WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Bruce Gordon, is stepping down after 19 months at the nation's largest civil rights organization, the NAACP said on Sunday.

AP - Two teenagers were arrested after police found a video of them showing two children how to smoke marijuana, authorities said.

Reuters - The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Bruce Gordon, is stepping down after 19 months at the nation's largest civil rights organization, the NAACP said on Sunday.

AFP - Premier Wen Jiabao opened the annual session of China's parliament Monday with a call for more sustainable economic growth, as controversy flared again over the nation's fast-rising military budget.

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday condemned the deaths of 10 civilians shot by U.S. troops after an attack on their convoy over the weekend.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. and North Korean negotiators will start talks on Monday aimed at normalizing diplomatic ties as part of a complex agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs for aid.

Reuters - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday condemned the deaths of 10 civilians shot by U.S. troops after an attack on their convoy over the weekend.

Reuters - U.S. and North Korean negotiators will start talks on Monday aimed at normalizing diplomatic ties as part of a complex agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs for aid.

AFP - Landmark US-North Korea talks on normalizing relations were to get underway Monday amid questions in Washington over whether US intelligence had exaggerated Pyongyang's nuclear threat.

AFP - Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the killing of up to 10 civilians during an ambush on US forces and subsequent gunfire, a statement from the president's office said Monday.

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares fell sharply in early trade on Monday as a sell-off in global equities snowballed, and the yen hit three-month highs against the dollar and the euro.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A car bomb ripped through Baghdad's booksellers' district on Monday, killing 26 people and setting shops and cars ablaze on the street and sending out choking black smoke that hampered rescue efforts.

VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog's governing body is this week expected to ratify cuts in aid to Iran and scrutinize Tehran's defiant expansion of uranium enrichment, a possible route to atomic bombs.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A car bomb exploded on Monday in the area of Mutanabi Street, a Baghdad district lined with book shops, killing at least 16 people and wounding many more, a Reuters witness and police said.

AP - A suicide car bomber struck a busy commercial district Monday, killing at least 26 people and injuring more than 50, police said.

AP - Markets in Asia and Europe fell again Monday, extending their slide into a second week as investors worried about a possible global slowdown dumped stocks that had surged in recent weeks.

AP - A NATO airstrike hit a house during a firefight between Western troops and militants, killing nine Afghans who lived there, Afghan officials said Monday.

AP - Lawmakers have new questions about the Bush administration's ouster of at least eight U.S. attorneys after New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici revealed Sunday that he contacted his state's prosecutor to ask about an ongoing investigation several months after calling for his replacement.

Reuters - The U.N. nuclear watchdog's governing body is this week expected to ratify cuts in aid to Iran and scrutinize Tehran's defiant expansion of uranium enrichment, a possible route to atomic bombs.

AP - Recovering from hypothermia after his capture in a snow-covered forest, Stephen Grant awaited a return to suburban Detroit, where authorities planned to charge him in his wife's killing and dismemberment.

Reuters - European shares fell sharply in early trade on Monday as a sell-off in global equities snowballed, and the yen hit three-month highs against the dollar and the euro.

Reuters - A car bomb ripped through Baghdad's booksellers' district on Monday, killing 26 people and setting shops and cars ablaze on the street and sending out choking black smoke that hampered rescue efforts.

AFP - Nine Afghan civilians were killed when NATO-led air and artillery fire hit their home during a battle with militants, a deputy provincial governor said Monday.

LONDON (Reuters) - Nervous investors fled risky assets again on Monday, battering global stock markets as long-standing speculative bets on a weak Japanese currency unravelled amid a surge of yen strength.

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Top virologists called on Monday for a greater effort in developing effective vaccines against a potential flu pandemic and warned that all contingency plans would be in vain without them.

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran's failure to clear up concerns about its nuclear activities after concealing them for almost 20 years sets it apart from all other nations, the U.N. atomic watchdog chief said on Monday.

AP - Markets in Asia and Europe fell again Monday, extending their slide into a second week as investors worried about a possible global slowdown dumped stocks that had surged in recent weeks.

