Turkmenistan: 'Despite being members of their nationally-registered Church, five Baptists in the eastern city of Turkmenabad (formerly Charjou) were fined two months' average wages in late March to punish them for holding a small service which the secret police claim was "illegal". If they fail to pay by 10 April, the fines will be doubled, Protestants have told Forum 18 News Service. When the service was raided, officers insulted one Baptist, asking her why she was a Christian and insisting that it would be better for the Baptists to follow the Islamic faith of their forebears. "The security police don't even know the new religion law which allows us to meet," one Protestant complained to Forum 18. "They just wanted to make fun of the Baptists."' (Forum 18)

Nepal: 'Hundreds of journalists in Nepal have held demonstrations across the country demanding the restoration of press freedom in the country.' (BBC)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced plans Tuesday for an investigation into last week's storming of the government headquarters, which led to President Askar Akayev's ouster and his own appointment as interim leader.' (CNN)

Afghanistan: 'US First Lady Laura Bush has been visiting the Afghan capital, Kabul to express her support for women's education programmes. Mrs Bush flew in for just a few hours, unveiling a multi-million dollar package of education funding.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Syria has confirmed it will pull all its troops out of Lebanon before Lebanese elections due in May. Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara made the pledge in a letter to the UN.' (BBC)

Iraq: 'Iraq’s parliament, which has again failed to choose a government, is looking like a poor advertisement for democracy, two months after its election. Unless agreement is reached soon, an opportunity to quench the still-raging insurgency may be missed.' (Economist)

Sudan: 'As many as 300,000 people may have died in Sudan's western Darfur region in a conflict the international community is doing too little to stop, a British parliamentary report said on Wednesday.' (CNN)

India: 'The government of Chhattisgarh, India, plans to strengthen the state’s anti-conversion law following claims of increasing numbers of Christian converts. The pro-Hindu government believes the current law is not rigorously enforced and contains too many loopholes. Under existing provisions, those who convert without official approval may be imprisoned for up to two years and fined up to 10,000 rupees ($220). However, pending regulations call for imprisonment for up to four years and fines of 100,000 rupees ($2,175). Mr. Kaviraj Lall, a member of the Christian Legal Association of India, will organize a public campaign against the new provisions. “If we have the [constitutional] right to a religion of our own choice, why should the state interfere?” he asked.' (Compass Direct)

China: 'Mao's children seek their fortune: It is inevitable that just as they are embracing capitalism so the Chinese will have to address their political system.' (Observer)

China: 'While the imams of the ethnic Uighur and Dungan mosques and the only monk at the Buddhist temple in Ghulja (Yining in Chinese), the capital of the Ili-Kazakh autonomous prefecture of China's northwestern Xinjiang region, declined to talk to Forum 18 News Service without permission from the National Religious Committee, the state body that controls religious communities, the Catholic priest was open about restrictions. "We are citizens and taxpayers just as much as the atheists, but in the eyes of the state we are second-class people," Fr Sun Zin Shin complained. He said bosses threaten to sack parishioners who work in state enterprises if they do not stop attending church, while the authorities are particularly vigilant in checking that minors do not attend Catholic churches. He said one schoolboy who managed to get into last December's Christmas service in Nilka despite a police checkpoint to prevent this was subsequently beaten for doing so by his teacher. Nor are services permitted away from the four local registered Catholic parishes. But local ethnic Russian politician Nikolai Lunev defended the restrictions as being enshrined in law.' (Forum 18)

Uzbekistan: 'Freed with a fellow Jehovah's Witness at the end of February after five days in prison on charges of "disruptive behaviour", Oleg Umarov was again summoned by police in the Uzbek capital Tashkent on 4 March. Two secret police officers then pressured him to renounce his faith, Jehovah's Witness spokesman Andrei Shirobokov told Forum 18 News Service. They warned they would soon seize other Jehovah's Witnesses and pointed out to Umarov articles of the criminal and administrative codes under which they could be prosecuted. Police and secret police officers have a history of trying to pressure Protestant Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses and believers of other minority faiths who come from a traditionally Muslim background to convert to their "historic" faith.' (Forum 18)

