Wrestling, anyone? Pakistan welcomes back a Japanese hero of the ring.
![Wrestling, anyone? Pakistan welcomes back a Japanese hero of the ring.](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/04/Others/Images/2012-12-04/Pakistan Inoki_XMM5021354644546.jpg)
Muhammad Hussain Inoki, a pro wrestling great from Japan, is treated like a king in Pakistani cities.
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://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/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.”
Japanese dam delays illustrate ruling party’s dilemma ahead of election
![Japanese dam delays illustrate ruling party’s dilemma ahead of election](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/12/Foreign/Images/515501304.jpg)
Project northwest of Tokyo has become a symbol of the less positive features of Japanese politics.
N. Korean satellite launch illustrates diplomatic challenge for U.S., allies
![N. Korean satellite launch illustrates diplomatic challenge for U.S., allies](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/12/Foreign/Images/South_Korea_North_Korea_Rocket_Launch-0aecc-6887.jpg)
Shielded by China, Pyongyang keeps building weapons program despite heavy international sanctions.
S. Korea’s presidential contenders have near-opposite backgrounds
![S. Korea’s presidential contenders have near-opposite backgrounds](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/Foreign/Images/South_Korea_Politics_Election_0a7a0.jpg)
The race features two politicians who talk about center-leaning policies but have taken different paths.
Latest Headlines
- Mass killings: Schools and students are vulnerable targets worldwide
- Afghan president says the sooner foreign troops leave Afghan villages, the better
- Philippine police kill suspected Malaysian terrorist planning bomb attack in southern city
- Candidates appeal to Japanese voters ahead of elections likely to be won by conservative LDP
Photos from around the region
![](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/09/02/Foreign/Images/78071919.jpg)
Pakistan’s Mr. Popular
Imran Khan hopes to replicate his success on the cricket pitch in the field of Pakistani politics.
![](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/05/13/Foreign/Advance/Images/2011-04-18T110153Z_01_DEL01_RTRIDSP_3_INDIA-ELECTION-2127.jpg)
India election sees change
After 34 years, world’s longest-serving democratically elected communist party loses power.
![](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/05/04/Foreign/Advance/Images/Was3904759.jpg)
The art of Ai Weiwei
A collection of popular works of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was arrested by the Chinese police.
![](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/03/15/Foreign/Images/Nuke-Plants008.jpg)
Global nuclear debate heats up
Governments around the world are questioning the use of nuclear power.
![](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/03/11/Foreign/Images/2011-03-11T100308Z_01_SIN011_RTRIDSP_3_JAPAN-QUAKE.jpg)
Powerful quake, aftershocks rattle Tokyo
A massive earthquake and tsunami struck the eastern coast of Japan.
![](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121215144508/http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_145x100/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/02/22/Foreign/Images/PHO-11Feb22-293728.jpg)
Quake in New Zealand kills scores
The search for survivors continues after 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch.
Elsewhere in World
Asia / Pacific
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/asia-pacific-86x56.jpg)
- Mass killings: Schools and students are vulnerable targets worldwide
- Afghan president says the sooner foreign troops leave Afghan villages, the better
- Philippine police kill suspected Malaysian terrorist planning bomb attack in southern city
- Candidates appeal to Japanese voters ahead of elections likely to be won by conservative LDP
Africa
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/africa-86x56.jpg)
- South African presidency: Nelson Mandela undergoes successful surgery to remove gallstones
- South African presidency: Nelson Mandela undergoes successful surgery to remove gallstones
- South Africa's governing African National Congress, from outlaw group to ruling party
- South Africa's governing ANC party to choose between president, quiet deputy for next leader
Middle East
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/middle-east-86x56.jpg)
- A guide to what is next for Egypt after the constitutional vote
- Egyptians vote on an Islamist-backed constitution that has polarized their nation
- Yemeni military tribunal jails 93 members of Republican Guard units for mutiny
- Tough issues remain for Kurds, Iraqi government even after deal to alleviate tensions
Europe
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/europe-86x56.jpg)
- Thousands hold anti-Putin rally in Moscow to mark anniversary of mass protest
- Family, mourners gather for mass to remember nurse found dead after UK royal hoax
- Syria's foreign minister says US, European sanctions are to blame for the suffering of Syrians
- Greek authorities find 18 bodies of migrants; sole survivor says 9 more were in capsized boat
The Americas
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/americas-86x56.jpg)
- Puerto Rico family mourns death of girl, 6, in Connecticut school shooting
- With Hugo Chavez cancer-stricken, regional elections in Venezuela suddenly hugely important
- Venezuelan government says Hugo Chavez's recovery 'slow but progressive' after surgery
- Behind appearance of unity among Chavez allies, some Venezuelans see power struggles brewing
National Security
![](/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Production/Digital/Pages-Web/global/_module-content/Standing_Art/national-security-86x56.jpg)
- Kerry vaults to top of list to lead State as Rice declines, Hagel front-runner for Pentagon
- Obama schedules private meeting with Ambassador Rice, readies signature for Russian trade bill
- Italy brings Michelangelo's 'David-Apollo' to Washington for celebration of Italian culture
- Clinton cancels trip to Arab world due to illness