AP - The chief U.N. nuclear inspector on Monday said his agency cannot be sure that Iran's nuclear activities are not a cover for a weapons program, adding that uncertainties will persist until Tehran decides to cooperate with his experts.

AP - Since getting Steve Nash back in the lineup, the Phoenix Suns are surging. The revamped Philadelphia 76ers have improved since getting rid of a couple of big-name players.

Reuters - Nervous investors fled risky assets again on Monday, battering global stock markets as long-standing speculative bets on a weak Japanese currency unravelled amid a surge of yen strength.

Reuters - Top virologists called on Monday for a greater effort in developing effective vaccines against a potential flu pandemic and warned that all contingency plans would be in vain without them.

Reuters - Iran's failure to clear up concerns about its nuclear activities after concealing them for almost 20 years sets it apart from all other nations, the U.N. atomic watchdog chief said on Monday.

AFP - A powerful car bomb ripped through Baghdad's oldest book market, killing at least 26 people and wounding 42, a security official said Monday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks looked set to sink at the open on Monday as a reduced appetite for riskier assets hit overseas equities overnight, partly reflecting worries about the global economy.

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran's persistent failure to clear up concerns about its nuclear activities after concealing them for almost 20 years sets it apart from all other nations, the U.N. atomic watchdog chief said on Monday.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Childhood obesity in the United States appears to be causing girls to reach puberty at an earlier age, for reasons that are not clear, a study said on Monday.

AP - A suicide car bomber shattered a relative lull in Baghdad's violence Monday, killing at least 28 people in a blast that touched off raging fires and a blizzard of bloodstained paper from a popular book market.

AP - Wall Street appeared headed for a lower opening Monday as stock markets around the world suffered further selloffs.

AP - At a laboratory in Germany, volunteers slide into a donut-shaped MRI machine and perform simple tasks, such as deciding whether to add or subtract two numbers, or choosing which of two buttons to press.

AP - Mark Wilson won the Honda Classic with a birdie on the third playoff hole. A rare four-man playoff was needed to decide the tournament this morning after it was suspended after one hole because of darkness yesterday in South Florida.

Reuters - Stocks looked set to sink at the open on Monday as a reduced appetite for riskier assets hit overseas equities overnight, partly reflecting worries about the global economy.

Reuters - Iran's persistent failure to clear up concerns about its nuclear activities after concealing them for almost 20 years sets it apart from all other nations, the U.N. atomic watchdog chief said on Monday.

Reuters - Childhood obesity in the United States appears to be causing girls to reach puberty at an earlier age, for reasons that are not clear, a study said on Monday.

AFP - Nine Afghans died when US-led coalition warplanes bombed their home during a battle with militants, officials said Monday, the second deadly incident involving civilians in as many days.

AFP - UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Monday that his agency is still unable to verify Iran does not seek nuclear weapons but that negotiation remains the key to resolving the crisis.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. blue-chip stocks edged higher in a seesaw session on Monday as some investors took the opportunity to buy beaten-down shares after last week's sell-off, but a diminishing appetite for risk limited a broader advance.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. and North Korean negotiators start talks on Monday aimed at eventually normalizing diplomatic ties as part of a agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs for aid.

LONDON (Reuters) - More than half of all those arrested in Britain under anti-terrorism legislation since the September 11 2001 attacks have been released without any charge, official government figures showed on Monday.

AP - Wall Street extended its decline in early trading Monday, falling on nagging concerns about mortgage defaults and also following the lead of stock markets that tumbled abroad.

AP - George Strait led the nominees announced Monday for the Academy of Country Music Awards with eight nominations, including entertainer of the year and top male vocalist.

AP - Three teenagers may be on the hook for a hefty fine if a court decides that their festive firecrackers outside an eastern German farm scared the libido right out of an ostrich named Gustav.

Reuters - Stock futures pared losses in volatile trading before the opening bell on Monday as investors positioned themselves for bargains in a beaten-down market and oil prices slid about 2 percent.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed on Monday as traders snapped up large-capitalization stocks with attractive valuations, helping to limit the impact of a global exit from small caps and other riskier investments.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber devastated Baghdad's historic booksellers' district on Monday, killing 30 people and setting shops and cars ablaze in defiance of a U.S.-backed crackdown on violence in the Iraqi capital.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A U.S. plan to base a missile defense system in eastern Europe triggered friction among NATO allies on Monday as the Czech Republic rejected criticism of talks with Washington over its possible participation.