Pakistan: 'Armed gunmen attacked Christian worshippers as they emerged from Easter services in a village church yesterday, killing one man and injuring seven other congregants. Irshad Masih, in his early 20s, died from a bullet that struck his head during a half hour of indiscriminate shooting by four attackers. Seven other victims suffering severe gunshot wounds were hospitalized at Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital. Two police guards were reportedly absent from their post at 10:30 a.m. yesterday, when attackers opened fire at Victory Church International in Khamba village near Lahore. Police later said they had arrested two of the four suspects in the shooting, and attributed the attack to a local land dispute. Local observers discounted that version of events. “Actually, it is terrorism,” one source told Compass. “They attacked people and started indiscriminate firing upon a congregation of some 150 people!”' (Compass Direct)

India: 'India has criticised the international community for failing to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said much of the proliferation tended to emanate from its South Asian neighbourhood. India has long criticised the United States for overlooking Pakistan's alleged involvement in spreading nuclear technology. Mr Singh's comments came three days after the US said it would sell F-16 jets to India's nuclear rival Pakistan.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'The US has defended its decision to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, in the face of opposition from India. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the Washington Post newspaper the US was trying to build relations with Pakistan and India at the same time. India - which may also buy F-16s in the future - has warned the US deal with Pakistan risks creating an arms race.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Lebanese security forces on Sunday were investigating the bombing of a mainly Christian neighborhood of Beirut that came just hours before the traditional midnight Mass celebration of Easter. Up to eight people were reported injured after what is believed to be a car bomb exploded in the industrial district Saturday night.' (CNN)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Kyrgzyzstan's interim leader declared the new parliament legitimate Monday, in a reversal aimed at ending a struggle between rival legislatures that has threatened to spark more unrest after last week's ouster of President Askar Akayev.' (CNN)

Bhutan: 'The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has unveiled a new constitution that will transform the absolute monarchy into a two-party democratic system. King Jigme Singye Wangchuk says the draft will be sent to all 530,000 citizens, asking for their views.' (BBC)

Lebanon: ' Lebanon has indicated it is prepared to co-operate with an international inquiry into last month's killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The move follows a UN report which described Lebanon's own investigation into the bomb attack in Beirut as flawed and inconclusive.' (BBC)

China: ' Hundreds of thousands of people have marched through the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, protesting against China's anti-secession law. The law, passed earlier this month allows China to use "non-peaceful" means to stop any move by the island towards independence.' (BBC)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Kyrgyzstan's parliament has set June 26 as the date for a new presidential election following the ouster of President Askar Akayev. The country's acting president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, said Saturday he would be a candidate in the election, according to news agencies. Meanwhile, Bakiyev and Russian news reports said Akayev was in Russia.' (CNN)

Kyrgyzstan: 'The opposition in Kyrgyzstan says it has taken control of the capital, Bishkek, after overrunning the president's palace. Protesters confronted supporters of President Askar Akayev before flooding into government offices. A prominent Kyrgyz opposition leader, Felix Kulov, made a televised appeal for calm after being freed from jail. Demonstrations were stepped up after recent parliamentary elections, which the opposition said were rigged. An unconfirmed report by Interfax news agency said Mr Akayev and his family have left Bishkek by helicopter. Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court has annulled February's controversial elections and recognised the former parliament as the legitimate legislature, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted court chairman, Kurmanbek Osmonov, as saying.' (BBC)

Afghanistan: 'A campaign to disarm tens of thousands of militiamen in Afghanistan has entered the final phase. The disarmament programme started by the United Nations 18 months ago has already resulted in 45,000 men giving up their guns.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Syria's ambassador to the United States said his government is planning a quick withdrawal of troops from Lebanon, likely before summer.' (CNN)

Pakistan: 'U.S. flags have been set alight and thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Lahore to call for the resignation of Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf.' (CNN)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Demonstrators have stormed government and presidential headquarters in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, according to wire services.' (CNN)

