EU trade chief says WTO talks not moving forward

HONG KONG -- The European Union trade chief on Friday warned that global trade talks were "going backwards," as developing nations threatened to reject any World Trade Organization deal that fails to protect their cotton, banana and sugar farmers. Demonstrators have been protesting daily since the six-day WTO talks began Tuesday. So far, the activists haven't caused the chaos and damage that marred past WTO meetings. The talks have barely made progress on how much to cut trade barriers in any of the three main areas WTO members were expected to address: agriculture, manufactured goods and services. Since the 149-nation WTO operates by consensus, the impasse could undermine the outcome of the meeting.

Anti-Israel comments could lead to EU sanctions

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Iran could face sanctions if it keeps provoking Israel and the West, European leaders warned Friday, even as the Tehran regime's interior minister said the Iranian president's remarks had been "misunderstood." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad aggravated tensions with the West this week by calling the Holocaust a "myth." EU leaders warned Tehran they would review diplomatic options for possible sanctions against Iran.

116-year-old woman is world's oldest person

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador -- At 100 years old, she became bedridden and so weakened from a stomach ailment that a priest administered last rites. But Maria Esther de Capovilla recovered, and 16 years later she has become the oldest person on Earth, according to Guinness World Records. Born on Sept. 14, 1889, the same year as Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler, Capovilla was married the year the United States entered World War I -- 1917 -- and widowed in 1949. Capovilla, who comes from a well-to-do family, was confirmed as the oldest person on Dec. 9, after her family sent details of her birth and marriage certificates to the British-based publisher.

Armed Mexican park rangers defend butterflies

SIERRA CHINCUA, Mexico -- With assault rifles over their shoulders and body armor strapped to their chests, Roberto Paleo and his officers are among the world's most heavily armed park rangers. Yet they guard one of nature's most delicate creatures -- the monarch butterfly. The rangers say they need the weapons to protect the winter nesting grounds of millions of butterflies from armed gangs of illegal loggers in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. The monarchs are not listed as endangered, but scientists say the deforestation could threaten their existence.

-- From wire reports

Last season, 22 million monarchs reached the park, an 80 percent drop from the previous year, prompting the Mexican government to set up the special police force.