PAKISTAN
President Zardari hands over nuclear powers to prime minister
Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari handed over control of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal to his prime minister. The move aims at placating political critics as an amnesty law shielding him from prosecution for corruption expired.
AFGHANISTAN
January conference to set milestones for Karzai, says Brown
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown says world leaders will set the conditions for a gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Afghan authorities at a conference in London in January.
BANGLADESH
At least 26 killed, dozens missing as overloaded ferry sinks
At least 28 people were killed and dozens are missing after a ferry packed with over 1,000 passengers going home to celebrate the Eid-ul Adha holiday partly sank in southern Bangladesh.
NUCLEAR IRAN
Tehran will enrich its own uranium if IAEA fails to provide it, cleric says
Senior hardline cleric Ahmad Khatami (pictured) said on Saturday that Iran would enrich its own uranium for a research reactor in Tehran if the UN atomic watchdog failed to make the fuel available.
PAKISTAN
Graft amnesty lapse prompts fears of political instability
An amnesty on corruption cases protecting President Asif Ali Zardari and senior government officials expires on Saturday, raising fears that the resumption of politically-charged graft cases could plunge the country into a new political crisis.
AFP
Cadaver hunt in Philippines massacre ends: police
Police have ended a grisly search for corpses and mass graves from an election-linked massacre in the southern Philippines, with the known death toll standing at 57, officials said Saturday.The authorities dismissed several news reports that quoted ...
CAMBODIA
Khmer Rouge torturer Duch in surprise plea for release
In a stunning turn of events, former Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch has asked for his acquittal on the last day of his trial after having acknowledged responsibility for the murder of 15,000 men, women and children at Cambodia's notorious S-21 prison.
GERMANY
Former defence minister resigns over Afghan air strike
Labour Minister Franz Josef Jung resigned Friday over a German-ordered NATO bombing in Afghanistan in which dozens of civilians are believed to have died. Jung was serving as defence minister at the time of the Sept. 4 strike.
Syndicate contentThe "Duch" trial
AFP
3 killed as cargo plane crashes in China: media
A cargo plane carrying seven crew crashed during take off in Shanghai on Saturday, killing three, state media reported.The accident happened at 7:40 am (1140 GMT) as the Zimbabwe-registered MD-11 aircraft was attempting to leave Shanghai Pudong ...
AFP
Japan launches new spy satellite
Japan on Saturday launched a next-generation spy satellite as part of efforts to beef up its surveillance system against the threat of North Korea's missiles, officials said.An H-2A rocket carrying the nation's No.
PHILIPPINES
Mayor charged with mass murder as gruesome details emerge
Local mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr (centre) has been charged with mass murder after he was accused of ordering the massacre of 57 people on Monday. Ampatuan is the son of a local governor and a close ally of President Gloria Arroyo.
THE OBSERVERS
West 'hypocritical' to protest Hindu mass animal slaughter
One of our Observers there argues that the five-yearly Gadhimai festival is no worse than the daily dealings of a modern abattoir.
MUMBAI ATTACKS
One year on, a police widow seeks answers
In the critical early moments of the Mumbai attacks, the city lost its top three cops and Vinita Kamte lost her beloved husband. A year on, she says the police force should learn from the blunders of the past – if only they would acknowledge them.
USA
Obama vows to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan
At a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday, US President Barack Obama promised to unveil his much-anticipated decision on US involvement in Afghanistan “shortly”.
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Syndicate contentWith French troops in Afghanistan
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British PM sets targets for Afghan president - AFP
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