Ahmed Chalabi's renewed influence in Iraq concerns U.S.

BAGHDAD -- Ahmed Chalabi, the onetime U.S. ally, is in the limelight again, and his actions are proving no less controversial than they did years ago.

Once seemingly impregnable, Hamas shows signs of vulnerability

BEITUNIA, WEST BANK -- Struggling to maintain its strength in the West Bank amid a crackdown by Israel and Palestinian police and suffering after the assassination of one of its top leaders, Hamas has sustained another blow with news that the son of one its founders had been spying on it for Israel.

Book review of "Nothing to Envy," by Barbara Demick, and "The Cleanest Race," by B.R. Myers

"If you look at satellite photographs of the Far East by night, you'll see a large splotch curiously lacking in light," writes Barbara Demick on the first page of "Nothing to Envy." "This area of darkness is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."

Germany's frugality bemoaned for inhibiting euro zone growth

BERLIN -- Greek extravagance touched off the biggest crisis in the 11-year history of the euro. But the world's most ambitious monetary union faces a less obvious problem that might be even harder to lick -- German frugality.

Embattled New York Gov. David Paterson won't run to stay in office

NEW YORK -- New York Gov. David A. Paterson, who was unexpectedly catapulted into the job two years ago when his predecessor resigned in a sex scandal, announced today that he would not be running for election in November, as he battles low poll numbers and a growing scandal of his own.

Inquiry sought into disappearance of e-mails in interrogations case

Senior Democratic lawmakers and watchdog groups demanded Friday that the Justice Department investigate the disappearance of e-mail messages written by Bush administration lawyers who drafted memos blessing harsh interrogation tactics, saying their absence cast doubt on an ethics report that cleared...

In Afghanistan, U.S. plans major push into Kandahar

Even as Marines in Afghanistan continued to fight for control of the Taliban stronghold of Marja, senior Obama administration officials said Friday that the United States has begun initial planning for a bigger, more complex offensive in Kandahar later this year.

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World Digest: Pakistani court blocks extradition of captured Taliban leaders

PAKISTAN The Lahore High Court barred the government Friday from sending captured Afghan Taliban leaders abroad, a day after Afghan officials said Pakistan had agreed to hand over the group's No. 2 commander.

Mullen leads trip to Haiti, faces Preval's ire on allegation

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI -- Haitian President René Préval faces many challenges: a country in ruins, a government in tatters, a traumatized population. But on Friday, he wanted to get something else off his chest.

Pelosi gives strong defense of embattled Rangel

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday gave a strong defense of Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), lending her continued support for the embattled lawmaker a day after the ethics committee admonished him for accepting privately paid travel against House rules.

Wal-Mart presses vendors in China to meet higher standards

SHENZHEN, CHINA -- Benny Fung, the head of Hong Kong-based soap and cosmetics maker Lutex, seems to have an eye for detail. The meeting room at his factory here in southern China is lined with neatly packed gift baskets. His jacket has a thin purple velvet accent around the lapel to match his pu...