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

BRITAIN

British inquiry into Iraq war opens in London

A long-awaited public inquiry into Britain's role in the Iraq held its first hearing this Tuesday, with former civil servants first to appear in hearings set to climax with former Prime Minister Tony Blair (pictured at centre) taking the stand.

Tony Blair to be publicly grilled in Iraq war inquiry

PHILIPPINES

President Arroyo declares 'state of emergency' after election violence

CAMBODIA

Prosecution push for lengthy prison sentence for Khmer Rouge jailer

DR CONGO

Warlords in the dock at ICC for 2003 attack on village

news briefs

11:41

China executes two over tainted milk scandal - AFP

11:34

HIV kills 25 million, infects 60 million: UNAIDS - AFP

11:21

Injury crisis gnaws at Barca as Liverpool face exit - AFP

See all news briefs

USA

Obama meets with war cabinet on Afghanistan strategy

President Barack Obama met Monday with his war cabinet for what could be the last time before he decides whether to dispatch more US troops to Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were present.

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."

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

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 ...

SRI LANKA

'War hero' to challenge president in snap election

Sri Lanka's former top general, Sarath Fonseka, will run against President Mahinda Rajapakse in a snap vote next year, a key opposition party says. The man credited with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers resigned last week after a rift with Rajapakse.

ENVIRONMENT

US to announce emissions target before Copenhagen

The US will announce a target for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions before the UN climate conference in Copenhagen, removing an obstacle to a deal, officials say. Obama is under pressure to attend the conference and show flexibility on targets.

MIDEAST CONFLICT

'No deal yet' in Shalit release negotiations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a deal has not yet been reached to secure the release of captured soldier Gilad Shalit, as efforts gathered pace to find an accord that would see the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

THAILAND

Former Thai Prime Minister Samak dies aged 74

Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who led the People Power Party (PPP) to victory in the 2007 elections and was forced from office in 2008 for appearing on TV cooking shows, has died of liver cancer at the age of 74.

AFP

'Second birth' for mistaken coma victim in Belgium

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.Medical staff at a hospital in Liege, eastern Belgium, believed Rom Houben had ...

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Two French aid workers abducted

Two French aid workers from the NGO Triangle were kidnapped overnight from Sunday to Monday in the north-east of Central African Republic, Mahamat Salah Amadou Birao, Bangui's vice-consul in Darfur, told AFP.

TENNIS - MASTERS

Soderling beats Nadal once again

After his staggering victory at this year's French Open, Sweden's Robin Soderling (photo) returned to haunt Rafael Nadal at Monday's ATP World Tour Finals, beating him 6-4 6-4 in their opening Group B clash.

AFP

Japanese hostage in Yemen freed

A Japanese engineer freed after nine days held hostage by tribesmen near the Yemeni capital Sanaa voiced his relief at his release and said he just wanted to see his wife and take a shower.Sanaa governor Numan Duid said the release of Takeo Mashimo ...

NUCLEAR IRAN

Ahmadinejad on controversial visit to Brazil to discuss nuclear deal

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Brazil on Monday as part of a tour to countries who support Tehran's diplomatic vision. Demonstrators from gay, religious and anti-racism rights groups gathered in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday in protest.

PHILIPPINES

Twenty-one found dead in hostage crisis, says military

Twenty-one local politicians and journalists abducted by gunmen linked to a powerful politician in southern Philippines have been found dead, according to the region's military chief Major General Alfredo Cayton.

IRAQ

Legislative elections delayed as VP plans second veto on new electoral bill

Upcoming Iraqi legislative elections will be delayed because Sunni Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi (photo) will likely veto a newly amended electoral law for the second time. Lawmakers can overrule his veto if the bill is voted with a 60% majority.

AEROSPACE

EADS insider trading trial gets underway

French securities regulator AMF begins hearings over alleged insider trading at the European aerospace giant EADS Monday. The company is accused of misleading investors by concealing information of delays in its A380 project.