Killing of cleric prompts outrage in Kabul and apology from coalition forces

KABUL -- A gunner in a U.S. military convoy shot and killed a local imam as he was driving his car here Thursday morning, prompting outrage among residents and an apology from coalition forces.

Ex-prime minister of France acquitted of charges in slander trial

PARIS -- The allegations read like a potboiler: treachery and high jinks in the gilded salons of Paris politics. But in a trial that riveted France, the charges were brought for real in a paneled courtroom beside the Seine by a very serious prosecutor and endorsed by a bitter President Nicolas Sa...

Afghan president plans meeting on reintegrating, reconciling with insurgents

LONDON -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that he will convene a nationwide meeting of tribal, religious and political leaders in the next few weeks to discuss reintegrating and reconciling with insurgents. Afghan government officials said Taliban members would also be welcome to attend.

President cites populist roots as he pushed emphasis on economy

TAMPA -- President Obama on Thursday pushed back at the notion he has changed his rhetoric to become a "fighter," saying fighting for people had been a bedrock of his presidential campaign and his entire career in public service.

Lack of crowd control hampers food and water delivery to Haitian quake victims

TABARRE, HAITI -- For more than 500 people who have banded together in solace and solidarity in a field here, there is no food. At the beginning of the week, a delegation went to the mayor's office, then to the United Nations and back to the mayor.

Fairfax team comes home after saving Haiti quake survivors

After two weeks of near-sleepless nights and exhausting multihour rescue missions in earthquake-stricken Haiti, 114 members of Fairfax County's urban search and rescue team returned home late Thursday.

Pakistan seeks role as mediator in possible Taliban-Afghanistan peace talks

LAHORE, PAKISTAN -- Pakistan, which once sponsored Taliban forces but turned against them under American pressure in 2001, now hopes to play a role as a broker in proposed negotiations among Taliban leaders and the Afghan government, with support from the United States.

New highway stirs changes and aspirations in Indian villages

KARORI VILLAGE, INDIA -- The old, potholed road was a source of endless traffic jams and accidents. It did not have a median or lights. Trucks, tractors and camels frequently collided at night.

Girl's rescue 15 days after quake offers a rare moment of joy in devastated Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI -- Fifteen days after an earthquake devastated this nation, a teenage girl was rescued from the rubble of her house -- weak and thirsty -- on a hillside in the capital.

On issue of gays in military, Pentagon will make recommendations to Congress

The Pentagon has been studying ways to integrate gays into the military and, for the first time, will offer recommendations to Congress next week "on a way forward," defense officials said Thursday, following President Obama's declaration that he wants to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law this...

House Web sites hacked, leading to call for review

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) asked for an immediate review of how hackers were able to overtake 49 Web sites operated by House members or House committees after President Obama's State of the Union address.

Hillary Clinton among those praising Yemen's efforts against al-Qaeda

LONDON -- Yemen pledged Wednesday to implement broad political and economic reforms in exchange for a package of long-term development and security assistance from countries concerned that it could become a permanent base for international terrorist operations.