U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he discussed U.S. military policy toward Africa with Irish rock star Bono during a short meeting at his Pentagon office earlier this week. The secretary provided some details of the meeting during a news conference Thursday and VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

President Bush is calling on the U.S. Congress to approve a bill to expand and renew a wiretapping law that is set to expire February 1. Action is pending in the Senate, where lawmakers are divided over whether there should be greater civil liberties' protections in the legislation. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

Republican candidates in the U.S. presidential race debated economic policy and the war in Iraq during a televised debate late Thursday in the southern state of Florida. VOA's Brian Wagner reports the candidates are striving for a lead ahead of the state's primary Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says the strength of Australia's alliance with the United States will continue, despite the change of government.

Two Australian sailors have been charged with battery and causing great bodily injury following a drunken argument over sport and politics at a party in the United States.

A new study of worldwide technological competitiveness suggests China may soon rival the United States as the principal driver of the world’s economy – a position the U.S. has held since the end of World War II. If that happens, it will mark the first time in nearly a century that two nations have competed for leadership as equals.

United States President George W Bush has urged Congress to approve "as soon as possible" an economic stimulus plan, after his administration and the House of Representatives announced a deal on the package overnight.

U.S. defense and military officials say they want to step up the training of Pakistani forces in the country's fight against a growing insurgency.

The Pakistani army says it killed 40 Islamic militants and arrested 30 during two days of fighting along its border with Afghanistan. The United States, meanwhile, has offered to train Pakistani security forces in their fight against the al-Qaida-linked militants. VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins reports from Islamabad.

Palestinians are continuing to cross into Egypt for a second day to stock up on food, fuel and household supplies that have been scarce in the Gaza Strip since Israel imposed a blockade on the territory last week.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flies to Colombia Thursday with 10 House Democrats in an effort to boost congressional support for a free-trade agreement with that country. The Bush administration faces an uphill battle to win election-year approval for the Colombia trade deal. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

Senator John McCain has won the Republican party's caucuses in Louisiana while long-shot candidate Ron Paul took second place this morning (Australian time), the state party said, citing preliminary results.