On a visit to Afghanistan, Robert Gates, US defence secretary, told troops in Kandahar that they would soon be part of a “decisive” phase in the war as Nato forces intensified their attacks on the Taliban. He is seen here addressing troops from the 17th Infantry Regiment on Tuesday in Kandahar
When Pakistani officials announced last [...]

When Pakistani officials announced last month they had detained the Afghan Taliban’s second-in-command, their action raised a crucial question: is Islamabad now ready to take on the Taliban and al-Qaeda, as the US has long demanded?
Since that arrest of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who also served as the Taliban’s military chief, Pakistani officials have reported [...]

In any other country, an outbreak of election-day violence leaving some 38 people dead would have been a major blow to democracy. But in
appear to have shrugged off attempts by extremists to derail the election with a concerted series of mortar, rocket and bomb attacks in several cities Sunday morning. The country’s third parliamentary [...]

China’s investments in US Treasury bonds are continuing “every day” and should not be politicised, according to the head of China’s foreign exchange administration, which manages the country’s $2,400bn in foreign exchange reserves.
Chinese investments in US Treasuries were “market investment behaviour”, said Yi Gang, director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, on Tuesday. “We [...]

blames for its woes.
, who is seeking pledges of support from
that will reassure markets and lower the debt-stricken country's hefty borrowing costs.
“The main actors on the European stage are decided to do whatever is needed to make sure Greece is not isolated,” Sarkozy said, ruling out any immediate financial backing, but stressing [...]

and said it will be cautious about retreating from the policy.
Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan’s comments come as Beijing faces rising pressure to ease controls that Washington and other trading partners say keep its yuan undervalued, swelling its
.
and hurt American companies.
’s ceremonial legislature, Zhou said a “special
” is part of Beijing’s crisis [...]

This story, by John Burman, originally appeared at CBS’ Moneywatch.comThe Oscars seem to be losing some golden glow.
Sure, the film industry’s biggest awards still convey as much prestige and honor as always. To quote the Academy, they reward the year’s “greatest cinema achievements.” And not so long ago, an Oscar win could catapult an [...]

This story, by John Burman, originally appeared at CBS’ Moneywatch.comThe Oscars seem to be losing some golden glow.
Sure, the film industry’s biggest awards still convey as much prestige and honor as always. To quote the Academy, they reward the year’s “greatest cinema achievements.” And not so long ago, an Oscar win could catapult an [...]

BRASILIA, Brazil –
rebuffed a U.S. appeal for new sanctions on
over its nuclear program, vowing during a visit from U.S. Secretary of
not to “bow down” to gathering international pressure.
penalties. Silva is an outspoken opponent of sanctions, and his country currently sits on the
, which will be asked to approve its toughest-ever [...]

Continental Airlines will begin charging coach customers extra if they want a seat with more legroom.
Prices will vary depending on the length of a flight and popularity of the route. A spokeswoman said extra room on a Houston-New York flight might cost $59. International fliers would pay more than that.
Starting March 17, coach [...]