For India's Lowest Castes, Path Forward Is 'Backward'

Iran Touts Aircraft It Says It Captured

Iran unveiled a downed U.S. drone on state television, saying it was the latest high-tech model of secret aircrafts used by the U.S. to spy on Iran.

• Rights Groups Attack Drone Program

• Video: Iranian TV Broadcast

Putin Blames U.S. for Protests

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin kicked off his presidential campaign by accusing the U.S. of fomenting street protests against his rule, and by calling his opponents tools of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

• Social Network Asked to Block Protesters
• Gorbachev Adds to Criticism of Vote

Pipeline Attack Shakes Syria

A major Syrian oil pipeline was attacked, adding further stress to an economy buckling under sanctions and widespread fuel shortages, as talks continued to let Arab observers into the country to stem the violence that took 13 more lives on Thursday.

U.S. Tries to Reassure China on Its Military Shift in Asia

The most senior U.S. defense official to visit China since the latest controversial U.S. arms sales to Taiwan said she sought to reassure Beijing that it wasn't the target of a U.S. strategic shift toward Asia, including the deployment of 2,500 Marines to Australia.

Congo President Nears Election Win

Congo President Joseph Kabila on Thursday was poised to claim victory in an election marred by delays, fraud allegations and violence.

U.S. Man's Jailing Spotlights Thai Monarch Law

Thailand will likely face further international pressure over the strict laws protecting its monarchy after a U.S. citizen was sentenced to 2½ years in prison here for breaking them, a crime known as lèse majesté.

Big Dam Project Delayed on Mekong

Southeast Asian nations called for further study of the environmental impact of a contentious $3.5 billion dam project on the Mekong River, a setback for Laos's plan to reinvent itself as the hydropower battery of the region.

Anarchists Take Credit For Bomb Sent to CEO

An Italian anarchist group claimed responsibility for the letter bomb that targeted Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann and also warned of more attacks against bankers, German authorities said.

20 Feared Dead in Kolkata Fire

A fire swept through a multistory nursing home in eastern India, killing an estimated 20 people and trapping many more elderly residents in the smoke-filled building, an official said.

Clinton Warns Tech Companies to Beware What They Sell Tyrants

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is warning Internet and software companies to beware what they sell to autocratic governments.

U.S. Looks to NATO for Afghan Funding

Hillary Clinton pressed the U.S.'s coalition allies in Afghanistan to make concrete commitments to funding Afghan security forces over the next decade.

BOE Leaves Rates, Asset Buying Unchanged

The Bank of England kept its key interest rate on hold at 0.5% and the size of its stimulus program unchanged, but is expected to step up its efforts to support the U.K. economy early next year.

Zardari's Health Worried His Son

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari complained of physical discomfort and was perspiring heavily earlier this week, prompting his son, Bilawal, to urge him to fly to Dubai for a medical check-up, according to a member of the Pakistan's ruling party close to the president, amid rumors the leader might quit his post.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe Gets Support

President Robert Mugabe won his party's support to remain in office at a conference on Thursday aimed at choosing a nominee for Zimbabwe's coming elections and quelling the infighting to succeed him.

Talks on Climate-Change Fund Make Progress

Negotiators still far apart on who will pay for fund as Durban conference nears close.

Canada Backs Total's Oil-Sands Project

The Canadian government approved construction of the first new oil-sands mine in four years Thursday, giving French energy giant Total SA the green light to build the US$8.9 billion Joslyn North mine in Alberta.

South Korea's GNP Moves to Repair Image

The ruling Grand National Party could become the first major party in South Korea to abandon the top-down selection of candidates, pushing reforms after it fell into crisis over alleged vote tampering.