Israelis And Palestinians Open Direct Peace Talks


Israeli and Palestinian leaders began direct peace negotiations saying it was time to end their conflict but predicting tough talks ahead as hardliners vowed never to accept a deal.

Obama Says U.S. Undeterred In Bid For Mideast Peace


President Barack Obama vowed Wednesday that a deadly Hamas attack in the West Bank "is not going to stop us" in the quest for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

VP Biden visits Iraq As Troops Withdraw


Vice President Joe Biden flew into Iraq Monday to assure Iraqis the United States is not abandoning them.

U.S. Expands North Korea Sanctions, Kim Hopes For Talks


President Barack Obama on Monday expanded financial sanctions against North Korea.

Report: CIA Pays Many In Karzai Administration


The CIA is making payments to a significant number of officials in Afghan President Hamid Karzai's administration, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

North Korea Tells Carter They Want To Resume Nuclear Talks


North Korea's number two leader has told former President Jimmy Carter that the reclusive state is committed to denuclearizing the peninsula.

Bombs Kill Scores In Attacks On Iraq's Police


Suicide bombers and other attackers killed at least 62 people in apparently coordinated attacks on Iraqi security forces in Iraq on Wednesday.

Somali Gunmen Storm Hotel, 31 Reported Dead


Gunmen in army uniforms stormed a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu frequented by government officials on Tuesday, killing at least 31 people.

Foreigners Among 14 Killed In Nepal Plane Crash


Fourteen people -- including four Americans, a Japanese and British national -- were killed when their small plane crashed in bad weather in Nepal on Tuesday.

Pakistan to seek IMF help for flood-battered economy


Pakistan braced for more flooding in the south as officials were due to hold talks in Washington on Monday with the International Monetary Fund.

Police Kill Manila Bus Gunman With Some Hostages Alive


Philippine police shot and killed a sacked former policeman who was holding 15 Hong Kong tourists aboard a bus in downturn Manila on Monday.

U.N.: Pakistan Floods Leave Millions Hungry


Pakistan's worst floods in decades have left millions hungry, the United Nations said on Monday.

Clinton Invites Israel, Palestinians To Direct Talks


Hillary Clinton on Friday invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to resume direct talks in Washington.

Iran To Fire Up Its First Nuclear Power Plant


Iran's first nuclear power station will be loaded with fuel on Saturday, a showcase for Tehran's claim that its atomic ambitions are purely peaceful.

U.S, Pakistan Warn Of Militant Plots Over Floods


Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari warned on Thursday that Taliban insurgents are trying to exploit rising anger over the country's worst floods.

U.S. Says SE Asia Concerned By China Assertiveness


The head of the U.S. military Pacific Command said Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea was causing concern in the region.

Only One Dies In Colombia Airliner Crash "Miracle"


A Colombian airliner carrying 132 people crashed and broke into pieces while landing during a storm on the Caribbean resort island San Andres on Monday.

Pakistanis Block Highways To Protest Slow Flood Aid


Pakistani flood victims, burning straw and waving sticks, blocked a highway on Monday to demand government help.

Clinton Prods Netanyahu On Mideast Peace Talks


Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about issues blocking direct peace talks with the Palestinians.

Diseases Pose New Risks In Pakistan Flood Crisis


Disease outbreaks pose grave new risks to victims of Pakistan's worst floods in decades, aid agencies said on Friday.