North Africa: 'We regret to report that the expatriate pastor threatened with deportation from a North African country left yesterday (i.e. Tuesday 22nd) due to all suitable flights being fully booked for today (Wednesday 23rd). His wife and family have remained in North Africa. Let us continue praying for this man, his wife and family, asking that they will be reunited soon, ideally back in North Africa! Let us pray too for his English speaking church who will be without their pastor for Easter.' (Middle East Concern)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Protesters in Kirgizstan are rising up over a disputed election. Could Ukraine-style people power be coming to one of the least democratic parts of the world? Or might the protests spiral into chaos?' (Economist)

Lebanon: 'A bomb has ripped through a shopping mall in a predominantly Christian area north of Beirut, Lebanon, killing three people and wounding at least two others, police said. It was the third bombing in six weeks in Lebanon, which has been tumultuous since a bombing killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri last month.' (CNN)

UK: 'Less than half of Britons know why Christians celebrate Easter, according to new research. Only 48 per cent of adults questioned for a survey were aware that the festival marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.' (Daily Telegraph)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Askar Akayev, the embattled Soviet-era President of Kyrgyzstan, claims he is facing an attempted coup d'etat and has vowed not to let his strategically important central Asian state become engulfed in a Ukraine-style revolution. As the 60-year-old potentate spoke, Kyrgyzstan, an impoverished former Soviet republic of five million people, looked dangerously close to violent clashes, if not civil war. The opposition, which says it is seeking to launch a revolution in the style of Ukraine or Georgia, has seized control of two large southern cities after rioting and sometimes violent stand-offs with the police.' (Independent)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Kyrgyz protests at critical stage: Anti-government protesters are holding new rallies in the southern Kyrgyzstan town of Osh.' (BBC)

World: 'Tuesday is the UN's World Water Day, marking the start of an international decade of action, Water for Life. The decade is aimed at achieving one of the UN's millennium development goals - halving the number of people without clean water supplies by the year 2015.' (BBC)

Nepal: 'Former Nepalese cabinet ministers are being questioned by a powerful new anti-corruption panel over alleged misuse of government funds. They are the first senior officials to be interrogated since a royal pledge to crack down on graft.' (BBC)

World: 'The United Nations’ secretary-general, Kofi Annan, has proposed the most sweeping reforms of the body since its founding in 1945. If approved, these would answer many of the strongest criticisms of the UN and should help rebuild its damaged credibility.' (Economist)

Arab World: 'Arab leaders meeting in Algiers have rejected any dramatic change to their peace strategy with Israel and are sidestepping the stormy political events that have shaken the Mideast in past months.' (CNN)

Kyrgyzstan: 'On 25 February, only seven months after it gained registration as a public association, a court in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek revoked the registration of the Falun Gong Centre in the country under pressure from the Chinese embassy, which claimed the spiritual movement "encroaches on human rights and overall poses a threat to society". Judge Jaukhar Baizulayeva, who heard the case, ruled that the group conducts "religious activity that is against public and state interests", though no evidence for this was presented in court. Falun Gong leader's in Kyrgyzstan, Marita Shaikhmetova, complained to Forum 18 News Service that the judge was "prejudiced" against the community before the hearing had even begun and was hostile throughout, shouting at Falun Gong witnesses. The judge declined to talk to Forum 18.' (Forum 18)

North Africa: 'Christians in a North African country have requested our prayers for
the impending deportation of an expatriate pastor who has done nothing
contrary to the law. He has been told that the police will escort him to
the airport on Wednesday (23rd) leaving his wife and family behind. His
English speaking church of expatriate Christians will be without their
pastor for Easter. Please pray for the pastor, his family and his church at this time.' (Middle East Concern)

India: ' A study released in February by India’s National Minorities Commission (NCM) claims the percentage of Christians in north-east India had risen to “abnormally high” levels. Christian leaders rejected this claim and said the NCM was simply looking for a way to control Christian activity in the region. In recent years Hindu activists have accused the church in the seven northeast states of numerous “forced conversions,” ignoring the fact that the “seven sisters” have a long history of Christian activity. The All India Christian Council held a conference last week to discuss rising persecution in the region. Christian leaders have also challenged the NCM to drop their sensational claims and concentrate on protecting the rights of Christians.' (Compass Direct)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Opposition activists have seized a government building in Kyrgyzstan's second largest city, Osh, as protests against disputed elections continue.' (BBC)

