PHOENIX (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will seek to shore up U.S. public support for the war in Afghanistan on Monday just days before an Afghan presidential election widely seen as a major test of his revamped strategy.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS (Reuters) - Kenneth Feinberg, the Obama administration's pay czar, said on Sunday he has broad and 'binding' authority over executive compensation, including the ability to 'claw back' money already paid, and he is weighing how and whether to use that power.

KARACHI (Reuters) - The leader of a banned Sunni Muslim militant party in Pakistan was shot dead on Monday in an apparent sectarian attack, police and party officials said.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Monday it will challenge a World Trade Organization ruling against its restrictions on imported films, books and audio-visual products, continuing its sparring with Washington over trade access.

MIAMI (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Claudette, the third of the Atlantic hurricane season, moved ashore along the U.S. Gulf coast early on Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

AP - Tropical Storm Claudette has made landfall on the Florida Panhandle near Fort Walton Beach.

AP - Y.E. Yang shook his fists and shouted with joy over a victory felt around the world. Equally stunning was the sight of Tiger Woods, standing over the final putt of the PGA Championship with nothing at stake.

AP - A commuter rail strike that threatened to cripple the San Francisco Bay Area was averted Sunday as management and a union reached an agreement hours before the strike deadline, officials said.

Reuters - President Barack Obama will seek to shore up U.S. public support for the war in Afghanistan on Monday just days before an Afghan presidential election widely seen as a major test of his revamped strategy.

Reuters - Kenneth Feinberg, the Obama administration's pay czar, said on Sunday he has broad and 'binding' authority over executive compensation, including the ability to 'claw back' money already paid, and he is weighing how and whether to use that power.

Reuters - The leader of a banned Sunni Muslim militant party in Pakistan was shot dead on Monday in an apparent sectarian attack, police and party officials said.

Reuters - China said on Monday it will challenge a World Trade Organization ruling against its restrictions on imported films, books and audio-visual products, continuing its sparring with Washington over trade access.

Reuters - Tropical Storm Claudette, the third of the Atlantic hurricane season, moved ashore along the U.S. Gulf coast early on Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

KABUL (Reuters) - Hamid Karzai and his main rival Abdullah Abdullah entered the last day of campaigning for the Afghan presidency on Monday with the outcome hanging on the threat of violence and the clout of old militia chiefs.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's prime minister said on Monday there was 'credible information' that Pakistan-based militant groups were planning fresh attacks on India.

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Monday it would reopen its border with the South, ending a self-imposed 9-month blockade on a vital source of cash for its leaders as their ravaged economy is squeezed by tightening U.N. sanctions.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan officials began searching for explanations amid widespread criticism over disaster response times as rescue efforts eased on Monday after one of the country's worst typhoons, which killed an estimated 500 people.

AP - President Barack Obama is willing to embrace insurance cooperatives over a government-run plan as the White House faces mounting opposition to its broad overhaul of the nation's health care system.

AP - A suicide bomber exploded a truck at a police station in Russia's restive North Caucasus Monday, killing at least 14 people and wounding 60 others, officials said.

AP - Knowing his last remaining challenger was about to make birdie, he chipped in from 60 feet for an eagle. The crowd roared, and he responded with a scream and a fist pump.

AP - A suicide attacker detonated a truck bomb Monday at a fuel station in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least six people, police said.

AP - A walkout among workers for the San Francisco Bay Area's commuter rail had been scheduled, and contingency plans were in place. But just a few hours before a midnight strike deadline, officials said rail management and a union have reached a deal to call it off.

AP - Militiamen are torturing and killing gay Iraqi men with impunity in a systematic campaign that has spread from Baghdad to several other cities, a prominent human rights group said in a report.

Reuters - Hamid Karzai and his main rival Abdullah Abdullah entered the last day of campaigning for the Afghan presidency on Monday with the outcome hanging on the threat of violence and the clout of old militia chiefs.

