World News on Comcast.net | World Headlines | International News | War News

• 
  24 killed in election massacre in the Philippines

  Gunmen ambushed a caravan of political supporters and journalists on their way to file election papers, killing at least 24 people in a massacre considered shocking even for a region notorious for violence between rival clans.

• 
  AP Enterprise: Bullet tears open Somali boy's face

  The bullet hit mother and son as they walked through Somalia's capital. She felt a sharp pain in her palm. Then she saw her 8-year-old: The bullet tore through his cheekbones, nose and mouth. Blood gushed down to his waist.

• 
  Inability to compromise may delay Iraqi election

  Iraq's parliament failed Monday to produce an election law that pleased minority Sunni Arabs, prompting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to say that nationwide balloting scheduled for January "might slip" to a later date.

• 
  Japanese engineer released by Yemeni tribesmen

  A Japanese engineer seized by Yemeni tribesmen seeking to swap him for a prisoner with al-Qaida links was released Monday after a week in captivity.

• 
  Israel, Hamas near swap of prisoners for soldier

  Hamas leaders raced to Egypt on Monday amid signs of progress on a deal to swap hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for a captive Israeli soldier held by the Islamic militant group for more than three years.

• Belgian says he was alert but mute for 23 years

  For 23 torturous years, Rom Houben says he lay trapped in his paralyzed body, aware of what was going on around him but unable to tell anyone or even cry out.

• 
  China activist who spoke out on quake gets 3 years

  A veteran dissident was sentenced to three years in prison after casting a spotlight on poorly built schools that collapsed and killed thousands of children during China's massive earthquake last year — an apparent government attempt to squelch such information.

• UK hostage's remains identified in Lebanon

  The remains of British hostage Alec Collett, who disappeared in 1985 during Lebanon's civil war while working for the United Nations, have been positively identified, the U.N. announced Monday.

• 
  Big Bang atom smasher records first proton hits

  The world's largest atom smasher made another leap forward Monday by circulating beams of protons in opposite directions at the same time and causing the first particle collisions in the $10 billion machine after more than a year of repairs, organizers said.

• McDonald's makes its logo more 'green' in Europe

  McDonald's is going green — swapping its traditional red backdrop for a deep hunter green — to promote a more eco-friendly image in Europe.

• 
  Israel-Hamas prisoner swap deal near

  Israel has softened its terms for a prisoner swap with Hamas and the two are nearing a deal to exchange hundreds of jailed Palestinians for an Israeli soldier held in the Gaza Strip, officials said on Monday.

• 
  Iraq parliament passes new vote law

  Iraq's parliament on Monday approved an amended law needed to hold an election next year, but the new text risks being vetoed a second time -- which could delay both the vote and next year's partial U.S. troop withdrawal.

• Gunmen kill 21 in Philippine political war

  Gunmen abducted and killed at least 21 people in the southern Philippines Monday, apparently to prevent a woman filing her husband's nomination to run for provincial governor in elections next year, the military said.

• Congo warlords in the dock at Hague court

  The world's first permanent war crimes court opens its second trial on Tuesday when two Congolese warlords face charges they ordered subordinates to attack civilians, rape women and enlist child soldiers.

• Tajikistan fails to curb abuse of women: Amnesty

  The government of the Central Asian state of Tajikistan is failing to protect women from violence and abuse, human rights group Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday.

• Peacekeepers should prepare to leave Darfur: Sudan

  Khartoum's U.N. envoy, rejecting a bleak U.N. assessment of the situation in Sudan's conflict-torn western Darfur region, said on Monday it was time for international peacekeepers to prepare to leave.

• Jordan king dissolves parliament, calls election

  Jordan's King Abdullah has dissolved parliament halfway through its four-year term and called for early elections, state television reported Monday.

• 
  Saudi Arabia seeks to curb flu and stop protest at haj

  More than two million Muslims gather this week for the annual haj pilgrimage to Islam's holy city of Mecca, where Saudi authorities hope to minimize spread of the H1N1 virus and prevent any political demonstration.

• Remains of British hostage found in Lebanon

  A forensics team has found the remains of a British journalist kidnapped by Palestinian militants in Lebanon 24 years ago, the British embassy said on Monday.

