Iraq: Former troops invited into army
Iraqi soldiers who served under Saddam Hussein are being invited to rejoin the force.
Koreas: Unified Olympics teams
North Korea and South Korea have agreed to compete as a single team in the 2006 Asian Games and the 2008 Olympics, according to a South Korean official.
US: helicopter in quake area ‘fired upon’
The US military believes a rocket-propelled grenade was fired upon while on of its helicopters were delivering aid in earthquake-hit Kashmir.
Cuba: US hurricane offer accepted
For the first time in decades, Cuba has accepted a US offer to send a disaster team to help, with Hurricane Wilma
Iran: Leader defends Israel remark
Iran's president has defended his widely criticised call for Israel to be "wiped off the map".
Iraq: US death toll now 2,000
The 2,000th military death in Iraq was marked in the US by protests and vigils.
Pakistan: UN raises aid appeal target
The United Nations has almost doubled its appeal target for the South Asia earthquake to $549.6m (£309.3m).
Russian army cleared over Beslan
Russian forces, who used flame-throwers during the Beslan school siege last year, will not face charges, a top Russian prosecutor has said.
UN: Quake is worst nightmare
Shortfall in aid for victims of the South Asian quake has made the relief situation worse than after last December's tsunami, UN claims.
Europe: Bird flu hits continent
Several countries in Europe and Asia are reporting fresh cases of the H5N1 bird flu strain among poultry. Humans could be at risk.