Reuters - India's prime minister said on Monday there was 'credible information' that Pakistan-based militant groups were planning fresh attacks on India.

Reuters - Taiwan officials began searching for explanations amid widespread criticism over disaster response times as rescue efforts eased on Monday after one of the country's worst typhoons, which killed an estimated 500 people.

AFP - A truck packed with explosives crashed through the gates Monday of the police headquarters in the southern Russian city of Nazran and exploded, killing at least 12 people, officials said.

NAZRAN, Russia (Reuters) - A suicide bomber detonated a truck packed with explosives at a local police headquarters in Russia's Ingushetia region on Monday killing at least 19 people and wounding 68 others.

MIAMI (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Bill became the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season on Monday but remained far from any land, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

AP - A suicide bomber exploded a truck at a police station in Russia's North Caucasus on Monday, killing at least 20 people and wounding about 60 others, officials said.

AP - A commander in chief fighting two wars, President Barack Obama plans to thank veterans for their service on Monday while pressing his commitments to wind down the Iraq war and redouble efforts in Afghanistan.

AP - Tropical Storm Claudette made landfall on the Florida Panhandle near Fort Walton Beach early Monday while Hurricane Bill became the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season.

AP - Margaret Kliegel was at the fire command center dropping off bread and cookies for the fire crew when she learned she could return to her home in a Santa Cruz mountain town.

AP - A bomb exploded in a truck at a fuel station in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, killing seven people, while gunmen assassinated the leader of a feared Sunni sectarian group, triggering rioting in three southern cities.

Reuters - A suicide bomber detonated a truck packed with explosives at a local police headquarters in Russia's Ingushetia region on Monday killing at least 19 people and wounding 68 others.

Reuters - Tropical Storm Bill became the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season on Monday but remained far from any land, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

AFP - A truck packed with explosives rammed through the gates of a police compound in southern Russia on Monday and exploded in an attack that killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens, officials said.

AFP - A sea of Afghans waving flags and championing presidential hopeful Abdullah Abdullah staged a spectacular rally on the last day of campaigning Monday for key elections overshadowed by Taliban threats.

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan leader Hamid Karzai's main rival drew a chaotic crowd of thousands on Monday, the last day of campaigning before a presidential vote, with the outcome hanging on the threat of violence and the clout of old warlords.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's cabinet has approved a bill paving the way for a referendum on a bilateral security pact signed last year between Washington and Baghdad, the government spokesman said in a statement on Monday.

AP - Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean, a leading figure in the liberal wing of his party, said Monday he doubts there can be meaningful health care reform without a direct government role.

AP - Wall Street looked to plunge at the opening of trading Monday as investors around the world feared that consumers are too anxious to help lift the economy into recovery.

AP - A quick-forming tropical storm blew into the Florida Panhandle on Monday and quickly lost steam while the first hurricane of this year's Atlantic season took shape over the open ocean on a track for Bermuda.

AP - A commander in chief fighting two wars, President Barack Obama plans to thank veterans for their service on Monday while pressing his commitments to wind down the Iraq war and redouble efforts in Afghanistan.

AP - An accident during repair work at Russia's largest hydroelectric plant killed at least eight workers Monday, while 54 others were missing, investigators said.

AP - Since swine flu first emerged in April, it has sparked panic, vaccine production and now, a video game.

Reuters - Afghan leader Hamid Karzai's main rival drew a chaotic crowd of thousands on Monday, the last day of campaigning before a presidential vote, with the outcome hanging on the threat of violence and the clout of old warlords.

Reuters - Iraq's cabinet has approved a bill paving the way for a referendum on a bilateral security pact signed last year between Washington and Baghdad, the government spokesman said in a statement on Monday.

AFP - A truck packed with explosives rammed through the gates of a police compound in southern Russia on Monday and exploded in an apparent suicide attack that killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens, officials said.