Bangladesh: 'At least 27 people have been killed and 500 injured in Bangladesh by tornadoes that tore through two northern districts, reports say.' (BBC)

Bangladesh: 'The police in Bangladesh have charged ten people, including a leader of the governing coalition, with the killing of a prominent opposition politician.' (BBC)

World: 'Aid for some of the poorest countries should be linked to their defence and security needs, a Government paper says. Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for International Development, said the strategy paper, published today, did not herald a return to "aid for arms" which was outlawed by the Blair government in 2001. But the report, Fighting Poverty to Build a Safer World, produced by the Department for International Development, was likely to cause alarmin non-governmental aid organisations over concern that aid money could be switched to defence spending by poor countries.' (Independent)

Pakistan: 'Tens of thousands of people from all religious parties have staged a rally in Karachi against Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, declaring him unacceptable because of his pro-American policies.' (CNN)

Kyrgyzstan: 'At least 10,000 pro-democracy protesters stormed a police station and occupied several state buildings in Kyrgyzstan, a government spokesman said, in the biggest demonstration since allegedly fraudulent elections last month.' (CNN)

Afghanistan: 'Torrential rains have killed more than 200 people and destroyed thousands of houses in several parts of Afghanistan in recent days, officials said on Sunday.' (CNN)

China: 'Condoleezza Rice, the American secretary of state, warned yesterday of the danger of supplying European technology that could accelerate China's military expansion. Repeating American requests for the European Union not to lift its arms embargo on China, she highlighted the threat posed by the Chinese dictatorship as she arrived in Beijing on the latest leg of a tour of Asia.' (Daily Telegraph)

Pakistan: 'More than 30 people have been killed and many injured in a bomb blast at a Muslim shrine in southern Pakistan.' (BBC)

Qatar: 'A British man has been killed and about 12 other people injured in a suspected suicide bomb attack in Qatar. The car bomb blast occurred at the Doha Players theatre outside the capital, Doha, near a British school. The dead man has been named as Jonathan Adams. No group has said it carried out the attack but Qatar's interior ministry said the suspected bomber was Egyptian.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud has urged Lebanon's divided politicians to begin immediate talks after a car bombing in Beirut increased fears of a return to Lebanon's violent past.' (CNN)

Lebanon: 'A car bomb has ripped through a predominantly Christian area of Beirut early Saturday, sheering off part of a multi-story office building and raising concerns about more violence in the volatile Lebanese capital.' (CNN)

India: 'Hindu extremists have violently assaulted several Christians in Rajasthan, India, in recent weeks. Bajrang Dal volunteers attacked eight members of the Friends Missionary Prayer Band on March 13, and falsely accused Pastor Arthur Joel, a Christian orphanage director, of child abuse in early March. Two other Emmanuel Mission workers, Pastor Vaalu and his eight-month-pregnant wife, were brutally assaulted on a public bus in late February. Demonstrators have also called for the closure of many Christian institutions across the state. Locals say the attacks are a strategy to push forward the enactment of anti-conversion laws, an intention announced by the state government on February 23.' (Compass Direct)

Uzbekistan: 'For the third time in recent years, religious literature confiscated from Baptists returning to Uzbekistan has been confiscated. The literature was seized on 6 March from seven church members from Tashkent, together with the car they were travelling in. The seven – who were quizzed for six hours - now face an administrative court, though a customs official insisted to Forum 18 News Service they were being investigated not for importing religious literature but for crossing the border on an unmarked road. "For us as believers, Christian literature is a great treasure, and so we are highly concerned that this time too our literature will be burnt," local Baptists told Forum 18. Religious affairs official Begzot Kadyrov told Forum 18 that as members of an unregistered church, the seven have no right to import any religious literature, which is subject to vigorous official censorship in Uzbekistan.' (Forum 18)

Nepal: ' Nepal is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis, the United Nations and international agencies have warned. Conflict between security forces and Maoist guerrillas has left civilians and refugees exposed and often cut off from aid supplies and medical help.' (BBC)

