PRISTINA, Serbia – Kosovo will declare independence from Serbia within weeks, the breakaway province’s new Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said on Wednesday after parliament endorsed his coalition government.

KIRKUK, Iraq – Two car bombs exploded outside two churches in the volatile northern city of Kirkuk on Wednesday, police said, the latest in a wave of attacks on Christian targets in Iraq this week.

ISLAMABAD – Plagued by mounting attacks by Islamist militants loyal to al Qaeda, Pakistan now faces a second wave of violence as its minority Shi’ite Muslims prepare for their annual mourning period.