U.S. ambassador in Kabul to leave because of health

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker confirmed on Tuesday that he plans to step down this summer because of ill health, and sources said the highly regarded career diplomat was leaving at a time of his choosing and was not pushed out. Reuters reported on Monday that Crocker, a veteran diplomat who came out of retirement to take the demanding Kabul post, was expected to step down soon, leaving as Washington negotiates a host of challenges on its course out of the long, costly war. "Today, Ambassador Ryan Crocker confirmed to the Afghan Government, U.S. ...

Wang activated by Nationals

Taiwanese pitcher Wang Chien-Ming was activated by Major League Baseball's the Washington Nationals on Tuesday with relief pitcher Ryan Mattheus replacing the Asian hurler on the disabled list.

Ryan Crocker, ambassador to Afghanistan, to leave

Ryan Crocker, the unflappable diplomat who became the civilian face of America's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over two administrations, is stepping down as ambassador to Afghanistan and retiring from the U.S. foreign service after a storied tenure in some of the world's most dangerous hotspots.