A "peace protest" in Sri Lanka turns violent when Buddhist monks begin fighting with demonstrators. About 1,000 people were listening to speakers in a park when hardline monks took the stage and put up banners. They believe the government is too easy on the Tamil Tiger rebels. Moderate Buddhist monks were already on stage when fists began flying. Witnesses say no one was seriously injured.

Italy's parliament speaker is being criticized for sending a birthday card that gushes over Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Fausto Bertinotti, a veteran communist, says in the letter to 80-year-old Castro, "Long live the Dear Comandante. " Castro has been recovering from stomach surgery he underwent two weeks ago. He has temporarily handed power over to his brother Raul.

A woman charged a pet cremation service and a photo agency for the unauthorized use of a photo of her with her deceased pet dogs. The lawsuit is filing for $3 million in damages. Gina Cecala filed the case in Manhattan state Supreme Court upon Matthews International and Getty Images.

A presidential candidate in the Democratic Republic of Congo denies he committed war crimes, and says allegations of cannibalism are being used to slur his name. Jean-Pierre Bemba is a leading candidate among 32 contenders who will be on the ballot in Sunday's historic elections. He had been named vice-president of the D. R. Congo under a peace deal that ended a war that lasted from 1998-2003.

A mattress store owner is still puzzled after thieves made off with his inflatable sheep. Jim Sather, co-owner of the America's Mattress in Rochester, Minnesota, says someone stole his Serta Mattresses' inflatable 14-foot sheep.