It seems that U.S. is abandoning the idea to go to war with Iran and coming toward the direction of peace and possibly going to the point of opening a diplomatic mission in the capital of Iran, Tehran. Certainly a very positive development and good for the world. The story from RFERL reads that USA, according to reports, will establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran.

Iraq's foreign minister says his government and the United States have "almost finalized" a long-term security pact.

The United States has 2.3 million people behind bars, more than any other country in the world and more than ever before in its history, Human Rights Watch said Friday.

There is no strong empirical evidence that inflation in China has a significant impact on inflation in the US and Japan. According to a study in China and World Economy published by Wiley-Blackwell, the recent rise in Chinese prices is unlikely to affect Japan or the US. Conversely, there is evidence that the inflation in the US has had some impact on Chinese inflation.

Tornadoes across four Southern states tore through homes, ripped the roof off a shopping mall and blew apart warehouses in a rare spasm of violent winter weather that killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more. The touch down was near Atkins, Arkansas.

Iranian officials have dismissed U.S. concerns regarding the country's space program after launching a new rocket capable of carrying the first domestically-built satellite into orbit.

The polar bear stands in the way of US plans to start sell-off of oil and gas drilling rights in Alaska.

India is set to buy six Hercules transport planes from U.S-based Lockheed Martin. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, this will be India's biggest arms deal with the United States, and a major departure in New Delhi's military purchasing policies.

The United States has set tougher identification rules for U.S. and Canadian citizens who want to enter the country from Canada.

A major American insurance corporation, American International Group, Inc. (AIG) (NYSE: AIG; TYO: 8685), has reached settlements with nine states and the District of Columbia on payments investigations.

Reaction to President Bush's State of the Union address is predictably along partisan lines. Members of his Republican Party praised his leadership and the goals he proposed on domestic and foreign issues, while majority Democrats criticized him on the same issues. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill.

President Bush is preparing to deliver his final State of the Union Address -- the annual speech before the U.S. Congress that outlines the president's policy agenda for the coming year.