Regional row shows US leadership waning

The long-simmering conflict between two major Middle East powers erupted on Sunday when Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran after Iranian protesters stormed its embassy in Teheran over Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric. Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shiite-ruled Iran have long been at loggerheads, supporting rival sides in the Syrian and Yemeni conflicts, but an open spat resulting in breakoff of ties still came as a surprise to many.

New Year's sex assaults stoke migrant debate

German leaders expressed shock over dozens of apparently coordinated sexual assaults against women on New Year's Eve in the western city of Cologne blamed on "Arab-looking men," but warned against anti-migrant scapegoating.

Opposition takes control of parliament

Venezuela's opposition took majority control of the National Assembly on Tuesday after years in the political wilderness, setting the stage for a potential power struggle with embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

Mayor's murder probe leads to mass grave

The investigation into the murder of a mayor in central Mexico has led police to a clandestine grave containing five other bodies, authorities said on Tuesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Jews still feel sense of being targeted

Ever since a jihadist attack on a kosher store left four people dead a year ago, France's Jews have grown used to soldiers patrolling their neighborhoods and schools.

Tuna nets high price at final auction

It's among the biggest of Japan's many New Year holiday rituals: Early on Tuesday, a huge, glistening tuna was auctioned for about 14 million Japanese yen ($118,000) at Tokyo's 80-year-old Tsukiji market. Next year, if all goes as planned, the tradition won't be quite the same.

Hezbollah, Israeli forces clash on Lebanon border

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah struck an Israeli armored patrol with a roadside bomb at the border on Monday and Israel responded by shelling the area, with no immediate word on casualties.

Explosion follows siege near Indian consulate

A small bomb exploded near the Indian consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Tuesday, authorities said, after a series of attacks on Indian installations in the region.

Boy mauled by chimps to undergo facial surgery

Dunia Sibomana was considered the lucky one two years ago when a group of chimpanzees jumped from the trees and attacked him and two other boys as they played near a preserve in their native Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Chinese-backed electric car unveiled at top gadget show

The automotive future according to a new electric carmaker looks an awful lot like a Corvette crossed with the Batmobile.

Smart-tech expected to generate $11 trillion in annual sales by 2025

Look around. How many computing devices do you see? Your phone, probably; maybe a tablet or a laptop. Your car, the TV set, the microwave, bedside alarm clock, possibly the thermostat, and others you've never noticed.