Wrestling, anyone? Pakistan welcomes back a Japanese hero
Muhammad Hussain Inoki, a pro wrestling great from Japan, is treated like a king in Pakistani cities.
What a 1970s travel guide said about Afghanistan
It included such insights as, "It is also a country to be careful in, banditry still runs in many veins."
- Photo: Ukraine's parliament devolves into all-out brawl
- Watch: North Korean TV's over-the-top rocket launch coverage
- Tracker shows North Korean satellite's orbit in real time
- Obamacare everywhere: U.N. votes in favor of universal health coverage
- Julian Assange wants to start a WikiLeaks party and run for office
Syrian forces fire missiles at rebels, potentially escalating the civil war
![Syrian forces fire missiles at rebels, potentially escalating the civil war](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/12/Foreign/Images/Mideast_Syria_Refugee_Winter-07523.jpg)
U.S. officials describe the tactics as acts of desperation as rebels gain momentum in the fight to oust Assad.
Afghan insurgents detonate explosives outside site of Panetta visit
![Afghan insurgents detonate explosives outside site of Panetta visit](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/13/Web-Resampled/2012-12-13/515987363-6830--90x60.jpg)
The defense secretary left Kandahar before the blast and was in no imminent danger, officials said.
Sorting the terrorists
FINE PRINT | For the United States, it’s a question of how to identify the enemy and define the real threat.
Egypt’s opposition urges citizens to vote ‘no’ in referendum on charter
![Egypt’s opposition urges citizens to vote ‘no’ in referendum on charter](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/12/Foreign/Images/2012-12-12T223232Z_01_KHA08_RTRIDSP_3_EGYPT-POLITICS.jpg)
Rather than boycott the referendum, opposition leaders tell supporters to cast ballots against the draft charter.
Testimony on CIA’s treatment of 9/11 suspects will be kept secret
![Testimony on CIA’s treatment of 9/11 suspects will be kept secret](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/11/30/Production/WashingtonPost/Images/Defense_Bill_0f1ec.jpg)
A military judge prohibits disclosure during the men’s trial of information the government deems classified.
Microblog’s coverage of China’s new Communist Party leader is days ahead
![Microblog’s coverage of China’s new Communist Party leader is days ahead](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/12/Foreign/Images/weibofull.jpg)
Some suspect a slick propaganda effort, not an ordinary fan, behind the “Learning from Xi Fan Club.”
UN group favors greater government roles in Internet
![UN group favors greater government roles in Internet](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/Wires/Online/2012-12-13/AP/Images/Mideast Emirates Dubai Internet Conference.JPEG-0e619.jpg)
A conference weighing Internet rules shifted into high-stakes showdowns on after advancing a proposal for greater government oversight.
Photo Gallery
Images from around the world
Take a look at some of the week’s best photographs from around the globe.
Latest Headlines
- Afghan official: 2 civilians killed, 14 wounded in Kandahar Airfield gate attack
- Lawyer: Russian spy killed by radiation poisoning worked for UK's MI6
- Carter Center says it will not monitor Egypt's referendum on draft constitution
- Ethiopian Airlines says merger proposed by Kenyan Airways is not practical
- Congo rebel group wants president to resign according to list of demands shown to AP
- E.U. ministers ink deal on greater bank oversight; paves way for direct rescues
- Reality check: NKorea still years from credible missiles, despite successful rocket launch
Post Picks
![PostWorldNews](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/1932333900/wapo-world-avatar_normal.jpg)
Here's why Pakistanis are heralding the return of a Japanese wrestler: http://t.co/YhN1dH9Y
![PostWorldNews](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/1932333900/wapo-world-avatar_normal.jpg)
Anxieties rise as surge of tremors makes Chilean town a shaky place in world’s shakiest nation http://t.co/ds5XoCxr
![PostWorldNews](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/1932333900/wapo-world-avatar_normal.jpg)
Pakistani students rally against naming their college after schoolgirl shot by Taliban http://t.co/tyqT0vd8
Photos from Around the World
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/07/Web-Resampled/2012-12-07/Pakistan Inoki_XMM5081354644549--145x100.jpg)
Muhammad Hussain Inoki, back in Pakistan
The professional wrestling great from Japan is welcomed like a king.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/10/Web-Resampled/2012-12-09/Spain_Bolivia_00c60-6850--145x100.jpg)
Images from around the world
Take a look at some of the week’s best photographs from around the globe.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/04/Foreign/Images/515759301.jpg)
Life and war in Afghanistan
Scenes of daily struggle in war-torn nation as coalition forces attempt to shift duties to Afghan troops.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/08/Foreign/Images/APTOPIX_Mideast_Egypt_0e42e-6837.jpg)
Protests roil Egypt
Riot police beef up security as supporters and opponents of President Morsi clash in Cairo.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/04/Foreign/Images/2012-12-03T182631Z_01_JMG02_RTRIDSP_3_SPAIN-EVICTIONS.jpg)
Spain’s austerity crisis
The number of people registered as unemployed edges up toward 5 million as the recession shows few signs of abating.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/06/Foreign/Images/APTOPIX_Philippines_Typhoon_00ea1.jpg)