AP - Substandard living conditions found at the Army's flagship veterans hospital likely exist throughout the military health care system, the head of a House panel investigating Walter Reed Army Medical Center said Monday.

AP - Wall Street managed to stabilize itself Monday, although investors remained nervous about mortgage defaults, a strengthening yen and tumbling stock markets abroad.

AP - A man authorities tracked down in the snow of a wilderness area confessed to killing and dismembering his wife, and described the 'horrific' details surrounding her death, a sheriff said Monday.

AP - Dwyane Wade will try to come back this season. The Miami Heat guard said Monday he has decided to delay surgery and rehabilitate his dislocated left shoulder with the goal of returning for the playoffs.

Reuters - U.S. and North Korean negotiators start talks on Monday aimed at eventually normalizing diplomatic ties as part of a agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs for aid.

Reuters - U.S. stocks were little changed on Monday as traders snapped up large-capitalization stocks with attractive valuations, helping to limit the impact of a global exit from small caps and other riskier investments.

Reuters - A suicide car bomber devastated Baghdad's historic booksellers' district on Monday, killing 30 people and setting shops and cars ablaze in defiance of a U.S.-backed crackdown on violence in the Iraqi capital.

Reuters - A U.S. plan to base a missile defense system in eastern Europe triggered friction among NATO allies on Monday as the Czech Republic rejected criticism of talks with Washington over its possible participation.

Reuters - More than half of all those arrested in Britain under anti-terrorism legislation since the September 11 2001 attacks have been released without any charge, official government figures showed on Monday.

AFP - Nine Afghans died when US-led coalition warplanes bombed their home during a battle with militants, in the second deadly incident involving civilians in as many days.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. and North Korean officials start talks on Monday aimed at eventually normalizing diplomatic ties as part of a agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs for aid.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said on Monday it fired a systems technician for intercepting text messages of non-Wal-Mart employees and recording telephone conversations with a New York Times reporter without authorization.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some of the Guantanamo prisoners have been unlawfully detained for more than five years and deserve at least a hearing on their challenge to their confinement, their attorneys said on Monday in an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

AP - Wall Street managed to stabilize itself Monday, although investors clearly were still nervous about mortgage defaults, a strengthening yen and tumbling stock markets abroad.

Reuters - U.S. and North Korean officials start talks on Monday aimed at eventually normalizing diplomatic ties as part of a agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs for aid.

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said on Monday it fired a systems technician for intercepting text messages of non-Wal-Mart employees and recording telephone conversations with a New York Times reporter without authorization.

Reuters - Some of the Guantanamo prisoners have been unlawfully detained for more than five years and deserve at least a hearing on their challenge to their confinement, their attorneys said on Monday in an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

AFP - The White House on Monday expressed concern about China's announced increase in military spending and warned it was "inconsistent" with Beijing's policy of peaceful development.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Doctors found a blood clot in Vice President Dick Cheney's left leg on Monday but he was not admitted to a hospital and will be treated with blood thinning medication, his office said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Problems over treatment of wounded soldiers that created a scandal at the top U.S. military veterans' hospital are prevalent throughout the Army's health care system, lawmakers said on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumers will pay more for gasoline in the weeks ahead as fuel demand picks up going into the spring driving season, but a slowing economy may keep pump prices from rising as much as normal, energy experts said on Monday.

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned U.S. troops for shooting dead 10 civilians at the weekend as officials said nine more -- five women, four children and an old man -- had been killed in an air strike.

AP - A suicide car bomber turned a venerable book market into a deadly inferno and gunmen targeted Shiite pilgrims Monday as suspected Sunni insurgents brought major bloodshed back into the lap of their main Shiite rivals. At least 38 people died in the blast and seven pilgrims were killed.

AP - Doctors discovered a blood clot in Vice President Dick Cheney's left leg Monday, a condition that could be fatal if left untreated.

Reuters - U.S. consumers will pay more for gasoline in the weeks ahead as fuel demand picks up going into the spring driving season, but a slowing economy may keep pump prices from rising as much as normal, energy experts said on Monday.

