A top Taliban political leader delivered a message Friday to President Obama, calling his attempt to lure away Taliban fighters with money "an old weapon that has failed already." Obama meets Friday with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who will tell the U.S. leader how a large deployment to Afghanistan would affect the military. Akhund warned Obama against maintaining a military presence in Afghanistan, saying it "will only deepen your economic crisis and will harm your international reputation." "Pull all ...

Former French President Jacques Chirac must stand trial on corruption charges, French public radio reported Friday.

The United States on Friday sought clarification from Iran in response to its counter-offer involving shipping low-enriched uranium for refining abroad, senior administration officials said.Clinton told CNN that Western officials were working to determine what the Iranians are willing to do -- whether Tehran's decision is final or an interim statement. Iran sent its response Thursday to the IAEA, the U.N. nuclear watchdog. The agreement was designed to reduce the amount of material Iran has to possibly make a nuclear ...

The House ethics committee on Thursday announced separate investigations into whether Rep. Laura Richardson and Rep. Maxine Waters, both Democrats from California, violated rules of conduct.

Negotiators for deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and de facto President Roberto Micheletti have reached an agreement to form a government of national reconciliation that could reinstate Zelaya.The country's congress had outlawed the vote and the supreme court had ruled it illegal. Honduras has been in turmoil since Zelaya was forced out of the country in a military-backed coup on June 28 and replaced hours later by legislative leader Micheletti. Micheletti and his supporters say Zelaya's removal was ...

Police say guilt was written all over their faces."They probably were just not thinking straight and figured we'll go out and scare the guy or whatever," Cayler said. "[They were] being dumb and combine that with alcohol and it was the perfect storm." Both men were charged with attempted burglary, and McNelly was charged additionally with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Lawyers for the two men could not be reached for comment. Cayler said he's been fielding calls about the ...

A search was on Thursday night for nine people left missing after a Coast Guard plane collided with a Marine helicopter over the Pacific Ocean near Southern California, officials said.

Chances have increased slightly that the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will reopen in time for the Friday morning commute, transportation officials said Thursday evening.The 73-year-old bridge spans the San Francisco Bay and carries an average of 280,000 vehicles daily, according to the state transportation department. In the wake of the bridge's closing, commuters flocked to the Bay Area's rail system as an alternative. On Wednesday, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) said it had carried the most passengers ever. About ...

A former "enemy combatant" who was held in a South Carolina Naval brig for six years with no charges was sentenced Thursday to eight years and four months in prison, a Justice Department spokesman said.The 73-year-old bridge spans the San Francisco Bay and carries an average of 280,000 vehicles daily, according to the state transportation department. In the wake of the bridge's closing, commuters flocked to the Bay Area's rail system as an alternative. On Wednesday, Bay Area Rapid ...

China has invited reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to visit at his convenience, state media in both countries reported.