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  Belgian man: end of coma misdiagnosis like rebirth

  With a caretaker holding his hand, a Belgian man who was diagnosed as comatose for 23 years typed out a message Tuesday that he felt reborn after decades of loneliness and frustration.

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  Wooing of Taliban fighters is dangerous game

  A battered taxi sped up a dusty road toward a squad of Afghan soldiers searching for bombs planted in the dirt. Army gunmen who had fanned out for protection readied for a suicide attacker. The car screeched to a halt.

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  France shows off cutting-edge navy ship in Russia

  French officers on Tuesday showed off a cutting-edge warship to a potential buyer — the Russian navy, whose pursuit of an amphibious assault capacity is frightening some neighboring countries.

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  Philippines declares emergency after 46 killed

  The Philippine president placed two southern provinces under emergency rule Tuesday as security forces unearthed more bodies, pushing the death toll to 46 in some of the deadliest election violence in the nation's history.

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  Festival of mass animal sacrifice begins in Nepal

  The ceremony began with prayers in a temple by tens of thousands of Hindus before dawn Tuesday. Then it shifted to a nearby corral, where in the cold morning mist, scores of butchers wielding curved swords began slaughtering buffalo calves by hacking off their heads.

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  Big Bang atom smasher starts speeding proton beams

  The world's largest atom smasher used its accelerator Tuesday to speed up proton beams for the first time as scientists moved ahead in efforts to learn more about the universe.

• China executes 2 for role in tainted milk scandal

  China executed a dairy farmer and a milk salesman Tuesday, the only two people sentenced to death in a scheme to water down infant formula with an industrial chemical that left at least six children dead and sickened more than 300,000.

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  Furry felons rob SAfrican tourists, steal food

  Visitors to South Africa's premier holiday destination who are worried about becoming victims of the country's high crime rate could find themselves instead robbed by a more furry kind of felon: baboons.

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  Prisoner swap could win release of popular leader

  At the top of the list of Palestinian prisoners likely to be freed in a possible swap for an Israeli soldier is a firebrand politician many Palestinians believe is a likely future president who can pull them out of their current political deadlock.

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  British panel begins inquiry on Iraq war

  An inquiry into Britain's role in the Iraq war kicked off Tuesday with top government advisers testifying that some Bush administration officials were calling for Saddam Hussein's ouster as early as 2001 — long before sanctions were exhausted and two years before the U.S.-led invasion.

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  Philippines imposes emergency; massacre toll reaches 46

  The Philippines placed two southern provinces and a city under emergency rule on Tuesday after gunmen killed 46 people in a brutal election-related massacre that has shocked the country.

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  Iran says needs guarantees to send uranium abroad

  Iran could consider sending its low-enriched uranium abroad, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, apparently softening its opposition to a U.N. plan aimed at keeping a check on its nuclear ambitions.

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  Netanyahu says Hamas prisoner deal may not happen

  An Israeli prisoner exchange with Hamas has not yet been agreed and may not happen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday, after a senior cabinet colleague predicted a breakthrough within weeks.

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  Iraq national vote unlikely in January

  Iraq will be unable to hold a national election in January as planned, a poll official said on Tuesday, heaping more uncertainty on a vote meant to cement democracy and pave the way for a partial U.S. troop withdrawal.

• China executes two for tainted milk scandal

  China on Tuesday executed two people for their role in a tainted milk scandal that killed at least six children and further sullied the made-in-China brand.

• Soldiers kill 18 militants in Pakistan Khyber area

  Pakistani soldiers killed 18 militants on Tuesday in a campaign to break a network orchestrating attacks on Western forces' supplies to Afghanistan and carrying out bombings, a security official said.

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  WHO probing drug resistant swine flu

  The World Health Organization is looking into reports in Britain and the United States that the H1N1 flu may have developed resistance to Tamiflu in people with severely suppressed immune systems, a spokesman said Tuesday.

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  Escort's book describes night with Berlusconi

  The escort at the heart of a sex scandal involving Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gave graphic details of their alleged lovemaking in a book published on Tuesday and said she had been attacked and threatened since.

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  Hague prosecutor accuses Congo warlords

  Two Congolese militia leaders commanded forces that raped, killed and looted civilians in an attack that killed 200 people during the Congo war, a war crimes prosecutor said on Tuesday.

