Reuters - YAROSLAVL, Russia (Reuters) - President Dmitry Medvedev demanded tough action against militants on Friday after a suicide bombing killed at least 18 people, and an insurgent leader called for more attacks outside Russia's Muslim regions.

Reuters - 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 Japan's fiscal priorities.

Reuters - 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 the Koran.

Reuters - 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 California ruled Thursday.

Reuters - YANGON (Reuters) - Official media in military-ruled Myanmar told citizens Friday they would be irresponsible if they did not vote in a November election, a poll seen as a sham by many, especially with the main opposition party not running.

Reuters - KUNDUZ, Afghanistan (Reuters) - One man was shot dead when protesters, angry over plans by a U.S. pastor to burn copies of the Koran, attacked a NATO base in Afghanistan's north on Friday, a provincial government spokesman said.

Reuters - 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 several critically wounded victims.

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Christian pastor who said he had canceled a plan to burn copies of the Koran at his Florida church said later on Thursday he was suspending his decision while he had a "rethink."

Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has a slight edge over powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa ahead of a party leadership vote next week, media said on Friday, but with many lawmakers undecided the outcome is too close to call.

Reuters - 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 California ruled Thursday.

Reuters - 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 California ruled Thursday.

Reuters - TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has a slight edge over powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa ahead of a party leadership vote next week, NHK public TV said on Friday, but with many party lawmakers undecided the outcome is too close to call.

Reuters - 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 Pentagon said on Thursday damaged America's image around the world.

Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday denied that rising drug violence made Mexico look increasingly like Colombia at the height of its drugs war, rebuffing comments made by his Secretary of State.

Reuters - MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday denied that rising drug violence made Mexico look increasingly like Colombia at the height of its drugs war, rebuffing comments made by his Secretary of State.

Reuters - GAINESVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - A Christian pastor on Thursday canceled a plan to burn copies of the Koran at his obscure Florida church, which had drawn international condemnation and a warning from President Barack Obama that it could provoke al Qaeda suicide bombings.

Reuters - GAINESVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - A Christian pastor said on Thursday he was canceling a plan to burn the Koran, which had drawn international condemnation and a warning from President Barack Obama that it could provoke al Qaeda suicide bombings.

Reuters - OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government is aware of concerns that have been raised about a possible takeover of Potash Corp, the world's biggest fertilizer producer, and will analyze them thoroughly if need be, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Thursday.

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An Iranian dissident group said Thursday it had evidence of a new secret underground atomic site in Iran, but U.S. officials said they have known about the facility for years and have no reason to believe it is nuclear.

Reuters - GAINESVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - A fundamentalist Christian pastor on Thursday called off his plan to burn copies of the Koran on Saturday.