Russians experts fear germ warfare research

MOSCOW -- Russian experts voiced concern Wednesday about U.S. plans to develop a potentially more lethal version of the bacterium that causes deadly anthrax, but the government refrained from immediate reaction.

The Pentagon confirmed its intention Tuesday to conduct the research once legal reviews have been completed and the U.S. Congress has been informed. The plan was first reported by The New York Times, which said it was part of a broader research effort to improve U.S. defenses against biological agents.

Archbishop tells of Teresa exorcism CALCUTTA, India -- Mother Teresa had an exorcism performed on her while hospitalized in 1997, the Archbishop of Calcutta said Wednesday.

The disclosure by Archbishop Henry D'Souza came as hundreds of people in this eastern Indian city paid homage to the renowned caregiver on the fourth anniversary of her death.

But the Rev. Richard McBrien, a Notre Dame theology professor, called the exorcism and the archbishop's explanation for it "bizarre."

D'Souza said the exorcism would not affect the nun's candidacy for sainthood.

Britain, France let Concorde fly again

PARIS -- The supersonic Concorde got its wings back Wednesday -- just over a year after a deadly crash -- with French and British officials clearing the fleet of 12 aircraft for flight once safety modifications are made.

The announcement came 13 months and 11 days after an Air France Concorde crashed minutes after takeoff from Paris, killing all 109 passengers and crew and four people on the ground.

"Air France is very pleased with the decision ... to reinstate Concorde's airworthiness certificate," the carrier said in a statement, adding that it would resume commercial service between Paris and New York in November.

Iraq expels five U.N humanitarian officials

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq has expelled five U.N. officials it accuses of passing sensitive information to "enemy states." The United Nations said Iraq failed to substantiate the claims, but the officials were withdrawn for safety reasons.

Foreign Minister Naji Sabri, interviewed Wednesday on Iraqi television, said U.N. employees "must protect the security of information available to them and should not supply such information to another country."

Cake tossed into face of Swedish king

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- A young man threw a strawberry cake in the face of King Carl XVI Gustaf on Wednesday during a royal visit to the southwestern city of Varberg, police said.

The 16-year-old was wrestled to the ground by the king's bodyguards and was detained by police. It was not clear why he threw the cake.

The monarch, who was not injured, asked the suspect if he was OK, the Swedish news agency TT reported. Queen Silvia, who was walking near the king, was not hit, the agency said.--From wire reports

Court spokeswoman Catherine Broms said it was the first time the king had been attacked with a cake.

The king "was surprised, but he wasn't hurt," she was quoted as saying by TT.

About 500 people were waiting for the king and queen at the main gate when the incident occurred. The royal couple stuck to their schedule, but the king needed to change clothes before visiting a radio station.

Varberg is about 300 miles southwest of the capital, Stockholm.