• Magnitude 6.8 quake recorded near Tonga

  A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck northeast of the South Pacific island nation of Tonga on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey said, but a destructive tsunami was not expected.

• 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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  Iraq's national museum to showcase its treasures online with aid of Google

  For six years the plundered treasures of Iraq's national museum have been slowly returning, giving the once grand institution a chance to showcase its ancient wares once again.Now, perhaps as a safeguard against another invasion, but also in recognition of its priceless heritage, Google is to make ...

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  Q&A: Iraq war inquiry

  The role of the long-awaited inquiry chaired by Sir John Chilcot into why and how Britain went to war against IraqWhy are we having another inquiry?This is the fifth inquiry on the Iraq war, and willbe the most wide-ranging.

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  Olaf Schmid widow's eulogy: full text

  Eulogy given by Christina Schmid at the funeral of her husband, Olaf, who was killed in AfghanistanIn my eyes my husband, my son's father, was a warrior. Warriors are unique. Our protectors, not destoyers.

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  Cumbria prepares for more flooding

  Environment Agency warns of further heavy rainfall as locals begin to pick their way back into sodden homes and businessesA severe weather warning has been issued in Cumbria as the county braces itsef for further heavy rainfall.

• US 'to send 34,000 more troops to Afghanistan'

  US president set to make official announcement on US troop levels early next weekBarack Obama said today that he intended to "finish the job" in Afghanistan, as it became clear that he is poised to announce early next week the deployment of up to 35,000 more troops to the troubled region in one of ...

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  Irish police join general strike

  Public sector workers stage one-day general strike in protest at government cuts planIrish police officers will today man picket lines for the first time during a one-day general strike across Irelan in protest at the government's plan to cut pay and public services.

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  Berlusconi is sexual record-breaker, says prostitute

  Patrizia D'Addario explicitly claims for first time in book that she had sex with Italian PM Silvio BerlusconiThe Italian prostitute at the centre of a sex scandal involving Silvio Berlusconi has expicitly claimed for the first time that she had sex with the Italian prime minister.

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  US 'to send 34,000 more troops to Afghanistan'

  Media reports say Barack Obama will announce reinforcements in prime time address next weekBarack Obama is expected to send 34,000 more US troops to Afghanistan when he unveils his long-awaited stratgy for the Afghan conflict next Tuesday, US media reports said today.

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  Sacrifice of 250,000 animals begins

  Cheers and protests as thousands of buffalo are decapitated at start of festival in Nepal honouring Hindu goddess GadhimaiGallery: Hindu sacrifice ceremony startsThe world's biggest animal sacrifice began in Nepal today with the killing of the first of more than 250,000 animals as part of a Hindu f...

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  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...

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• Obama seeks Afghanistan closure

  US President Barack Obama pledges to "finish the job" in Afghanistan and says he will announce a decision on US troops "shortly".

• Live text - Tuesday football

  Liverpool must beat Debrecen to keep their Champions League knockout hopes alive and Arsenal and Rangers are also in action.

• Congo 'warlords' deny atrocities

  Two alleged Congolese militia leaders plead not guilty to war crimes and crimes against humanity in The Hague.

• Jordan parliament dissolved by king

  Jordan's King Abdullah dissolves the country's parliament halfway through its four-year term and calls for early elections.

• Dutch dilemma

  Debate over the Netherlands' troops in Afghanistan

• Hummus wars

  Who makes the best chickpeas and sesame dish?

• Obama to 'finish Afghanistan job'

  US President Barack Obama says it is his intention to "finish the job" in Afghanistan after eight years of conflict.

• Indian PM in Obama first state visit

  US President Barack Obama holds talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh, in the first state reception of his presidency.

• Portsmouth part company with Hart

  Portsmouth manager Paul Hart has left the club with immediate effect, BBC Sport understands.

• Shaping the future

  India's premier in US to talk trade with Barack Obama

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  IED threat shadows Marines' every move

  Marines in Afghanistan confront the problem of improvised explosive devices with skill and intuition, while making an extra effort to avoid civilian casualties. A long, dusty road under a bright blu Afghan sky.

