Agencies fix glitch that confused US Social Security numbers with foreign ones

Agencies: Glitch with foreign SS numbers is fixed

APNewsBreak: USDA fixes glitch that confused foreign, US Social Security numbers

USDA: Glitch with foreign SS numbers is fixed

Sunni militants in Iran boast of attacks but leave only rumors of Western ties

Iran’s Sunni militants carve secretive path

Irish, Ugandan aid workers freed by captors in Sudan’s Darfur region after more than 3 months

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Two foreign aid workers seized at gunpoint more than three months ago in Sudan’s Darfur were released Sunday by their captors in the third — and longest — kidnapping of aid workers in the arid region.

Russia, China call on regional security group to combat global financial crisis

BEIJING — China, Russia and other members of a regional security group pledged Wednesday to work together to combat the global economic crisis and find ways to increase cooperation on financial issues.

US troops ferry aid to Philippine region facing food, gasoline shortages; storm toll tops 600

BAGUIO, Philippines — American military helicopters ferried tons of aid Sunday to a northern Philippine mountain region facing shortages of food, gasoline and coffins after back-to-back typhoons killed more than 600 in the country.

China, South Korea, Japan agree to work on resuming six-party talks over North Korea

BEIJING — North Korea appears keen to improve ties with the U.S. and its neighbors in Asia and perhaps rejoin nuclear disarmament talks, China’s premier said Saturday, urging fellow leaders not to let the opportunity slip away.

Food shortages loom over south India after floods destroy crop lands, food stocks

NEW DELHI — Millions of poor villagers across southern India are facing an imminent food shortage following months of intense drought and recent devastating floods, aid agencies warned Thursday.

Rep. Hodes of NH questions Social Security chief on mix-up involving US, foreign numbers

CONCORD, N.H. — Rep. Paul Hodes has asked the Social Security Administration to investigate and stop a processing glitch that linked U.S. numbers to those issued in three foreign countries and could be causing credit problems for his constituents.

UN chief condemns looting of 2 UN offices in Somalia, pledges to keep helping the country

UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned the looting of two United Nations offices in southern Somalia and pledged to continue to help the war-ravaged country emerge from decades of violence.

Sudanese official says kidnapped aid workers speak to families and are in good health

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Two foreign aid workers kidnapped by gunmen in Sudan’s restive Darfur region are in good health and have been allowed to speak to their relatives, a government official said Sunday.

Sudan is negotiating release of 2 foreign aid workers in Darfur with the aid of tribal leaders

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan is negotiating with the kidnappers of two Darfur aid workers for their safe release, preferably without paying the demanded ransom, Sudanese officials said Thursday.

G8 foreign ministers lament corruption in Afghanistan, call for regional cooperation

TRIESTE, Italy — Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight countries meeting in Italy lamented corruption and the lack of basic services such as health and water in Afghanistan, saying Friday that better cooperation among countries in the region was needed to promote stability.

Clinton seeks to revamp US image in Latin America after decades of strife

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is trying to ease long-standing resentment of U.S. policies in Latin America by attending events this week that highlight Washington’s awkward history with the region.

Brazil struggles to get aid to vast region stricken by floods from 2 months of heavy rains

SAO PAULO — Brazilians huddled with livestock in shelters, paddled swollen rivers in search of food and complained that government aid was slow to arrive in a vast region stricken by some of the worst rainfall and flooding in two decades.

European officials fail to persuade Sudan to allow aid groups back to Darfur

PARIS — French and British negotiators failed at talks this week to persuade Sudan to allow expelled aid groups back into Darfur, officials said Thursday.