Ten French NATO soldiers were killed in a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday, the deadliest ground attack on foreign troops here since the US-led war was launched in 2001. The shock ambush also left 21 French troops wounded, and prompted French President Nicolas Sarkozy to announce he would immediately head to the country, where recent monthly death tolls for foreign forces have topped those for Iraq.

Actors Ben Kingsley, George Clooney, Peter O'Toole, directors Ethan and Joel Coen, and more star power than ever will be on hand for the upcoming 33rd Toronto International Film Festival, organizers announced Tuesday. The festival, which runs from September 4-13, will showcase 249 feature films and 63 shorts from 64 countries this year, including 116 world premieres.

Argentina crushed Brazil in one of football's most combustible rivalries Tuesday to reach the Olympic final where they will play African giants Nigeria who sauntered past minnows Belgium. The defending champions, inspired by Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi who outshone AC Milan's Ronaldinho, upset their South American neighbours with a brace from Sergio Aguero and penalty by captain Juan Riquelme.

Pakistan's ruling coalition met Tuesday to discuss a replacement for President Pervez Musharraf, as the deaths of 41 people in Islamist violence underscored the challenges facing the government. Key US ally Musharraf resigned after nine years in power on Monday amid coalition threats to impeach him, throwing the onus on the alliance which won elections in February to tackle extremism and a nosediving economy.

Japan on Tuesday warned users of Apple iPod nanos of a potential fire risk after two new instances in which the popular portable music players overheated. The economy, trade and industry ministry has received two new reports of minor fires in August in Tokyo caused by overheating iPod nanos, said ministry official Hiroyuki Yoshitsune.