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan (Reuters) - One of Afghanistan's most notorious militia leaders threw his support behind President Hamid Karzai Monday, the final day of campaigning for this week's tense election.

NAZRAN, Russia (Reuters) - A suicide bomber rammed a truckload of explosives into the local police headquarters in Russia's Ingushetia region on Monday killing 20 people, the deadliest attack in the North Caucasus region since 2005.

MIAMI (Reuters) - Hurricane Bill, the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season, churned across open ocean on Monday on a broad track toward Bermuda, which it should reach next weekend, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

AP - Investors' rising fears about consumer spending are turning stocks into a risky investment again.

AP - A suicide bomber attacked a police station in Russia's North Caucasus with an explosives-laden truck Monday, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 100 others, officials said.

AP - Russian news agencies quote the defense minister as saying a freighter that went missing nearly three weeks ago has been found near Cape Verde, and its crew is alive.

AP - Against a backdrop of deep fiscal distress, several California lawmakers rewarded their employees with pay hikes during the first half of the year, an Associated Press review of legislative pay records showed.

AP - Former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay will join 15 celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and sports in kicking up their heels on the new season of 'Dancing With the Stars.

Reuters - One of Afghanistan's most notorious militia leaders threw his support behind President Hamid Karzai Monday, the final day of campaigning for this week's tense election.

Reuters - A suicide bomber rammed a truckload of explosives into the local police headquarters in Russia's Ingushetia region on Monday killing 20 people, the deadliest attack in the North Caucasus region since 2005.

Reuters - Hurricane Bill, the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season, churned across open ocean on Monday on a broad track toward Bermuda, which it should reach next weekend, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Consumers, the cornerstone of U.S. economic activity, are still in disarray, data and central bank measures signaled on Monday, as households struggle amid the worst recession since the Great Depression.

NAZRAN, Russia (Reuters) - A suicide truck bomber killed 20 people and wounded 138 at a police headquarters in Ingushetia on Monday, the deadliest attack in the mainly Muslim North Caucasus since 2005 and a fresh threat to Moscow's control of its southern flank.

AP - A suicide bomber rammed a truck into a police station in the Russian region of Ingushetia on Monday, killing at least 20 police in the worst attack to ravage the poor North Caucasus republic in years.

AP - The Russian-crewed freighter that sparked a high-seas mystery when it disappeared nearly three weeks ago has been found by a Russian naval frigate off the West African coast, the country's defense minister said Monday, according to Russian news agencies.

AP - Hurricane Bill picked up strength in the open Atlantic as it churned on a path toward Bermuda, while what was left of Claudette brought rain to the southern U.S.

Reuters - One of Afghanistan's most notorious militia leaders threw his support behind President Hamid Karzai Monday, the final day of campaigning for this week's tense election.

Reuters - Consumers, the cornerstone of U.S. economic activity, are still in disarray, data and central bank measures signaled on Monday, as households struggle amid the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Reuters - A suicide truck bomber killed 20 people and wounded 138 at a police headquarters in Ingushetia on Monday, the deadliest attack in the mainly Muslim North Caucasus since 2005 and a fresh threat to Moscow's control of its southern flank.

AFP - A cargo ship whose mysterious disappearance sparked a massive naval hunt has been found and its crew transferred to a Russian military vessel, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Monday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Consumers, the cornerstone of U.S. economic activity, are still in disarray, data and central bank measures signaled on Monday, as households struggle amid the worst recession since the Great Depression.

PHOENIX (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Monday called the conflict in Afghanistan 'a war worth fighting' in a speech designed to stiffen U.S. public support ahead of this week's important Afghan elections.

NAZRAN, Russia (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed 20 people and wounded 138 in Russia's Ingushetia region on Monday, turning a simmering Islamist insurgency there into the biggest test of Kremlin control of its southern flank.

AP - President Barack Obama took on both the defense establishment and freespending lawmakers on Monday, saying they were draining the defense budget with 'exotic projects.'