• Blair Out of Running as Europe Picks Top 2 Posts

  Leaders of the European Union seemed to be pulling away from naming a widely known figure in Europe’s presidential post, as Britain made a pitch for the new foreign policy job.

• Iraq Sentences Sunni Leader to Death

  A leader of the Sunni Awakening Council was sentenced to death for the murder of a girl, sparking charges that the Shiite-dominated government was targeting Sunnis.

• Russia Angry Over Ukraine Warnings on Gas Supply

  A dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas supplies escalated on Thursday, with an aide to the Russian president calling Ukraine’s warnings of a possible gas crisis “political blackmail.”

• Pirates Off Africa Adapt to Survive

  Pirate attacks on shipping lanes around the Horn of Africa show no sign of relenting as the nations policing the seas struggle to find solutions to an increasingly long-term mission.

• No Cheering, No Parade

  This was not the inauguration of a popular president.

• Europe Haggles Over Filling Two Top Posts

  Facing a vote Thursday to finally pick a slate of new and more powerful leaders, the E.U. is falling back on old-fashioned deal-making that critics say may produce lackluster choices.

• 
  Suicide Attack Is Pakistani City’s 7th in 2 Weeks

  Militants killed 17 outside a courthouse in Peshawar on Thursday, the seventh attack in two weeks in the city.

• News Analysis: A Small Step to Bridging the Taiwan Strait

  The final details were minor compared with the substance of the financial cooperation deal between China and Taiwan, but carried significance of their own.

• On Assignment: Asia in the Blink of an Eye

  Stephen Crowley of The Times has found that just one frame is not enough to convey the cascading incongruities and harmonies of a presidential tour.

• 
  Karzai Sworn In for Second Term as Afghan President

  In his inaugural address, President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that the Afghan Army should assume full control of the country’s security within five years.

more

• 
  Greek Orthodox church sues Turkey over access to religious sites in Cyprus

  Church goes before European court alleging Greek Cypriot faithful barred from worshipping in Turkish-controlled northThe Greek Orthodox church of Cyprus has taken Turkey to the European court of human rights over allegedly preventing the 500 Greek Cypriots living in the Turkish north worshipping at...

• 
  The voices of climate change sceptics

  The furore over the climate scientists' emails has given an unexpected boost to global warming sceptics on both sides of the Atlantic, but none outside that small circle believe the affair will diver governments, businesses or communities from seeking a low-carbon future.

• 
  High School Musical gets Chinese remake

  Disney co-production said to be inspired by original High School Musical, rather than a direct translationOne has millions of devoted adherents, a doctrine of clean-cut conformity and an unstoppable,culture-changing momentum; the other is communist China.

• Papers attack Russian Lamborghini driver

  Newspapers attack Russia's 'golden youth' after pensioner seriously hurt in crashSwiss police are investigating a crash in which a pensioner was seriously injured when his car was hit by a Lamborghini sports car being driven by a young Russian man who was allegedly racing three others along the ban...

• 
  Islamophonic: The hajj and Eid clubbing

  This month we hear about the minefield of viruses and rogue traders that pilgrims have to contend with when they go on hajj.

• 
  US to go to Copenhagen with targets

  • Barack Obama to announce target in next three weeks• Figure to be provisional in nature, officials sayThe White House said today it would go to the Copenhagen climate change summit with a proposed target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions after facing international pressure to commit to strong...

• 
  Anti-piracy law helps Swedish music sales

  UK music executives are looking to the home of Abba for signs that declining sales can be stemmed by new filesharing lawsThank you for the music – or rather thank you for paying for the music – to miquote Abba.

• 
  Man conscious in 'coma' for 23 years

  • Misdiagnosed man's tale of rebirth thanks to doctor• Total paralysis masked fully functioning brainFor 23 years Rom Houben was ­imprisoned in his own body. He saw his doctors and nurses as they visited him during their daily rounds; he listened to the conversations of his carers; he heard his mot...

• 
  Snake spits out new species of chameleon

  Latest find in natural world was result of reptile coughing up lizard as conservationist studied monkeys in the jungleIt was so nearly known as dinner. Instead, a small and not terribly impressive chameleon has become the newest discovery of the natural world, after a startled Tanzanian snake spat ...

