• Russian FM: US to use Russian air base for military transit to Afghanistan under new deal
  MOSCOW - The Russian foreign minister says a new deal allowing the United States to use a Russian air base for transit of troops and military cargo to Afghanistan will help ensure Russia's own securit
• Obama signs government spending bill into law
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has signed into law a spending bill that Congress approved to keep the government running, the White House said on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, the Sena
• Syria violence rages; Annan seeks Assad answers
  AMMAN (Reuters) - Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad attacked rebel strongholds in various parts of Syria on Wednesday, intensifying their assault as the uprising entered its second year with a
• Australian sentenced to 500 lashes in Saudi Arabia
  An Australian man has been sentenced to 500 lashes and a year in jail by a court in Saudi Arabia after being found guilty of blasphemy, Canberra said on Wednesday.
• India police detain six men over bomb blasts
  Indian police said Wednesday they had detained six suspected militants over three attacks including a bombing at a restaurant last year in western India that killed 17 people.