(Rahmat Gul / AP)

Two U.S. soldiers among 21 dead in attacks in Afghanistan

A senior officer of the Afghan Supreme Court is among those killed in the spate of violence.

    Israeli parliament seeks to bar ‘hated’ Arab lawmaker

    “I am evidence of the Israeli failure to tame the Palestinian,” Haneen Zoabi says.

    American scholar denied entry into Egypt

    Michele Dunne of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace was stopped at the airport in Cairo.

    Turns out pope didn’t make comment about pets in heaven

    Story widely spread by traditional and social media was a result of misreading of Francis’s remarks.

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    India arrests man accused of pro-Islamic State tweets

    Mehdi Masoor Biswas, 24, was taken into custody after a British TV channel aired a report on him Thursday.

    At Colombia peace talks, a three-way chess game

    At Colombia peace talks, a three-way chess game

    Government negotiators and FARC rebels say their peace negotiations are on stronger footing than before.

    K.O. Poehl, past president of German central bank, dies

    K.O. Poehl, past president of German central bank, dies

    Karl Otto Poehl helped lay the foundations for Europe’s common currency.

    Sierra Leone bans public Christmas celebrations because of Ebola

    Sierra Leone bans public Christmas celebrations because of Ebola

    As the deadly virus continues to ravage the West African country, officials have also put a stop to New Year celebrations.

    Seven Israelis injured in West Bank acid attack

    Seven Israelis injured in West Bank acid attack

    The assailant was a Palestinian who was later shot by a bystander, the Israeli military said.

    Pause in Ukraine conflict raises hopes for peace talks

    Pause in Ukraine conflict raises hopes for peace talks

    Russia’s deepening economic troubles could spur efforts to end the uprising by pro-Moscow rebels.

    Mexicans’ search for students’ bodies reveals a history of hidden deaths

    Mexicans’ search for students’ bodies reveals a history of hidden deaths

    Forty-three students went missing in September, but they were hardly the first. Their abduction by police has let loose a flood of new accusations.

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    Multimedia

    High in the Himalayas

    Trekking the Annapurna Circuit is not nearly as grueling of an adventure as climbing Everest. But as last week’s death shows, it is certainly not without risks.

    Foreign fighters flow to Syria

    An estimated 15,000 militants from at least 80 nations are believed to have entered Syria to help overthrow the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Related story.

    Refuge: Stories from the Syrian exodus

    Refugees from Syria’s civil war are remaking the political, economic and religious landscape in the Mideast.

    Photos from Around the World

    Some of 2014’s best animal photos

    Memorable photos from this year.

    Best news photos of the week

    A look at some of our favorite images of the week.

    Day in photos

    West coast storms, former Guantanamo inmates resettled in Uruguay, beer keg Christmas tree and more.

    Search for bodies reveals a horrifying history

    The disappearance of 43 students in Mexico has unleashed a flood of new accusations.

    Holiday decorations around the world

    With lights, greenery and gingerbread, cities around the globe celebrate the holiday season.

    Day in photos

    Elvis exhibit, Toys for Tots, Californians prepare for storm, Elvis exhibit, Hong Kong protest site cleared and more.

    Dismantling a protest site in Hong Kong

    Authorities cleared barricades from a pro-democracy camp that spread across a busy highway.

    Royal couple in New York

    William and Catherine plan talks and a tour during their visit.

    Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded in Oslo

    Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi are recognized for their work on children’s rights.

    Day in photos

    High winds batter Northern England, “Tractor Girl” reaches South Pole, Afghanistan’s Bruce Lee and more.

    In Philippines, picking up pieces after typhoon

    Hagupit hit the island hard, but the death toll was much lower than a year ago when another storm left more than 6,000 dead.

    Day in photos

    Two-headed salamander, nano-sized Bible, Prince William and Catherine’s U.S. visit and more.

    Animal views

    Polar bears at play, close-up and friendly to a reindeer, a yawning owl and more.

    Day in photos

    A porta-potty rocket, Santa Dash, Pearl Harbor ceremonies and more.

    Residents return after typhoon Hagupit

    A widespread evacuation plan appeared to minimize fatalities in the Philippines.

    Best news photos of the week

    A look at some of our favorite images of the week.