Myanmar bans gatherings, imposes curfew
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- The military government banned assemblies of more than five people and imposed curfews in Myanmar's two largest cities on Tuesday, after thousands of Buddhist monks and sympathizers defied orders to stay out of politics and protested once again....

France calls for 'firmness' toward Iran
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The French president said Tuesday the international standoff over Iran's nuclear program will only be resolved with a combination of "firmness and dialogue," while Germany's leader threatened tougher sanctions if the country refuses to cooperate....

Suicide attack hits Iraqi city of Basra
BAGHDAD (AP) -- A suicide car bomber Tuesday attacked a police headquarters in Basra, killing at least three policemen, wounding 20 people and raising fears about security in the oil-rich southern city now that British forces have withdrawn....

Musharraf to lead army if not re-elected
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will stay on as army chief if he is not re-elected, a government lawyer said Tuesday, fueling opposition claims that he could be setting the stage to declare a state of emergency....

Terror suspect in Oregon plot extradited
NEW YORK (AP) -- A Lebanese-born Swede suspected of plotting to set up a terrorist camp in Oregon was extradited to the United States on Tuesday....

Family ties link Russian government
MOSCOW (AP) -- Vladimir Putin's government has started to look like a family affair since a Cabinet shakeup this month that left two pairs of close relatives serving in top posts....

Iranians decry harsh words for president
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iranians expressed dismay Tuesday at the tough reception given to their president in New York, saying his host was rude and only fueled the image of the United States as a bully....

Italy and Getty sign antiquities deal
ROME (AP) -- Italian officials said they will drop a civil lawsuit in the trial of the J. Paul Getty Museum's former curator after the Los Angeles institution formally signed a deal Tuesday to return 40 contested artifacts....

Fukuda elected Japan's prime minister
TOKYO (AP) -- Yasuo Fukuda swept to power as Japan's prime minister Tuesday, promising to use his skills as a negotiator to win approval for extending Tokyo's contentious mission in support of U.S. troops in Afghanistan....

UK's diplomacy chief vows new approach
BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) -- Britain's new foreign policy chief promised a shift in how the country approaches international relations Tuesday, citing humbling lessons of the Iraq war and signaling a fresh path from that of his graying predecessors....