China: ' Citing "important and significant steps" by China to improve its human rights record, the State Department has said it will not introduce a resolution condemning Beijing this year at the U.N. Human Rights Commission.' (CNN)

Lebanon: ' UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says he expects a full Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon before elections in May. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has committed to a first phase pull-out of troops and secret agents by 1 April, according to the UN's special envoy.' (BBC)

Jordan: ' In a final attempt to wrest custody of his niece and nephew away from their widowed mother, Muslim Abdullah al-Muhtadi demanded yesterday that an Islamic court in Jordan discount the testimony of his sister, Siham Qandah, because she is a Christian. Under Islamic law, the testimony of a non-Muslim carries only half the legal weight of a Muslim in a sharia court. Playing the “religion card” may represent al-Muhtadi’s last resort as Judge Mahmud Zghl set March 22 for the final verdict. After yesterday’s hearing, he reportedly told the children’s mother, “Next week I will announce my decision.” King Abdullah II and other members of the Jordanian royal family have pledged that the children will not be taken away from their mother. Nevertheless, the three-year custody battle has yet to be resolved.' (Compass Direct)

India: ' The defense attorney for a Christian evangelist arrested on charges of attempting to convert Hindus in India’s Orissa state appealed his client’s case to the Orissa High Court yesterday. The appeal exposes police negligence and charges officers with torturing evangelist Kiran Kumar. On February 27, Kumar was on his way to visit a Hindu man in the Khurda district who had invited him for prayers when nine Hindu extremists assaulted the evangelist, tied him up and threatened to throw him into Chilika Lake. Police later arrived on the scene and arrested Kumar. Once inside the Balugaon police station, “Patra Babu started beating me mercilessly with a bamboo stick and asked me to call Jesus to save me,” Kumar said.' (Compass Direct)

India/Pakistan: 'US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has praised progress in the peace process between India and Pakistan. After meeting Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh on the opening leg of her Asian tour, Ms Rice said the US would support the peace process.' (BBC)

Nepal: 'America has urged Nepal's king and mainstream political parties to unite to end the country's political crisis. US ambassador to Nepal James Moriarty says that failure to do so could result in victory for the Maoist rebels.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Under pressure from the United States, Europe and significant portion of Lebanon's populace, Syrian intelligence units Tuesday were in the process of leaving Beirut, a Lebanese army source told CNN.' (CNN)

Kazakhstan: 'A local Protestant who has been attending the continuing criminal trial of fellow-Protestant dancing teacher Vladislav Polskikh, which began in the north-eastern town of Pavlodar on 22 February, fears the teacher will be found guilty of using his lessons to promote Christianity, an accusation Polskikh rejects. "The judge is behaving just like the prosecution," the Protestant told Forum 18 News Service, though Polskikh's lawyer said it is too early to say what the verdict will be. Meanwhile, in southern Kazakhstan Baptist Valeri Pak has had his identity documents confiscated and faces criminal trial for refusing to pay earlier fines imposed to punish him for leading an unregistered church. An official has denied to Forum 18 that the state is stepping up moves against believers.' (Forum 18)

China: 'Taiwan has condemned a new Chinese law giving Beijing the legal right to use force against the island if it moves towards declaring formal independence.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Hariri sister calls for justice: Massive protest marks former PM's death. Hundreds of thousands gathered in Beirut for what organizers called the largest opposition rally since the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri four weeks ago. It outnumbered a pro-Syrian counter-demonstration organized last week by Hezbollah.' (CNN)

Asia: 'Melting glaciers in the Himalayas could lead to water shortages for hundreds of millions of people, the conservation group WWF has warned.' (BBC)

Nepal: 'At least 500 people have been arrested in nationwide opposition protests in Nepal, organisers say.' (BBC)

China: 'China's top leaders on Saturday approved the resignation of unpopular Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa following his appointment to a government advisory panel that provided a face-saving departure after eight tumultuous years.' (CNN)

India: 'Christians from a small Indian village will have their day in court on May 9 following a violent attack on a prayer meeting on February 23. Members of a radical Hindu group broke up the meeting and left several Christians badly injured -- while policemen who were assigned to guard the Christians failed to protect them. Local Hindus have since pressured the Christians to drop their complaint, threatening them with “death and burning down of their houses.” Meanwhile, India’s top Christian leaders presented an unofficial “white paper” to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday, March 11. The document listed over 200 violent incidents against Christians occurring in the first 10 weeks of this year and called on the government to protect the Christian minority.' (Compass Direct)

