Pakistan Pol: Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was arrested today (Monday) after arriving in Islamabad, where officials said he was then deported to Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Sharif flew to Pakistan's capital eight years after he was ousted in a bloodless coup by General Pervez Musharraf - the current president.
After a tense 90-minute standoff with authorities on the airplane, Mr. Sharif was taken to the airport terminal. He was then arrested on what officials said were charges of corruption and money laundering.
Shortly afterwards, officials said Mr. Sharif was put on a flight headed for Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan's interior minister (Aftab Ahmad Sherpao) said earlier that whatever happened to the former prime minister would be according to the law. The government had said it would arrest Mr. Sharif if he returned to Pakistan, despite a Supreme Court ruling last month clearing the way for his return.
Mr. Sharif, who has spent nearly seven years in exile, intended to challenge President Pervez Musharraf in upcoming elections.
Police clashed with supporters on the road to the airport today (Monday), using batons and tear gas, and detaining dozens of people.
Japan Pol: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is urging lawmakers not to neglect their responsibility to the international community by withdrawing support for the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.
Japan's parliament opened an extraordinary session today (Monday) to decide whether to renew a special anti-terrorism law enabling Japan's navy to refuel coalition warships in the Indian Ocean.
The law was enacted after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, and is to expire November first. The opposition, which recently gained control of the Upper House of parliament, opposes the extension.
Mr. Abe indicated Sunday that he would resign if parliament does not extend Japan's mission in Afghanistan.
Burma – US: Burma's military government has accused western countries of aiding the Burmese pro-democracy movement.
State-run media on Sunday charged that the embassy of "a powerful country" had helped prominent activist Htay Kywe escape a security dragnet last month. Burmese government media said Htay Kywe, who is still in hiding, was receiving help from a foreign nation - an apparent reference to the United States. The U.S. embassy in Rangoon was not available for comment.
Burmese media also say the United States is sending money to opposition groups that have conducted anti-government demonstrations in recent weeks.
The United States has been among the world's harshest critics of the junta in Burma. Last week President Bush said the Burmese government's recent crackdown on peaceful expression amounts to inexcusable repression.
Global Stocks: Stock markets in Asia generally declined sharply in early trading today (Monday), as investors reacted to negative economic reports in the United States and Japan.
But some Asian markets later rebounded, and the start of European trading was largely unchanged.
The initial downturn in Asia followed a slump on Wall Street Friday, when the U.S. government announced that August payrolls fell for the first time in four years.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei index dropped more than two percent today after the Japanese government revised its second-quarter gross domestic product figures to show the economy is shrinking - a turnaround from earlier estimates that Japan's GDP would rise.
Koreas Flood Aid: South Korea has begun sending aid to North Korea to help the country recover from devastating floods.
A spokesman for the Unification Ministry in Seoul says about 60 truck-loads of cement, reinforcing rods, construction machinery and fuel left for North Korea today (Monday).
The spokesman says South Korea plans to deliver the rest of its nearly 40-million dollar aid package by the end of the month.
South Korea also has sent more than seven million dollars worth of mineral water, instant noodles, blankets and emergency kits.
The aid is part of an international effort to help North Korea recover from some of its worst flooding in years.
US – Iraq: Eight months after President Bush announced his plan to send more troops to Iraq, the top U.S. general there will tell Congress today (Monday) if the plan has worked.
General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker will testify about the impact of Mr. Bush's troop "surge" plan before a joint hearing of two key House of Representatives committees.
Various sources have said the two men will tell Congress that the surge has helped increase Iraqi security, and they will urge skeptical lawmakers to oppose large troop reductions now.
However, they are also expected to testify that they are disappointed in the Iraqi government's slow progress in achieving national reconciliation.
Their testimony today to a joint hearing of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees will be followed Tuesday by testimony to a Senate panel.
Mr. Bush will address the nation later this week about his plans for Iraq.
Listen to our World News for details.