AP - The Federal Reserve says most banks expect their lending to remain tight through the second half of next year, with the exception of mortgage standards, which already are loosening a bit.

AP - A tropical storm that lost steam after blowing ashore Monday dumped rain on Florida and Alabama, while the first hurricane of this year's Atlantic season picked up strength over open waters on a path toward Bermuda.

AP - Investors' rising fears about consumer spending are turning stocks into a risky investment again.

AP - The head of the NFL Players Association is bracing players for a possible 2011 lockout.

Reuters - Consumers, the cornerstone of U.S. economic activity, are still in disarray, data and central bank measures signaled on Monday, as households struggle amid the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Reuters - President Barack Obama on Monday called the conflict in Afghanistan 'a war worth fighting' in a speech designed to stiffen U.S. public support ahead of this week's important Afghan elections.

Reuters - A suicide bomber killed 20 people and wounded 138 in Russia's Ingushetia region on Monday, turning a simmering Islamist insurgency there into the biggest test of Kremlin control of its southern flank.

AFP - A cargo ship whose mysterious disappearance sparked a massive hunt has been found and its crew transferred to a Russian naval vessel, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Monday.

AFP - Top candidates in the Afghan presidential race addressed rallies attended by thousands of cheering supporters on Monday, the last day of campaigning for key elections overshadowed by Taliban threats.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - More signs the U.S. economy was exiting its worst recession in 70 years emerged on Monday with reports showing confidence rising among homebuilders, factory activity perking up in New York state and credit card defaults slowing.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Reader's Digest Association Inc, whose namesake magazine has been a staple of dentists' offices for generations, said on Monday it planned to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its U.S. businesses as part of a prearranged plan with lenders to cut debt by 75 percent.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. authorities announced what they believed to be the largest hacking and identity theft case ever prosecuted on Monday in a scheme in which more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen.

MIAMI (Reuters) - Hurricane Bill, the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season, revved up quickly as it headed toward Bermuda on Monday, while the remnants of Tropical Storm Ana posed a waning threat to the U.S. Gulf oil patch.

AP - President Barack Obama chastised the defense industry and a freespending Congress on Monday for wasting tax dollars 'with doctrine and weapons better suited to fight the Soviets on the plains of Europe than insurgents in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan.'

AP - President Barack Obama's weekend concession on a health care 'government option' drew complaints from liberals and scarce interest from Republicans and other critics on Monday, a fresh sign of the challenge in finding middle ground in an increasingly partisan political struggle.

AP - An influential geneticist who wears his faith on his sleeve says that as the new director of the National Institutes of Health he won't inject his religious convictions into medical research while pushing cutting-edge science into better bedside care.

AP - Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a Miami man with the largest case of credit and debit card data theft ever in the United States.

AP - Official Michael Jackson merchandise could start arriving in stores soon if a judge grants approval to two agreements.

AP - Donovan McNabb says he has no problem with Michael Vick taking some of his snaps and warns opponents that the two quarterbacks could be on the field together at times.

Reuters - More signs the U.S. economy was exiting its worst recession in 70 years emerged on Monday with reports showing confidence rising among homebuilders, factory activity perking up in New York state and credit card defaults slowing.

Reuters - Reader's Digest Association Inc, whose namesake magazine has been a staple of dentists' offices for generations, said on Monday it planned to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its U.S. businesses as part of a prearranged plan with lenders to cut debt by 75 percent.

Reuters - U.S. authorities announced what they believed to be the largest hacking and identity theft case ever prosecuted on Monday in a scheme in which more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen.

Reuters - Hurricane Bill, the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season, revved up quickly as it headed toward Bermuda on Monday, while the remnants of Tropical Storm Ana posed a waning threat to the U.S. Gulf oil patch.

AFP - US President Barack Obama said Monday he was 'deeply troubled' by reports of an apparent suicide attack on a police compound in southern Russia that killed at least 20 people.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge has granted more time for the government to seek an indictment against or work out a settlement with a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc programer accused of stealing trade secrets, after the programmer's lawyer said she wants the case dismissed.

