Soldiers start critical offensive against Taliban
Pakistani soldiers attac-ked militant bases in the main al-Qaida and Taliban stronghold along the Afghan border yesterday as the nuclear-armed country launched its most critical offensive yet against insurgents threatening its stability.

Court sentences 2 Shi'ite rebels to death
A Yemeni court convicted 12 Shi'ite rebels of taking up arms against the army yesterday and sentenced two of them to death. The other 10 received prison sentences ranging from eight to 12 years.

Opposition: Use of force won't halt demands
Iran's embattled opposition leaders promised to press on with their campaign against the country's rulers, saying the use of force to crush the post-election protests will not silence their demands for democratic change.