KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A suicide bomber targeted a convoy of foreign troops Monday in southern Afghanistan, killing at least 2 Afghan civilians, a provincial official said.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda sought to ease quality concerns during a low-key visit to China on Monday, fresh from a grueling hearing in the U.S. Congress over his company's biggest safety crisis.

AP - A suicide car bomber targeted NATO forces Monday outside the major southern Afghan city of Kandahar, killing three civilians, a military official said. It was not immediately known if there were any NATO casualties.

AP - They were the resilient Winter Games — beginning in shock, ending in euphoria.

Reuters - A suicide bomber targeted a convoy of foreign troops Monday in southern Afghanistan, killing at least 2 Afghan civilians, a provincial official said.

Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda sought to ease quality concerns during a low-key visit to China on Monday, fresh from a grueling hearing in the U.S. Congress over his company's biggest safety crisis.

AFP - Rescue teams searched for survivors Monday after Chile's quake toll topped 700 and the extent of the disaster became clear in coastal areas where giant waves left behind a path of death and destruction.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Four Afghan civilians were killed on Monday when a suicide car bomber hit a NATO-led convoy in southern Afghanistan, a hospital doctor and witnesses said.

AP - Police fired tear gas and imposed an overnight curfew to control looters who sacked virtually every market in this hard-hit city as Chile's earthquake toll surpassed 700. President Michelle Bachelet promised imminent deliveries of food, water and shelter for thousands living on the streets.

AP - Al-Qaida's terror network in North Africa is growing more active and attracting new recruits, threatening to further destabilize the continent's already vulnerable Sahara region, according to U.S. defense and counterterrorism officials.

AP - A suicide car bomber attacked a NATO convoy Monday outside the major southern Afghan city of Kandahar, killing one NATO service member and four Afghan civilians, officials said.

Reuters - Four Afghan civilians were killed on Monday when a suicide car bomber hit a NATO-led convoy in southern Afghanistan, a hospital doctor and witnesses said.

CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - Chile's government scrambled on Monday to provide aid to thousands of homeless in coastal towns devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunamis as 10,000 troops moved into stricken areas to quell looting.

ATHENS (Reuters) - Corruption and impunity from prosecution lie at the heart of Greek's debt crisis, Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Monday, calling on citizens to stomach the pain required to put the country back on track.

AP - Authorities and volunteers are widening a search for a 17-year-old missing in San Diego County after a registered sex offender was arrested in connection with her disappearance.

AP - Wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic says his people defended themselves against Islamic fundamentalists who started the war in Bosnia to lay claim to the entire country.

Reuters - Chile's government scrambled on Monday to provide aid to thousands of homeless in coastal towns devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunamis as 10,000 troops moved into stricken areas to quell looting.

Reuters - Four Afghan civilians and one foreign soldier were killed on Monday when a suicide car bomber hit a convoy of NATO-led troops near the southern city of Kandahar, officials and witnesses said.

Reuters - Corruption and impunity from prosecution lie at the heart of Greek's debt crisis, Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Monday, calling on citizens to stomach the pain required to put the country back on track.

AFP - Troops fired teargas and imposed a curfew Monday to stop looters running off with trolleyloads of goods from the wreckage of Chile's quake as rescuers scrabbled through rubble for survivors.

AFP - Wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic ended a boycott of his genocide trial on Monday, defiantly declaring that a conflict which left 100,000 dead was 'just and holy'.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Four Afghan civilians and one foreign soldier were killed on Monday when a suicide car bomber hit a convoy of NATO-led troops near the southern city of Kandahar, officials and witnesses said.

ATHENS (Reuters) - The European Union urged Greece on Monday to announce new austerity measures within days to tackle a debt crisis that has shaken the euro zone and promised to help Athens overcome the problem.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda apologized to Chinese consumers on Monday over the company's massive global recall, seeking to ease quality concerns in the world's biggest auto market.

AP - Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, charged with the worst genocide in Europe since the Holocaust, testified Monday that his people were simply defending themselves against Islamic fundamentalists who he claimed sought to take over Bosnia during the war.

AP - British insurer Prudential PLC said Monday it will buy the Asian unit of American International Group Inc. in a deal worth $35.5 billion that will allow AIG to pay back some of the money it owes U.S. taxpayers.

Reuters - The European Union urged Greece on Monday to announce new austerity measures within days to tackle a debt crisis that has shaken the euro zone and promised to help Athens overcome the problem.

Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda apologized to Chinese consumers on Monday over the company's massive global recall, seeking to ease quality concerns in the world's biggest auto market.

CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - Chile's government scrambled on Monday to provide aid to thousands of homeless people in coastal towns devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunamis, as 10,000 troops patrolled to quell looting.

AP - Security forces said Monday they arrested dozens of people for violating curfew after looters sacked virtually every market in this hard-hit city and Chile's earthquake toll surpassed 700. President Michelle Bachelet promised imminent deliveries of food, water and shelter for thousands living on the streets.

AP - Personal spending jumped by a larger amount than expected in January but Americans' incomes barely budged as millions of Social Security recipients did not get their usual cost of living boost. The weak income growth could depress spending in the months ahead, acting as a further drag on the fragile economic recovery.

Reuters - Chile's government scrambled on Monday to provide aid to thousands of homeless people in coastal towns devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunamis, as 10,000 troops patrolled to quell looting.

CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - Chile scrambled on Monday to provide aid to tens of thousands of homeless people in areas devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunamis, and 10,000 troops patrolled to quell looting.

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan announced a ban on news coverage of Taliban strikes on Monday, saying such coverage only emboldened the Islamist militants, whose latest strikes killed six in the southern city of Kandahar.

AP - President Barack Obama took aim Monday at the nation's school dropout epidemic, proposing $900 million to states and education districts that agree to drastically change or even shutter their worst performing schools.

AP - They were the resilient Winter Games — beginning in shock, ending in euphoria.

Reuters - Chile scrambled on Monday to provide aid to tens of thousands of homeless people in areas devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunamis, and 10,000 troops patrolled to quell looting.

Reuters - Afghanistan announced a ban on news coverage of Taliban strikes on Monday, saying such coverage only emboldened the Islamist militants, whose latest strikes killed six in the southern city of Kandahar.

AFP - US President Barack Obama plans 'dramatic reductions' in the country's arsenal of nuclear weapons as part of a sweeping policy review, a senior administration official told AFP on Monday.

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan on Monday announced a ban on news coverage showing Taliban attacks, saying such images embolden the Islamist militants, who have launched strikes around the country as NATO forces seize their southern strongholds.

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece needs to take further action quickly to tackle its debt crisis and meet its budget goals, European Union Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Monday.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - A Palestinian official said on Monday the United States had yet to give adequate answers to Palestinian queries on a proposal for indirect negotiations with Israel.

AP - Mixed reports Monday on manufacturing, construction and personal income and spending made clear that the economy is enjoying modest growth even though the recovery remains fragile.

AP - The search has resumed in San Diego County for a 17-year-old girl who authorities fear was killed by a sex offender.

AP - President Dmitry Medvedev demanded Monday that Russian sports officials step down over the country's dismal performance at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

AP - Syracuse took quite a route to its first No. 1 ranking in 20 years.

Reuters - Afghanistan on Monday announced a ban on news coverage showing Taliban attacks, saying such images embolden the Islamist militants, who have launched strikes around the country as NATO forces seize their southern strongholds.

Reuters - Greece needs to take further action quickly to tackle its debt crisis and meet its budget goals, European Union Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Monday.

AFP - Chile called for international aid Monday as the anguished calls of trapped quake survivors pierced the rubble and police had to arrest 160 looters for defying overnight curfews.

AFP - US President Barack Obama plans 'dramatic reductions' in the country's arsenal of nuclear weapons as part of a sweeping policy review, a senior administration official told AFP on Monday.

AP - A federal judge on Monday ruled that the man charged in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart is competent to stand trial, paving the way for him to face charges nearly eight years after the girl was snatched from her bedroom.

AP - Jay Leno was absent from the nation's TV screens for little more than three weeks, but he's returning Monday night with renewed purpose.

AFP - Chile called for international aid on Monday as rescuers located earthquake survivors crying out desperately through the rubble and troops arrested dozens in a bid to contain looting.

AFP - Twin car bombs and multiple other attacks killed four NATO soldiers and 10 Afghans Monday, taking foreign troop deaths this year well above the level for the first two months of 2009.

ATHENS (Reuters) - The European Union urged Greece on Monday to agree additional austerity measures within days to tackle a fiscal crisis that has shaken the euro zone and promised to help Athens overcome its debt problems.

PARIS/VIENNA (Reuters) - Russia will back new sanctions against Iran as long as they do not create a humanitarian crisis, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday after talks with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

AP - Ten House Democrats say they have not ruled out the possibility of switching their earlier 'no' votes to 'yes' on the big health care overhaul. That's giving Democrats a glimmer of hope in the face of unyielding Republican opposition. The House members commented in interviews Monday with The Associated Press.

