Bill Clinton clearing path for Hillary Clinton
Former President Bill Clinton has agreed to several restrictions on his future business and philanthropic activities around the world to pave the way for his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
- Hillary Clinton's campaign debts would wait if she joined administration

Life in the capital of the Congo rebels
As Congo rebel chief Laurent Nkunda seeks to refashion himself as a national political leader, it's not clear if he has the professional staff beneath him to realize his ambitions.
- Conflict leaves Congolese villagers in limbo

Qaeda greets Obama victory with an insult
In Al Qaeda's first response to the U.S. election, Osama bin Laden's top deputy, Ayman al Zawahiri, condemned President-elect Barack Obama as a "house Negro" who would continue a campaign against Islam.

Sarkozy's fervor for summits raises hackles in Washington
By announcing he would hold another summit in Paris, the French president highlighted his determination to press forward on what he sees as a long-overdue discussion of American-style capitalism and its excesses.

Spate of piracy draws Indian counterattack
The Indian Navy said one of its warships had fought a battle at sea with would-be hijackers in the Gulf of Aden.

Iraqi Parliament reading of security pact collapses in chaos
A session of the Iraqi Parliament collapsed in chaos on Wednesday as a discussion among lawmakers about a three-year security agreement with the United States boiled over into shouting and physical confrontation.
- Maliki government dismissing oversight officials

Hopes dim for quick bailout for U.S. automakers
After two days of testimony, the chief executives of GM, Ford and Chrysler were unable to convince lawmakers to aid their industry by tapping the $700 billion financial rescue program.
- U.S. automakers plead, but quick bailout unlikely
- An estimate of U.S. car jobs in jeopardy is dubious
- Toyota Motor to trim output in North America plants
- Breakingviews.com: Automakers get a cool reception on Capitol Hill
- Much-maligned Yugo ends its run

Villepin ordered to stand trial in French smear case
Former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin will stand trial on criminal charges of complicity in an alleged smear campaign that targeted Nicolas Sarkozy before he was elected president, a judicial official confirmed Wednesday.

Russia and Georgia hold talks
More than three months after their war over the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia and Georgia on Wednesday got down to "intensive" and "productive" talks aimed at defusing the conflict, but some participants said the process could last for years.

German government resists spending for fear of encouraging savings
Analysts expect more measures could come in 2009, but the delay could mean no economic growth next year.
- EU plans €130 billion stimulus package
- Is Fed's main policy tool losing its punch?
- U.S. lawmakers press for direct aid to homeowners

New charges to be filed against Guantánamo detainee
Earlier charges against the man, who has been called the 20th hijacker in the Sept. 11 plot, were dismissed in May.

Detainees' case a moral failure for U.S.
In the strange and disturbing case of 17 Chinese citizens held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the Bush administration has been fighting a U.S. District Court order that the men be immediately released.

Coming soon to a zoo near you: Live mammoths (maybe)
For the first time, scientists are talking about resurrecting an extinct species as if this longtime staple of science fiction were a realistic possibility, saying that a living mammoth could perhaps be regenerated for as little as $10 million.

Argentina has a chance to step out of the dust
Argentine tennis has traditionally been rooted in brick dust. But for its first home final in the Davis Cup it has chosen to play Spain on a hardcourt. It was a decision that reflects the fact that Argentine players have become more complete, but it was also influenced by fear of Rafael Nadal, the world No. 1. But Nadal will miss the final that starts Friday in Mar del Plata. His absence means Argentina is strongly positioned to win the trophy for the first time.