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TOKYO – U.S. officials met with North Korean officials in New York last week, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said Thursday, in an apparent effort to draw the volatile nation back into six-nation nuclear talks. The meeting, reportedly at the North Korean representative office at the United Nations (search), came …

WASHINGTON – The top Democrat on the Senate committee considering the nomination of John R. Bolton as United Nations ambassador scolded Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (search) on Saturday for ignoring Democratic requests for additional information about the embattled nominee. In a curt letter to Rice, Sen. Joseph Biden (search), …

GREENBELT, Md. – Two groups filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday to block a health curriculum that would allow discussions of homosexuality with eighth-graders and a video to be shown to sophomores demonstrating how to use a condom. Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum (search) and the Virginia-based Parents and Friends of …

Following is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address at Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, Monday, May 9, 2005, as translated by and posted on the Kremlin Web site: PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN: Dear citizens of Russia! Distinguished guests! Comrade soldiers and sailors, sergeants, sergeant-majors and warrant officers! Comrade officers, generals and admirals! …

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – Japanese efforts to contact two World War II soldiers reportedly hiding in the southern Philippines have created a security nightmare with the presence Saturday of dozens of Japanese journalists in a region notorious for rebel attacks and kidnappings. Japanese diplomats in General Santos (search) city, meanwhile, …

NEW YORK – Data apparently stolen from the popular clothing retailer Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. (search) is forcing banks and credit card issuers to notify thousands of consumers that their credit-card information may have been exposed. HSBC North America (search), a division of London-based HSBC Holdings PLC, has begun notifying …

NEW YORK – Stocks fell Thursday, closing a quarter of losses, as a sharp rise in oil prices offset data showing muted inflation and insurer American International Group lost 3 percent after losing its credit rating. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 37.17 points, or 0.35 percent, to end …

BANGKOK, Thailand – Jack Osbourne (search), the chubby, bespectacled son for former shock-rocker Ozzy Osbourne (search), underwent almost four weeks of training and colonic irrigations before entering the ring against a veteran Thai kickboxer. The result: a second round knockout win to the teenage television personality. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, …

NAIROBI, Kenya – A volcano spewed ash and dark smoke on the main island of the Comoros archipelago (search) on Sunday, sending hundreds of people fleeing from their homes at the urging of the government, a U.N. official said. The 7,746-foot Mount Karthala (search), one of two active volcanoes on …

DALLAS – A supporter of President Bush is suing the Republican National Committee (search) and one of its suppliers, claiming they stole his design for the ubiquitous “W” bumper sticker logo in the 2004 campaign. Jerry Gossett of Wichita Falls says he pitched his design for a logo to the …