New `Family' member

((PHOTO …

U.S. Denies N. Korea Off Terror List

SYDNEY, Australia - A senior U.S. diplomat said Tuesday that North Korea remains on a list of states that sponsor terrorism, dismissing North Korean claims that Washington decided to remove the designation.

"No, they haven't been taken off the terrorism list," Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill told Japanese reporters as he arrived in Australia's business capital for a meeting of Pacific Rim nations. A State Department press officer separately confirmed the remarks.

Hill's comments were the first official denial since North Korea's Foreign Ministry, in a statement carried Monday by the country's official news agency, said that Washington agreed to remove the …

VA expands health care eligibility for nondisabled

The Veterans Affairs Department opened the doors of its health care system Monday to about 266,000 nondisabled veterans with moderate incomes, some of whom have been shut out of those benefits.

The veterans eligible are from a category known as "Priority 8." They have no illnesses or injuries attributed to their military service, and they earn more than the average wage in their communities.

Enrollment previously was denied to them because of a cost-savings move in 2003. Under a new regulation, some, but not all who fall in this category, will now be eligible.

The VA is expanding eligibility by loosening income restrictions. The limit …

U.S. Agency Warns About Russian Flights

The U.S. State Department has warned the public not to travelwithin Russia on successors to the Soviet-era airline Aeroflot. U.S.government officials were earlier warned to defer routine domesticair travel in Russia and to seek alternate means of transporationwhen possible.

In its new Consular Information Sheet on …

Lawmakers move against laser targeting of aircraft

WASHINGTON (AP) — People who knowingly aim laser pointers at aircraft would be committing a federal crime subject to up to five years in prison under legislation that has now passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House approved by voice vote on Monday the "Securing Cockpits Against Laser Pointers Act," a response to a growing number of incidents of pilots having been distracted or even temporarily blinded by laser beams and the possibility that terrorists might use lasers to bring down aircraft.

The Senate passed the same provision a month ago as an amendment to a Federal Aviation Administration spending bill. The two chambers must now agree on a common …

CIA director says Iranian policy at highest level is to kill Americans in Iraq

CIA Director Michael Hayden said Wednesday that Iranian policy, at the highest government level, is to help kill Americans in Iraq, the boldest pronouncement of Iranian involvement by a U.S. official to date.

Hayden made the statement in response to a student question while delivering the Landon Lecture at Kansas State University.

"It is my opinion, it is the policy of the Iranian government, approved to highest level of that government, to facilitate the killing of Americans in Iraq," Hayden said. "Just make sure there's clarity on that."

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have ratcheted up their complaints that Iran is …

Pirate CEO isn't irate about Ramirez's rise

Pittsburgh Pirates CEO and managing general partner KevinMcClatchy is considered one of the classier executives in baseball.He showed why Tuesday when he walked to the Cubs' side of the fieldduring batting practice to shake hands with third baseman AramisRamirez and congratulate the former Pirate on his strong start.

McClatchy approved the trade that sent Ramirez to the Cubs lastJuly because he couldn't afford to keep him. The Pirates have a teampayroll of $32 million and didn't want to pay Ramirez $6 million thisseason, let alone the bigger money he will get in his next multiyearcontract. The Cubs will iron out that agreement with …