Iraqi security forces are on high alert ahead of today's (Friday's) announcement of results from the December 15th parliamentary election.
U.S. intelligence analysts say the voice on an audiotape aired Thursday by Arab broadcaster al-Jazeera is that of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Nepal's royal government is holding top opposition leaders under house arrest and enforcing a daytime curfew .
Police in Thailand's restive south say one person was killed when a bomb exploded near a mobile phone tower.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has pledged to improve ties with China and South Korea.
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