Nepal: 'Nepal's former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has been freed more than month after he was sacked by the king and placed under house arrest.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Almost all Syrian troops left north Lebanon Friday, ending an unbroken 29-year presence and underlining Syria's diminishing role in its small neighbor.' (CNN)

Iran: 'Iranian Christian Colonel Hamid Pourmand finds himself incarcerated in a group cell at Tehran’s maximum-security Evin Prison with several internationally known political dissidents. An Assemblies of God lay pastor, Pourmand has reportedly explained to his fellow prisoners the circumstances of his arrest and sentencing, based solely on his religious conversion to Christianity 25 years ago. “Actually, the government is very angry about this, because now he is very popular there in the jail!” a source commented. Friends remain fearful for Pourmand’s life. Evin Prison became infamous after the 1979 revolution brought an Islamist government to power -- untold thousands of political prisoners were tortured and executed there after cursory trials. Pourmand’s conviction on dubious charges of concealing his Christian faith from military superiors has left his wife Arlet and the couple’s two teenage sons penniless and homeless.' (Compass Direct)

China: 'Hu Jintao bad for intellectuals, good for peasants: In the run-up to the transition to the fourth generation of Chinese leaders in 2002, intellectuals in Beijing were cautiously optimistic that Hu Jintao would be a force for reform. But they conceded that the man who was slated to be the country's top leader was virtually unknown.' (Asia Times)

Vietnam: 'On February 4, Prime Minister of Vietnam Phan Van Khai released a policy document entitled “Instructions Concerning the Protestant Religion.” The new instructions promise some changes for the better, such as allowing Protestant denominations active in Vietnam before 1975 to apply for legal registration. However, veteran observers believe the policy statement merely aims to quell the international outcry over ongoing persecution of Christians, particularly in the Central Highlands. Few expect real change to take place. Two police raids on the Mennonite Church in Ho Chi Minh City in the past two weeks, resulting in the arrest and questioning of 19 Christians, have reinforced their doubts. Some house church leaders dismiss the instructions as “just window dressing to fool critics and diplomats.”' (Compass Direct)

China: 'On March 1, China adopted the new Regulations on Religious Affairs, first announced by the government in December 2004. The government claims the new regulations are a step towards religious freedom. However, legal scholars say the law is vague, reinforces government control of religion and increases penalties for unregistered churches. The regulations have already sparked debate among house church Christians. Some younger house church leaders are optimistic and say they will register, while an older generation of leaders -- those who survived the Cultural Revolution -- maintain suspicion of the government and are less likely to register.' (Compass Direct)

Nepal: 'Nepalese authorities say they have released eight political leaders and activists who were detained after King Gyanendra seized direct control.' (BBC)

China: 'China's craving for oil to drive its industrial boom and, to a lesser extent, satisfy its love affair with the motorcar, has helped to push up global crude oil prices. In 2003, China raced past Japan to become the world's second biggest consumer of petroleum products after the US. In 2004, its thirst grew by 15%, while its output only rose 2%.' (BBC)

Egypt: 'Parliament agreed Wednesday to amend the constitution to allow for Egypt's first multicandidate elections for president -- a move that opposition supporters denounced as a tactic to ensure that President Hosni Mubarak's family retains power.' (CNN)

Lebanon: 'Lebanon's pro-Syria parliamentary majority has nominated former Prime Minister Omar Karami -- who resigned nine days ago in the face of anti-Syria demonstrations -- to resume his post.' (CNN)

World: 'Poor countries have cancer rates much closer to those of rich nations, reversing a long-held belief among medical researchers, a study released Thursday reports.' (CNN)

UK: 'Muslim apostates cast out and at risk from faith and family. While Christians who turn to Islam are feted, the 200,000 Muslims who turn away are faced with abuse, violence and even murder.' (Times)

Lebanon: 'Syria says it will leave Lebanon before the country's general election in May.' (BBC)

