US Afghan decision 'within days'
The US president will announce his decision on whether to deploy more US troops to Afghanistan "within days", aides say.

HIV infections and deaths drop
Greater access to anti-retroviral drugs has helped cut the deaths from HIV by 10% over the past five years, latest figures show.

Philippine 'poll deaths' reach 46
At least 46 people are now known to have died in a mass political killing in the Philippines, and a state of emergency is declared.

Czech regret over sterilisation
The Czech government expresses regret over the illegal sterilisations of Roma women, saying measures were being introduced to stop the practice being repeated.

Cot recall after suffocation link
More than two million cots are recalled in the US and Canada over fears that a defect could cause children to suffocate.

Obama in key talks with Indian PM
President Obama is to hold talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh in the first state reception of his presidency.

Most 'orphans' have living parent
At least four out of five children in orphanages worldwide have a living parent, leading charity Save the Children says.

UK Iraq war inquiry to begin
The UK's official Iraq war inquiry is to begin its public hearings, with leading civil servants and a former spy chief giving evidence.

Bottling-up anger raises the risk of a heart attack, researchers say
Men who do not openly express their anger if unfairly treated at work double their risk of a heart attack, researchers say.

Plea to find lost Darwin notes crucial to theory of evolution
English Heritage launch an appeal to trace Charles Darwin's missing Galapagos notebook.

India batsmen dominate Sri Lanka
Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag make hundreds as India take control of the second Test on day one in Kanpur.

Exit not disastrous - Carragher
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says Champions League elimination would not be a disaster for the club because they can fall back on the Europa League.

Warming globe
The past, present and possible future of climate change

Hummus wars
Who makes the best chickpeas and sesame dish?

Paralysed state
Ahmed Rashid on conspiracy theories sweeping Pakistan

Dutch dilemma
Debate over the Netherlands' troops in Afghanistan

DRC 'warlords' ICC trial to open
The trial of two alleged Congolese militia leaders is due to begin at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Bid to stop 'cruel' Zulu ritual
Animal campaigners take legal action to stop Zulus from killing a bull as part of a traditional thanksgiving ceremony.

US 'will announce climate target'
The US will give a target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions ahead of next month's UN climate summit, officials say.

Lula urges Iran nuclear solution
Brazil reaffirms support for Iran's right to a civilian nuclear programme and calls for a solution with the West.

Abuse of Tajik women 'widespread'
Amnesty accuses Tajikistan of failing to protect women, saying nearly half are raped, beaten or abused by their families.

Thailand's former PM Samak dies
The former Thai PM Samak Sundaravej dies of cancer after a long political career which ended with a cookery show.

Spain holds youths over Eta links
At least 36 people are arrested overnight in Spain as part of a police operation against a banned youth group linked to radical Basque separatism.

Eurozone activity 'accelerates'
Eurozone economic activity rose at its fastest pace in November for two years, according to an influential survey.

Three injured in strikes on Gaza
Three Palestinians have been injured in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical workers say.

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.

Ayodhya report put to parliament
The Indian government presents in parliament an inquiry report into the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque.

Tamil Tigers convicted in France
A court jails Tamil Tiger militants convicted of extorting millions of dollars from the Tamil community in France, reports say.

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.

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