World datelines

S. Korea: Moon weds 40,000

ASAN — Brides in white gowns and Japanese kimonos joined grooms in black suits and red ties Wednesday for the Unification Church's biggest mass wedding in a decade — a spectacle church officials say involves 40,000 people around the world.

The "blessing ceremony" is the church's largest since 1999, and may well be the last on such a grand scale officiated by the 89-year-old Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the controversial founder of the Unification Church.

Russia: Stalin loses

MOSCOW — A Russian court ruled against Josef Stalin's grandson Tuesday in a libel suit over a newspaper article that said the Soviet dictator sent thousands of people to their deaths.

A judge at a Moscow district court rejected Yevgeny Dzhugashvili's claim that Novaya Gazeta damaged Stalin's honor and dignity in an April article that referred to him as a "bloodthirsty cannibal."

The case essentially put Stalin on trial more than 50 years after his death. A ruling against the newspaper would have been seen as an exoneration one of the 20th century's most notorious autocrats.

Saudi Arabia: Shootout

RIYADH — A shootout Tuesday between Saudi security forces and al-Qaida militants — some of whom were disguised as women and wearing explosives belts — left two of the militants and a soldier dead, the Interior Ministry said.

Another soldier was lightly injured in the clash at a checkpoint in the south of the country, near the border with Yemen, said ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Mansour al-Turki.

The shootout was the first known confrontation between authorities and al-Qaida since a suicide bomber injured Assistant Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef in the western seaport of Jiddah on Aug. 27. The attacker was a member of the Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

Pakistan: Jets attack

DERA ISMAIL KHAN — Pakistani jets softened up militant targets along the Afghan border Tuesday ahead of what the government promises will be a ground offensive into the Taliban's main stronghold, authorities said.

The government's resolve to send large numbers of troops on a risky operation into mountainous South Waziristan has deepened after a week of attacks around the country along with ominous signs that different militant groups are now working in tandem.