SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea test-fired four missiles on Saturday, South Korea's defense ministry said, in an act of defiance toward the United States that further stoked regional tensions already high due to its nuclear test in May. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missile were Scuds, which would mark an escalation by the reclusive North, which has fired several non-ballistic, short-range missile since the May 25 nuclear test. North Korea is barred by United Nations resolutions from firing ballistic missiles such as the Scud. "North Korea fired ...

The United States, fresh off a runner-up showing in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, will take an expanded roster into their first game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday. The US opens defence of the Gold Cup title begins with a game against Granada on Saturday at Qwest Field. They will also face Honduras on July 8 and Haiti on July 11 in Washington, D.C. and Foxborough, Massachusetts. Head coach Bob Bradley named his 23-man roster June 25 but that has since been expanded to 30 players. The ...

Brigadier General Larry Nicholson demonstrated the more open approach he wants to see among the new US troops sent to southern Afghanistan by going shopping for melons. Nicholson, commander of the 4,000 Marines deployed on Thursday in the mainly Taliban-held Helmand River valley, headed to Garmsir district centre to visit a bazaar selling fruit, vegetables and meat. The day after launching Operation Khanjar -- intended to establish international and Afghan government control in the region -- he was keen to show how the Marines must interact with locals to defeat ...