AP - Russia's president said Moscow was ready to consider new sanctions on Iran for its nuclear defiance on Monday and the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that he cannot confirm that all of Tehran's atomic activities are peaceful.

AP - It's a situation too agonizing to contemplate — a child dying and in pain. Now a small but provocative study suggests that doctors may be giving fatal morphine doses to a few children dying of cancer, to end their suffering at their parents' request.

AP - A senior Hamas leader publicly disowned his son Monday, days after the young man announced he had secretly spied for Israel and helped authorities hunt down members of the Islamic militant group.

AP - Publication has been halted for a disputed book about the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945, The Associated Press has learned.

AP - Authorities said an overnight hotel guest who claimed a divine calling has been jailed after shooting up his room and placing an alarm clock in the microwave. Police say the 53-year-old Dearborn Heights man surrendered about 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the Albion Inn, about 85 miles west of Detroit. He was being held in the Calhoun County Jail pending arraignment and mental evaluation.

AP - Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has been contacted by federal investigators regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug.

Reuters - The European Union urged Greece on Monday to agree additional austerity measures within days to tackle a fiscal crisis that has shaken the euro zone and promised to help Athens overcome its debt problems.

Reuters - Russia will back new sanctions against Iran as long as they do not create a humanitarian crisis, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday after talks with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will offer changes to his healthcare overhaul this week, the White House said on Monday, and a leading Democrat said the president was preparing a smaller version of his broad bid to revamp the $2.5 trillion industry.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Working with the food industry to cut salt intake by nearly 10 percent could prevent hundreds of thousands of heart attacks and strokes over several decades and save the U.S. government $32 billion in healthcare costs, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

AP - Jobless benefits suddenly ended for some laid-off workers, Medicare payments to doctors were delayed and 2,000 federal transportation workers were sent home Monday in a spending dispute tinged with election-year politics.

AP - With the clock ticking in a rough Republican primary, Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison swept through the urban areas of Texas on Monday seeking votes in their gubernatorial showdown.

AP - A killer whale that dragged a trainer to her death eluded SeaWorld workers who furiously unfurled nets while it swam pool-to-pool during the attack last week, according to witness statements released Monday.

AP - Brent and Kelly King knew something was wrong when they discovered their 17-year-old daughter Chelsea wasn't home.

Reuters - President Barack Obama will offer changes to his healthcare overhaul this week, the White House said on Monday, and a leading Democrat said the president was preparing a smaller version of his broad bid to revamp the $2.5 trillion industry.

AFP - Angry and hungry Chileans set fire to shops in the quake-hit city of Concecpion Monday as President Michelle Bachelet rushed 5,000 extra troops to the disaster zone to maintain order.

CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - Looters raided more stores in this ravaged city on Monday as thousands of Chilean troops struggled to restore order after a huge earthquake and tsunamis killed more than 700 people.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Employees at the U.S. liberal grass-roots group ACORN who were caught on video giving tax advice to a couple posing as a pimp and a prostitute have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing, New York prosecutors said on Monday.

AP - With O.J. Simpson giving his agreement from prison, a judge approved a plan Monday to donate the suit the former NFL star was wearing when he was acquitted of murder to the Smithsonian Institution.

AP - Many maple bats will be banned in the minor leagues this season, part of Major League Baseball's push to stop shattered shards of wood from flying dangerously through the air.

Reuters - Looters raided more stores in this ravaged city on Monday as thousands of Chilean troops struggled to restore order after a huge earthquake and tsunamis killed more than 700 people.

Reuters - Employees at the U.S. liberal grass-roots group ACORN who were caught on video giving tax advice to a couple posing as a pimp and a prostitute have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing, New York prosecutors said on Monday.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp will roll out an aggressive incentive program for U.S. consumers in March, including zero-percent financing for five years and two-year free maintenance, a source briefed on the matter said on Monday.

AP - Nine House Democrats indicated in an Associated Press survey Monday they have not ruled out switching their 'no' votes to 'yes' on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, brightening the party's hopes in the face of unyielding Republican opposition.

AP - A killer whale that dragged a trainer to her death eluded SeaWorld workers' frenzied efforts to corral it with plastic nets while it swam pool-to-pool, according to witness statements released Monday.

AFP - Former Bosnian president Ejup Ganic was arrested in London on an extradition warrant from Serbia for alleged warcrimes during the 1990s Balkans conflict, police said.