North Korea backed away from threats to retaliate against South Korea for military exercises today and offered concessions on its nuclear programme.

North Korea warned today that US-South Korean co-operation could bring nuclear war to the region.

Republicans captured Democratic governorships in at least 10 states, including some prime presidential battlegrounds, and hoped for even more gains.

The dream of whisking tourists to space for a few minutes of weightlessness edged closer to reality when the runway at the world's first commercial spaceport officially opened.

JUDGE Richard Johnston’s recent suggestion that the death penalty deters violent crime is wrong.

A US state is preparing to begin construction of the world’s first commercial spaceport, built to launch private citizens into space.

Senior US politicians were discussing a bid to negotiate the release of two American journalists sentenced to 12 years’ hard labour in North Korea as the women’s families made an emotional appeal today.

NORTH KOREA has convicted two American journalists and sentenced them to 12 years of hard labour for crossing into its territory, intensifying the reclusive nation’s confrontation with the US.

Matt Williams finds the president’s reputation abroad has been enhanced from an already lofty level.

Val Kilmer is "seriously considering" running for Governor of his homestate of New Mexico next year.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced he is withdrawing his nomination to be US President-elect Barack Obama’s commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation.

US president-elect Barack Obama interviewed primary election rivals Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson to be his secretary of state, Democrats said, as he considered folding former foes into his new administration.

Val Kilmer is tipped to become the next governor of his home state of New Mexico, by the politician currently in the hot seat.

Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is “the largest grass-roots army in recent political history”, his campaign manager said today.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton addressed America’s troubled economy and called for “bold action” to halt the US housing crisis today.

BILL RICHARDSON, America’s only Hispanic governor, threw his support behind Barack Obama for president yesterday, delivering one of the most coveted and tightly held endorsements in the race for the Democratic nomination.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was today forced to make a personal apology to Barack Obama after government workers snooped into his personal files.

A YEAR ago, Hillary Clinton was joshing about whether she could appoint her husband secretary of state when she became president and Barack Obama was urging a throng to be realistic about his own chances.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson ended his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination today after poor finishes in the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Voters in New Hampshire began the first presidential primary ballot today with Barack Obama apparently poised to give Hillary Clinton a second, and possibly devastating, defeat in less than a week.

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton accused her rivals of “throwing mud” and distorting her record as she clashed with her opponents on stage in Las Vegas.

Pakistan’s opposition called on General Pervez Musharraf to lift a state of emergency, saying elections would be a sham unless citizens’ rights were fully restored.

Democratic presidential rivals, Barack Obama and John Edwards, have attacked front-runner Hillary Clinton in a televised party debate, questioning her honesty, consistency and judgment.

US Democratic presidential contenders sought to underscore their differences with Republicans on gay and lesbian rights, but leading candidates also faced sharp questions on their reluctance to embrace marriage for same-sex couples.

North Korea’s top nuclear negotiator told US envoys today that his government would immediately invite UN nuclear inspectors into the country if £12.7m (€18.6m) in disputed funds were released.

US presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have crossed campaign paths for the first time today.

Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed confidence in her presidential prospects yesterday and said she awaits a spirited contest for the 2008 Democratic nomination.

Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton will embark on a widely anticipated campaign for the White House today, a former first lady intent on becoming America's first female president.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir today rejected the deployment of UN troops in Darfur, saying they were not required and that African Union troops could maintain order in the war-wracked region of western Sudan.

Three New Mexico officials looking for answers about the death of Western legend Billy the Kid have dropped their request to exhume what are believed to be the outlaw’s remains.

AS BILL Clinton basked in the spotlight yesterday at the opening of the Democratic convention, John Kerry visited Florida to press his case as to why voters should put him the White House in place of President George Bush.

JOHN KERRY, assured of the Democratic nomination, is exploring options for a running mate, from southerners who can provide regional balance to those who can highlight economic problems under President George Bush.

US Senator John Edwards formally ended his pursuit of the Democratic nomination, pledging to “do everything in my power” to help John Kerry win the White House.

John Kerry’s growing string of wins is persuading party leaders to look for ways to bring the Democratic presidential primary season to a quick close.

By Christopher Torchia, Seoul

North Korea withdrew from the global nuclear arms control treaty today but insisted it had no plans to develop nuclear weapons “at this stage.”

A former United Nations weapons inspector has accused the United States in a new documentary of manipulating the UN to provoke a confrontation with Saddam Hussein as a pretext for US air strikes on Iraq.

California has been thrown into chaos as major US cities suffered "rotating" power cuts.