AP - His home was looted by wild government soldiers still pillaging this empty hilltop town. His fields are at the mercy of armed militias. And somewhere in the countryside, a rebel army is digging in.
AP - Opposition lawmakers shouted and pounded their desks in protest Thursday in a second day of emotional debate in parliament over a proposed agreement with the U.S. that would allow American forces to stay in Iraq for three more years.
AP - Pakistan protested to the U.S. ambassador Thursday over a deep cross-border missile strike, and a militant group threatened to target foreigners unless the attacks stop.
AP - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin used a meeting of his powerful political party to take center stage Thursday, casting himself as an indispensable leader even as the global financial meltdown threatens the achievements of his boom-time presidency.
AFP - Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will not be affected by the present global financial crisis their bid chief told AFP here on Thursday.
AFP - The prospect of Bangladesh holding its first democratic elections in seven years hung in the balance Thursday after the government refused to meet demands from a key party.
AFP - A suicide truck bomb exploded outside a government compound in Afghanistan Thursday, killing nine people and wounding sixteen more including two foreign troops, officials said.
AFP - A militant Taliban group warned Thursday of reprisals in Pakistan if there was another US drone attack, as the government condemned the latest missile strike in its territory.
Reuters - Oil dropped 8 percent to below $50 on Thursday as a bearish U.S. jobs report intensified concerns of a long and deep global recession and further crushed demand expectations.
Reuters - Indian cricket selectors recalled Sachin Tendulkar into the one-day squad on Thursday for the next two games of the home series against England.
Reuters - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan declined an offer to act in the Bollywood film 'Dostana' starring her husband Abhishek over fears their real-life relationship would overshadow the films gay theme.
Reuters - India handed over aid for Sri Lanka's war refugees on Thursday in what analysts say is the clearest sign yet New Delhi will not interfere with Colombo's plan to end Asia's oldest insurgency militarily.