TOP STORIES - the latest news from around the world - read about the events that make international headlines

USA

Obama vows to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan

At a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday, US President Barack Obama promised to unveil his much-anticipated decision on US involvement in Afghanistan “shortly”.

Inquiry opens on Britain's role in Iraq war

PHILIPPINES

Arroyo declares 'state of emergency' after election violence

DR CONGO

Warlords in the dock at ICC for 2003 attack on village

news briefs

21:03

More shoppers, cautious spending seen for Black Friday - AFP

20:58

Kazan give Barcelona breathing space after Dynamo draw - AFP

20:46

US warns against Iraq election 'slippage' - AFP

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CAMBODIA

Prosecution push for lengthy prison sentence for Khmer Rouge jailer

Cambodia's Khmer Rouge war crimes court against the former prison chief "Duch" continued Tuesday, with prosecutors calling for the defendant to be handed a lengthy jail term.

The "Duch" trial

CAMBODIA

Life under the Khmer Rouge
CAMBODIA

Prosecution push for lengthy prison sentence for Khmer Rouge jailer
FOCUS

Cambodia's forgotten generation
CAMBODIA

Final arguments begin in trial of Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch
CAMBODIA

The long road to Khmer Rouge justice
CAMBODIA

Government uneasy over plans to widen Khmer Rouge probe
CAMBODIA

Khmer Rouge tribunal hears first survivor testimony
CAMBODIA

Former Khmer Rouge head of state appeals for bail
CAMBODIA

Khmer Rouge 'Duch' apologises to victims

FRANCE

Youth claims riot police acted with deliberate racist violence

A French student of Moroccan descent has claimed police reacting to celebrations in Paris following Algeria's qualification in the World Cup were deliberately and overtly racist.

(1) comment

AFP

Muslim pilgrims converge in Saudi city for hajj

An estimated 2.5 million Muslims have converged on Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage, as workers toil round the clock to complete construction projects designed to avoid deadly stampedes.

AFP

HIV kills 25 million, infects 60 million: UNAIDS

Almost 60 million people have been infected by HIV and 25 million people killed by causes related to the virus since the epidemic started, according to new data published by UNAIDS on Tuesday. While prevention programmes have helped to cut ...

IRAQ

Key national vote faces delay as political crisis deepens

Iraq's general elections are likely to be postponed after Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi (pictured) and the parliament failed to agree on the terms of a crucial electoral law over sectarian representation.

CINEMA

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy cast in Woody Allen film

France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has agreed to appear in the next film of Oscar-winning director Woody Allen, she announced on French television.

FRANCE

Education and postal workers strike to protest government policies

The first education sector strike since the beginning of the academic year got underway Tuesday. The educational professionals were joined by striking postal workers, who are protesting the privatisation of postal services.

NUCLEAR IRAN

Brazil's president urges 'just solution' to nuclear dispute

Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has reiterated his support for a peaceful Iranian nuclear energy programme, urging a "just solution" with the West during a joint press conference with visiting Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

INDIA

Obama and Indian PM Singh hail 'strategic relationship'

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on a visit to the White House, expressed optimism about an "India-US partnership" to contribute to "global peace and stability."

FRANCE

Senate rejects move to end VAT discount for restaurants

French senators have rejected an amendment that would have forced the catering industry to bring value-added tax (VAT), currently standing at a discount rate of 5.5 percent, back to the standard rate of 19.6 percent.

BELGIUM

Belgian man thought to be in coma for 23 years was in fact conscious

A Belgian man thought to have been in a coma for 23 years has told of his "second birth" after doctors realised he was in fact conscious, a German weekly reported Monday.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Top European clubs face a tough battle to stay in the competition

Champions League winners Barcelona (picture) and Liverpool are in danger of an early exit from the competition. Barcelona has to beat Inter Milan and Liverpool will be hoping that Fiorentina do them a favour and don’t beat already qualified Lyon.

AFP

China executes two over tainted milk: state media

Two people were executed in China on Tuesday for their roles in a contaminated milk powder scandal that led to the deaths of at least six infants and sickened up to 300,000, state media said.The men were executed after being sentenced to death ...