• 
  Protesters greet Ahmadinejad in Brazil

  Thousands take to streets in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to denounce Iranian president's record on rights and IsraelProtests greeted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Brazil at the start of a South American tour intended to bolster the Iranian president's legitimacy and ease his country's international isola...

more

• Obama's tough Mid-East conflict lessons

  Jeremy Bowen considers how the conflict has taught US President Barack Obama hard and humiliating lessons.

• Life in Jerusalem's city of three faiths

  Heather Sharp reveals the daily difficulties and charms of living in Jerusalem's Old City, a district sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

• What will climate summit achieve?

  More than 60 state leaders are now expected to attend December?s climate summit in Denmark. Can a deal be reached?

• Paralysed state

  Ahmed Rashid on conspiracy theories sweeping Pakistan

• The next Darfur?

  Region which could become new Sudan front line

• Hope for Australia carbon deal

  The Australian government strikes a deal with opposition leaders on a revised carbon emissions trading scheme.

• Belgian admits Iran arms charges

  An alleged Belgian arms dealer pleads guilty to conspiring to illegally export jet engines and parts from the US to Iran.

• Lebanon body confirmed as Briton

  Human remains found in Lebanon are confirmed as those of a British journalist kidnapped nearly 25 years ago.

• US-Somali terror suspects charged

  US authorities announce charges against eight people as they investigate the case of young men sent to fight for Somali militants.

• Philippines election attack leaves 21 dead

  Twenty-one people abducted in the southern Philippines are found dead in an attack linked to next year's elections.

more

• 
  In Afghanistan, a drive to lure Taliban with jobs, security

  The aim is to persuade Taliban foot soldiers to put down arms in exchange for jobs and protection from militants. The drive will be modeled on the 'Sons of Iraq' initiative that helped calm Iraq. Th Afghan government and the U.

• 
  Egypt's Nile Delta: Fertile land, but not for jobs

  Young men scatter from the area like seeds on the wind, taking what work they can get in neighboring countries, hoping to save enough, perhaps, for that apartment that would allow them to marry. Therice has been harvested, the chaff burned.

• 
  Marines in Afghanistan hear a plea: Don't leave too soon

  Others in Helmand would like them to leave immediately. And frustrating to most involved, the work of U.S. forces to instill a sense of security and confidence in the government is going slowly. It was at the end of a recent after-lunch meeting, with the two sides sitting cross-legged on a tattere...

• 
  Madagascar's political turmoil takes toll on forests

  With the African island nation left paralyzed and lawless after a coup, loggers have been clearing forests, putting many rare species of lemurs and other animals at further risk. She was the spy whowas undone by a furry little creature with huge, hypnotic eyes.

• 
  Lula takes risk in welcoming Ahmadinejad to Brazil

  President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva may lose global influence by playing host to the Iranian leader, who is searching for new economic opportunities ahead of stiff sanctions the West has threatened. Reporting from Bogota, Colombia Borzou Daragahi, and Beirut -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadineja...

• Iran begins air-defense drills to protect nuclear sites

  Iran says Israel would pay a heavy price if the West launched airstrikes. Meanwhile, opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi praises anti-government protesters. Iran on Sunday launched what it described as its biggest air-defense drill ever with the aim of preparing to protect its nuclear sites from...

• 
  Hungary zigzags when it comes to Russia

  Some in the former Soviet satellite now part of NATO and the EU warn that Moscow is intent on reasserting influence, but others see Russia as a useful investor and lucrative market. There's a museumin Budapest called the House of Terror.

• 
  Golf courses suffer as recession deals a bogey

  Hundreds of courses have closed, and once-exclusive country clubs have slashed fees or let in the public. Often linked to housing tracts, the greens and fairways have slumped along with real estate. From his backyard, Joseph Leggett used to look out over the green, manicured fairways of the Palm D...

• Rising sea levels threaten Caribbean region

  The Colombian city of Cartagena is trying to plan ahead as scientists say cities nearer the equator, where temperatures are already higher, are at greater risk if global warming isn't checked. The effect of climate change is anything but hypothetical to retired Colombian naval officer German Alfon...

