Increased Punishment Would Exacerbate Flawed Judicial Process

The Iraqi High Tribunal should not impose the death penalty against former Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan, especially given the lack of evidence linking him to the alleged crimes, FULL STORY...

Iran rejects US arms allegations

Iran likens US allegations to those made about Iraqi WMDs.

Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, has pledged long-term US commitment to Afghanistan after meeting Pakistan's president to discuss a spring offensive against the Taliban.

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Bangalore, India's technology hub and the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka, has been crippled by a general strike that shut businesses and emptied streets when activists protested against a court verdict over access to river water.

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The apparent suicide of 26-year old South Korean actress Jeong Da-bin on Saturday has put the spotlight on the soaring number of people taking their own lives in South Korea.

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Australia's prime minister has been criticised for suggesting that Barack Obama, the US presidential candidate, would be popular among terrorist leaders because of his promise to recall troops from Iraq if he wins.

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Compulsory military service has been officially abolished in Lebanon, the army command has announced.

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Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has welcomed the idea of creating a gas version of the oil cartel Opec on his arrival in the gas-rich emirate of Qatar.

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A German court has ordered the release of Brigitte Mohnhaupt, a former member of the Red Army Faction (RAF) who has spent 24 years in prison for her role in multiple kidnappings and murders during the 1970s.