Reconciliation has to be on terms of the Afghan Govt: Gates
Noting that a conflict like the one in Afghanistan will end up with reconciliation, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said.

Dubai tower shut after visitors stuck in elevator
Visitors on the observation deck of the world`s tallest tower heard what sounded like a small explosion.

Michelle Obama spearheads US push against childhood obesity
First Lady Michelle Obama launched a major push against childhood obesity, which affects around one in three US children and threatens to make the current generation of Americans the first to live shorter lives than their parents.

Israel PM for crippling sanctions on Iran over nuclear drive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Tuesday for immediate "crippling sanctions" against arch-foe Iran over its controversial nuclear drive.

UN slams Haitian hospitals for charging patients
The United Nations has warned that it will cut off shipments of free medicine beginning immediately to any Haitian hospitals that it finds are charging patients.

US missile shield aimed at Russia: Moscow
Russia`s top general said on Tuesday US missile defense plans are directed against Russia and differences over the issue are holding up an arms treaty with Washington, Russian news agencies reported.

IAEA board meets to elect new chairman
The UN atomic watchdog said on Tuesday that its board of governors will meet later this week to elect a new board chairman as new controversy raged over Iran`s disputed nuclear drive.

Lawmakers empower vice president Goodluck Jonathan: Nigeria
Parliament empowered Vice President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday to take over for the ill president of oil-rich Nigeria, whose absence has stoked unrest in Africa`s most populous country.

US Army closes in on targeted southern Afghan town
US Army soldiers launched a major operation Tuesday in support of a planned US-Afghan attack on the largest Taliban-controlled town in southern Afghanistan.

Russia not to send troops to Afghanistan
Russia on Tuesday ruled out sending its troops to Afghanistan but said it was ready to help train the military and police personnel of the country to develop its internal security capability.

Another major storm headed to snowy Mid-Atlantic
A second major snow storm in less than a week was blowing Tuesday toward the Mid-Atlantic region, where plows still hadn`t touched some roads, utility workers were struggling to restore power and shovels were in short supply.

Alabama senator releases holds on Obama nominees
Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama has released most of the "holds" he had placed on President Barack Obama`s nominees, his office said Monday.

Gates wants Iran sanctions in `weeks, not months`
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to see the United Nations slap sanctions on Iran in "weeks, not months."

Fires strike 2 more east Texas churches
A sheriff`s dispatcher says fires have struck two more rural east Texas churches, just hours after investigators announced that a blaze last week marked the eighth arson against a house of worship in the state this year.

Malaysia calls for security boost after Borneo abduction
Malaysia said on Tuesday it needed to boost security surveillance in Borneo after gunmen travelling by boat abducted two men near a town cited in a US travel warning.