AP - A man authorities tracked down in the snow of a wilderness area confessed to killing and dismembering his wife, and described the 'horrific' details surrounding her death, a sheriff said Monday. 'He gave a very lengthy confession, laying out exactly what took place,' Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel said at a news conference.

AP - Daniel Radcliffe has signed on to star in the final two 'Harry Potter' films, Warner Bros. said Monday.

AP - Wall Street seesawed through an erratic session Monday, trying to stabilize but ultimately finishing near its lows of the day amid worries about mortgage defaults, a strengthening yen and tumbling stock markets abroad.

Reuters - Doctors found a blood clot in Vice President Dick Cheney's left leg on Monday but he was not admitted to a hospital and will be treated with blood thinning medication, his office said.

Reuters - Problems over treatment of wounded soldiers that created a scandal at the top U.S. military veterans' hospital are prevalent throughout the Army's health care system, lawmakers said on Monday.

Reuters - Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned U.S. troops for shooting dead 10 civilians at the weekend as officials said nine more -- five women, four children and an old man -- had been killed in an air strike.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Doctors found a blood clot in U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's left leg on Monday but he was able to return to work and will be treated with blood thinning drugs, his office said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Problems with treatment of wounded soldiers that created a scandal at the top U.S. military veterans' hospital are prevalent throughout the Army's health care system, lawmakers said on Monday.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Monday to discuss gang crime but stopped short of endorsing his fellow Republican for the 2008 presidential race.

WUERZBURG, Germany (Reuters) - A U.S. Army medic and self-described conscientious objector goes before a court-martial in Germany on Tuesday for refusing to return to Iraq with his unit.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. ambassadors from major powers began negotiations on Monday on a resolution that would increase sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program but agreement still remained elusive.

AP - Flayed by lawmakers' criticism, Army leaders said Monday they accept responsibility for substandard conditions at the service's flagship Walter Reed Army Medical Center but also said they hadn't known about most of the problems.

AP - A White House privacy board is giving its stamp of approval to two of the Bush administration's controversial surveillance programs — electronic eavesdropping and financial tracking — and says they do not violate citizens' civil liberties.

AP - A man captured after a night on the run in the snowy wilderness confessed to killing his wife in the couple's home while their children were there and later dismembering her, authorities said Monday.

AP - Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest was arrested Monday after a woman called 911 from his home saying she had been assaulted.

Reuters - Doctors found a blood clot in U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's left leg on Monday but he was able to return to work and will be treated with blood thinning drugs, his office said.

Reuters - Problems with treatment of wounded soldiers that created a scandal at the top U.S. military veterans' hospital are prevalent throughout the Army's health care system, lawmakers said on Monday.

Reuters - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Monday to discuss gang crime but stopped short of endorsing his fellow Republican for the 2008 presidential race.

Reuters - A U.S. Army medic and self-described conscientious objector goes before a court-martial in Germany on Tuesday for refusing to return to Iraq with his unit.

Reuters - U.N. ambassadors from major powers began negotiations on Monday on a resolution that would increase sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program but agreement still remained elusive.

AFP - The United States and North Korea began groundbreaking talks Monday in a first step toward normalizing ties and cementing Pyongyang's commitment to scrapping its nuclear arms program.

AP - A lawsuit has been filed against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, alleging the music mogul punched and pushed the plaintiff and his girlfriend at a Hollywood nightclub. Gerard Rechnitzer is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages in the suit, which was filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

AFP - US Vice President Dick Cheney, who has suffered four heart attacks, sought medical attention Monday for a blood clot in his left leg and will have to take blood-thinning medication for months, his office said.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. and North Korean officials held talks on Monday aimed at eventually normalizing diplomatic ties as part of an agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs in exchange for aid.

AP - Ambassadors from the world's major powers met Monday to discuss possible new sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, but differences emerged and an agreement did not appear to be close, diplomats said.

Reuters - U.S. and North Korean officials held talks on Monday aimed at eventually normalizing diplomatic ties as part of an agreement under which Pyongyang has pledged to scrap its nuclear arms programs in exchange for aid.