• Wary India seeks reassurance in U.S. visit

  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's official visit to Washington will seek to reaffirm the importance of ties between the two nations. Today's summit between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and Pesident Obama is laden with symbols.

• Israel, Hamas said to be near deal on prisoner swap

  Israeli officials are tight-lipped as negotiators hammer out details in Cairo to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, being held by Hamas, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Expectations of a swap of hundreds of jailed Palestinian militants for an Israeli soldier held by Hamas soared...

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  At least 24 dead in Philippine election massacre

  The victims -- many of them beheaded -- include 13 women, who were among those accompanying an official's wife carrying papers to nominate him for governor. Reporting from Seoul and Zamboanga City, Philippines -- Twenty-four people were found dead in the southern Philippines after scores of gunmen...

• Obama's Afghanistan announcement may be soon

  Senior diplomats and Defense officials are reportedly scheduled to testify before Congress next week about the situation, raising expectations that a troop buildup will be announced. The Obama administration's leading war planners and diplomats are preparing to testify before Congress about the co...

• January election in Iraq? Doubtful

  Shiite Muslim and Kurdish wrangling over an election law will probably push the voting to February, violating Iraq's Constitution and jeopardizing Obama's vow to bring U.S. troops home by August 2010. Hopes for a January election in Iraq faded Monday after Shiite Muslim and Kurdish legislators tea...

• China sentences activist to 3 years

  Huang Qi was investigating the role shoddy school construction may have played in the deaths of thousands of children in the Sichuan quake last year. An activist who was investigating the role shoddy school construction played in the deaths of more than 5,000 children in the 2008 Sichuan earthquak...

• Rains ease in flood-stricken Britain, but more storms are forecast

  Bad weather over the weekend is blamed for two deaths and widespread damage in parts of England, Wales and Scotland. Rain and wind that swept over Britain during the weekend eased enough Monday to allow residents forced out by flooding to return and assess the damage -- and prepare for new storms ...

• What they are ...

  Watching in Russia

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  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.

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• From the Archives: Afghanistan

  November 25, 2009 Over the past few months, the Obama administration has been grappling with questions about the nature of the enemy in Afghanistan and the best way to fight the war there. As the administration prepares to announce its revised military strategy, we are pleased to bring you a sel...

• The Root of All Fears

  Why Is Israel So Afraid of Iranian Nukes? November 24, 2009 The special relationship between Israel and the United States is about to enter perhaps its rockiest patch ever. Israel is growing exasperated with the Obama administration’s effort to use diplomacy to roll back Iran’s growing ura...

• 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.

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• Briton Dies In Israel Helicopter Crash

  Four people, including a Briton, have been killed after a helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the Israeli coast.

• Brit Tourist Dies In Israel Helicopter Crash

  Four people, including a British tourist, have been killed after a helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the Israeli coast.

• Brits Win Big At International Emmys

  Julie Walters and Ben Whishaw have won the top acting awards at the International Emmys in New York as British TV productions won five of the prestigious trophies.

• Emergency Rule After Philippines Massacre

  The Philippines has imposed emergency rule in two provinces and a city after gunmen killed 46 people in an election-linked massacre.

• Kenya's 'Gay Census' Prompts Arrest Fears

  Kenya's gay community is living in fear, after the authorities ordered a poll to uncover the number of homosexuals, and their identities.

• 'World's Worst' E-Fit Sketch Spurs Arrest

  A drawing being mocked as the world's worst e-fit sketch has helped Bolivian police track down a murder suspect.

• Sex Scandals Win Italy PM 'Rock Star' Award

  Silvio Berlusconi's colourful lifestyle, which has embroiled him in a number of high-profile sex scandals, has won him the title of 'Rock Star of the Year' in Italy.

• Berlusconi Named 'Rock Star Of The Year'

  After a turbulent summer of sex scandals, Silvio Berlusconi has been named 'Rock Star of the Year' by the Italian version of Rolling Stone magazine.

• British Hostage Alec Collett's Body Found

  Human remains discovered in Lebanon have been identified as those of Alec Collett, a British UN worker taken hostage 24 years ago during the civil war.

• Robin Hood Banker Gave Millions To Poor

  A German bank manager who secretly transferred millions of pounds from rich clients to debt-ridden customers has been spared jail.

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