JAPAN: A Reawakening of Neglected Island Cultures

After decades of cold neglect, the distinct and intricate cultures of the tiny islands that surround the archipelago of Japan's four main islands have recently begun to gain public attention.

AUSTRALIA: Suspect Cleared But Bomb Plot Scars Indians, Muslims

Australia had to drop charges against Dr Mohammed Haneef, the Indian doctor who was arrested in connection with the failed London and Glasgow bombings, but leaders of the Muslim and Indian communities have appealed to the federal government to help counter the fears and stereotyping of their people.

ASIA: Iraq’s Fairytale Journey Gives Football a Shot in the Arm

Asia's premier football championship received unprecedented global coverage thanks to the fairytale journey of the national team from war-ravaged Iraq. On Sunday night, Iraq's footballers were crowned the new heroes of the region after defeating the more fancied Saudi Arabians in Jakarta.

CHINA: Close Sudan Links Cast Shadow On Olympics

Elaborate celebrations are being planned for the Aug. 8 one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympics, but Chinese leaders fear both the party and the games could be spoiled by an escalating international campaign to link the violence in Sudan's Darfur region to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

IRAQ: Football Succeeds Where Politics Fails

An Iraqi football victory seems to have united Iraqis across the country where politicians only divide it.

POLITICS-CUBA: (When) Will Fidel Return?

President Fidel Castro will not be attending the Jul. 26 celebrations, one of the most important annual commemorations of the Cuban Revolution, and this prolongs uncertainty over whether or not he will resume his official functions until the forthcoming elections.

BOLIVIA: Indigenous and Mestizo Power Flexes Muscles

An immense tide of people demonstrating to keep the Bolivian seat of government in this city took to the streets last week to show support for the indigenous Aymara and mestizo leadership, in the greatest expression of popular power in the history of the country.

RELIGION: U.S. Evangelicals Approach Muslim Envoys

That it happened at all was a major feat. That not much was resolved was not surprising. That those involved are determined to meet again is fascinating. That it was organised by a controversial faith healer has made it that much more noteworthy.

POLITICS: Most Muslims Reject Extremism

Growing numbers of Muslims in the Middle East and in predominantly Muslim countries in Asia and Africa are rejecting "Islamic extremism" and the use of suicide bombing, according to a new 47-nation global attitudes survey released by the Pew Research Centre on Tuesday.

TURKEY: Military In or Out of Politics?

Turkey has a powerful military with no qualms about direct or other forms of intervention in politics in the name of its constitutional powers - safeguarding a secular republic from both external and internal threats. But now, while still held in high esteem by the populace, its continued role in politics is being questioned.

FRANCE: For Jazz Musicians, a Paris Tradition Continues

On a quiet side street in the Paris suburb of Louise Michel, jazz musician Bobby Few from the United States sits at his 120-year-old Gabriel Gaveau piano and reminisces about what he has seen come to pass in his nearly 40 years in France.

EGYPT: One Pope Takes On Another

A recent statement by Pope Benedict XVI in which he declared the Roman Catholic Church to be the only "complete" Christian faith met with angry responses from the heads of several western, Protestant denominations. In Egypt, meanwhile, Benedict's assertion about Eastern Orthodox churches - that they "lacked something" in their capacities as churches - prompted no less of an angry reaction from the Orthodox Coptic Christian community.

HEALTH: HIV/AIDS Experts Swear by Circumcision

Male circumcision could prevent millions of new HIV infections a year, delegates at the 4th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention were told here on Tuesday.

TURKEY: Islamic Party Wins in Landslide

Turkey's governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), with its roots in Islam but professing to be secular and conservative, won a landslide victory in general elections Sunday. What it does in coming days will determine how long it stays in office.

POLITICS-NEPAL: Child Soldier Issue Slows Peace Plan

A senior journalist recently likened Nepal's fragile peace process to an overcrowded bus lurching uncertainly on this country’s mountainous roads, yet moving forward to its destination.

POLITICS-MALI: Bracing for “Zero to Six” in Parliamentary Elections

A fear has been voiced that the number of women in Mali's parliament could be more than halved during legislative elections that wrapped up Sunday.

DEATH PENALTY-SAUDI ARABIA: Legal Aid for Maid – After Close Shave With Sword

The dramatic reprieve for a condemned Sri Lankan housemaid won by lawyers, beating a Jul. 16 deadline for filing an appeal in the Saudi Arabian courts, has focused the international spotlight on a closed justice system which condemns people to death without legal representation at their trials.

POLITICS: Young Hmong Americans Confront a Dark History

The Hmong American community was catapulted into the national spotlight when, on Jun. 4, 11 California residents were arrested for plotting to overthrow the government of Laos.

TURKEY: Three Tickets To Parliament

With the Turkish legislative elections coming up Sunday, the picture of the post-Jul. 22 National Assembly takes a firmer shape. The number of the parties to share the red leather chairs of the spacious modern building in the Bakanliklar neighbourhood of Ankara will be limited to three.

IRAN: ‘Confessions’ on TV to Counter ‘Velvet Revolution’

Iranian state-run TV aired Wednesday and Thursday ‘confessions’ of two Iranian-American academics arrested in May and held incommunicado since then. Both academics have officially been charged with acting against national security and espionage.

PAKISTAN: Suicide Bombings Demoralise Security Forces

A week-long campaign of suicide bombings that killed more than 130 people across Paksitan, has seriously demoralised security personnel in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, that have become a safe haven for the Taliban and the al-Qaeda.