SUMMIT IN RUSSIA | PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Obama offers critique, cooperation to Russia

President Barack Obama told a Russian audience that `America wants a strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia.'

Sarkozy urges release of Frenchwoman held in Iran

President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday demanded that Iran free a young French teacher detained after taking photos of Iranian protests and dismissed Iranian accusations that she was spying as "high fantasy."

Armed mobs spread ethnic strife in China's west

The government imposed a curfew Tuesday night in this regional capital of western China after mobs of Han Chinese with meat cleavers and clubs roamed the streets looking for Muslim Uighurs who had earlier beaten up people in the country's worst ethnic violence in decades.

Nearly 40 arrested at anti-G8 protests in Rome

Police arrested 38 activists Tuesday during clashes at protests in Rome against this week's Group of Eight summit in central Italy.

Suspected US missile kills 10 in Pakistan

A barrage of missiles believed fired from a U.S. unmanned plane destroyed a Taliban training camp on a mountain close to the Afghan border on Wednesday, killing at least 10 insurgents, two intelligence officials said.

NORTH KOREA

North Korea's launch of 7 missiles draws criticism

In a defiant move, North Korea launched seven missiles off its east coast as the United States celebrated Independence Day.

IRAQ

Joe Biden Iraq visit raises questions

Protesters paraded through Baghdad, burning American flags and shouting anti-U.S. slogans, during a surprise visit to Iraq by Vice President Joe Biden.

AFGHANISTAN | MILITARY OFFENSIVE

U.S. targets Taliban in Afghanistan

The massive Marine assault launched Thursday in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province is intended to recapture an area that's been under Taliban control for the past five years -- a step officials think is critical to showing Afghan civilians that coalition forces can protect them from Islamist militants.

Deposed Honduran prez accused of drug ties

The regime that ousted Manuel Zelaya in Honduras claimed Tuesday that the deposed president allowed tons of cocaine to be flown into the Central American country on its way to the United States.

IRAQ

Violence continues as Iraqis take charge

On the first day in which Iraqis were in control of their cities, violence continued in Iraq.

Yemeni plane with 153 crashes off Comoros islands

A Yemeni jetliner carrying 153 people crashed into the Indian Ocean on Tuesday as it attempted to land amid severe turbulence and howling winds. Officials said a teenage girl was plucked from the sea, the only known survivor.

Gas train derails in Italy, kills 14, burns 50

Elia Quiroz was about to go to bed in his home near the railroad station in this Tuscan seaside town when the train rumbled by. His kitchen table started shaking.

UN tells Honduras to reinstate president

Honduras' ousted president won overwhelming international support Tuesday as he planned a high-profile return to his chaotic country. The politicians who sent soldiers to fly him into exile in his pajamas said he will be arrested for treason if he tries.

ARGENTINA

Gov. Sanford's mistress blasts `media frenzy'

An Argentine journalist briefly discussed her relationship with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and blasted the release of their e-mail exchanges.

Hondurans in South Florida express support for shake-up

Phone cards were the top-selling item Sunday afternoon at Olanchito Mini-Market, a Honduran store along Southwest Eighth Street in Little Havana. It seemed everyone was trying to call Honduras after a political shakeup that many locals felt was a long time coming.

South Carolina governor's mistress keeps air of mystery

McClatchy News Service The Argentine mystery woman who stole the heart of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford went public Sunday night for the first time since the news of the affair broke Wednesday, but was still able to keep up the air of mystery.

President's ouster rattles Honduras

The head of Congress was sworn in as president of Honduras on Sunday, while ousted democratically elected leader Manuel Zelaya -- clad in an undershirt -- declared from Costa Rica that his expulsion was the product of an illegal coup by power-hungry elitists.

HONDURAS

President's ouster rattles Honduras

Honduras' leftist president Manuel Zelaya was ousted by the military before a referendum on a proposal to modify the constitution to allow him to seek reelection.

IRAQ

At least 60 killed in Sadr City bomb blast

Violence in Iraq continued to rise, with a bomb blast in Sadr City killing at least 60 and injuring 135.