Military seizes power in Fiji Fiji's military commander announced today that he had taken control of the country, confirming the South Pacific nation's fourth coup in less than two decades. Special report: Fiji

Pakistan could drop Kashmir claim Musharraf calls on India to agree to self-government plan. Special report: Kashmir

Bush fury as John Bolton quits The White House has bowed to Senate opposition. Leader: Few tears for intimidator Special report: United States

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UK investigators face extradition obstacle in Moscow
ˇ Exemption bars trials of citizens beyond borders
ˇ Litvinenko case damaging UK-Russia relations
Special report: Russia

Pfizer withdraws heart drug
Trials of heart drug Torcetrapib are halted after evidence emerges it increases risk of death.
Special report: medicine and health

US troops battle to survive
Declan Walsh visits an al-Qaida hotspot and insurgents' stronghold in Afghanistan.
Special report: Afghanistan

Hardliners turn on Ahmadinejad for watching dancers
President accused of undermining revolution after allegedly watching female song and dance show.
Special report: Iran

Chávez triumph brings emollient words from US
The Venezuelan president vows to push ahead with his self-styled socialist revolution.
Special report: Venezuela

Video reveals harsh treatment of terror suspect
José Padilla's visit to dentist while being held without charge in military detention anything but simple.
Special report: United States

US arms firms in talks over Saudi jets
ˇ Boeing and Lockheed ready to exploit row
ˇ Fraud Office inquiry threatens BAE deal
Guardian Unlimited Business

Sweden to Trinidad via multiple disasters
Swedish pensioner Erik Ramgren, 66, makes landfall after epic voyage in rickety homemade yacht.

Apocalypto now: Mel Gibson's next big gamble
The troubled film director Mel Gibson relies on word of mouth to sell his new film.
Guardian Unlimited Film

Iran v Saudis in battle of Beirut
World briefing: Britain and Europe now attempting to shore up Lebanon's government, writes Simon Tisdall.
Today's comment and analysis

The front line of climate change Christmas appeal: Himalayan communities face catastrophy. Slideshow: Rising tides Guardian Christmas appeal 2006

US marine gets 40 years for rape of Filipino woman
Trial of a US marine sparks widespread anger at America's military presence in the Philippines.
Special report: United States

South African 'Houdini' back behind bars after escape
Most-wanted criminal, awaiting trial on 51 charges, shot and recaptured after greasy escape.
Special report: South Africa

Everydog trots back with Disney shorts revival
Nearly 50 years after shift from short cartoons to feature-length animation they decide to return.
Guardian Unlimited Film

Troops disarm police in Fiji
Troops loyal to Fiji's military chief increase pressure on the prime minister to resign.

Hassan Gouled Aptidon
Obituary: Founding president of independent Djibouti.