Police officer says a suicide attacker kills 6 close to military complex in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD — A police officer says a suicide bomber has killed six people in an attack on a checkpost close to a military complex in northern Pakistan.

As Mexico secures this season’s swine flu shots, scientists search for a homegrown vaccine

MEXICO CITY — Grappling with low supplies of swine flu vaccines, President Felipe Calderon persuaded drug makers this week to sell him 30 million doses, while 1,000 Mexicans lined up for an experimental vaccine they hope can speed up supplies.

Taliban dig in as Pakistani army slowly advances on their stronghold, refugees say

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — Residents fleeing a 6-day-old Pakistani army offensive in a Taliban stronghold along the Afghan border reported Thursday that the insurgents are digging in for a fight and travel the roads freely.

Grandparents ordered to evict 6 year old

In a bizarre case, grandparents were ordered to evict 6 year old baby, Kimberly.

Jimmy and Judie Stottler, grandparents of the child, live in a Pinellas Park retirement community that doesn’t allow children. The Home Owners Association now wants the child removed. Kimberly was taken from her home at just six months after the state discovered her mother was on drugs. She has lived with her grandparents ever since.

Ethiopia seeks $121 million in urgent food aid for more than 6 million people

NAIROBI, Kenya — Ethiopia said Thursday it needs emergency food aid for 6.2 million people, an appeal that comes 25 years after a devastating famine compounded by communist policies killed 1 million and prompted one of the largest charity campaigns in history.

Gunmen kill army officer, soldier in Pakistan capital amid anti-Taliban offensive in northwest

Army brigadier, soldier killed in Pakistan capital

ISLAMABAD — Suspected militants on a motorbike fatally shot a senior army officer and a soldier in the Pakistani capital Thursday, striking at security forces as the military wages a major anti-Taliban offensive in the northwest.

In exile, Iraqis step out for a life impossible amid the uncertainty back home

DAMASCUS, Syria — After fleeing their bloodied homeland, where violence and increasing conservatism confine their compatriots’ lives, some Iraqis in exile are taking the opportunity to enjoy living outside the box.

Production of swine flu vaccine is way behind schedule; 50-year-old technology is blamed

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — The federal government originally promised 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine by now. Only 13 million have come through.

New Obama policy on Sudan sets carrot-and-stick approach toward peace, ending rights abuses

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, after months of fierce internal debate, outlined a new approach Monday to settling the conflicts in Sudan, asserting a moral obligation to end “a vast sea of human misery” and a need to prevent the African nation from serving as a haven for terrorists.

In policy shift, Obama to offer Sudanese government incentives to end violence

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Monday that the U.S. is shifting its policy toward Sudan, offering incentives if the government proves it is taking steps to end the human suffering there and work toward internal peace.