Crackdown ‘nets 600 Sadr forces’ About 600 fighters and 16 leaders of the radical Shia militia, the Mehdi Army, have been captured by security forces in Iraq, the US military says.

Fatah and Hamas to open new round of unity talks Palestinian factions on Tuesday said they were starting a new round of talks to form a unity government.

Strike plunges Lebanon into chaos Thousands of Lebanese demonstrators have paralysed much of the country, barricading roads as part of a strike aimed at toppling the government.

Group Says al-Qaida No. 2 Mocks Bush Al-Qaida’s deputy leader mocked President Bush’s plan to send 21,000 more troops to Iraq, challenging him to send “the entire army”.

Strategist: Iran believes it could destroy Israel with a single nuke Iran’s nuclear program seeks first-strike capability against Israel, a leading strategist said.

China confirms satellite downed China has confirmed it carried out a test that destroyed a satellite, in a move that caused international alarm.

IDF builds fake Muslim city to prepare for war The IDF unveiled an Urban Warfare Training Center (UTC) on Monday in a mock city that simulates an Arab town.

Kosovans distanced from Serb poll In unseasonably warm sunshine on Pristina’s Mother Teresa Boulevard, a group of students staged a protest against delays to Kosovan independence.

Russia completes Iran missile contract Russia has fulfilled a contract to sell air defense missiles to Iran.

China battles gender based abortion Gender imbalances have led China to step up efforts to curb sex-selective abortions.