Afghanistan
KABUL — A new commander took charge of the American-led force in Afghanistan on Tuesday, promising a continued international commitment to bring peace and prosperity to the nation but warning that "the job will not be easy." Maj. Gen. John R. Vines, 53, replaces Lt. Gen. Daniel K. McNeill, who is ending a one-year tour in Afghanistan.
Argentina
BUENOS AIRES — Cuban dictator Fidel Castro's ability to draw more than 10,000 Argentine supporters to an off-the-cuff outdoor speech on a cold night illustrates the aging communist strongman's resurgent appeal in Latin America. Castro stole the show at Sunday's inauguration of Argentine President Nestor Kirchner.
Belgium
BRUSSELS — Nizar Trabelsi recalled jotting down the chemical formula for a bomb in a soccer magazine that featured his past as a pro player. At that point, Trabelsi decided to become a "martyr" for Osama bin Laden. His testimony came Tuesday in the first terror-related prosecution in Belgium since the attacks of 9/11. He admitted his assignment was to drive a bomb into the canteen of an air base where about 100 U.S. military personnel worked.
Brazil
BRASILIA — A federal appeals court on Tuesday reduced by a few years the sentences of six men convicted of killing sailing champion Peter Blake after seizing his yacht on the Amazon River. Blake, a New Zealander who won the America's Cup twice, was shot Dec. 5, 2001, while resisting pirates who boarded his sailboat moored near a town 1,110 miles north of Brasilia.
Canada
MONTREAL — A Moroccan man facing deportation from Canada as a national security threat is a "dormant agent" of al-Qaida, the government says. Adil Charkaoui, 29, was arrested last week. A resident of Canada since 1995, he denies any links to Osama bin Laden's network or other terror groups.
Colombia
BOGOTA — Colombia's main rebel army said Tuesday that it was preparing "to fight decisive battles" as the insurgency marked its 39th anniversary. In a message on its Web site, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia also offered to hold clandestine talks with commanders of the country's armed forces and others to create an "alternative government" that would name a presidential candidate to run for office.
France
PARIS — Launching one of Europe's most ambitious military projects after decades of delay, seven European countries agreed on Tuesday to acquire 180 transport planes from Airbus in a deal valued at $24 billion. The deal is a welcome lift for Airbus and its principal shareholder, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co.
Italy
ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi fended off a challenge by the opposition in local elections across the country that were seen as a test for the Italian leader's 2-year-old government, final returns showed Tuesday. The election came at a delicate time for Berlusconi, who is standing trial for corruption in Milan, putting the spotlight on the premier's past business dealings.
Mexico
MAZATLAN — A former priest who fled to Mexico to escape U.S. sex abuse charges died after jumping from the third-story balcony of a hotel as police closed in, authorities said Monday. Siegfried F. Widera, 62, faced dozens of child molestation charges in California and Wisconsin. Police had surrounded the beachside hotel and planned to arrest him, Mexican officials said.
Saudi Arabia
RIYADH — In the first sign that it has already wearied of the public debate over the possible roots of extremist thought in Saudi Arabia, the government on Tuesday ordered the removal of the editor-in-chief of al-Watan, the daily newspaper which had been most outspoken on the subject. The editor, Jamal A. Khashoggi, a leading expert on political Islam, declined comment on his firing.
United Arab Emirates
DUBAI — Al-Jazeera satellite television said Tuesday it will replace its general manager, making the announcement days after Secretary of State Colin Powell criticized the all-news station for airing a purported al-Qaida tape. The network did not give a reason for the removal of Mohammed Jassim Al-Ali, who has managed the station since its inception seven years ago..