In the ramshackle warrens of Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, four young athletes are plotting to swim their way out of the impoverished territory. The four teenagers, who have spent their entire lives in the Gaza Strip, hope to represent Palestine in world swimming competitions in Asia later this year. While their chosen sport is swimming, they face an unusual ...

China is experiencing "astonishing" growth in oil demand this year to match its economic rise while consumption in developed economies is falling, the International Energy Agency said on Friday. The IEA said demand surged in China in January by 28 percent on a 12-month comparison and raised its forecast for global demand in 2010 to 86.6 million barrels per ...

A 47-year-old woman in Washington state has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for raping her 8-year-old daughter adopted from China. Donna Marie Whisenhunt, of Lacey, pleaded guilty to child rape as part of a plea agreement. She was sentenced Thursday in Pierce County ...

World oil prices rose toward 83 dollars a barrel on Friday as the International Energy Agency reported strong growth in world energy demand, led by China. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for April delivery, added 31 cents to 82.42 dollars a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for April gained 28 cents to 80.56 dollars per ...