Jail protests by militants win privileges
Through hunger strikes and protests, militant inmates in Morocco have won perks — including use of the conjugal rooms — that make them the envy of the other inmates.

U.S. Democrats try various styles, and pronouns
The flavor and substance of the performances of Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards reveal a basic thematic divide in their campaigns.
- U.S. candidates scour Iowa for potential voters
- After a son's death, a shared mission for Edwardses in politics

Top rival calls for Musharraf to step down immediately
Nawaz Sharif delivered his most stinging public attack on President Pervez Musharraf since returning to Pakistan from exile.
- US gave Bhutto 'steady stream' of threat info, security advice before killing
- New questions arise in killing of ex-premier
- U.S. experts criticize Bhutto post-mortem

Saying he pulled negative ad, Huckabee shows it
In an act of political jujitsu, Mike Huckabee halted an ad that he was about to broadcast against rival, Mitt Romney. But he proceeded to show the ad to a roomful of reporters.

Israeli army faces new challenges in training officers
The challenges include an effort to recover from a poorly run war, a rise in the number of young people dodging military service and an increase in religious Israelis who serve. Above, target practice for Israeli officers.
- 4 killed in Gaza infighting despite conciliatory Abbas speech toward Hamas

At least 16 dead in attacks in Iraq
It was one of the most violent days in recent weeks even as Iraqi forces stepped up operations against insurgents.

UN force takes control in Darfur
The United Nations officially began a new peace-keeping effort in a ceremony that transferred power from the African Union.

Obscurity and confinement for migrants in Europe
Thousands are being held for long periods in a network of detention camps that has taken form with little scrutiny.

In the fight over piracy, a rare stand for privacy
The record industry got a surprise when it subpoenaed the University of Oregon in September, asking it to identify 17 students who had made available songs on a file-sharing network.

Behind prison bars, toddlers serve time with mom
Fifty-three children under the age of 6 live inside a prison in Mexico City with their mothers, who are serving sentences for crimes from drug dealing to kidnapping to homicide.

China's Olympic goal: Turn smoggy sky blue
For the world's Olympians, Beijing's air is a performance obstacle. For the city's estimated 12 million residents, pollution is an inescapable health and quality-of-life hazard.
- Japan pledges to help China curb pollution

IHT global sports forum with Christopher Clarey: Part 5
Christopher Clarey leads the annual year-end, year-ahead sports discussion.
- IHT global sports forum with Christopher Clarey: Part 4
- IHT global sports forum with Christopher Clarey: Part 3
- IHT global sports forum with Christopher Clarey: Part 2
- IHT global sports forum with Christopher Clarey: Part I