ON THEIR WAY - U.S. Marines wait to leave the Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, Calif., and deploy to the Pacific with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Jan. 5, 2010. The Marines are assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Michael T. GamsUS, UK And French Soldiers Die In Afghanistan Attacks -- BBC News
Six international soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, Nato officials say, making Monday the deadliest day for foreign troops there in two months.
Three Americans and a British soldier were killed in the south and a French soldier died north-east of Kabul.
The nationality of the sixth soldier has not yet been released.
The deaths came as a poll commissioned by the BBC and others showed most Afghans are increasingly upbeat about the state of their country.
Of more than 1,500 Afghans questioned, 70% said they believed Afghanistan was going in the right direction - a big jump from 40% a year ago.
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MIDDLE EAST
Report: Iran slows down nuclear program in gesture to West.
Yemeni President vows crackdown on al-Qaeda branch. Yemen’s President says government is willing to talk to disarmed Qaeda fighters.
Israel’s plan to stem African immigration: Wall on Egypt’s border.
Gaza rocket hits Israel for fifth consecutive day.
'Watch your step,' Barak warns Hamas over renewed Gaza rocket fire.
U.S. has contingency plan for dealing with Iran, Petraeus says.
Iran panel rebukes official for abuses.
Iraqis say they were forced to take Blackwater settlement.
Israel OKs fence on Egyptian border.
ASIA
How can Pakistan fight the threat of Taliban terrorism?
US rejects NKorean proposal for treaty to formally end war.
Three days of violence in Karachi kill 35.
Corrupt China officials pocket 50 billion: media.
Churches attacked amid furor in Malaysia.
Rajapaksa woos minority Tamils as Sri Lanka Presidential vote nears.
AFRICA
Sudan's Bashir retires as army chief before vote.
Archbishop accuses China over role in Sudan.
Spokesman says Nigerian President alive, conscious.
Angola arrests 2 suspects in Togo team attack.
Rival Somali Islamic militias clash, killing 14.
Is Sudan moving back to the brink of war?
EUROPE
'Most-wanted' ETA suspects arrested.
Temperatures drop across Europe, and tempers flare.
Muslim protesters who screamed abuse at British soldiers in homecoming parade get away with slap on the wrist.
Northern Ireland power sharing at risk as Peter Robinson quits.
Croatia elects Social Democrat Josipovic as President.
Italy in racism debate as migrants quit riot town. Race riots grip Italian town, and Mafia is suspected.
Islamic Group cancels antiwar march in Britain.
Europe slapping rich with massive traffic fines.
AMERICAS
Chavez says military will monitor Venezuelan prices.
Tijuana reels amid a surge of violence.
Argentine President and central bank in standoff.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Banker father of underwear bomber asked to testify in US.
US court to hear Guantanamo detainee's complaint.
In Hasan case, superiors ignored their own worries.
Obama's havoc to the intel system (Editorial).
Is Al Qaeda’s new terrorist strategy making the US less secure?
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
High U.S. debt means slower growth, history suggests.
China banks eclipse US rivals.
Road projects don't help unemployment.
Number of long-term US unemployed hits highest rate since 1948.