CHINA | LIVING IN A CAVE

Six feet under, with all the comforts of home

Cave homes are attractive places to live in China -- with plumbing, cable and no mortgage.

AFGHANISTAN

More Marines may be sent to Afghanistan

The U.S. Marines might request additional troops to tackle Taliban-controlled southern Afghanistan.

IRAQ

Baffled voters face thousands of candidates

Iraq's upcoming council elections could be complicated by the fact that 14,500 people have thrown their hat into the ring for just 440 seats.

GUANTANAMO BAY

Uncertainty shrouds 17 unusual detainees

The question of what to do with 17 Uighur men held at Guantánamo is one of the challenges awaiting an Obama administration seeking to close the prison camps.

SOMALIA

Somali President Yusuf expected to resign

The embattled president of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf, is expected to resign after a bitter struggle for control of his country's interim government, Western diplomats said Wednesday.

IRAQ

Debate over details may affect Iraq withdrawal goals

A new security agreement will soon govern U.S. military operations in Iraq, but questions over the finer points could hamper the pullout of troops.

China calls for return of Guantánamo Bay captives

China said Tuesday it wants Chinese detainees at Guantánamo Bay returned to China if the detention center is closed by President-elect Barack Obama.

Germany considers taking in Guantánamo prisoners

Germany is considering taking released inmates from the U.S.-run Guantánamo Bay detention center who refuse or cannot return to their home countries when it finally closes down, officials said Monday.

SUDAN

Youths in Darfur refugee camps challenge tribal elders

Tribal elders are increasingly facing challenges from young people who have suffered through Darfur's violence.

THE MIDEAST

Palestinian's life turns from violence to the violin

As a boy, Ramzi Aburedwan became an icon of the Palestinian uprising in the West Bank. As a man, he seeks peace through teaching music.

Unpopular hard-liner still seen as favored

Iran's highly criticized president nonetheless remains the front-runner in upcoming elections.

AFGHANISTAN

Mass grave site in Afghanistan is unprotected

The key players in Afghanistan have each said that someone else should take the first step toward monitoring a site where 2,000 bodies were buried.

IMMIGRATION

Escape from Sierra Leone leaves couple in limbo in U.S.

Persecuted in their West African homeland, a Tampa Bay couple is fighting to remain in the U.S. as immigration administrators seek to deport them.

IRAQ

Arrest of Iraqi police officers played down

Twenty-three mostly low-ranking police and security officials were detained this week as part of an investigation into attempts to revive Saddam Hussein's banned Baath Party, government officials said Thursday.

PENTAGON

Guantánamo closing plans being drafted

Anticipating a directive from the new president, the Defense Department is creating plans for the closure of the prison at Guantánamo Bay.

IRAQ

Iraqi shoe thrower faces charges of attacking head of state

Shoe-throwing journalist Muntathar al Zaidi will face charges of attacking a head of state.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan residents fear kidnapping gangs more than Taliban

Criminal gangs are roaming Afghanistan's capital, kidnapping citizens for ransom.

Gitmo repatriates 3 Algerians to Bosnia

Three Algerian captives whose release was ordered by a U.S. judge were sent to Sarajevo after seven years of captivity and a challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Pentagon files charges against Bosnian-Egyptian

A Pentagon charge sheet sworn out last week but disclosed late Tuesday alleges an Egyptian-born Bosnian at Guantánamo was a terrorist trainer until his capture in Afghanistan.

IRAQ

Doubts expressed on U.S. withdrawal from Iraq

Iraqis and Americans both voiced doubt that the United States can honor the agreed-on withdrawal dates.