Lure of deep proves irresistible to science

Life in the deep has a special lustre for scientists because it is all but unexplored and the discoveries keep on coming

Fifa bans Iraq from international football

The decision, taken after sectarian infighting among the country’s sport officials, deprives Iraqis of one of their few joys

British to train Afghan militias

UK attempts to step back from frontline operations by training local militias to take responsibility for Afghan security

Afghan tribal splits: ripe for exploitation?

The dynamics behind the Afghan insurgency make ‘playing the tribal game’ a highly complex task for Nato strategists

Row as Spanish MP poses in Vanity Fair

The photos of María Dolores de Cospedal have reignited controversy surrounding female politicians tempted by the flashgun

Obama faces a path full of hurdles

Weeks of debate, amendments and voting by the House and Senate are ahead before the reforms can be passed into US law

Save this oasis of pleasure for Iraqis

No one can disagree that sporting associations should be free of political factions, but Iraqis will suffer after Fifa's ban

Obama in Asia balancing act as he hosts Indian PM

Just days after returning from China, the US leader will seek to strengthen ties with the continent’s other key power

Army lacks bite to take on Taleban

A procurement policy aimed at providing troops with improved armoured vehicles is beginning to unravel

Leading Iran reformer given six-year sentence

Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a former vice-president, is sentenced to six years in jail after 'confessing' to anti-government plot

Hamas strikes new deal to halt rocket attacks

Islamists say they will not fire unless first attacked by Israel, amid reports of prisoner swap involving soldier Gilad Schalit

Scan gives separated twins clean bill of health

Krishna, the second conjoined twin, has woken up and blown the signature raspberry her guardian has been waiting for

Twenty-one dead as Indonesian ferry sinks

Ferry hit by massive waves was overloaded say Indonesian authorities as rough seas hamper rescue efforts

'The room was dark. Berlusconi likes the dark'

Extracts from Patrizia D'Addario's book Gradisca, Presidente which recalls encounters with the Italian Prime Minister

Hopes fade for Chinese miners as deaths rise

Rescue workers trying to reach four trapped miners as death toll reaches 104 in deadliest mine accident for two years

'$350,000 was a bargain for Jackson glove'

Moonwalk souvenir to go on show in Macau after selling for over 20 times its estimate price to a Hong kong businessman

Sarkozy plans to rebury Camus in Paris

Members of the Left and the writer’s son claim the President is trying to cash in on the fame of the Algerian-born novelist

What we will do and how you can help

The Sunday Times Children of Iraq Christmas Appeal