Anger after Russia, China block U.N. action on Syria

BEIRUT/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Western and Arab countries responded with outrage on Sunday after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to give up power.

Car bomb kills nine in Afghan city Kandahar

KABUL (Reuters) - A car bomb in the south Afghan city of Kandahar killed at least nine people and wounded 19 on Sunday, the presidential palace said in a statement.

Europe's cold snap claims more victims, travel hit

KIEV/LONDON (Reuters) - Bitterly cold weather sweeping across Europe claimed more victims on Sunday and brought widespread disruption to transport services, with warnings that the chilling temperatures would remain into next week.

Cairo protesters demand early vote, clash with police

CAIRO (Reuters) - Protesters demanding a swift presidential election and an early handover of power by the army hurled rocks at police guarding the Egyptian interior ministry on Sunday and were forced back with volleys of tear gas.

Iran says will attack any country used to strike its soil

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will attack any country whose territory is used by "enemies" of the Islamic state to launch a military strike against its soil, the deputy head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards told the semi-official Fars news agency on Sunday.

Anti-Putin protesters show staying power in Russia

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin's opponents vowed on Sunday to press on with demonstrations against his 12-year domination of Russia after tens of thousands attended a march which kept up the momentum of their protest movement.

NGO worker cases sent to Egypt court in funding row

CAIRO (Reuters) - The cases of 40 people embroiled in a dispute over the activities of U.S.-funded pro-democracy groups and other organizations have been transferred to the Cairo criminal court, a judicial source said on Sunday.

Fighting over captured Yemeni city kills five

ADEN (Reuters) - Four Islamists linked to al Qaeda and a government soldier have been killed in clashes in southern Yemen, security sources said on Sunday, hours after the breakdown of a short-lived ceasefire designed to pacify the area ahead of a presidential election.

Military comeback a distant dream for Afghan Taliban

KABUL (Reuters) - A secret NATO report showing the strength of confidence among the Afghan Taliban is raising concerns from Kabul to Washington that the militant group might overrun the country again when foreign combat forces finally leave.

Iranians bemoan sanctions hardship as vote approaches

(Reuters) - Each day that he struggles to buy food for his family, vegetable seller Hasan Sharafi shoulders part of the burden of Iran's defiance of the West over its nuclear programme. He can hardly bear it.