Typhoon Bopha strikes Philippines
Bopha unleashes heavy rains, winds on the southern Philippines, killing over 300 people.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/11/29/Web-Resampled/2012-11-29/145453584 (1)--145x100.jpg)
Conflict brewing in Mali
This former French colony nestled in the Sahara Desert could become a key place for next war on terrorism.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/06/Foreign/Images/APTOPIX_Mideast_Syria-0e555.jpg)
War in Syria
As battles between the government and the opposition rage on, fears of a regional war grow.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/03/Web-Resampled/2012-12-03/2012-12-02T164241Z_01_BUD05_RTRIDSP_3_HUNGARY-ANTISEMITISM--145x100.jpg)
Hungarians rally against far-right politician’s list
Civic groups gather in Budapest to protest lawmaker’s call to screen Jews for security risks.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/10/25/Others/Images/2012-10-25/poverty181351168095.jpg)
Living poor in Saudi Arabia
In a country with vast oil wealth and lavish royal spending, an estimated quarter of Saudis live in poverty.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/09/Foreign/Images/515875080.jpg)
Images from around the world
Take a look at some of the week’s best photographs from around the globe.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/sites/twpweb/img/blogs/spacer.gif)
Tunnels between Gaza and Egypt are back in business
Primary commerce of Rafah, Egypt, focuses on tunnel network that circumvents the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/01/Web-Resampled/2012-12-01/2012-12-01T174449Z_01_CDG33_RTRIDSP_3_MEXICO-PENANIETO--145x100.jpg)
Mexico’s new president is sworn in
Enrique Peña Nieto takes the oath of office, while protests against him go on outside.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/sites/twpweb/img/blogs/spacer.gif)
In Mali, musicians flee south
Radical Islamists have driven artists from northern Mali, where playing music can bring beatings, and even prison time.
Editor's Choice
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_172x114/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/03/17/Foreign/Images/plaza rio FINAL 01_1332012241.jpg)
The New Mexicans
The middle class is becoming a majority in Mexico, where dramatic demographic changes are taking place.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_172x114/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/03/08/National-Security/Images/509388467.jpg)
Red Nobility
In a society rooted in egalitarianism, the families of top Communist Party officials wield increasing clout.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_172x114/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/12/08/Foreign/Images/2011-12-06T134105Z_01_TGN106_RTRIDSP_3_EUROZONE.jpg)
Continental Shift
How deep cuts in government spending are transforming Europe as it grapples with debt.
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20121213152151im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/sites/twpweb/img/blogs/spacer.gif)
Power Grab
Already the world's biggest energy user, China is scouring the globe for even more coal, oil and natural gas.
World Blogs
Photo Essays |
Elsewhere in World
Asia / Pacific
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/asia-pacific-86x56.jpg)
- Pakistan extends refugee status for Afghans by 6 months ahead of looming deadline
- Amnesty International accuses Pakistani military of human rights abuses in anti-Taliban fight
- Japan says Chinese plane spotted over disputed islands, F-15 jets scrambled to area
- Pakistani students rally against naming their college after schoolgirl shot by Taliban
Africa
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/africa-86x56.jpg)
- Ethiopian Airlines says merger proposed by Kenyan Airways is not practical
- Congo rebel group wants president to resign according to list of demands shown to AP
- South Africa's deputy president challenges President Jacob Zuma to lead ruling ANC party
- Mali swears in prime minister days after military forces resignation of predecessor
Middle East
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/middle-east-86x56.jpg)
- Carter Center says it will not monitor Egypt's referendum on draft constitution
- Syrian state news agency says 16 killed in bombing near Damascus, including women and children
- Israeli foreign minister indicted on breach of trust charge; cleared of other accusations
- Israeli media: FM Avigdor Lieberman indicted on breach of trust charge; cleared of others
Europe
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/europe-86x56.jpg)
The Americas
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/americas-86x56.jpg)
- Anxieties rise as surge of tremors makes Chilean town a shaky place in world's shakiest nation
- Corruption scandal nears Brazil's popular ex-president as calls of probe into his role rise
- Venezuela says Chavez in tough fight after surgery, warns he may miss swearing-in for new term
- Innocent verdicts in high-profile trial set back Argentina's fight against sex slavery
National Security
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/national-security-86x56.jpg)
- Italy brings Michelangelo's 'David-Apollo' to Washington for celebration of Italian culture
- Clinton cancels trip to Arab world due to illness
- SEAL team Six member killed in Afghanistan rescue operation was from Pennsylvania
- SEAL team Six member killed in Afghanistan rescue operation was from Pennsylvania