French officials said they are hoping for a favorable resolution to filmmaker Roman Polanski's recent arrest on a 1970s sex charge. Polanski, 76, was arrested in Switzerland during the weekend after U.S.

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, touring France, says China is continuing its political crackdown in Tibet during the Beijing Summer Olympics.

By DAMIEN HENDERSON RUSSIA pressed forward a massive military advantage in the disputed Georgian region of South Ossetia last night after three days of intense fighting forced its neighbour to issue a ceasefire and begin withdrawing troops.

During its evening newscasts, Baghdad-based Al-Iraqiyah TV highlighted French foreign minister's talks with Iraqi officials, and the Iraqi government spokesman's statement in which he noted that there is "a big difference" between the US vision and the Iraqi vision on the US-Iraqi security agreement.

By Steven Erlanger France confirmed Monday that it has had contacts with the leaders of Hamas for several months to try to better understand the positions of the radical Islamic group that is running Gaza.