AP - The Obama administration is tripling the number of workers processing Cash for Clunkers transactions as some dealers complain the government has been slow to reimburse them for the car incentives of up to $4,500 per vehicle.

AP - If there was any doubt that Texans would witness a red-hot Republican race for governor, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison removed it Monday when she kicked off a five-day announcement tour and delivered her harshest attack ever on Gov. Rick Perry.

AP - Most major credit card companies say fewer customers defaulted on their accounts in July, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're financially better off.

AP - The threat of violence looms over Afghan presidential election Thursday. And not just from Taliban militants.

Reuters - Three men were indicted on Monday for allegedly stealing more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers in what U.S. authorities said they believe is the largest hacking and identity theft case ever prosecuted.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three men were indicted on Monday for allegedly stealing more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers in what U.S. authorities said they believe is the largest hacking and identity theft case ever prosecuted.

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab states would recognize Israel and normalize ties with the Jewish state after a just and comprehensive Middle East peace is achieved, but not before, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said.

AP - President Barack Obama's weekend concession on a health care 'government option' drew complaints from liberals and scarce interest from Republicans and other critics on Monday, a fresh sign of the daunting challenge in finding middle ground in an increasingly partisan political struggle.

AP - The first hurricane of this year's Atlantic season gathered force far out to sea Monday, while two weaker storm systems drenched the northeastern Caribbean and the Florida Panhandle with rain.

AP - An attorney for Michael Jackson's mother says that she is considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit because of the circumstances surrounding her son's demise.

AP - A 10-year-old adopted son with Down syndrome was sleeping with his parents in their bed when masked gunmen shot and killed the couple in their bedroom last month, according documents released Monday in the deaths of a Panhandle couple known for adopting children with special needs.

AP - California authorities say a man caused a traffic jam when he threw money onto a Los Angeles-area freeway and people dashed into the lanes to grab the cash.

AP - Here's a scenario that must have defensive coordinators scrambling to their chalkboards: Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick on the field together.

Reuters - Arab states would recognize Israel and normalize ties with the Jewish state after a just and comprehensive Middle East peace is achieved, but not before, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Wildfire investigators in California are looking for marijuana growers tied to a Mexican drug cartel whom they suspect ignited a blaze that has charred more than 87,000 acres of a national forest.

AP - After insisting no one was receiving unsolicited e-mails from the White House, officials reversed their story Monday night and blamed outside political groups for the unwanted messages from the tech-savvy operation.

AP - North Korea's decision to restart tours run jointly with South Korea and allow reunions of families separated for decades by the peninsula's war is aimed at obtaining much-needed foreign currency and leverage in negotiations with Washington and Seoul, experts said.

AP - A 10-year-old adopted son with Down syndrome was sleeping with his parents when masked gunmen burst in and shot and killed the Florida couple in their bedroom last month, according documents released Monday.

AP - Aaron Rowand homered and had four hits, Joe Martinez won close to home and the San Francisco Giants routed a makeshift New York Mets team 10-1 on Monday night to split their four-game series.

Reuters - Wildfire investigators in California are looking for marijuana growers tied to a Mexican drug cartel whom they suspect ignited a blaze that has charred more than 87,000 acres of a national forest.

AFP - The US military was looking at freeing up more troops for combat in Afghanistan as President Barack Obama warned there would be no 'quick' victory in the war.

AP - Anti-war activists protested Monday at the University of California, Berkeley to call for the firing of a law professor who co-wrote legal memos that critics say were used to justify the torture of suspected terrorists.

AP - Kids with a broken arm do better on a simple over-the-counter painkiller than on a more powerful prescription combination that includes a narcotic, a surprising study finds.

AP - Tom Coughlin and John Fox met at midfield and shared a laugh.