New York, Sept. 26: Alaska Governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin insisted on Thursday that her home state’s proximity to Russia constituted her foreign policy experience.

In a sit down interview with CBS' Katie Couric, Palin indirectly revealed her poor foreign policy credentials by stating "Well, it certainly does because our - our next-door neighbors are foreign countries," referring to Russia and Canada.

Asked if she had held negotiations with Russia, Palin said: "We have trade missions back and forth."

New York, Sept. 26: The war in Iraq is far from over, but Alaska Governor and Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin seems convinced that the United States has achieved "victory" in that country.

She is also of the view that more American troops need to be sent to Afghanistan, a plea made at time when most Americans are demanding a recall of troops and battling with an economic crisis almost similar to the Great Depression of
1929.

United Nations, Sept 26: The US’ strikes on Pakistani soil were not eliminating terrorists, but actually serving to empower the forces against which Pakistan and America were fighting together, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said in his UN address in New York last evening.

New York, Sept 26: The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will address the 63rd session of the United National General Assembly after midnight.

In the backdrop of the U. N. agreeing to begin inter-governmental negotiations on UN reforms next year, Dr. Singh’s address will focus on the expansion and reforms in the UN Security Council so that the world body reflects the current global realities.

New York  - Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday used the UN General Assembly podium to denounce the United States for conducting unauthorized military strikes against terrorist targets inside Pakistani territory.

"Unilateral actions of great powers should not inflame the passion of allies," Zardari said in his first appearance before a body that has been used often by some world leaders to attack US foreign policies.

Washington  - After a 24-hour buildup heightened by election drama, a meeting at the White House between US President George W Bush and the two rivals for his position - Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain - ended Thursday with no agreement on an emergency financial bailout.

"It is very clear we're working very hard to come to agreement," said Representative Steny Hoyer, who was present at the hour-long meeting of congressional leaders and the candidates with the president. He confirmed to CNN afterwards that no agreement had been reached.