China: 'The Bush administration has labelled as "unhelpful" a Chinese law authorizing the use of military force to prevent Taiwan from formally declaring its independence and urged Beijing to reconsider the measure.' (CNN)

Nepal: 'The state of emergency in Nepal could remain in force until the end of April according to the country's constitution, a senior minister says.' (BBC)

Afghanistan: 'A British financier shot dead in Kabul may have been targeted by warlords angry at Britain's lead role in countering Afghanistan's opium trade.' (Independent)

Lebanon: 'Lebanon's deep divisions were laid bare yesterday when hundreds of thousands of people rallied in the centre of Beirut, denouncing America and rejecting demands for Syrian troops to leave the country.' (Daily Telegraph)

Afghanistan: 'A British man working in Afghanistan as an adviser to the Afghan government has been shot dead in the capital, Kabul.' (BBC)

Kuwait: 'Kuwait's parliament has agreed to speed up moves towards a law to grant women the same political rights as men.' (BBC)

India: 'India's cabinet has recommended direct rule in the eastern state of Bihar.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Syrian troops in Lebanon have been moving back to eastern areas of the country as part of a pull-back plan.' (BBC)

Middle East: 'Was Bush right after all? As Syria pulls out of Lebanon, and the winds of change blow through the Middle East, this is the difficult question that opponents of the Iraq war are having to face.' (Independent)

China: 'China has unveiled a controversial new law that would allow Beijing to use military action against Taiwan if peaceful means fail to stop the island pursuing independence.' (CNN)

Turkey: 'Riot police on Sunday used truncheons and tear gas to break up a group of leftist demonstrators who refused to disperse during an unauthorized demonstration marking the upcoming World Women's Day.' (CNN)

China: 'China's influence on the world is seen as positive by more people than is the case for the US or Russia, according to a new BBC World Service poll.' (BBC)

Kyrgyzstan: 'Demonstrations have been taking place in Kyrgyzstan in protest at alleged government interference in last Sunday's parliamentary elections. It is the fifth day of protests in the central Asian republic since the vote, with demonstrators occupying a state building and blocking a road.' (BBC)

Jordan: 'Jordan's Foreign Minister Hani Mulki has held talks in Israel and the Palestinian territories on the first trip of its kind in four years.' (BBC)

Afghanistan: 'More than three years after a pro-U.S. government was installed, Afghanistan has been unable to contain opium poppy production and is "on the verge of becoming a narcotics state," a presidential report said Friday.' (CNN)

Africa: 'Nearly 90 million Africans could be infected by HIV in the next 20 years if more is not done to combat the epidemic, the UN has warned.' (BBC)

UK: 'The law against religious hatred is – in effect – an invitation to it.' (Daily Telegraph)

China: 'According to the China Aid Association at least 10 foreign evangelical church leaders were detained and subsequently deported by the Chinese authorities. In a news release the China Aid Association’s (CAA) China-based field investigators said the deportees included including eight Americans, one Taiwanese and an unknown number of South Koreans. The deportation reportedly occurred on Feb. 25.' (Assist News Service)

Nepal: 'At least five political leaders of Nepal, including two former prime ministers, have had their house arrest extended, officials said on Friday.' (BBC)

Uzbekistan/UK: 'The Uzbekistan sport of Kurash – an upper-body-only martial art – has come to Kent.' (Daily Telegraph)

Sudan: 'The UN's top humanitarian official says the world is committing a historic mistake by failing to support the peace deal in southern Sudan.' (BBC)

Morocco: 'Tens of thousands of Moroccans have joined a demonstration in the capital, Rabat, calling for the release of prisoners of war held in Algeria.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Syria, Lebanon leaders meet on pullback: U.S. pushes troop withdrawal as Hezbollah plans protest.' (CNN)

Arab World: 'Two years after the invasion of Iraq, the Arab world is beginning to show tantalising signs of change. But it is too early to talk of a year of revolutions, as the three prime exhibits being used to make the case for democracy—Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine—are in many ways special cases.' (Economist)

Nepal: 'The authorities in Nepal have banned independent media coverage of the country's Maoist insurgency.' (BBC)

