Top Stories


Thousands of Afghans protest U.S. Koran-burning plan
KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Thousands of angry Muslims took to the streets across Afghanistan on Friday, some threatening to attack U.S. bases, prompted by a plan by a U.S. pastor to burn copies of t...

Judge rules ban on gays in military unconstitutional
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military rule banning openly gay people from serving in the armed forces violates constitutional rights to free speech and due process, a federal judge in southern Cali...

Gas blast engulfs neighborhood near San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A fiery natural gas explosion ripped through a residential neighborhood in a San Francisco suburb on Thursday, ravaging some 50 homes and killing at least one person, officia...

Obama taps Goolsbee as top White House economist
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has chosen Austan Goolsbee as the new head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, U.S. administration officials said on Thursday, promoting a lo...

Japan PM widens lead in party leadership race
TOKYO (Reuters) - Prime Minister Naoto Kan has widened his lead over powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa ahead in a party leadership vote, Kyodo news agency said on Friday, days before the contest that could set...



World Headlines
Thousands of Afghans protest U.S. Koran-burning plan
KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Thousands of angry Muslims took to the streets across Afghanistan on Friday, some threatening to attack U.S. bases, prompted by a plan by a U.S. pastor to burn copies of t...

Japan PM widens lead in party leadership race
TOKYO (Reuters) - Prime Minister Naoto Kan has widened his lead over powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa ahead in a party leadership vote, Kyodo news agency said on Friday, days before the contest that could set...

U.S. troops charged with murder of Afghan civilians
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twelve U.S. soldiers have been charged with gruesome crimes in Afghanistan ranging from murdering civilians to keeping body parts as war trophies -- revelations that the Pentago...

Banker's resignation greeted with relief in Berlin
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's political establishment voiced relief on Friday after the resignation of central banker Thilo Sarrazin, who has inflamed the country with outspoken comments on race and re...

Toll rises, region mourns after Russia suicide blast
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The death toll from a suicide bomb in Russia's restive North Caucasus rose to 18 Friday as the stricken province observed a day of mourning and doctors fought for the lives of sever...

US Headlines
Gas blast engulfs neighborhood near San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A fiery natural gas explosion ripped through a residential neighborhood in a San Francisco suburb on Thursday, ravaging some 50 homes and killing at least one person, officia...

Judge rules ban on gays in military unconstitutional
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military rule banning openly gay people from serving in the armed forces violates constitutional rights to free speech and due process, a federal judge in southern Cali...

Thousands of Afghans protest U.S. Koran-burning plan
KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Thousands of angry Muslims took to the streets across Afghanistan on Friday, some threatening to attack U.S. bases, prompted by a plan by a U.S. pastor to burn copies of t...

FAA to unveil new pilot fatigue rules: report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal aviation regulators are expected to unveil long-awaited proposals to combat pilot fatigue on Friday, replacing decades-old work rules, the Wall Street Journal reported.

USDA knew of problems at farm behind egg recall: report
BANGALORE (Reuters) - U.S. Department of Agriculture experts knew about sanitary problems at one of the two Iowa farms at the center of a massive nationwide egg recall, but did not notify health autho...



Sports
Saints get back down to business with opening win
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - The New Orleans Saints opened their Super Bowl title defense with a 14-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday that epitomized head coach Sean Payton's 'back to busine...

No revenge for Favre in another loss to Saints
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - The new season started as last year's ended for the Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre -- with defeat in New Orleans and the quarterback taking his share of blame for the loss.

Nadal edges closer to first U.S. Open final
NEW YORK (Reuters) - For the third year in a row, Rafa Nadal is through to the semi-finals of the U.S. Open. The one title he needs to complete his grand slam collection is now tantalizingly close.

Giants leave Padres praying to maintain lead
SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - The San Francisco Giants defeated San Diego 7-3 to move within one game of the Padres in the battle for the National League West division title on Thursday.

Cowboys receiver Austin signs six-year extension
DALLAS (Reuters) - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin has agreed to a six-year contract extension, the team said on Thursday, adding that the deal added $54 million to his current earnings.