. Russia-U.S. nuclear deal on hold A key civil nuclear agreement between Russia and the U.S. looks likely to be shelved until next year at the earliest amid mounting tensions over the fate of Georgia's breakaway republics. Up to 10,000 defy order to end Thai protest Thousands of demonstrators batons and bamboo sticks, defied a court order to end their occupation of the prime minister's office compound, vowing to remain until the country's leaders resign. Israeli peace pioneer Nathan dies at 81 Abie Nathan, the peace activist who made a dramatic solo flight to Egypt in a rattletrap single-engine plane and later founded the groundbreaking "Voice of Peace" radio station, has died at 81. Judge fears secret hearings in Gitmo cases A federal judge overseeing cases against dozens of Guantanamo Bay detainees says he fears the public ? and the detainees ? will be locked out of the courtroom when evidence is presented.. Canada tightens its control in Arctic Canada's prime minister moved to firm up control of disputed Arctic waters Wednesday by announcing stricter registration requirements for ships sailing in the Northwest Passage. Bomb blast kills 8 in Pakistan A bomb hit a van carrying prisoners in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least eight people, police said Thursday. Spanish town blushes with annual tomato fight Spanish revelers have pelted each with 113 tons of ripe tomatoes in an annual food fight. Town hall says an estimated 40,000 people took part in the hour of messy fun in the village of Bunol. Swiss clear Europe's last executed witch Anna Goeldi was executed for being a witch more than 220 years ago ? the last witch beheaded in Europe. On Wednesday, the Swiss decided the least they could do was clear her name.