Rahul Gandhi steps in to rejuvenate Congress party in UP

LUCKNOW - Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has interacted with leaders in Uttar Pradesh to chalk out a strategy for the State Assembly elections, due in 2012.

North Korea seizes South Korean fishing boat that accidentally strayed into its waters

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea is investigating a South Korean fishing boat and its four-member crew that it seized Thursday after the vessel strayed into the country’s waters, the South Korean government said.

North Korea fires 7 ballistic missiles violating UN Rules : Report

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, a violation of U.N. resolutions and an apparent message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day.

SKorea says North Korea fires 2 missiles off eastern coast; report says short-range launched

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired two missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, in yet another provocative move after the U.N. imposed sanctions on the communist regime for its May nuclear test.

Navy Admiral James Stavridis taking over at US European Command, NATO

STUTTGART, Germany — Navy Adm. James Stavridis is taking over as head of the U.S. European Command in a changeover that also makes him NATO’s top military commander.

Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff visits Russia, voices hope for closer military ties

MOSCOW — The top U.S. military officer said after meeting with Russian leaders Friday and that both countries were willing to improve military ties.

Disgraced South Carolina governor seeks to do damage control; politicians call for resignation

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admits he used taxpayer money to see his mistress in Argentina and plans to repay the cash.

Honduran president says he will not obey Supreme Court order to reinstate fired military chief

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The Honduran president vowed Thursday to ignore a Supreme Court ruling ordering him to reinstate the military chief he fired, escalating a showdown that has threatened the leftist leader’s hold on power.

Fewer cops on the beat: Police are laid off and hiring is frozen because of recession

CHICAGO — As hundreds of jobs in Chicago’s police department go unfilled, officers who once patrolled the streets with partners are riding alone in what some cops bitterly call “rolling coffins.”

QB Ryan excited to work with 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Matt Ryan isn’t trying to hide his excitement about the arrival of Tony Gonzalez.

Zardari assures on nukes, vows fight against militants

WASHINGTON - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has sought to reassure America that his government has full control of its nuclear weapons and a just launched operation against extremists would continue until normalcy was restored.

Clinton tries to reassure Iraqis worried about safety; says US withdrawal still on schedule

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to reassure nervous Iraqis that the U.S. won’t abandon them, even as she said the American troop withdrawal would stay on schedule despite a recent surge in violence.

Top Pentagon commander visits troops on Kabul’s doorstep, reviews new militia program

FORWARD OPERATING BASE AIRBORNE, Afghanistan — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is reviewing a new community-based defense program recently started in an increasingly violent province on the doorstep of Kabul.

Mystery surrounds ISI chief’s top US officials snub

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, reportedly refused to meet the US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen.

India remains priority No.1 for Pak military, politicians

ISLAMABAD - India remains priority number one for the military brass in Pakistan, as it has been for the past 61 years.

Scientists dismiss Gwyneth Paltrow’s shampoo cancer link claims

LONDON - Gwyneth Paltrow has come under fire from health experts after she warned shampoo could lead to cancer.

Rahul Gandhi personally monitors Punjab Youth Congress polls

AMRITSAR - Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Tuesday flew down to this Sikh holy city to personally monitor the conduct of elections of the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) here.