US: Attackers in Iraq have improved aim
BAGHDAD – The U.S. military has noted a “significant improvement” in the aim of attackers firing rockets and mortars into the heavily fortified Green Zone in the past three months that it has linked to training in Iran, a top commander said Thursday.

Bombings strike soccer fans in Baghdad
BAGHDAD – The dream run of Iraq’s national soccer team captivated an otherwise despairing nation. But even in its moment of joy — the Iraqis are in the Asian Cup finals for the first time ever — violence struck Wednesday.

UN Mideast envoy warns of Gaza collapse
UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. Mideast envoy warned Wednesday of impending economic collapse in the Gaza Strip unless Israel reopens the Hamas-led territory’s main commercial crossing to the outside world to ease international isolation.

Afghan, US forces kill 60 Taliban in fierce clashes
KABUL (AFP) – Afghan and US-led forces killed more than 50 Taliban in a 12-hour battle in the country’s opium-growing heartland, while ten rebels and a policeman died in separate fighting, officials said Thursday.

Military talks between two Koreas end in rancor
SEOUL (Reuters) – Military talks between the two Koreas to ease tensions on the Cold War’s last frontier broke down in acrimony on Thursday over a nautical border set more than a half century ago.

East Timor asks Australian troops to stay on in 2008
DILI (AFP) – East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta on Thursday asked visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard to keep Australian peacekeepers in the young nation until the end of 2008.

Australia considers selling uranium to India
SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia is considering selling uranium to India after New Delhi finalises a landmark civilian nuclear deal with the United States, the government said.

Aid convoys under attack in Darfur
CAIRO, Egypt – A dramatic increase in attacks on aid convoys in Darfur is hampering the world’s largest humanitarian operation, and some 170,000 people are now out of reach of food aid because of the violence, the United Nations’ World Food Programme said Wednesday.