• A climate change dust-up

  One side sees hacked e-mail as a sign of a 'Warmist Conspiracy.' The other says it's being taken out of context. Analysts don't expect it to have much effect on the Senate greenhouse gas bill. Is it a "Warmist Conspiracy," or a case of an e-mail being "taken completely out of context"?

more

• The Tajik Solution

  A Model for Fixing Afghanistan November 22, 2009 As the Obama administration and the rest of the international community grapple with the challenge of stabilizing Afghanistan, analogies haveproliferated as fast as insurgents.

• The World Next Week Podcast: November 20, 2009

  November 19, 2009 Foreign Affairs Managing Editor Gideon Rose and CFR.org Editor Robert McMahon preview major world events in the week ahead. In this week's podcast: U.S. President Barack Obama returns from his tour through Asia; Honduras holds presidential elections; Indian Prime Minister Manm...

• Where the Wild Things Were

  How Conservation Efforts are Faltering November 19, 2009 On the eve of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, I argued that wild nature was in deep distress and that the international institutions charged with the planet's care were managing it poorly ("The Futur...

• The L-Word in Afghanistan

  Can the United States Provide What Kabul Needs? November 15, 2009 One would be hard-pressed to find a news article or editorial on the Afghan election that did not mention the word "legitimay.

• Current Issues in International Affairs

  November 13, 2009 U85 IA 550, Current Issues in International Affairs Professor Marvin MarcusWashington University Course Description This interdisciplinary seminar is the gateway' course for te M.

• The World Next Week Podcast: November 13, 2009

  November 13, 2009 Foreign Affairs Managing Editor Gideon Rose and CFR.org Editor Robert McMahon preview major world events in the week ahead. In this week's podcast: the Obama administration make a decision on Afghanistan; U.

• Marvin Marcus

  November 11, 2009 Summary -- Associate Professor of Japanese and Comparative Literature at Washington University in St. Louis and director of the graduate program in International Affairs, dministered through University College.

• Understanding Iran: Everything You Need to Know, From Persia to the Islamic Republic, From Cyrus to Ahmadinejad

  November 11, 2009 Palgrave Macmillan recently released Understanding Iran: Everything You Need to Know, From Persia to the Islamic Republic, From Cyrus to Ahmadinejad. Sizzling headlines from Ira's controversial election this summer, have stoked renewed interest in the country.

• Foreign Affairs LIVE: Zbigniew Brzezinski

  November 10, 2009 Click here to download the audio. Click here to watch the video. Summary -- A discussion with Zbigniew Brzezinski on the future of NATO and other foreign policy challenge facing the Obama administration.

• What to Read on Nuclear Proliferation

  November 12, 2009 Few topics in international politics consistently attract as much academic and policy interest as nuclear proliferation. The literature on the subject tends to focus on four central questions: Why do states seek nuclear weapons? How do they acquire the components necessary to b...

more

• Doctor Back To Work After Jackson's Death

  Michael Jackson's former doctor has returned to work for the first time since the pop star's death in June.

• Gunmen Massacre 21 Hostages In Philippines

  Gunmen have slaughtered at least 21 people in the Philippines, beheading and mutilating some of the victims.

• Death Toll Rises After Coal Mine Disaster

  The number of people killed in a blast at a coal mine in northeast China has risen to 104, local authorities have said.

• Israel Denies Soldier May Be Released Soon

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has poured cold water on speculation that a deal on releasing abducted soldier Gilad Shalit may be imminent.

• Man Trapped In 23-Year 'Coma' Was Conscious

  An engineering student thought to be in a coma for 23 years was actually conscious the whole time, it has emerged.

• Kangaroo Slashes Drowning Dog's Owner

  A kangaroo slashed an Australia man's abdomen and face as he tried to stop the bouncing beast from drowning his dog.

• Man Finds His Long-Lost Dad Is Charles Manson

  A US man has spoken of his anguish after discovering his long-lost father is apparently the notorious serial killer Charles Manson.

• Spotify And Nokia Compose Phone Duet

  Millions more mobile phone users are set to tune into Spotify following the launch of a new service for Nokia products.

• Bear Shot After Swiss Zoo Intruder Mauled

  A bear has mauled a mentally-handicapped man who climbed into its zoo enclosure in Switzerland - forcing a policeman to shoot the animal.

• Aussie Premier Fights 'Sex In Office' Scandal

  One of Australia's most popular politicians is fighting to save his career after a woman accused him of having sex with her in his government office.

more