India: 'India's parliament closed for the second consecutive day after the opposition protested against political developments in Jharkhand state.' (BBC)

Saudi Arabia: ' Men in southern Saudi Arabia and the largely Shia-populated Eastern Province have turned out in their thousands to vote in municipal elections.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'A meeting of Lebanese opposition leaders has ended with a list of demands calling for the immediate resignation of Lebanese security chiefs and the immediate withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence assets from Lebanon.' (CNN)

India: 'A silent killer of rural women. Maksudum Bibi, a housewife from the village of Abdalpur north of Calcutta, coughs furiously and is almost in tears as she lights up her traditional cooking stove.' (BBC)

Uzbekistan: 'Uzbekistan's government has defended its refusal to permit a visit by a British minister, saying his critical approach amounted to interference.' (BBC)

Lebanon: 'Syrian troops out of Lebanon in months, Assad promises.' (Daily Telegraph)

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: 'The weekend general elections in the former Soviet central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were condemned by Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitors yesterday as marred by pressure on the independent media and court orders barring some opposition candidates.' (Guardian)

Nepal: 'Seventy Maoist rebels were killed after a major clash with Nepal's security forces.' (CNN)

Lebanon: 'Scenes of people power unseen in the Middle East brought down the Lebanese government last night as tens of thousands marched on parliament in Beirut demanding an end to decades of Syrian interference in their country. About 25,000 people waving flags gathered in what appeared to mark a new era of political openness in the Arab world.' (Daily Telegraph)

Dubai: 'How Dubai, the playground of businessmen and warlords, is built by Asian wage slaves: Dubai's aim of becoming Middle East's commercial capital comes with hidden costs.' (Independent)

Nepal: 'The Royal Nepalese Army, which assisted King Gyanendra’s February 1 seizure of power, is responsible for a widespread pattern of enforced disappearances, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Human Rights Watch called on the king and the army to immediately end the practice of “disappearances” and to take concrete steps to hold perpetrators accountable.' (Human Rights Watch)

Vietnam: 'Action Needed Now to End Religious Persecution: Vietnam Blacklisted as One of the Worst Violators of Religious Rights.' (Human Rights Watch)

Turkmenistan: 'Amongst pressures on religious communities is a government-enforced cult of President Niyazov's personality. Forum 18 News Service has learnt that Muslims face mounting pressure to venerate the president's two volume ideological book, the Ruhnama (Book of the Soul), while Russian Orthodox churches must have a minimum of two copies of the Ruhnama. One government minister claimed that the Ruhnama would make up for shortcomings in both the Bible and the Koran, neither of which were, he claimed, fully adequate for the spiritual needs of Turkmens. The personality cult includes a massive mosque decorated with quotations from the Ruhnama, a gold statue in Ashgabad that revolves to follow the sun and a monument to the Ruhnama. Also important in the President's cult are his books of poetry, and Muslim clerics were last month told that "it was a priority task for clergymen to disseminate the lofty ideas in our great leader's sacred books on the duties of parents and children."' (Forum 18)

Turkmenistan: 'Religious communities with state registration - Seventh-day Adventists, some Baptists, Bahais, Hare Krishna and Muslims - have recently seen some improvement in their freedom to meet for worship, but almost all complain of being unable to worship outside approved places and of the ban on printing or importing religious literature. Russian Orthodox parishes are expecting registration in March. The leader of one religious community, which has decided not to register, complained to Forum 18 News Service that "even if you get registration there are so many things you can't do." Harassment of unregistered religious communities, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, continues. Turkmen President Niyazov has reportedly stated of unregistered religious communities that, if they are good and agree to cooperate with the SSM secret police, there is no reason not to register them. Questioned by Forum 18 about why the government is secretive about its policy, an official insisted that the policy is not secret – but would not give any information.' (Forum 18)

World: the website of the Make Poverty History campaign. 'Every single day, 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty. This year, 2005, we finally have the resources, knowledge and opportunity to end this shameful situation. In July of this year, 8 world leaders will have it in their power to create the changes which will make poverty history. But they will only use that power if enough people tell them to.' (Make Poverty History)