MOSCOW -- Russia on Saturday faced a storm of international criticism for sentencing three members of Pussy Riot punk band to two years in prison for their protest in an Orthodox cathedral. Speculation mounted that the women, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, … Australia 'preparing' for Assange extradition to US
Australia confirmed Saturday that its diplomatic post in Washington had been preparing for Julian Assange's possible extradition to the US but played it down as "contingency planning". Last UN observers start leaving Syria
A United Nations spokeswoman says the last U.N. observers still in Syria have started to leave the country as their mission officially ends at midnight Sunday. Kim visits North Korea's army unit that launched 2010 shelling of South
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited a frontline military detachment, state media reported, and reminded troops of their duty to fight a "sacred war" against any provocation by South Korea. His visit, and his recent resumption of "field guidance" to military units, precede annual war games by allies South Korea and the United States. The military drills are scheduled to begin on Monday and continue until August 31. … 
In the weeks before Pussy Riot band members were sentenced to two years in a Russian prison, the feminist punk group's plight had become a global cause, attracting activists and celebrities alike. More world news from the Christian Science Monitor But … 
Myanmar has set up a new commission to probe sectarian clashes that saw scores killed and displaced tens of thousands, members told AFP, following intense scrutiny of its handling of the issue. 
A suicide bomber blew up his explosive-laden car at a check post in southwestern Pakistan overnight killing five people including three soldiers, according to an official. 
North Korea has threatened to reconsider several agreements with the United States that call for Pyongyang's concessions on its nuclear program in exchange for US humanitarian and energy aid, Foreign Policy magazine reported. 
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Premier Wen Jiabao encouraged North Korea to allow "market mechanisms" help revamp its economy, state media said on Saturday, and laid down other pre-conditions as China tries to wean its impoverished ally off its dependence on Chinese aid. Wen's comments followed his meeting with Jang Song-thaek, the powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in Beijing on Friday. Jang is the highest-profile North Korean official to visit China since Kim power in December 2011. … 
Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim plans to end his 30-year political career if he fails to unseat Prime Minister Najib Razak at the next election, he said. 
Beauty queens from all over the planet made final preparations to compete for the Miss World title on Saturday in a Chinese mining city on the edge of the Gobi desert. 
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un commended an army unit involved in a deadly skirmish with the South in 2010 and ordered immediate counter-attacks if provoked again, Pyongyang's state media said.